| |
 RAY RUDDICK's TOURS 'Great Tours of Britain & Ireland'
Kids' Stuff & Children's London 1 - 2010 Javascript DHTML Drop Down Menu Powered by dhtml-menu-builder.co
Javascript DHTML Drop Down Menu Powered by dhtml-menu-builder.com
Children's London
Here's a short message for kids only:
When travelling with parents and other adults, it's useful to know what's available for kids in the immediate area where you'll be staying, so that parents don't groan too much about the travelling distance. However, travelling in London is fairly easy, so don't be afraid of using the bus or tube (subway) with a Travel Pass (available from all tube stations) and taking the adults by the hand and showing them some of the other parts of this great city.
COST-SAVING TIP: Most of the attractions on these pages (which make an entry charge) offer discounted prices when booking online. Many also give faster entry to pre-paid ticket holders, so tell your folks to use the link to go to the attraction's website and they'll make big savings and you'll spend less time waiting in line (or 'queueing' as we say here).
As for the out of town stuff - show them our other pages which have details about some really cool tours - and tell them that you want Ray Ruddick Tours to take you there, and no-one else will do! Naturally, I'll owe you one for that - so don't forget to remind me when you get here :-)
A final point - it's good to let your parents think it was all their idea! (This always seems to go down well for some reason). Here are some of my kids' favourite attractions/sights, museums, parks, shops, restaurants, etc., which will also admit well-behaved adults:
Bloomsbury: - Dicken's House, British Museum, Pollock's Toy Museum.
Back to List Top of Page Free stuff in London
Place & Address |
|
Entrance Fees |
Opening Times |
|
British Museum
Great Russell St, EC. |
Founded in 1753, displays the works of man from prehistory to the present day. Possibly the greatest museum on the planet. Allow plenty of time. Go to the info desk in the Great Court first and get a plan and ask advice on how best to spend the time you have available. |
Free |
See website for entry times, late opening on some evenings. Sunday best avoided if you can. |
Tottenham Court Road/Russell Square /Holborn |
Dickens House
48 Doughty St EC |
Home of Charles Dickens at the turning point of his career between 1837-1839. He worked on Pickwick Papers, Oliver Twist, Nicholas Nickleby & Barnaby Rudge here. Books, letters, pictures, furniture, personal possessions, memorabilia & reconstructed rooms... |
Adult: £6, Child: £3, Conc: £4.50 Family: £15 |
Mon-Sun: 10 am -5 pm |
|
Pollock's Toy Museum & Shop
1 Scala Street, W1. Tel: 020 7636 3452 |
It used to be a miniature theatre owned by Benjamin Pollock. Small rooms filled with fascinating assortment of historic toys from all over the world. There are toy theatres on show, dolls, puppets, trains, cars, optical toys, magic lanterns, and early projectors. The Shop sells replicas of toys shown in the museum as well as modern toys. Toy theatres are a speciality... |
Adult: £3, Child (under 18) - £1.50 |
Mon-Sat: 10 am - 5 pm |
Goodge St |
Chelsea: - National Army Museum, Daisy & Tom (shop).
Place & Address |
|
Entrance Fees |
Opening Times |
|
National Army Museum
Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, SW3 Tel: 020 7730 0701) |
The story of how British soldiers lived, worked and fought from Tudor times to today. Boys and dads will enjoy this museum. |
FREE
|
Daily: 10 am - 5.30 pm |
Sloane Square |
Back to List Top of Page Free stuff in London
City of London: - St Paul's Cathedral, Museum of London, Roman Wall Walk, Bank of England Museum, National Postal Museum.
