London is a brilliant city for families. England’s capital is packed full of things to do from world-famous museums (including some great museum sleepovers) and beautiful parks to fun playgrounds, incredible theatre, lively markets, and much, much more.
But a trip to London does not come cheap. The U.K. capital is one of the most expensive cities in Europe and if you visit all the paid attractions such as the London Eye or Madame Tussauds, your family holiday can end up costing a lot of money.
As a family of five we are often looking for ways to save on seeing London’s sights and the good news is that there are lots of things to do in London with kids that don’t cost a penny (and involve more than just walking around London’s famous streets!)
So, whether you live in London and are looking for inspiration for saving money or you are in London as part of a European vacation, this list of the best FREE things to do in London with kids should help.
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Free Things to do in London
Table of Contents
The below map indicates where to find the best free sights and activities are in London. The map can be used as follows:
- Purple: Free things to do in Central London
- Yellow: Free things to do in North London
- Orange: Free things to do in South London
- Turquoise: Free things to do in East London
- Green: Free things to do in West London
Free things to do in Central London
If you’re wondering where to start looking for children’s activities in London then my advice would be to start in central London. Zone 1 is where you’ll find some of the city’s most famous sights including St. Paul’s Cathedral. It’s also where you’ll discover the largest number of free things to do in London.
Remember when visiting London that all children under 11 travel free on most public transport when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. Children aged 11-15 can get free or discounted travel and 16 and 17-year-olds pay half the adult rate.
See Transport for London for more details.
If you don’t have an Oyster card you can use your contactless bank card to tap in and tap out (you can also get an Oyster and contactless app for your phone). Both Oyster and Contactless support daily capping (meaning you won’t ever pay more for your travel than if you had purchased a one day travel card), only contactless supports weekly capping.
The Changing of the Guards
There are very few free attractions in London that can compete with the pomp and ceremony of the Changing of the Guard. Held at Buckingham Palace, this event is one of the most popular activities for kids in London and sees the Old Guard at the palace switches duty with the New Guard.
The free event takes place from 10.45am and last around 45 minutes; the actual handover between guards takes place at 11am.
The ceremony currently takes place on Mondays, Wednesday, Fridays and Sundays but make sure to check the ceremony schedule before heading out.
Cost: Free
Closest Tube: Green Park
Big Ben
You can’t visit London and not see Big Ben. Although known to everyone the world over as Big Ben, the structure’s official name was the Clock Tower and then the Elizabeth Tower, following the historic Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 2012. Big Ben refers to the clock tower’s largest bell, which weighs 13.7 tons.
This iconic London landmark recently spent five years shrouded in scaffolding as it underwent conservation work took place to repair the tower. Today it’s back to its original – better, even – glory and is one of the must-see sights in the capital.
Cost: Free
Nearest tube: Westminster
The Sky Garden
Forget paying for a great view from the London Eye or The Shard and book tickets for the Sky Garden instead.
Located on the top floors of the ‘Walkie-Talkie’ building, this sky-high garden offers some of the best views over London – an amazing 360-degree views over the city.
A visit to the Sky Garden is one of the best free things to do in London but you must book your ticket in advance. Make sure you arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled visit so that you have enough time to get through security before riding the elevator up to the 35th floor.
Cost: Free admission but book tickets in advance.
Closest Tube: Monument, Tower Hill, Tower Gate, Aldgate, Bank and Mansion House
The South Bank
When the sun is shining there’s no better place to be than along the river. Head to the South Bank for a stroll along the River Thames and discover some of London’s best – and lesser-known – sights too.
For teens, there’s the Southbank Skatepark, a tunnelled area where skaters can drop-in, flip and switch.
The Southbank is also home to the Royal Festival Hall, one of the world’s leading performance venues, the Leake Street Graffiti Tunnel, and some of London’s most unusual museums – and more!
From the South Bank you can also walk to Borough Market, one of London’s best markets. You’ll have to pay if you want to try any of the delicious food on offer but it’s free to wander around!
Cost: Free
Nearest tube: Waterloo and Embankment
The Princess Diana Memorial Playground
One of our favourite activities for kids in London is a day out at the Princess Diana Memorial Playground. Inspired by the stories of Peter Pan, this is one of London’s best playgrounds.
An enormous wooden pirate ship sits centre stage. Elsewhere you’ll find a sensory trail, teepees, a sandy area where kids can splash in the water and more. There’s also an area where less able and able-bodied children can play together.
