One in all my favorite components of the town to discover, there’s a lot to tempt you to London’s South Financial institution with children – household points of interest galore, the prospect to walk alongside the Thames, a string of Instagrammable London sights.
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So if you happen to’re planning your London itinerary, or searching for concepts of issues to do close to the London Eye, I’ve picked out a few of the greatest choices for households.
There are ideas for wet days in London and free days out on the South Financial institution with children, strategies for toddlers and youths, and even a few of the greatest locations to remain on the South Financial institution in London.
The place is London’s South Financial institution?
Operating alongside the south facet of the Thames, formally London’s South Financial institution space stretches from Lambeth Bridge to Blackfriars Bridge.
For the sake of this piece, I’m additionally together with a number of highlights as far east as Southwark Bridge – round half-hour stroll from the London Eye and Sea Life Aquarium, it’s a straightforward stroll away, plus you may cross by if you happen to’re heading to the world round Tower Bridge with children too.
However if you happen to solely have time for a flying go to to the South Financial institution with children, the important thing household points of interest are set within the space between Westminster Bridge and Waterloo Bridge, which can be the place most momentary actions happen.
The London Eye
One of many iconic sights of the town, the London Eye can be a fantastic place to get a chicken’s eye view of the capital.
Turning excessive above the South Financial institution and looking throughout the Thames, it’s greatest for good climate – unsurprisingly – however chilly sunny winter days can provide some gorgeously clear views.
Or time your ‘flight’ for sundown and watch the lights twinkling on throughout London.
Prebooking is strongly suggested, with reductions if you happen to purchase your tickets on-line prematurely. There are additionally fast-track tickets obtainable to skip the queues, which is good with children, particularly in peak season.
You can too purchase mixture tickets with the London Dungeon and close by London aquarium.
For extra concepts of the greatest views in London with children, try these alternate options
Sea Life London Aquarium
A stunning various to the town’s zoos for animal lovers, the Sea Life London Aquarium is a superb place to go to – one of many greatest collections in Europe.
London’s aquarium homes over 500 species, 14 themed zones and greater than 2 million litres of water with some uncommon creatures to find, in addition to some favourites together with penguins and clownfish.
There are additionally recurrently particular occasions throughout faculty holidays, and you’ll be a part of behind-the-scenes excursions.
It might probably get busy at peak instances and on wet days, so it’s properly value pre-booking and there are often reductions if you happen to purchase on-line prematurely.
For extra concepts on how to save cash on days out in London with children, try my high ideas
Shrek’s Journey
Shrek followers will love the prospect to stroll by the world of Far Far Away, assembly a few of the well-known characters together with Princess Fiona and Donkey.
There’s a problem to gather substances with a view to discover Shrek and make it residence safely, with 10 themed reside exhibits and a 4D flying bus to finish Shrek’s Journey. Higher for major faculty aged children who’ll admire the enjoyable than for toddlers and preschoolers.
Maintain a watch out too for particular occasions yr spherical, together with particular company like Puss in Boots and a Shrek Santa at Christmas.
You can too get mixed tickets to different Merlin points of interest, together with the close by aquarium or London Eye. Tickets with free cancellation are additionally obtainable from Get Your Information.
The London Dungeon
One for older and braver children, a visit to the London Dungeon is a scarily good day trip, with reside actors whisking you thru 1,000 actually alarming years of historical past, plus loads of particular results and rides to get your coronary heart racing even sooner.
One in all a string of areas across the UK, like the opposite Dungeons, every location has areas themed to go well with its personal historical past too. The London Dungeon, for instance, brings you nose to nose with the Nice Hearth and Sweeney Todd.
Prebooking is strongly suggested, with on-line reductions if you happen to purchase your tickets prematurely: greatest for teenagers and braver tweens. You can too purchase mixture tickets to different Merlin points of interest.
Tate Trendy
Set in a transformed energy station on London’s Bankside, Tate Trendy is certainly not your common artwork gallery – children are inspired to speak (and there’s loads of house to run round within the turbine corridor) plus you’ll discover a number of simple methods even for youthful ones to get pleasure from what they see together with prompt video games.
