DK Travel - London

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Reprinted with revisions in 2014 by Dorling Kindersley Publishing Pvt Ltd.
ISBN: 9780756698713
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Toys from the past on display at the Museum of London

Start the day at .

Another day, take a family tour at the .

Alternatively, climb up to the Whispering Gallery at and spend the afternoon doing a gallery trail.

Take an open-top bus tour (see .

Next day, arrive early for a morning at that castle of castles, the and a 3D movie at the Imax.

On the last day, spend the morning at .

In spring, visit to see spectacular carpets of bluebells and yellow daffodils, and stunning blossom. Take part in free, fun activities, such as the chocolate workshop and Easter egg hunt.

Book tickets in advance for a summer concert at glorious ; pack a rug and delicious picnic (or pre-order one). Dress up in something colourful for the lively, late August Notting Hill Carnival.

Go for an autumnal walk on to see the glorious leaf colours, and, if its one of those clear, sunny, autumn days, take a trip on the London Eye.

Do some Christmas shopping in .

After a morning at .

Let the kids loose in and finish with a play at Regents Park Open-Air Theatre.

Visit and get lost in the 300-year-old maze.

Entry is free to the permanent collections of Londons major museums and galleries. Many also offer complimentary or inexpensive childrens tours, trails, storytelling and workshops. The capitals parks (see ), do not charge for admission although a donation of some kind is appreciated.

A great way to get to know the city is on foot, as London and its fascinating, historic architecture is like a living walk-through museum. Transport for London ( guarantees hours of amusement from the street performers.

For discount theatre tickets, visit the tkts booth in Leicester Square (, apart from a do-it-yourself picnic in a park, are often local cafs or ethnic restaurants outside of the central touristy areas sometimes only a few streets away from the main drag.

A number of London theatres are dedicated to performances for children (see ).

A pantomime is a Christmas holiday highlight for adults as well as children: among the best are those at the Old Vic ().

Londons principal cinemas are Odeon (www.odeon.co.uk), Vue (www.myvue.com) and Cineworld (www.cineworld.co.uk). These and the independent Clapham Picture House (www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/Clapham_Picturehouse) and Electric Cinema (www.electriccinema.co.uk), have regular kids clubs.

Sports-mad families will find plenty going on in London to keep their heart rates up, whether they want to be participants or spectators (see ). Other activities that should appeal to energetic kids are climbing, go-karting, bowling, inline skating and even dry skiing.

Westway Sports Centre has a terrific beginners climbing wall and a junior programme that includes family sessions (www.westwaysportscentre.org.uk/climbing). The best places for budding racing drivers (aged 8+) to go karting are Playscape (www.playscape.co.uk) and Daytona (www.daytona.co.uk), while childrens bowling is offered at Hollywood Bowl (www.hollywoodbowl.co.uk), with special lightweight bowls, and Bloomsbury Bowling (www.bloomsburybowling.com). There are inline skating programmes for children in Kensington Gardens, run by Kids Rollerblading Lessons (www.kidsrollerbladinglessons.co.uk), LondonSkaters (www.londonskaters.com) and Citiskate (www.citiskate.co.uk), which also operates elsewhere. For dry skiing within the M25, try Sandown Ski Centre (www.sandownsports.co.uk/ski-centre.htm) and Bromley Ski & Snow Board Centre (www.bromleyski.co.uk).

London museums big and small often host highly imaginative workshops for families. Some of the best are at the puts on some excellent workshops, using technology to create fun, sometimes gruesome animations about mummification, fantastical creatures or the Aztec gods.

Going behind the scenes at a theatre can be fascinating for children, offering a glimpse into the hidden worlds of costumes, lighting, scenery shifting and even technical wizardry. Of all Londons backstage tours, the most impressive are those organised by the .