The playground is located in Kensington Gardens and there’s a cafe on site if you forget to pack a picnic.
Cost: Free
Closest Tube: Queensway
Many of London’s museums are free and lots offer child friendly activity packs or gallery backpacks – ask at the museum’s front desk when you first arrive.
The V&A Museum
The fabulous Victoria & Albert Museum is home to fantastic exhibitions throughout the year (their Frida Kahlo exhibit in 2018 was one of the most popular ever staged) and it also hosts some brilliant kids activities.
Head to the Learning Centre and pick up a free backpack before embarking on an adventure throughout the museum; themes change regularly and are an excellent way for children aged 5-12 to explore the V&A.
For under 5s, there are Agent Animal bags that take them on a mission to find animals. In case you’re looking for some London souvenirs, the V&A is home to a wonderful gift shop.
During the school holidays the museum’s Imagination Station opens up with activities designed by artists available for for kids and their parents. The Imagination Station is a free, drop-in activity.
Cost: Free. Exhibitions require an additional ticket (charged).
Closest Tube: South Kensington
The British Museum
Grab an activity trail or a gallery backpack from the Families Desk in the Great Court and dive into one of London’s most fabulous museums.
The British Museum was founded in 1753 and is the world’s oldest national public museum. It remains the UK’s most visited attraction welcoming some 6.5 million visitors annually!
There are regular family events plus activities for under 5s including opportunities for creative play, making and exploring with an Alfred the Explorer backpack!
Cost: Free, exhibitions require an additional ticket (paid).
Closest Tube: Tottenham Court Road, Holborn, Russell Square and Goodge Street.
The Natural History Museum
One of London’s best museums for families is the brilliant Natural History Museum. In addition to being the setting for one of the best scenes in the original Paddington movie, it’s home to some excellent activities and exhibits that are free to visit.
It also puts on the excellent Dino Snores museum sleepover although you’ll have to pay for that.
One of the most famous exhibits is the Dinosaur Gallery where you can watch dinosaurs, including the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex, stomp and roar. Kids will also love trying out the museum’s earthquake simulator and riding through the centre of the earth in Earth Hall.
Next door is the Science Museum, which is excellent.
The museum has a handful of cafes but there are also lots of places to eat near the Natural History Museum that are good for families.
Cost: Free, exhibitions require an additional ticket (paid)
Closest Tube: South Kensington
The Royal Academy of Arts
The great thing about the Royal Academy of Arts is that kids under 16 go free to all the exhibitions, which means that if you did want to see one of their ever-changing exhibits, you don’t have to pay for the entire family.
Then there are the free Art Detectives sketchbooks and activities to help kids navigate the galleries and learn more about the exhibitions. There are also plenty of family workshops held during the school holidays that include drawing, crafting, sculpting and more offering lots of free things to do in london for kids.
Take a look at their website for details.
Cost: Free, ticket required for paid exhibitions.
Closest Tube: Regent’s Park and Baker Street
The Design Museum
Revisit your youth and get the kids asking “what’s that?!” with a trip to the Design Museum. Housed within the old Commonwealth Institute, the Design Museum covers product, industrial, graphic, fashion and architectural design.
There are a number of regularly changing exhibitions but these tend to be quite expensive.
Instead, head to the top floor where you’ll be greeted by an exhibition on changing design (and products that will make you feel very old such as a Walkman and VCR) and lots of fun activities including free booklets for kids filled with tasks for them to follow as they make their way around the exhibition.
Cost: Free, ticket required for paid exhibitions.
Closest Tube: Kensington High Street, Holland Park, Earl’s Court and South Kensington.
The Imperial War Museum
Another one of London’s free museums that makes for a great day out is the Imperial War Museum. Based in Lambeth (there are two other branches in London as well), this museum was founded while WWI was still raging, the museum documents the many unfortunate wars and conflicts that have happened throughout history. It also gives voice to the lives of ordinary people who have been affected by conflict.
Entry is free but there is a charge for some exhibitions.
Cost: Free, ticket required for paid exhibitions.
Closest Tube: Lambeth North and Elephant and Castle
Tate Modern
Located on the South Bank, the Tate Modern is housed in housed in the former Bankside Power Station and it’s worth visiting to see the building alone. The vast Turbine Hall hosts regular exhibitions and installations. Some of the most famous have been The Weather Project by Olafur Eliasson and Marsyas by Anish Kapoor.