The Tate Trendy additionally has prompt routes for households to comply with by the collections, which embody large names from the 20th century, corresponding to Matisse, together with works from the previous decade.
It’s free to go to and also you don’t presently have to prebook, except you’re visiting one of many particular exhibitions (that are additionally paid entry).
The Florence Nightingale Museum
On the opposite facet of Westminster Bridge Highway from the London Eye, the Florence Nightingale Museum is an interesting and fewer visited cease to think about alongside the South Financial institution with children.
The museum tells the story of the woman with the lamp, together with her work as a nurse within the Crimean Battle and her affect as a pioneer of contemporary nursing.
There are interactive displays, and you’ll meet the redoubtable Miss Nightingale herself, in addition to studying extra quirky info – together with how she acquired her title, and the very fact she had a pet owl referred to as Athena. The museum additionally has household trails and common actions for teenagers.
The Globe theatre
Step again to Tudor England with a go to to the Globe Theatre, a reconstruction of the open-air playhouse the place Shakespeare labored, and the place his performs are carried out at the moment.
And in addition to shopping for a ticket for a efficiency – positively probably the most memorable methods to see Shakespeare, particularly for teenagers finding out the performs – you too can take a tour behind the scenes.
The 50-minute excursions embody tales of the unique sixteenth century playhouse and London in Shakespeare’s Day, the way it survived plague and political oppression, together with how the Globe was recreated.
Southbank Centre
The Southbank Centre is on the coronary heart of quite a lot of the occasions and actions which happen on the South Financial institution, proper all the way down to the road artwork painted on the skin.
However enterprise inside and there are some incredible artwork exhibitions to find if you happen to’re visiting London with teenagers, together with interactive installations and artwork on the Hayward Gallery.
If you happen to’re visiting the Southbank Centre with youthful children, yow will discover family-friendly performances happening on the Queen Elizabeth Corridor.
Royal Competition Corridor
South Financial institution London can be residence to the world class live performance venue of the Royal Competition Corridor, a part of the Southbank Centre complicated and its largest efficiency house.
And whereas the emphasis is on concert events by the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Philharmonia Orchestra (amongst resident orchestras), there are additionally household concert events to introduce children to classical music.
There’s something from Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes set to music, to The Making of The Orchestra and different family-friendly performances.
Stroll the South Financial institution
The Thames is the guts of the town, so a stroll alongside the river is at all times probably the greatest issues to do in London with children – don’t simply rush from A to B, save a while to find the quirky particulars, absorb the river views and benefit from the avenue performers.
Stroll from Westminster Bridge to Southwark Bridge, and there are views of landmarks just like the Homes of Parliament and St Paul’s, in addition to strolling previous the London Eye, the Tate Trendy and Shakespeare’s Globe theatre.
If you happen to do deep going somewhat additional and you’ll see the Golden Hinde, a reproduction of the ship through which Sir Francis Drake circumnavigated the globe, plus the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.
There are sometimes altering momentary artwork installations, even an city seashore in summer time, plus festivals and occasions all year long – try this stroll alongside the South Financial institution for extra inspiration, in addition to these highlights to identify.
Spot the quirky lampposts
Take a better have a look at the lampposts as you head alongside The Queen’s Stroll and the riverside – often known as dolphin lamp requirements, the fishy creatures twined across the base have by no means appeared very like dolphins to me!
Based mostly on statues of dolphins or fish with intertwined tails on the Fontana del Nettuno within the Piazza del Popolo in Rome, they’re generally described as stylised sturgeons – as soon as so priceless they had been referred to as a royal fish.
Initially powered by electrical energy, they had been transformed to gasoline lamps earlier than switching again to electrical mild once more in 1900 and lots of are Grade II listed.
Discover the viewpoints
Save a while to go up onto the bridges for some further views alongside the Thames, together with from Golden Jubilee Bridge.
