When Travel Becomes a Shared Adventure
The most unforgettable moments come from experiences that light up both kids and adults. Not every destination manages to strike that balance—but London absolutely does. It’s a city where a five-year-old can marvel at a dinosaur fossil while their parent quietly tears up at Shakespeare’s Globe just across the river.
A few weeks ago, we decided to spend a long weekend in London with the kids—no rigid schedule, just a handful of places we’d been wanting to try together. What followed was a whirlwind of laughter, discoveries, incredible food, and the kind of shared memories you hope never fade.
To make planning a little easier , I turned to PGL , a platform I’d heard great things about. They specialize in family-friendly travel planning and, as I quickly discovered, they offer combo passes, skip-the-line options, and activity bundles that saved us both time and money. No fuss, just the fun parts of traveling.
I’ll walk you through three spots we personally explored, and share four other amazing family-friendly experiences we’ve done on past visits or booked for our next. All of them come with real-world insights: what worked, what surprised us, what to bring, and even what to skip.
If you’re planning a family trip to London—or just dreaming about it—I hope this gives you a few ideas to spark your own magical weekend in the city.
1. Natural History Museum & Hintze Hall Dinosaurs 🦕
Location: Cromwell Road, South Kensington (SW7)
Why It Works for All Ages
Our adventure began under the famous skeleton of “Dippy” the Diplodocus. Instantly, my daughter’s face lit up, tracing the vertebrae, while I looked upward, awestruck by the size and detail. Nearby, my son bravely hopped onto the earthquake simulator—a family favorite that mimics a 7.0 magnitude shake.
Top 3 Personal Faves:
- Dippy, of course—universal “wow” factor.
- The T. rex skeleton paired with a starry sky ceiling—literally cinematic.
- Human Biology Center, where age-appropriate interactive touchscreen lessons taught us how our bodies work.
3 extra standout exhibits:
- The Blue Zone Vivarium, housing frogs and tacky insects—my son’s favorite live display.
- The Treasure Vault, full of gemstones and precious artifacts we could stare at for hours.
- Seasonal showcases—from Darwin anniversary to “Butterflies Alive”—always fresh and immersive.
Key Info:
- Admission: Free, with required timed-entry ticket for peak times. Book via the museum’s website or through PGL, which makes booking easy and often provides optional donation or pay-what-you-wish add-ons.
- Hours: Daily 10:00–17:30 (free entry after 18:00 on Wednesdays). Closed 24–26 Dec.
- Transit: Tube lines Piccadilly, Circle, or District to South Kensington, 5-min walk.
- Family Perks: Stroller rental, free cloakroom, child-sized headsets for guided audio tours.
My Feelings:
I’ll never forget the moment my daughter whispered, “It’s like Jurassic Park!”—but quieter, calmer, smarter. I felt genuine joy watching the museum staff help toddlers connect to huge fossils, all while I quietly refilled my coffee and flipped through a minimalist art book in the café.
2. London Eye & Riverside Stroll in Jubilee Gardens
Location: South Bank, Westminster Bridge Rd, SE1
Why This Ride Works Miraculously for Families
We booked early evening “fast-track” tickets via PGL, combining it later with coffee shop savings. As our capsule climbed, city lights twinkled, the London skyline unfolded, and I swear my son gasped at the spinning lights of the Hungerford Bridge below.
Highlights I thought magical:
- The panoramic view of London—Big Ben, the Thames, the Shard.
- The audio guide that reacts to your position in the rotation—my daughter identified all five theatres!
- Post-ride picnic beneath the Eye in Jubilee Gardens—space to run and street food to sample.
Three adjoining treats:
- 4D Cinema Experience—sunsets, bursts of hot air, vibrating seats; a total crowd-pleaser.
- River Thames Cruises—a mellow, cheaper second visit via PGL’s combo discount.
- Street food market outside Eye, offering authentic Jamaican patties and British pastries.
Practical Info:
- Ticket: Standard adult ~£30, child free for under-3s. PGL bundles often include fast-track entry or family codes.
- Hours: Typically 11:00–18:00/20:00 (check the day).
- Transit: Tube: Waterloo or Westminster. Bus: routes 211, 24, 148.
- Accessibility: Fully accessible, stroller and wheelchair friendly.
My Reflections:
As we came down from the Eye, chocolates in hand, I watched my kids whisper, “That was the best ride ever,” and I couldn’t argue. Even as an adult, I loved the gentle sweep and birds-eye harmony of London.
3. Shakespeare’s Globe & Borough Market
Location: Bankside, near London Bridge
Why Art & Food Make the Perfect Pair
On Sunday morning, I led my children across the Thames to Shakespeare’s Globe for a backstage family tour. Then we wandered to Borough Market, a sensory feast where the aroma of sizzling cheese toasties and tropical spices beckoned us in.
My top memories:
- Learning about herbs in the roof garden as though I were Elliot from Mary Poppins.
- Visiting the Globe during a real rehearsal—costumes swirling, voices booming.
- Buying hand-printed playbills and shadow puppets in the souvenir shop.
Three more must-dos:
- Catch a family-friendly Shakespeare matinee, where kids can stand near the stage.
- Explore the Globe exhibition, packed with 1599 London history.
- Sample the Borough’s grilled cheese toastie (around £6) and rangoons at a Hawaiian food stall.
