You don’t have to spend a fortune to have a great day in London as a family: check out our top 15 days out in the capital all for less than £15 (and don’t forget to take a look at our guide to BBQ-ing in London if you fancy firing up the grill outdoors!)
London Fields Lido
Price: Adult: £4.75/ Junior: £2.85
London Fields Lido is the only Olympic sized heated outdoor swimming pool in London, measuring an impressive 66ft and containing 350,000 gallons of water. Situated in Hackney, the Lido is an ideal spot for a family swim in the summer holidays.
Spitalfields City Farm
Price: Free
A registered charity, Spitalfields City Farm is great for young children. Along with a range of animals, the farm offers workshops and the chance for kids to learn first-hand where eggs and milk come from.
Sightseeing Walk
Price: Free
- Instead of paying to take a tour around the city, follow this easy route to take in some of London’s most famous landmarks.
- Walk from Piccadilly Circus to Leicester Square through Chinatown
- Continue south past the National Portrait Gallery, National Gallery and Trafalgar Square
- Walk along the Strand and Villiers Street, and cross the River Thames
- Wander along South Bank to see London Eye, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
- Continue until Tower Bridge, taking in Tate Modern and St Paul’s Cathedral
Royal Parks of London
Price: Free
London has eight Royal Parks, which are free all year round. Regent’s Park is perfect for sunbathing, whilst Richmond Park is the ideal place for deer spotting. And don’t forget to take a picnic and some games when the weather is nice!
Markets
Price: Free
Just because you visit a market it doesn’t mean you have to spend money- particularly in London where the atmosphere is priceless. Camden Market, Portobello Market and Greenwich Market are just a few of the best.
Science Museum
Price: Free
The science museum is the most visited science and technology museum in Europe, and with over 15,000 objects, interactive galleries, 3D and 4D simulators and an IMAX cinema it is easy to see why. Entry is free but there may be a charge on some exhibitions and the cinema.
National History Museum
Price: Free
Kids will love the National History Museum, particularly its legendary Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton; book advance tickets to visit the dinosaurs gallery in the school holidays to make sure you get in. There may be a small charge for some exhibitions.
Bus tour
Price: £1.45
Organised sightseeing bus tours around London can be expensive, but luckily it is really cheap to plan your own.
London bus route 9 goes past Waterloo, Houses of Parliament and St Paul’s Cathedral, and bus route 88 takes in Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Use your Oyster card and pay just £1.45 for a single journey.
Pollock’s Toy Museum
Price: Adult: £6/ Child £3
With a collection of puppets, stages and theatres- along with toys from around the world including houses and train sets- Pollock’s Toy Museum is heaven for young children.
B&Q Kids Can Do It classes
Price: £5
Keep your children busy at the weekend with a B&Q Kids Can Do It Too class. Designed for kids aged 7-11, they will learn basic DIY skills and the chance to create bird feeders, toy boats and picture frames- with all the tools and material provided. Free for members of the B&Q Club.
Vue Cinema
Price: £1.75
Going to the cinema can be expensive, but every day in the school holidays you can get adult and child tickets on selected movies for just £1.75 at Vue Cinemas. Current showings include Maleficent and Frozen.
Slug and Lettuce
Price: £1 for a child
Stop for lunch on a Sunday at the Slug and Lettuce and pay just £1 for a child under eight, as long as an adult pays full price- absolute bargain!
Battersea Park
Price: Free
It may not be granted Royal status, but Battersea park is a standout option for a hot summer day. With its very own zoo, pagoda, boat hire and an adventure playground for older children on weekdays, you could quite happily spend all day here as a family.
Transport Museum
Price: Adults £15/ Child free
Spend the afternoon in the London Transport Museum and explore the world’s first underground steam train, the iconic red London bus and numerous interactive exhibits. Young children will love dressing up in the play area and driving the model bus.
Covent Garden Market
Price: Free
Covent Garden Market is a tourist attraction in itself, packed with street performers, opera singers and pop up shops- and best of all it is totally free to wander around. But remember, it gets totally packed at the weekend!
Tip: If you are planning on exploring London for a couple of days, invest in a London pass to save money on all the main tourist attractions.