You can even begin your South Financial institution stroll from the northern Embankment and use the bridge linking Embankment tube and the Southbank Centre to get throughout – there’s often a soundtrack of metal drums
Maintain strolling in the direction of the Oxo Tower (whose home windows cleverly acquired across the prohibition on promoting) to Gabriel’s Wharf the place the financial institution widens and also you get a fantastic view in the direction of Blackfriars Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral.
Additional alongside the river, there are extra nice views from the Millennium Bridge resulting in St Pauls – you may see the cathedral peeking between the fashionable buildings as you cross.
Take a ship journey
If you happen to’re trying to take to the river, there are many decisions of boat journey from the South Financial institution with children.
For extra concepts of London boat journeys with children, try this put up
Uber Boat by Thames Clippers
If you happen to’re not searching for a protracted cruise, aren’t fussed about commentary on board or desire a extra spontaneous possibility, Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is unbeatable.
Whilst you can select the identical route as most sightseeing boat excursions in London, this operates virtually the identical method as a water bus, so it’s a enjoyable approach to get round London.
The boats depart from 23 completely different piers alongside the Thames, together with London Eye Waterloo pier, with common boats by central London, plus much less frequent routes to take you west to Putney and east past Greenwich, so far as Woolwich (Royal Arsenal).
You should use contactless to pay (in addition to your Oyster card), or guide through their app, so there’s no have to plan your tickets method prematurely. Or you may choose up a one-day limitless River Roamer journey cross: if there are two adults in your group, the household cross implies that children go free.
Metropolis Cruises hop-on hop-off boats
There’s a complete vary of various sightseeing boat excursions from Metropolis Cruises, together with ones with afternoon tea but in addition a 24-hour hop-on hop-off ticket, so you will get on and off the sightseeing boats at 4 completely different piers, if you’d like a number of cruises.
There’s commentary on board as they sail alongside the Thames, previous landmarks together with the Homes of Parliament and the London Eye, so it’s a enjoyable, hassle-free approach to spot a number of highlights with children – if the climate’s good, you may sit exterior on the highest deck.
You can too choose up mixed tickets, together with for riverside points of interest such because the London Eye plus a ship tour, or the Tower of London plus cruise.
The boats run recurrently from London Eye Waterloo Pier, in addition to between Westminster Pier, Tower Pier and Greenwich.
Spot avenue artwork
London’s avenue artwork scene is continually altering, so it’s doable to return repeatedly to see one thing new – however it’s simple to see a few of the capital’s eye-catching works as you wander previous different points of interest.
Stroll alongside the South Financial institution and you’ll see avenue artwork by Stik at Hungerford Bridge, not removed from the London Eye, for instance.
The graffiti on the Southbank Skate Park is continually getting a brand new look too, whereas the Southbank Centre recurrently sees new items added to its concrete partitions and stairs – typically specifically commissioned, the checklist has included Belgian artist ROA and East London’s Bread Collective.
Maintain going a bit additional and there’s a technicolour Shakespeare close to the Clink Road tunnel past the Globe too.
Or head somewhat method in from the riverside to find the Graffiti tunnel – scroll down for extra.
Go to the Graffiti tunnel
This 300m Leake Road tunnel beneath Waterloo station is London’s longest authorized graffiti wall – the photographs change continuously however you’re assured to find one thing eye-catching right here.
Popularised after Banksy’s 2008 Cans Competition, there are generally periods for wannabe avenue artists however anybody can simply carry their very own paint and get artistic.
And even if it’s solely round a five-minute stroll from the London Eye, it’s typically missed by the hordes of individuals visiting the South Financial institution.
Head down Chicheley Road and throughout York Highway to seek out it, or you may see the Graffiti tunnel location on Google Maps. Maintain a watch out for any occasions happening on the Leake Road Arches, that are additionally residence to numerous locations to eat, together with Draughts Board Recreation Cafe.