Place & Address |
|
Entrance Fees |
Opening Times |
|
Bank of England Museum
Bartholomew Lane, EC2 - Tel: 020 7601 5545) |
The bank was founded in 1694 and the museum tells the history of banking with exhibits which include gold bars, coins, notes, pikes and muskets (for defending the bank once!) and a Roman mosaic uncovered when part was rebuilt in the 1930's. Also interactive videos to explore. |
FREE |
Mon-Fri: 10 am-5 pm |
Bank |
Museum of London
150 London Wall, EC2 - Tel: 020 7600 0807 |
Excellent museum for children - much to learn about the history of the City of London (Roman London, Medieval times, Great Fire of London, etc.) Go to the info desk first and get a kids quiz sheet. |
FREE |
Mon-Sat: 10 am-5.50 pm Sun: 12.00 - 5.50 pm |
Barbican |
National Postal Museum
Freeling House
Phoenix Place Entrance
London
EC1A 1BB
|
Philatelists and anyone who is interested in 400 years of Postal history will enjoy it .. |
FREE |
Vary - they ask you to contact them first - see their website |
St Pauls |
| Roman Wall Walk |
Trace the remains of the Roman wall built around the City of London in the 2nd century. You can explore the excellent Museum of London before your walk (where you can purchase the Wall walk book). The walk begins (or ends) next to the Tower of London. |
FREE |
N/A |
Barbican |
St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Churchyard, EC4, City of London - Tel: 020 7236 4128 |
Masterpiece of Sir Christopher Wren, this beautiful Cathedral is where the Prince & Princess of Wales were married with the whole world watching on TV. It has graves of many famous people including Admiral Nelson and the Duke of Wellington. Drag your parents up the 627 steps to the dome - it's good for them - to experience the Whispering Gallery. (Ask the attendant for an explanation on how to make it work). Great views from the top! |
Adult: £12.50 Concs: £9.50 Child: £4.50 Family: £29.50 |
Mon-Sat: 8.30 am-4 pm, Crypt open 8.45 am |
St Paul's |
Back to List Top of Page Free stuff in London
Covent Garden: - Theatre Museum, London Transport Museum.
Place & Address |
|
Entrance Fees |
Opening Times |
|
London Transport Museum |
History of London's transport. Lots of hands-on exhibits for children |
Adult: £10.00, Concessions: £8 Child: £6
|
Daily: 10am-6pm (Fri from 11am) |
Covent Garden |
Greenwich: - Greenwich Meridian Museum & Old Royal Observatory, Cutty Sark, National Maritime Museum.
Place & Address |
|
Entrance Fees |
Opening Times |
|
Cutty Sark
King William Walk, Greenwich Tel: 020 8858 3445 |
CLOSED FOR RESTORATION .. should re-open for 2012 Clipper Ship designed for speed in the highly competitive China tea trade. Her greatest days were as a wool clipper, bringing the new season's clip from Sydney to London in record time. Can explore throughout the ship. Figurehead collection. |
To be advised on re-opening |
April-Sep: Mon-Sat: 10am-6pm, Sun & Good Fri: noon - 6pm; Oct-Mar: Mon-Sat: 10am-5pm, Sun & Good Fri: noon-5pm |
Greenwich or Maze Hill. You can also get there by River boats from Westminster, Charing Cross or Tower Pier |
Greenwich Gateway Visitor Centre
Pepys Building, Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich Tel: 0800 389 3341 |
The old Royal Naval College has a beautiful painted Hall, Chapel and Crown Jewels exhibition, the visitor centre is under refurbishment until 20210, see their website for more info. |
FREE |
Daily: 10am-5pm |
Greenwich |
Greenwich Meridien Museum, Flamstead House & Royal Observatory
Royal Observatory, Greenwich, SE10; Tel: 020 8312 6608) |