The Tate houses numerous galleries showcasing British art from the 16th century to the present day as well as international modern and contemporary art. There is free entry to the Tate Modern but there is a charge for some exhibitions. A boat service runs between the Tate Modern and the Tate Britain (charges apply).
Cost: Free, ticket required for paid exhibitions.
Closest Tube: Southwark and Blackfriars
Other free museums in London
Other free museums in Central London include:
- The National Portrait Gallery (although the gallery is currently undergoing extensive building work and won’t reopen until Spring 2023)
The pelicans at St James’ Park
For a more unusual kids day out in London head to St James’ Park and meet the pelicans.
Pelicans were first introduced here in 1664 when a Russian ambassador gifted them to King Charles II. They were joined by several more Eastern White pelicans in 2013 as a gift from the city of Prague.
You can see them being fed every day between 2.30pm and 3pm at the eastern end of the park’s lake.
Cost: Free
Closest Tube: St James’s Park
Watch Tower Bridge open
One of London’s most famous landmarks is the Tower Bridge, a combined bascule and suspension bridge that was built between 1886 and 1894. It’s sometimes confused with the – distinctly less impressive – London Bridge about half a mile upstream.
At various times of the day, the bridge opens to let large boats through, check the lift times for details. This is a fascinating story about a bus driver who jump over the bridge while it was opening!
You can also pay to climb up the bridge and walk over it.
Cost: Free to watch. If you want to go inside the tower then you must buy a ticket. A visit to Tower Bridge includes climbing the North Tower, walking along the East and West Walkways and then descending down the South Tower.
Closest Tube: Tower Hill
The street performers in Covent Garden
Lively Covent Garden is a must visit, particularly if you’re visiting London with teens. It’s home to the excellent Transport Museum, which is a winner with toddlers in particular. You do have to pay to enter the Transport Museum but only adults need to buy tickets and your entry is then valid for an entire year.
However, there’s much more to do in Covent Garden if you don’t feel like splashing out. Visit on a sunny day and the area will be filled with street performers, guaranteed to keep the kids entertained.
There are also a handful of shops that the kids will love – although this might make your visit more expensive than anticipated. However, if you can persuade them that window shopping is just as much fun as the real deal then make sure to drop by the Tintin Shop and Benjamin Pollock’s Toy Shop, one of the best places to pick up an original London souvenir.
Cost: Free
Closest Tube: Covent Garden and Leicester Square
Leicester Square
A short walk away from Covent Garden is Leicester Square, home to theatres, cinemas, the M&M’s World Store and the LEGO store. At the heart of the grassy square itself is a statue of William Shakespeare which has been in situ since 1874.
More recently, a handful of sculptures have been positioned around the square. Scenes in the Square is a fun interactive statue trail that includes popular movie characters and iconic film scenes including Paddington and Harry Potter.
Cost: Free
Closest Tube: Leicester Square
The fountains at Somerset House
Young kids love the Edmond J Safra Fountain Court inside Somerset House. Kids can run around the 55 jets that make up this fun fountain and it’s a great place to cool off on hot, sunny days in the city.Somerset House also regularly hosts special exhibitions in its courtyard including an ice rink at Christmas.
Make sure to check the website before visiting as the court is not always open.
Cost: Free, ticket required for paid exhibitions.
Closest Tube: Temple, Covent Garden and Charing Cross.
Picnic in the park
London is one of the greenest cities in the world with literally thousands of green spaces to choose from. In central London alone there are five Royal Parks – Hyde Park, St James’s Park, Regent’s Park, Green Park and Kensington Gardens. Regents Park is also home to an Open Air Theatre.
If you’re looking for things to do in London for free then a picnic in one of the London parks can’t be beat. Pack your hamper and off you go. Most of these parks also have playgrounds too and many of them are good for wildlife spotting – just don’t get too near the geese!
Hyde Park also hosts free family events during the school holidays, take a look at their website for details.
Other parks worth adding to your list include Richmond Park, Highgate Woods, Battersea Park, and Kew Gardens. You will need to pay if you want to visit Kew Gardens but children under 4 are free.
It’s worth taking a look at the London Pass for your visit. This city pass saves you money at over 80 attractions. There are various versions including some that include travel cards and multi-day options. The London Pass can be a good option if you plan to see a lot but it all depends on what you can realistically fit into your visit. Even if you don’t buy the London Pass, the London Pass App is handy for finding things to do in the city.
Ride the Routemaster
There are plenty of hop-on-hop-off buses that ply the London streets taking in the city’s main sights but they are not cheap. A good, and budget-friendly, alternative is to ride on the top deck of a proper double decker bus instead.
