With its rich history, incredible architecture and iconic landmarks, London has no shortage of attractions for visitors. But when you’ve finished with the obligatory visits to Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London and Big Ben, check out these lesser-known attractions great for kids to make sure the whole family has the best vacation possible.
Explore the World of Harry Potter
The Warner Bros. Studio Tour offers a firsthand look at the studio where many of the beloved Harry Potter films were made. Visitors can explore two soundstages and a backlot home to original props, costumes and sets. The tour includes demonstrations of the films’ incredible special effects, like the Whomping Willow, the Chamber of Secrets door, Quidditch matches and Harry’s invisibility cloak, as well as how magical creatures like Buckbeak, Aragog and the basilisk were created. Adult tickets cost £45 and £37 for children 5–15. Children under 5 get in for free. Family packages are also available.
Take a Walking Tour of Famous Sites
Fans of the Harry Potter movies will also love the Magical London: Harry Potter Guided Walking Tour. This tour is not associated with the Warner Bros. Studio Tour and instead takes you on a 2.5-hour walking tour of London that includes many familiar sites from the movie, such as platform 9 3/4 at Kings Cross Station, where you can take pictures with props. In addition to Harry Potter-related sites this tour also includes other famous London locations such as the 800-year-old Borough Market, Scotland Yard, the world’s smallest police station and Trafalgar Square. Tour tickets are $25.50 per person.
See the City From the Sky on the London Eye
The London Eye, an observation wheel located on the bank of the River Thames, is one of the most iconic sites in London today. The windowed pods give guests a 360-degree view of the city and on a clear day you can see as far as 25 miles away. A standard ticket costs £30 and includes admission to the on-site 4-D cinema experience and Champagne bar. You can save money by purchasing your tickets online ahead of time. You can also purchase a more expensive fast track ticket and save time by skipping the line. The Eye is open daily (with the exception of Christmas Day), but hours of operation vary depending on time of year.
Ride the World’s Longest Tunnel Slide
Visit the ArcelorMittal Orbit, London’s impressive winding steel structure built for the 2012 Olympic Games. Resembling a vertical roller coaster, this structure houses an observation deck on top of the tower along with the world’s longest tunnel slide — 178 kilometers of twists, turns and a dizzying corkscrew. Tickets for the slide and observation deck cost £16.50 for adults and £10.50 for kids. The observation deck and slide are open daily and children must be at least 8 years old and 1.3 meters (4.2 feet) tall to ride the slide.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedDestinations / North America
Nov 5, 20245 Reasons to Visit Minneapolis This Holiday Season
This holiday season will be one for the books in Minneapolis, where family travelers can expect family-friendly activities, seasonal festivals and lights displays galore.
Sponsored Content
Discover the Magic of East Crete: A Perfect Family Getaway
East Crete is a blend of stunning landscapes, history and charming towns, making it an ideal family destination. Far from the crowds of the west, the region offers pristine beaches, ancient sites and authentic Cretan villages.
Destinations / North America
Nov 4, 2024What’s New in Cleveland for Families
Family travelers headed to Ohio next month are in for a big treat as Cleveland Museum of Natural History plans to unveil a massive expansion that will give visitors even more of a reason to fall in love with history, nature and science.
News
Nov 4, 2024Rental Brand onefinestay Partners with Lovevery Toys
Rental brand onefinestay recently announced a partnership with award-winning toy brand Lovevery. The partnership officially launches today.
Hotels
Nov 4, 2024This Palm Beach Resort Goes Big for the Holidays with Packages, Events
The only all-suite resort in Palm Beach County just announced a festive holiday package for family travelers to celebrate the holidays. In addition to this package, Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa has a Santa parade and tree-lighting ceremony in store, too.
Travel Tips
Nov 1, 202415 Books to Inspire Kids to Travel
Engaging stories can bring a country or a city to life for children while introducing them to different cultures. Whether you want children to learn about a place where your family plans to travel, or just want your children to know more about the world, you can be sure reading about different places will help them become better travelers.
ShareThis