Flamstead House has a collection of astrological instruments, sundials, sandglasses, astrolobes etc. Home to Prime Meridian, the Observatory and Planetarium. |
FREE |
Daily: 10am-5pm Last entry 4:30pm |
Greenwich |
National Maritime Museum
Romney Rd, Greenwich, SE10. Tel: 020 8312 6565 |
World's largest collection of maritime artefacts: gilded royal barges; dramatic paintings of great sea battles, uniforms, weapons, instruments & navigational charts. Largest display on Britain's greatest hero - Lord Nelson. |
FREE |
Daily: 10am - 5pm Last entry 4:30pm |
Greenwich |
Back to List Top of Page Free stuff in London
Hyde Park: - Apsley House, Hyde Park Adventure Playground, Horse Riding, Victoria & Albert Museum, Science Museum, Natural History Museum, London Toy & Model Museum, Hard Rock Cafe and shop
Place & Address |
|
Entrance Fees |
Opening Times |
|
Apsley House (The Wellington Museum)
Hyde Park Corner, W1. Tel: 020 7499 5676 |
London home of the 1st Duke of Wellington, known as 'No. 1 London'. The lower part of the house is a museum telling the history of the great 'Iron Duke'. It houses a fine collection of paintings, porcelain, silver, sculpture, orders and decorations. |
Adult: £6, Conc. £5.10 Child: £3. Free on 18th June - Waterloo Day |
Tues-Sun: 11am-5pm, Closed Mon |
Hyde Park Corner |
Wellington Arch
Hyde Park Corner, W1J 7JZ. Tel: 020 7930 2726 |
For glorious panoramas over London’s Royal Parks and the Houses of Parliament, take the lift to the balconies just below the spectacular bronze sculpture surmounting the arch. The balconies also offer unique views of the Household Cavalry, passing beneath on their way to and from the Changing of the Guard at Horse Guards Parade. Inside the Arch, three floors of exhibits tell its fascinating history. |
Adults: £3.70 Children: £1.90 Concessions: £3.10 Family Ticket: Apsley House and the Wellington Arch offer joint ticket prices: £7.40/£6.30/£3.70. Family £18.50
|
10:00 - 17:00
Last admission 1/2 hour before closing. The property may close at short notice, please ring in advance for details |
Hyde Park Corner |
Hard Rock Cafe
Old Park Lane, off Piccadilly W1 Tel: 020 7629 0382 |
London's Hard rock is the Original - popula burger joint, with the usual gift shop for the shirt next door. |
N/A |
Daily 11.30am-12.30am (last orders 11.45pm) |
Hyde Park Corner |
Princess of Wales Memorial Playground
North West side of Kensington Gardens, Nr Bayswater Road |
Built in memory of Princess Diana - and a great place for the younger children. Later, (having bought some peanuts earlier), you should return to the park to hand-feed the squirrels and Blue Tits. (They are tiny little finch-type birds - who love peanuts. Go to the row of trees and bushes on the South side near the Albert Hall, or on or near the bridge in St. James' Park - there's usually a regular there to show you how). |
FREE |
Daily |
Queensway |
Kensington Gardens
Hyde Park
Green Park
St James' Park |
First get a packed picnic - either posh n pricey from Harrods, or value from Pret a Manger or similar. Then buy a soccer ball, frisbee, bat and ball or whatever from Lillywhite's on Piccadilly Circus or cheaper from the street-seller at Hyde Park Corner, near the tube exit for Hyde Park - then enjoy some simple fun! |
FREE |
Dawn to Dusk |
Knightsbridge / South Kensington St James' Park / Green Park |
Natural History Museum
Cromwell Rd, SW7 - Tel: 020 7942 5000 |
Exhibits on Dinosaurs (well worth seeing), plants, sea life, animals, insects, etc. |