Fun routes include the No 11, which runs from Fulham Town Hall to Liverpool Street taking in the Houses of Parliament, Nelson’s Column, Westminster Abbey, Horse Guards Parade and St Paul’s Cathedral.
Another good route is the No 9 from Trafalgar Square to High Street Kensington. This 30-minute route takes in Pall Mall, Green Park, Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge, Exhibition Road, the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Palace and Gardens and High Street Kensington.
For more details, take a look at Transport for London.
The Ceremony of the Keys
One of the most unique things to do in London with kids is to watch the incredible Ceremony of the Keys. Held every night from 9.30pm to 10.05pm at the Tower of London (home to the Crown Jewels), the Ceremony of the Keys is one of the oldest and most colourful surviving enactments of its kind.
The ceremonial locking and unlocking of the gates of the tower has taken place for centuries and is an incredible step back in time.
You’d better be organised, however, tickets are free but most be pre-booked and bookings are usually made 12-18 months in advance! Check the Tower of London website for details.
Cost: Free (with a £1.00 transaction charge for online bookings).
Closest Tube: Tower Hill
The Appearing Rooms at the Southbank Centre
Possibly one of the best things to do with children in London is the Southbank Centre on the South Bank and the amazing Appearing Rooms Fountain. Designed by Jeepe Hein, walls of water rise and fall at random creating a series of ever-changing ‘rooms’. The brilliant thing about this fountain is never knowing where the water will appear next – cue shrieks of delight from kids big and small!
The Southbank Centre regularly run events for kids including their Imagine Children’s Festival, which hosts over 100 free and ticketed events for kids of all ages. The festival runs over February half term.
Cost: Free
Closest Tube: Waterloo
Free things to do in North London with kids
Visit Platform 9 ¾
If your child dreams of getting a letter from Hogwarts (and, let’s face it, which child doesn’t?) then Platform 9 ¾ is a must. We also loved this Harry Potter walking tour of London.
Head to the concourse of King’s Cross mainline station, between platforms 8 and 9, and queue up for the chance to pose with a luggage trolley on the threshold of the magical Potter platform.
Chose your house props and get ready to jump! A professional photographer is on hand to capture the magic or, you can snap away instead. A must for all Harry Potter fans.
Cost: Free, although if you want a professional photo you will have to pay
Closest Tube: King’s Cross
The fountains at Granary Square
When the sun is shining, one of our favourite activities for kids in London are the fountains at Granary Square in Kings Cross. And we’re not the only ones, on sunny summer days the square is packed with families who often arrive bearing toys, water pistols and towels, all set for a day out by the water.
This is a particularly fun day out with young children.
Cost: Free
Closest Tube: King’s Cross
Camley Street Natural Park
For wildlife spotting in London head to Camley Street Natural Park. Located on the banks of Regent’s Canal in the heart of KIng’s Cross this two acre nature reserve is run by the London Wildlife Trust.
Once upon a time the park was an old Coal Yard but is today home to birds, butterflies, bats and more. Regular family activities are held including pond dipping, bug hunting and wildlife arts and crafts. Make sure to visit Viewpoint, a floating platform where you can sit and take in the views of the canal and the park.
Cost: Free
Closest Tube: King’s Cross
Highgate Woods playground
One of our absolute favourite playgrounds in London is in Highgate Woods. It’s a huge play area filled with lots of different equipment for children of all ages. The Under 5s section has swings and climbing frames and a sandpit while the area for bigger kids has a zip wire and one of those huge swings that at least four children can sit on together.
Nearby is a playing field – for flying kites or games of frisbee – and there’s a cafe too.
Cost: Free
Closest Tube: Highgate
Kenwood House
The former stately home of Kenwood House in Hampstead dates back to the early 17th century and has seen a plethora of famous residents.
Today, it’s open to the public and has some fun family activities to do in London including a dressing up section in The Orangery. Kids can transform into some of Kenwood’s most famous inhabitants including Dido Belle and Lord Mansfield (you’ll learn all about them when you visit the house!). Once transformed, kids can take their pictures behind a giant picture frame.
Kenwood House also offers an activity trail, games and an interactive dolls house for children to play with too.
Cost: Free, donations accepted
Closest Tube: Hampstead
Hampstead Ponds
Kids aged eight and over who are confident swimmers can take part in what is one of my favourite free activities in London, swimming in the Hampstead bathing ponds.