Splash in a fountain
When London basks in one in all its occasional heatwaves, there’s nowhere higher to be than splashing in one of many fountains which have began popping up throughout the town – come ready with spare garments!
The Showing Rooms interactive sculpture on the Southbank Centre is likely one of the enjoyable choices, with jets of water creating ‘rooms’ earlier than they vanish simply as shortly.
It’s value understanding that youngsters want tops on to splash right here: a T-shirt over their swimming costume, a rash vest or a swimming costume with sleeves are all effective.
It often seems on the Riverside Terrace, at stage two, for a number of months through the summer time, from across the begin of June to late August (though it’s switched off on Mondays).
Head to Jubilee Park playground
Jubilee Park & Backyard close to the London Eye has its personal playground if you happen to’re taking a stroll alongside the South Financial institution.
Set inside Jubilee Gardens, there’s a fab journey playground aimed toward youngsters as much as 11 years, with cleverly designed picket constructions and spidery rope webs to entertain any budding younger climbers – refurbished in Might 2022, there’s additionally new tools for youthful children and sensory choices to make it extra inclusive.
Moments from each the London Eye, and Sea Life Aquarium, it’s simple to mix with the large household points of interest, plus Jubilee Gardens are a reasonably place for folks to take a couple of minutes to relax out.
For added household enjoyable, there’s a carousel close to Golden Jubilee Bridge, simply to the facet of Jubilee Gardens and the playground
Take a look at the skate park
Whether or not you wish to watch the bikers and skate boarders check out their tips otherwise you’re trying to hone your individual abilities, that is one spot on the South Financial institution which isn’t quiet.
Set within the undercroft of the Southbank Centre, there’s been a skate park right here for many years, and it’s been referred to as the birthplace of British skateboarding.
With a collection of ledges, banks and a set of stairs for skate boarders to make use of, there’s additionally a railing separating these watching from these skating if you wish to have a look with out getting too shut.
Household actions on the South Financial institution
Together with the everlasting points of interest on the South Financial institution with children, there are common occasions and festivals happening through the yr.
The Think about Kids’s Competition takes place in February, aimed toward children aged as much as 11, with a collection of free occasions to get pleasure from in addition to paid actions.
Within the run-up to Christmas, the South Financial institution additionally holds its personal winter market with stalls and avenue meals.
And there are common actions throughout faculty holidays too, together with artistic periods, household trails and extra. Take a look at the complete particulars of what’s on for households on the Southbank for the newest info.
The place to eat on the South Financial institution with children
The South Financial institution is residence to a string of chain eating places that are nice for households, together with Wagamama, Trustworthy Burger, Nando’s and pizza galore (together with Pizza Categorical and Strada).
However you’ll additionally discover a number of extra choices to tempt with children of all ages.
Southbank Centre Meals Market
Head to the South Financial institution on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays to seek out the Meals Market remodeling the piazza on Belvedere Highway behind the Southbank Centre.
If you wish to seize a espresso, juice, crepe or cookie, you’ll discover simple snacks to gasoline your exploring, however there’s additionally a formidable array of meals from world wide too, together with Ethiopian and Venezuelan dishes in addition to Caribbean and Punjabi curries.
There are many vegetarian and vegan choices too, in addition to craft beer for the grown-ups. Seize a seat at one of many outside tables or stroll again to the riverfront to eat.
Giraffe
Giraffe’s eating places are well-known for aiming to maintain all family members blissful – there are child-friendly classics but in addition parent-friendly dishes and cocktails.
The South Financial institution department is the most important within the capital too, so when you can count on queues at this widespread spot, they do usually transfer pretty quick. There are brunch dishes together with pancakes on the youngsters menu, in addition to hidden veggie pasta, whereas the principle menu has something from smooth shell crab burger to Thai duck stir fry.
Wahaca
Seize a burrito to go from the Mexican Road Kitchen meals truck by the riverside or head indoor for award-winning Mexican avenue meals at Wahaca, set inside recycled delivery containers.