FREE |
Mon-Sat: 10am-5.50pm, Sun: 11am-5.50pm, FREE after 4.30am (Mon-Fri) & after 5pm (Sat & Sun). Last Admission 5.30pm |
South Kensington |
Science Museum
Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, SW7 |
A marvelous collection recording scientific, technological and medical change. You can see, touch, feel & experience the major scientific advances of the last 300 hundred years. |
FREE |
Daily: 10am - 6pm |
South Kensington |
Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Rd, SW7 - Tel: 020 7942 2530 |
A great collection of decorative arts. Sculpture, furniture, fashion, textiles, paintings, silver, glass, ceramics, jewellery, books, prints, etc., from all over the world. |
FREE |
Daily: 10am-5.45pm |
South Kensington |
Back to List Top of Page Free stuff in London
Kensington, High St: - Children's Book Centre, Dragons of Walton St, Kensington Palace & Gardens
Place & Address |
|
Entrance Fees |
Opening Times |
|
Kensington Gardens
Hyde Park
Green Park
St James' Park |
First get a packed picnic - either posh 'n pricey from Harrods, or value from Pret a Manger or similar. Then buy a soccer ball, frisbee, bat and ball or whatever from Lillywhite's on Piccadilly Circus or cheaper from the street-seller at Hyde Park Corner, near the tube exit for Hyde Park - enjoy some simple fun! |
FREE |
Dawn to Dusk |
Knightsbridge / South Kensington St James' Park / Green Park |
Kensington Palace & Gardens
Tel: 020 7937 9561 |
Birthplace of Queen Victoria and former home of Diana, Princess of Wales. Special Exhibition - The Haunted Palace - see website. |
Adult: £12.50, Child: £6.25, Conc. £11, Family: £34 |
Daily: 10am - 6 pm, L.A. at 5 pm. Closes 1 hour earlier Nov - Mar |
High St, Kensington |
Back to List Top of Page Free stuff in London
Knightsbridge: - Dragons of Walton St (Shop), Harrods (Shop).
Place & Address |
|
Entrance Fees |
Opening Times |
|
| Kensington Gardens / Hyde Park / Green Park/ St James' park |
First get a packed picnic - either posh n pricey from Harrods, or value from Pret a Manger or similar. Then buy a soccer ball, frisbee, bat and ball or whatever from Lillywhite's on Piccadilly Circus and have some simple fun.. |
FREE |
Dawn to Dusk |
Knightsbridge / South Kensington St James' Park / Green Park |
Shop:- Dragons of Walton St
23 Walton St, SW3 - Tel: 020 7589 3795 |
Handmade & hand painted furniture, toys etc |
N/A |
Mon-Fri: 9.30 am- 5.30pm, Sat: 10am-5pm |
South Kensington |
Shop:- Harrods
87-135 Bromton Road;
Tel: 020 7730 1234) |
Wonderful toy department to explore, also good arcade games section, 'candy' store and food halls are amazing. |
FREE |
Mon, Tue, Sat: 10am-6pm; Wed, Thu, Fri: 10am - 7pm |
Knightsbridge |
Back to List Top of Page Free stuff in London
Lambeth: Florence Nightingale Museum, Westminster Bridge, London Aquarium, London Eye, Football Museum, Imperial War Museum, BFI London Imax.
Place & Address |
|
Entrance Fees |
Opening Times |
|
BFI London Imax
1 Charlie Chaplin Walk, South Bank, SE1;
Tel: 020 7902 1234 |
Britain's largest ever cinema screen, an experience not to be missed. 3D & 2D films take in your whole field of vision. |
Standard charges: Adult: £14 - £16; Concs: £9.75 - £12; Child: £9.25 - £12. Family: £42 |
Daily 3D and 2D screenings of movies, operas, see site for full programme info. |
Waterloo |
British Airways London Eye
Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7PB; Tel: 0870 5000 600 |