Beautiful Hampstead Heath is home to three swimming ponds; the Mixed Bathing Pond, the Men’s Bathing Pond and the Kenwood Ladies’ Bathing Pond. A swim in one of these ponds is a step back in time; people have been swimming here for decades and it’s a glorious way to immerse yourself in nature in London.
Hardy swimmers can swim year-round if they’re a member otherwise, wait for the sun to make an appearance and join the crowds for a dip.
Cost: This used to be a completely free activity but charges have been introduced in recent years. Now a swim costs £4.05 or £2.43 for a concession.
Closest Tube: Hampstead
Regent’s Canal
For a fun day out for the entire family try walking along Regent’s Canal from picturesque Little Venice to lively Camden Market.
Regent’s Canal links the Grand Union Canal with the River Thames and the canal towpath is part of the Jubilee Greenway Walk, a 37-mile route to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
See the colourful collection of narrowboats at Little Venice, watch boats glide along the waters and keep an eye out for wildlife as you stroll along.
Cost: Free
Closest Tube: Warwick Avenue, Camden and King’s Cross
Coram’s Fields
This park and playground in Camden is famous for its policy that ‘no adult can enter without a child’. Located within the walled gardens are a huge sandpit, lots of climbing frames as well as swings and roundabouts. There’s even a city farm here as well as an adventure playground for older kids featuring a zip wire and a tunnel slide.
One of the things that I love most about Coram’s Fields, however, is it’s history; the play area is located on the site of Thomas Coram’s Foundling Hospital that was set up in 1747 as a home for ‘deserted’ and abandoned children.
Cost: Free
Closest Tube: Russell Square, Kings Cross St Pancras, Holborn or Chancery Lane.
Parliament Hill
For some of the best views in London head to Parliament Hill in Hampstead Heath. It’s one of the highest points in London – at 98m high – and on a clear day you can see St Paul’s Cathedral, the Gherkin, the Palace of Westminster and more.
Once upon a time this hill was known as Traitor’s Hill, a name thought to stem from its position asa point of defence during the English Civil War. More recently, the heath housed livestock and during the 1930s cattle were reared here to be sold via the London meat markets.
Cost: Free
Closest Tube: Belsize Park
Free things to do with kids in South London
The Horniman Museum
The Horniman Museum is a small museum packed full of things to do for the kids. It’s one of London’s most wonderful – and weird – museums! Dedicated to anthropology, natural history and musical instruments it’s a really fun space to discover with kids, not least to visit the famous, over-stuffed walrus in the main Natural History Gallery.
There are regular ‘Curiosity Talks’ inspired by the museum’s collections, 16 acres of gardens and a farmers’ market held every Saturday morning.
Cost: Free, ticket required for paid exhibitions.
Closest Tube: Oval or Brixton followed by a bus. Check the Citymapper app for journey details.
The National Maritime Museum
The National Maritime Museum is home to AHOY!, a fantastic children’s gallery for 0-7s where kids can stoke the boiler of a steamship, embark on a polar expedition, work on the boatyard and more.
The All Hands children’s gallery is for kids aged 6-12 where they can learn about maritime skills and technologies from the past and present.
Discovery days take place on Sundays during term time where kids can take part in make-and-do activities.
Don’t miss Yinka Shonibare MBE’s beautiful Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle (2010) while here. This highly detailed replica of Nelson’s ship sits outside the Sammy Ofer wing, at the bottom of Greenwich Park.
Cost: Free but you must have a ticket to visit, pre-book online.
Closest Tube: DLR to Greenwich or take the boat down the River Thames.
The dinosaurs in Crystal Palace
A visit Crystal Palace Park is a really fun thing to do in London. This park is home to 30 life-size model dinosaurs that were unveiled in 1854. They were the first of their kind in the world and were designed using the most up-to-date scientific knowledge at the time. They were extensively restored in 2002 and are today a Grade I listed building.
The park is also home to a fantastic maze, one of the largest in the country, that has been confusing and losing visitors since the 1870s.
Cost: Free
Closest Train station: Crystal Palace Station or Penge West Station
Brockwell Park
One of London’s most popular parks with families is Brockwell Park, located south of Brixton. Home to a Brockwell Lido, a 50m outdoor swimming pool as well as a fun splash pool for younger kids and a great playground.
One of the best things about this park, however, is the 7¼ inch gauge miniature railway that runs every Sunday between March and October offering round trips from Herne Hill Gates to Brockwell Lido.
