It may have a reputation as one of the most expensive cities in the world, but a family visit to London needn’t cost an arm and a leg. Here’s how to have a brilliant family break in London on a budget.
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| Photo by Benjamin Davies on Unsplash |
Travel and Accommodation
If you’re planning to travel on the bus or tube, make sure you buy an Oyster card for hassle-free, touch-in-touch-out travel that’s significantly cheaper than buying a day’s Travelcard. Remember that under 11s travel free on the London Transport system and kids between 11 and 15 get a discounted fare. There are lots of great options for good value accommodation too. It’s easy to find a Travelodge in London near the place you want to visit. Book a family room to save even more and ensure you all a get a great night’s sleep in comfort.
Street Theatre
It’s good to have a plan in place for your visit, but instead of running from A to B with military precision, factor in some time to just wander around, soaking up the atmosphere of the city – after all it doesn’t cost a penny! With small children in tow, Oxford Street won’t be the best place to do this. Instead head to Covent Garden where there are always street entertainers wowing the crowds who they stop in their tracks. Alternatively, the South Bank is a great place to take a picnic and enjoy both the views of the river and all the impromptu entertainment that takes place there, particularly at the weekend.
Perfect Parks
Wherever your London adventures take you, you’ll never be far from a park to rest, picnic or run around in. If you’ve got small kids, the best green space to head to is Kensington Gardens. The Diana Memorial Playground, which is located next to her old home, Kensington Palace, is a lovely place for grown-ups to rest their feet and enjoy a takeaway coffee while the children feel sand on their toes and explore the fantastic pirate ship centerpiece. Also, don’t miss the charming Peter Pan statue in Kensington Gardens which is located in the exact spot that Peter lands on when he flies out of the nursery window and lands beside the Long Water!
Magical Museums
The Science Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Natural History Museum are all completely free to get into, and although they’re always busy, their sheer size means you usually get to see what you want without too much of a wait. A highlight is the Dinosaurs section of the Natural History Museum. The life size, roaring T-Rex is a must-see for any child on a visit to London. It’s incredibly realistic – so much so that it’s a good idea to pre-warn any very small children you have with you so that they don’t end up rivaling the T-Rex with their roars of fright!
It really is possible for the whole family to experience the very best that London has to offer without blowing the budget!
*This post is brought you in collaboration with Travelodge