The World's largest Observation Wheel offers great panoramic views over London day and evening. The wheel is 440' high and its 32 fully enclosed caspsules carry up to 20 people each. The ride is just one very slow revolution - no thrills - and takes around half an hour. The new 4D experience for 2010 adds value to an expensive but very popular attraction. |
Adult: £17.95 Child: £9.50; under 4's: free Family of 4: £49.40 |
October to March: daily 10.00am - 8.00pm April: daily 10.00am - 9.00pm May and June: Sundays to Thursday
10.00am - 9.00pm
Friday and Saturday
10.00am - 9.30pm
July and August:
daily 10.00am - 9.30pm September:
daily 10.00am - 9.00pm
|
Waterloo/ Westminster |
Florence Nightingale Museum
2 Lambeth Palace Road, SE1 - Tel: 020 7620 0374 |
Museum dedicated to 'the Lady of the Lamp' who tended the British troops during the Crimea War. Personal possessions, books, clothing, etc., plus audio-visual programme. |
Adult: £5.80 Child: £4.80, Conc. £4.80 Family: £16 (2 adults and up to 5 children). |
Mon-Fri: 10am-5pm; Sat, Sun & Bank Holidays: 11.30am-4.30pm |
Waterloo, Westminster or Lambeth North |
Imperial War Museum
Lambeth Road, SE1 |
Primarily dedicated to World War I and II memorabilia. Horrifying holocaust exhibition that everybody over 14 should see. See WWI 'Trench' and WWII 'Blitz' experience - highly recommended, especially for fathers & sons. |
FREE |
Daily: 10am-6pm |
Waterloo or Lambeth North |
London Aquarium
County Hall, Riverside Building, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1; Tel: 020 7967 8000 |
Wide variety of fish, sharks & sea life, plus Coral Reef Conservation Experience - well presented but a tad expensive - (consider London Zoo in Regents Park for a good alternative) |
Adult: £18 Conc: £12.50 Children: £12.50 Family: £55 |
Daily: 10am-6pm (last admission 5pm) |
Waterloo/ Westminster |
Westminster Bridge & Path |
A great place to take pictures of Big Ben & Houses of Parliament. |
FREE |
N/A |
|
Back to List Top of Page Free stuff in London
Regents Park: - London Zoo, MadameTussaud's, Planetarium, The Sherlock Holmes Museum, BBC Backstage tours
Place & Address |
|
Entrance Fees |
Opening Times |
|
BBC Tours
Broadcasting House, Portland Place, London, W1; Tel: 0870 603 0304 |
The BBC draws on 75 years of history and broadcasting tradition. See web link for info on backstage tours.... |
Adult £9.95; Concession £8.95; Students £7.50; Children (between 9 and 15 years) £7.50
Family ticket (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children) £30.00 |
Tours must be pre-booked - see their site via my link |
Oxford Circus/Great Portland Street |
| London Zoo
Regent's Park, NW1; Tel: 020 7722 3333 |
Great Zoo with a variety of animals. Check out the events programme and plan before going too far after buying your tickets.. |
Mid-season: Adult: £17.20 Concs: £15.70 Child: £13.70 Online Family: £41 Peakk-season: £18, £16.50, £14.20 Online family: £57.80 |
Daily: 10am-5.30pm |
Camden Town |
Madame Tussaud's & London Planetarium
Marylebone Road, NW1; Tel: 0870 400 3000 |
Waxworks museum with wax effigies of many famous characters. Plus special exhibits like the 'Chamber of Horrors' and 'Spirit of London' taxi ride of much of London's history. Very long queues (lines) in summer - get a ticket from a hotel concierge first, then enter via the 'ticket-holders' entrance.. |
On the door prices: Adult: £28 Child: £24 Family: £99 including guidebook. (£89 if booked online). |
Daily: 10 am-5.30pm |
Baker St |
The Sherlock Holmes Museum
221b Baker St, NW1- Tel: 020 7935 8866 |