Logistics:
- Globe tickets: ~£21 adult, £10 child (good for 24 hours). PGL sometimes offers discounted bundled tickets with nearby attractions.
- Visiting hours: Museum 10:00–17:00; Globe tours often shortly after.
- Tunnel: Underground to London Bridge, ~5 min walk.
- Tips: Book prime-time tours online. Prepare for uneven cobbles in the Globe yard.
How It Felt:
We ended that morning seated at picnic benches in Borough Market, my daughter sharing mango candies while my son commented, “I touched Shakespeare’s stage!” I sipped coffee, thinking that London offers experiences adults crave—culture, food, history—but repackaged in a way that kids find super fun.
🌟 Four Additional Family-Friendly Gems
4. Science Museum (South Kensington)
- Free general admission. Labs like Wonderlab and Space Zone are hands-on gold. My son lit a Tesla coil spark; my daughter built a robot arm.
- Book timed experiences via PGL to avoid queues.
- Pro: Educates in a playful way. Con: Limited seating for tired kids.
5. Tate Modern (Bankside)
- Free entry to permanent collections. Kids love Turbine Hall’s massive installations.
- Our favorite: Eliasson’s The Weather Project (if on display)—an immersive mirrored sun.
- Book special family tours through PGL.
6. Horniman Museum & Gardens (Forest Hill)
- Entry ~£16 adult, £12 child. Mix of aquarium, music room, nature gardens—and panoramic London views.
- Kid highlight: outdoor animal enclosure and butterfly house; mine especially loved the music room full of hands-on instruments.
7. Kew Gardens & Children’s Garden (Richmond)
- Admission ~£18 adult / £9 child. Includes a forest-themed play area, treehouses, and interactive water features.
- PGL family deals can include seasonal discounts and fast-track entry during summer.
🧳 How PGL Became Our Planning Partner
I discovered PGL when seeking bundled tickets—this site offers value-packed deals for families, including combined entry to attractions like the Globe, Science Museum, Kew Gardens, and also meal vouchers or guided walking tours.
Why I trust them:
- Easy to use family grouping interface, plus children under 3 included free.
- Transparent ticket information, fast-track redemption options.
- Good customer service and online travel guidance.
🧭 Tips for Booking & Planning Your Family Weekend
- Combine tickets through PGL: Save 10–20% over point-of-sale prices.
- Book timed entries online—avoids frustration especially at Natural History or Science Museums.
- Choose a flexible Oyster card or Family Travelcard: kids under 11 ride free on the Tube, and Family Travelcard covers bus/Tube day fares.
- Plan snack stops near attractions: Borough Market after Globe; St James Park near Buckingham Palace; Southbank Centre for easy meals.
- Carry extra layers & a refillable bottle: London weather changes fast; central water fountains refill for free.
🎯London Through Family Eyes
As for me? I’ll never forget sitting on the London Eye, the Thames glowing below, as dusk melted over Westminster. It was one of those moments where everything slows down just enough for you to realize: this trip wasn’t just sightseeing—it was storytelling in motion.
We ended that Sunday evening tucked into a cozy café near Gabriel’s Wharf, sipping hot chocolate and unwrapping Borough Market cookies we’d stashed for “later.” We recounted the day: T. rex trembles, Shakespearean swordfights, market stall samples gone slightly sticky in our bags. And what struck me most was that each of us, at different ages and stages, had found our version of wonder in London.
💡 London doesn’t just suit families—it rewards them.
That’s the magic. Every cobblestone, street artist, or sandwich becomes part of the family’s shared story. And while it might sound idyllic, here’s the truth: planning a family trip to a city like London can be a lot. That’s why I was grateful for PGL—not in a “sponsored ad” kind of way, but in the genuine, saved-my-sanity sense.
PGL made the difference between wasting precious time in ticket lines and strolling right into attractions like seasoned Londoners. Their platform bundles family-friendly experiences, includes fast-track entries, and even flags which age groups are best suited to which attractions. When I needed a last-minute switch from a rainy-day Thames cruise to the Science Museum? Their customer service team sorted it within minutes—cheerfully.
Why PGL worked for us:
• Their combo ticket bundles meant we saved on entry fees and skipped the lines at places like the London Eye and the Globe.
• They clearly labeled age-appropriate activities, so we didn’t waste money on anything that might be “boring” for the kids (or us!).
• The booking interface was quick, and they emailed everything in a tidy itinerary with mobile barcodes—no printing, no stress.
• I also loved their “Rainy Day Alternatives” section—which became our go-to on Day 2 when London’s skies did their classic thing.
We even found last-minute restaurant suggestions and walking tour maps within the confirmation email—surprisingly thoughtful extras.
🧳 So Here’s My Honest Packing List – Beyond the Suitcase
If you’re planning your own family weekend in London, here’s what I truly recommend bringing along:
• A refillable water bottle (hydration = fewer meltdowns)
• A small pack of cashew snacks or granola bars for energy dips in museums
• Citymapper app for real-time Tube tips
• A small umbrella you’ll never regret carrying
• And… the PGL digital tickets, safely screenshotted just in case the Wi-Fi goes down
✨ One City, Many Stories – Yours Awaits
London isn’t just another city on the map. It’s a multi-sensory, curiosity-fueled playground for families. Where kids can learn through play, and adults get to feel young again. And when the planning falls into place—like it did with PGL—it becomes even more magical.