The menu has all the things from quesadillas and enchiladas to vegan and veggie dishes, whereas there’s additionally a build-your-own-tacos possibility on the child’s menu.
You’ll be able to reserve tables throughout sure hours however if you happen to haven’t, the eating places holds some tables which might’t be prebooked, so it’s a great possibility if you happen to’re being spontaneous too.
Fateema
This scrumptious grab-and-go Lebanese meals is good if you happen to’re searching for a fast lunch that’s extra thrilling than your common sandwich.
The menu at Fateema consists of requirements like falafel and shawarma but in addition Lebanese dishes like Musaka, an aubergine stew, and roasted cauliflower wraps, together with Shakshouka for breakfast.
Gabriel’s Wharf
You’re spoiled for selection at Gabriel’s Wharf, which can be residence to a string of quirky boutiques and homewares, plus hand-made childrenswear at Nordic Nic Nac.
For meals, the Connoisseur Pizza Co is a winner if you happen to’re visiting the South Financial institution with children (whereas nonetheless tempting dad and mom), or The Massive Soften Toastie Shack provides grilled cheese its personal twist – assume a macaroni cheese model, or duck bacon.
And Marsha’s isn’t your common hen joint – sure, you will get crispy fried hen on the youngsters’ menu, however the restaurant prides itself on utilizing each final a part of the chicken, so together with souvlaki, chicken-thigh burger and Korean-inspired dishes, yow will discover crispy hen skins among the many selection of sides.
There’s additionally nice Mexican meals at Hola Guacamole and Trinidadian meals at Limin’ Seaside Membership, together with artisan chocolate.
Inns on the South Financial institution with children
It’s simple to get to the South Financial institution from most locations in central London, in addition to through practice from Waterloo, however if you happen to’re searching for a household resort on the South Financial institution, there are alternatives for all budgets.
Park Plaza County Corridor/Westminster Bridge
The Park Plaza resort chain has a number of central London accommodations which provide their Household Getaway package deal together with the Park Plaza County Corridor on the South Financial institution, which is only a quick stroll from the world’s household points of interest, and Park Plaza Westminster Bridge.
Park Plaza’s Household Package deal consists of youngsters’s goodie baggage, seasonal kid-friendly actions, free breakfast, lunch and dinner for teenagers beneath 12 when eating with dad and mom, and free in-room films (and WiFi).
And if all of that wasn’t sufficient, Park Plaza company additionally get 2-for-1 tickets in any respect of Merlin’s high child-friendly London points of interest.
Premier Inn London Waterloo/London County Corridor
If you happen to’re searching for finances accommodations close to the South Financial institution with children, there are a number of Premier Inn accommodations close by.
The closest two are the Waterloo and County Corridor accommodations, though you too can keep somewhat additional east with three extra choices in Southwark, together with one not removed from the Tate Trendy and one other at Southwark Bankside.
You could find spacious household rooms with a double mattress plus a settee mattress and pull-out mattress, in addition to journey cots for infants at no further value. Youngsters additionally eat breakfast at no cost when eating with dad and mom.
Marriot Resort County Corridor
If you happen to’re searching for a little bit of luxurious on your keep on the South Financial institution with children, the Marriott in London’s former County Corridor constructing positively qualifies.
There are household rooms and suites, together with double double rooms – a bed room with two double beds is a uncommon discover in London.
Add in incredible views out throughout the Thames, plus it’s solely 100 yards from household points of interest just like the London Sealife Aquarium within the Riverside Constructing County Corridor.
Nox Resort, Waterloo
Situated in Waterloo, only a quick stroll from London’s South Financial institution and its many points of interest, Nox Resort is a stunning family-friendly aparthotel.
Nox’s tremendous smooth household studios have a double mattress plus two singles for kids, in addition to a completely geared up kitchenette with a fridge, microwave and toaster.
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County Corridor/lamposts/Metropolis Cruises boat/avenue artwork/Leake Road tunnel/skate park/what’s on signal copyright MummyTravels, all different photos courtesy of Depositphotos