Small museum in a house where 221b Baker St, would be! It's been furnished as if Sir Arthur Conan Doyal's character Holmes actually lived there. Across the road a good shop to buy memorabilia. |
Adult: £6, Child: £4, under 7's FREE |
Daily: 9.30am-6pm |
Baker St |
Back to List Top of Page Free stuff in London
Southbank: - Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, The Clink
Place & Address |
|
Entrance Fees |
Opening Times |
|
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
21 New Globe Walk, SE1 - Tel: 020 7902 1500 |
Reconstruction of Shakespeare's original theatre with Tudor-style timber and a thatched roof, thanks to the tireless dedication of late American actor/director Sam Wanamaker. Tours run every 15 minutes - brings Shakespeare's times to life... |
Adult £10.50
Senior (60+) £8.50
Student (with valid ID) £8.50
Children (5-15) £6.50
Children under 5 free
Family (up to 2 adults & 3 children) £28.00 |
Daily: 10am-5pm - but check web site re. matinee interference with tours.. |
London Bridge |
Back to List Top of Page Free stuff in London
Tower of London: HMS Belfast, Britain at War, The London Dungeons, Roman Wall Walk, Tower Hill Pagent, Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret, Tower Bridge
Place & Address |
|
|
|
|
HMS Belfast
Morgan's Lane, Tooley St, SE1; Tel: 020 7940 6300 |
Europe's only surviving big gun armoured warship (a light-cruiser) from WWII. Great for older kids to explore - all in there are nine decks; from the Captain's Bridge to the massive Boiler & Engine Rooms. (Steep ladders). |
Adult: £12.95 Concs: £10.40 Under 15's free |
Daily: 10am-5pm (6 in summer) |
London Bridge |
London Dungeons
Tooley St, SE1; Tel: 020 7403 7221 |
Exhibits of the history of some of the horrors in London's past, including the Great Fire of London and Jack the Ripper Experience. Not really suitable for very young children as they may easily be too scared, but great for the older children. Very long queues (lines) in summer - get a ticket from a hotel concierge first, then enter via the 'ticket-holders' entrance.. |
On the door: Adult: £23, Concs: £21 Child: £17 Family £74 Cheaper online |
Daily: 10.30am-5.30pm |
London Bridge |
Operating Theatre Museum & Herb Garret
St Thomas' Street, SE1 |
A unique small museum which is a real Victorian operating theatre and lots more besides.. |
Adult: £5.80 Concs: £4.80 Child: £3.25 Family: £13.75 |
Daily: 10.30 to 5pm |
London Bridge |
The Tower Bridge Exhibition
Tower Bridge, SE1 - Tel: 020 7940 3985 |
Exhibition inside Tower Bridge's twin towers, offering panoramic view from the walkways, 140ft above the Thames. |
Adult: £4.50 Child: £3 Family: £14 |
Daily: 9.30am-6pm (last admission 4.45pm) |
Tower Hill |
Tower of London
Another site - unofficial, but quite interesting Tower Hill, SE1 - Tel: 020 7709 0765 |
Expensive, but fascinating place for children young and old. They'll enjoy exploring the various different towers including the White Tower which was built in 1078 by William the Conqueror. The Crown Jewels are a favourite, especially with girls (of all ages!). See the Bloody Tower and do take the excellent Yeoman Warders ('Beefeaters') tour on entry. (To see all allow 2 hours minimum). |
Adult: £15.00, Child: £9.50, Family: £43 |
Mon-Sat: 9am-6pm, Sun: 10am-6pm |
Tower Hill |
Back to List Top of Page Free stuff in London
Trafalgar Square, Picaddily Circus & Regent St: - Disney Store, Trocadero Centre, National Gallery & Portrait Gallery, Hamleys Toy Store, Warner Brothers, Lego Shop, Planet Hollywood (Restaurant), London Brass Rubbing Centre, Rainforest Cafe.