Cost: Free but there is a cost for using Brockwell Lido and £1 per person for the miniature railway (under 2s are free). The railway is not open year-round.
Closest Tube: Brixton, followed by a bus.
Visit Greenwich
Greenwich is always a good place to spend the day. You’ll find the Cutty Sark here, the world’s only surviving extreme clipper. Although you’ll need to pay for a ticket to go inside, you can still wander around the outside of this incredible ship that’s over 150-years-old!
Make sure you’re within view of Flamsteed House, the oldest Royal Observatory building at 1pm to watch the bright red Time Ball drop. The Time Ball is one of the world’s oldest public time signals dating back to 1833. It was created to tell the time for ships on the Thames.
You can also see the Prime Meridian Line while here.
You can wander along the Thames Path (you can walk all the way back to the centre of town if you like!) or walk to the Isle of Dogs via the Greenwich Foot Tunnel. Greenwich Park is well worth a visit and don’t miss.
Cost: Free to visit Greenwich, ticket required for the Cutty Sark.
Closest Tube: Greenwich
Free things to do in East London with kids
Young V&A
Daily activities for kids are held at the V&A Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green. These include storytelling and arts and crafts are especially good for younger children. As the name of the museum suggests, this V&A is all about kids and houses a huge collection of childhood objects dating back to the 1600s.
Note that the V&A Museum of Childhood is currently closed for renovations
Hackney City Farm
If you’re looking for more nature-based fun to do in London then head to Hackney City Farm. This is a great place for kids – urban kids in particular – to see pigs, cattle, sheep, chickens, ducks and experience that unique countryside smell!
Located on the site of an old brewery, the farm plays an important part in the local community and run lots of classes as well as a farm shop. Other city farms can be found at Spitalfields and Mudchute.
Cost: Free, donations very welcome
Closest Tube: Bethnal Green
Victoria Park
Victoria Park is one of many fun playgrounds in London. This huge open space (it covers over 86 acres) is home to two of the longest open-topped slides in the capital. You’ll also find a boating lake, a fabulous splash playground home to bubbling fountains and rushing channels of water, as well as a fantastic playground where kids can clamber, climb and generally have a lot of fun.
Cost: Free
Closest Tube: Bethnal Green
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Home to the amazing Tumbling Bay play area is the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Here you’ll find rock pools and sand pits, treehouses connected by wobbly bridges and elaborate pulley systems, as well as slides, swings and plenty of space to run around.
Within the park is also the Pleasure Gardens area that features an enormous climbing wall as well as swings and a huge sandpit. To explore the area in more detail, download the Children’s Adventures trail map online and follow the guide through the park.
Cost: Free. The park is also home to the AcelorMittal Orbit slide, which you do have to pay for.
Closest Tube: Stratford Station.
Street Art
London is a great city for street art and one of the best areas Brick Lane in East London. Start at the Stolen Space Gallery on the Osbourn Street side and walk towards the markets. You’ll pass lots of artwork along the way.
Commercial Street is a great place to look as is Star Yard and Hanbury Street. Corbet Place is home to D-Face and Banksy’s car.
Nearby Shoreditch is another great place to discover street art. Boxpark, a pop up shopping centre made from shipping containers, is a good place to start. From here walk up Great Eastern Street where you’ll come across the Shoreditch Art Wall.
Rivington Street is home to some Banksy artwork as well as some other famous street artists including Stinkfish and Ben Eine.
Cost: Free
Closest Tube: Aldgate East
Free things to do in West London with kids
Duke’s Meadows
Overlooking the River Thames in Chiswick is Dukes Meadows a lovely riverside park with fantastic play areas. For younger kids there’s a fun water play area and an adventure park for older children – both designed with the help of a group of local kids so you know it’s going to be good!
The park hosts a food market every Sunday from 10am to 2pm where proceeds go towards improving and maintaining the park.
Cost: Free
Closest Train: Chiswick, Mortlake and Barnes Bridge.
Richmond Park
Richmond Park is the largest Royal Park in London, covering a whopping 2,500 acres. The park is home to hundreds of red and fallow deer who wander around freely and are used to visitors snapping pics. During rutting season (September – October) and birthing season (May-July) make sure to give them plenty of space.
Don’t miss the panoramic views of London from King Henry’s Moung.
Cost: Cost
Closest Train: Richmond
Such a great list! This will help us in our upcoming trip in May. Thank you!
I’m so pleased you found it helpful!