Out with the Family
Give a child the excitement of visiting a new city and being on holiday and you'll generally make them happy for days! But, if they're getting bored, or the weather is iffy, and you need to entertain them then here are a few suggestions that might save the day:
Just by the London Eye on the South Bank is Shrek's Adventure with live and immersive fairytale shows that include rides, animation and serious adventure! https://www.shreksadventure.com/
A unique walk and ride attraction for the whole family. The little ones will love it. You can walk to it from Waterloo tube station or the Embankment or Charing Cross
Right next door to Shrek's is Sea Life, home to one of Europe's largest collections of marine life. You walk under a tropical ocean through a glass tunnel, and there are 20 sharks swimming beneath your feet on the glass platform - which the children will talk about for the rest of your trip. Rays, turtles, seahorses, octopus and plenty of touch pools along the way. No food allowed inside, but there are places to eat right outside.
The Harry Potter Studio Tour is a winner with all ages. It's at Leavesden, 32 kms north west of London - 17 minutes on the train from Euston to Watford Junction, then a shuttle bus. When filming wrapped in 2010 the crew had kept thousands of the original sets, props and costumes, and in 2012 they opened it all up to the public. Book well ahead; it sells out.
Parks and playgrounds
There are some great playground areas around London:
- Wimbledon Park - the closest, just one tube stop from Wimbledon
- Coram's Fields - a very good one near the British Museum, which is also great for the children to see
- Hyde Park - a lido and paddling pools, row and pedal boats, the first Solarshuttle and great cycle routes
- Regents Park - a boating lake with pedalos, new play areas, London's largest rose garden, outdoor events, London Zoo and open-air theatre
- Battersea Park Children's Zoo - about 1km from Sloane Square tube, enter at Chelsea Gate on Queenstown Road, next to Chelsea Bridge; the zoo entrance is near the peace pagoda by the river.
We can provide accurate directions so just ask!
Mini Golf is always popular on any day...and you can find several good ones not far from our property. The nearest one is in New Malden, Jurassic Encounter Adventure Golf 10 minutes by car.
Closer to home?
If you'd rather stay closer to the properties, these are all within easy reach:
This is reachable on foot from the properties (10 minute walk). It was the first UK theatre for children and is aimed at children aged 0-13. Great good value entertainment.”
WIMBLEDON THEATRE
Another theatre only 10 minutes walk from the properties. Has some fantastic shows. Lovely Pantomime at Christmas with past celebrity names such as Henry Winkler, Linday Gray, Wayne Sleep to name but a few. They also have regular children's shows during the rest of the year with shows post or pre West End so the standard is really high. A fantastic theatre which is over 100 years old from Edwardian London. Nice Nandos opposite for after show munchies.
Lots of other restaurants and bars to choose from nearby.
WIMBLEDON PARK
1 stop on the tube. Free parking is tricky, but meter parking is available - Lovely park with playground, paddling pool, tennis courts, mini-golf, sailing and other watersports.
CHESSINGTON WORLD OF ADVENTURES (sometimes called Chessington Zoo on signposts):
Lovely theme park with lovely zoo! But add to that different themes around the park and characters in costume and you can see why it is very popular. You can also get a discounted entrance to the other parks (Lego Land, Thorpe Park)
Great parking and you can get the train direct from Wimbledon. Journey time 20 minutes. The park is a 10 minute walk from the station and you can get a great value combined train and park entrance ticket
Finally if it's absolutely torrential rain (We really really hope not!) then the cinema might be a good alternative to the TV. There are two in Wimbledon, both walking distance. Also take a look at our London sightseeing guide to give you tips on the ones that are great for families.