Place & Address |
Description |
Entrance Fees |
|
Nearest Underground |
Disney Store
140-144 Regent St, W1 - Tel: 020 7287 6558
|
Great selection of Disney clothes and toys. |
N/A |
Mon-Fri: 10am-8pm,Sat: 9am-8pm, Sun: noon-6pm |
Piccadilly Circus |
Hamleys Toys Shop
188-196 Regent St, W1; Tel: 020 7734 3161
|
One of the world's biggest toy shops sprawling over seven floors.It offers everything from building blocks to a cafe with arcade games on the lower ground floor. |
N/A |
Mon-Wed: 10am-7pm; Thu & Fri: 10am-8pm; Sat: 9.30 - 7pm; Sun
|
Oxford Circus |
London Brass Rubbing Centre
The Crypt, St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, Trafalgar Square, WC2; Tel: 020 7930 9306
|
Children can enjoy making their own brass rubbing with a great choice of over a 100 images of armored knights, medieval ladies and mythical beasts ... |
Most cost around £5 |
Mon-Sat: 10am-6pm, Sun: noon - 6pm |
Charing Cross |
National Gallery
Trafalgar Sq, London - Tel: 020 7747 2423 |
The National Gallery has one of the world's finest collections of art. Western European paintings from 1260-1900. Don't just wander around lost! Go to the Information Desk, introduce yourselves and ask 'what's happening that is good for families, today, please?' There's always something on which may get you interested and learning! Or just buy the whizzy guide to the collection's Top Works (only £1) and do it yourselves with the map that's included |
FREE to the permanent exhibitions. Temporary exhibitions are charged - see site |
Daily: 10am-6pm, Wed until 9pm, closed Good Fri, 24-26 Dec & Jan 1st |
Leicester Square or Charing Cross |
National Portrait Gallery
St Martin's Place, nr Trafalgar Square & behind National Gallery - Tel: 020 7306 0055
|
In the Portrait Gallery you will encounter paintings of many famous British historic figures). |
FREE to the permanent exhibitions. Temporary exhibitions are charged - see site |
Mon-Wed: Sat & Sun: 10am-6pm, Thu & Fri: 10am -8pm |
Leicester Square or Charing Cross |
Planet Hollywood
Restaurant: 13 Coventry St, W1 - Tel: 020 7 7287 1000
|
Owned by Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger & Sylvester Stallone. Great for kids - Burgers, Pizza etc. |
N/A |
Daily: noon-midnight |
Piccadilly Circus |
Rainforest Cafe
Restaurant: 20 Shaftesbury Avenue, W1 - Tel: 020 7434 3111
|
Great entertainment and decor for the kids whilst they eat. Shop upstairs. |
N/A |
Mon-Fri: noon-10pm, Sat: noon-8pm, Sun: 11.30am-10pm |
Piccadilly Circus |
Warners Brothers Studio Store
178-182 Regent St, W1 - Tel: 020 7434 3334
|
Fun to visit with the 'Animation Learning Centre' upstairs. Clothes and toys. |
N/A |
Mon-Sat: 10am-8pm, Sun: noon-6pm |
Piccadilly Circus |
Back to List Top of Page Free stuff in London
Westminster Area: Big Ben & Houses of Parliament, Cabinet War Rooms, Changing of the Foot & Horse Guards, Guards Museum, Royal Mews, St James's Park, Westminster Abbey, Thames boat trips, Buckingham Palace.
Place & Address |
|
Entrance Fees |
|
Nearest Underground |
Big Ben & the Houses of Parliament Parliament Square, SW1 Tours: Tel: 020 7219 4600 |
Correctly referred to as The Palace of Westminster. It contains both the Houses of the Commons and the Lords, Committe Rooms, Offices, Libraries, a couple of residences, restaurants, bars and it's own Post Office! Rebuilt in the Neo-Gothic style by Sir Charles Barry when most of the original buildings were destroyed by fire in 1834, it took the rest of his life to complete. The St. Stephens Clock Tower holds the four famous clock faces, the four bells which make the 'Westminster Chime' and 'Big ben', the large bell which rings the hours. |
Entry to the public galleries is FREE, but younger kids not permitted. Check their site. 75 minute tours with a Blue Badge guide are available during the Summer Recess only: Adult: £7; Concs: £5; Family £22
|
For entry times to the public galleries to watch debates see the website. Tours are run frrom July 24th to 4th September, and 18th September to 2nd October
|
Westminster |
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace Rd, London, SW1A |
London home of Her Majesty the Queen. During August and September visitors can tour the State Rooms - Ballroom, Throne Room, Picture Gallery and State Dining Room. Well worth a visit - with a good talking commentary included..! |
Adult: £12.50, Concs: £10.50 Child: £6.50 Family: £31.50
|
31st July to 26th Sept: Daily: 9.30am-4.30pm Often quieter after 3 pm
|
Victoria/St James's Park/Green Park |
Cabinet War Rooms
King Charles Street, SW 1 Tel: 02079306961 |
Basement air-raid shelter where Sir Winston Churchill and his War Cabinet, Chiefs of Staff of the Army, Navy and Air Force and top echelons of military intelligence worked during the worst days of WW2. Highly recommended! |
Adult: £5.00, OAP's and students: £3.60, under 15's free |
|
Westminster |
Changing of the Horseguards
Horseguards Parade, Whitehall |
Daily Mounted Guard changing ceremony. |
FREE |
|
St James's Park |
Changing of the Footguard
Buckingham Palace - Tel: 09068 663344 |
Dazzling display of pageantry by the Foot Guards of the Household Division of the Army, the Queen's personal guard. Takes place every other day in the winter and everyday in the summer (check with your concierge on the day you wish to visit). Takes place at 11.30am but good pictures can be taken of the guards in Wellington Barracks nearby, around 11am-11.15am before they march out for Buckingham Palace. |
FREE |
May 2001 - Daily.No ceremonial change in bad weather.
