Page 354 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - London

352  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

CHILDREN’S LONDON

London is as much of a treat for children crowd-pleasing street performers and family-
as it is for adults. Besides the traditional friendly restaurants. For entertainment away
ceremonies and favourite famous buildings, from the hustle and bustle, there is a plethora
there are plenty of attractions to avoid any of royal parks, some only a few minutes from
cries of boredom. Museums and galleries the city centre, as well as playgrounds, sports
are packed with workshops, hands-on centres, farms and zoos. Best of all, there’s no
experiments and interactive displays that need to spend a fortune to have fun. For even
are not only educational but also fun. The more family-friendly ideas, see DK’s Family
South Bank is lined with historic sights, Guide to London.
Practical Advice family season ticket, usually
A little planning is the key for two adults and up to four
to a successful London outing children, is available. In some
with children. Check the cases you can even buy a
opening hours of the places family ticket that covers a
you plan to visit in advance group of museums.
and work out your journey There are always lots of
carefully using the Tube map organized activity programmes
at the end of this book. If you going on across London
are travelling with very during the long summer
young children, remember school holidays (July to the
that there are very likely to beginning of September).
be queues at the Underground For tips and ideas, check out
stations or bus stops near Time Out London’s “kids’ hot list”
popular sights. These will be for events happening in the
long during peak hours, so capital at the time of your visit.
buy your tickets, Travelcard or The Natural History Museum ranks among Be prepared for changeable
Oyster Card in advance (see London’s top children’s attractions weather: raincoats and
p374). Children under 11 are umbrellas are essential, even
entitled to free Tube, bus and while travelling from one area in summer, when you may also
DLR travel provided they are to another. need sunscreen. In winter, bring
travelling with an adult who Visiting all the exhibitions and warm clothes and comfy shoes
has a valid ticket or Oyster museums as a family is fairly with non-slip soles.
card. Child fares operate for inexpensive as the majority of
all children between the ages London’s principal museums
of 11 and 15. Consider also have no entry charge. Many Children and the Law
swapping the Tube for a also offer complimentary or Only people over 18 can
riverboat or even hopping low-priced children’s tours, drink or buy alcohol. In
aboard a double-decker trails, story telling sessions and restaurants, the law is a little
sightseeing bus to take in work shops. For those where more relaxed: those over 16
some of the city’s attractions you do have to pay, an annual can drink wine or beer with
their meal, but you still have
to be over 18 to be served
spirits. Many pubs, particularly
gastropubs, welcome children,
and some offer kids menus as
well as a selection of toys or
activity sheets. This is less
common in more traditional
“drinking” pubs where children
may not necessarily be welcome.
Those heading to the cinema
should check the film class-
ification; some are classed as
unsuitable for children.
If you want to travel by car,
you must use seat belts and
children below 135 cm (4ft
5 inches) or under 12 years
Taking a break during a visit to the zoo will need a special car seat.

352-353_EW_London.indd 352 21/03/17 2:22 pm