|
St James's Park |
| Guards Museum
Wellington Barracks, Birdcage Walk, SW1E - Tel: 020 7414 3271 |
A great collection of uniforms, weapons and memorabilia telling the story of the Foot Guards over the last three centuries. |
Adult: £2; Concs: £1; Child: Free
|
Daily: 10am - 4pm (last admission 3.30pm)
|
St James's Park |
Royal Mews
Buckingham Palace Rd, SW1W - Tel: 020 7839 1377 |
The fully working stables of Her Majesty the Queen. Some wonderful carriages to view. |
Adult: £4.30, Child: £2.10 |
Mon-Thu throughout the year
|
Victoria |
St James' Park
Nr. Buckingham Palace |
Probably the prettiest park in London. The flower beds, trees and shrubs look lovely all year round. At the Buckingham Palace end a small play area has sand and objects to climb on for 2-6 year olds. Also a large selection of birds, ducks and squirrels to see/feed.
|
FREE |
|
All Year |
Westminster Abbey
Nr. Houses of Parliament - Tel: 020 7222 5152 |
The finest history setting in the land. But do buy a guide book from the bookstall first, or book onto the supertour or get the talking guide. These walls have witnessed the crowning, marriage and burial of many monarchs, writers, composers and others from the ranks of the 'good and the great'.
|
Adult: £10.00, Concs: £6; Children under 11: Free; Family: £22 |
Mon-Fri: 9.30am-3.45pm, Sat: 9am-1.45pm. (Open till 7pm Weds.)
|
Westminster or St James' Park tube |
Back to List Top of Page Free stuff in London
Other Areas: - Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood
Place & Address |
Description |
Entrance Fees |
|
Nearest Underground |
| Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood
Cambridge Heath Rd, London, E2 |
Wonderful collection of toys, dolls & dolls' houses from various countries, oldest from 1673. Plus games, nursery furniture, children's costumes and puppets. |
FREE |
Daily: Mon - Thu, Sat & Sun 10 am - 5.50 pm, closed Fri |
Bethnal Green |
Back to List Top of Page Free stuff in London
Next Page >>>>>
What happened on this day in history? Here's the top ten for today
Want more 'What happened on this day' stuff? - Click here
Go to Kids Cool Links ..
BEEN TO LONDON? Want to tell your friends around the world about your trip? Have you got any tips for cool things to do? Or how about some of those uncool places mum and dad insisted you went to? Were there some places you didn't expect to like that turned out ok? We'd all love to hear about it. So drop us a line! Click here to say 'Hi'. Please do make sure to check that it's ok with your parent or guardian first!
MORE "WHAT HAPPENED ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY":
Other Links:
Paddington Bear Retail Kiosk: Paddington Station, London, W2 1RH. Tel: 020 7706 0268
Zippos Circus London: April to October - Tel: (0)7050 121416
Top of Page
RUDDICK TOURS - "Great tours of Britain" - Last up-dated:
July 13, 2010
|
|