tastecard logo

city_guides

The best London attractions for families

If you’re heading to London for a weekend getaway with the family, you’ll want to make sure you pack in as much as you can while you’re there. Whether it’s visiting Buckingham Palace, Covent Garden, or simply jumping on the world-famous underground, there’s plenty to do with the family. Luckily for you, we’ve picked some of the best London attractions for families to make it easier for you to decide what to do. Check out our list below!

Tom Pressman

29-10-2022

A close up view of one of the pods on the London eye against the city skyline. A group of tourists are in the pod leaning to look out of the windows.

What to do in London?

London is such a huge city with so many people that it can often be a tad overwhelming. Trying to pick things to do and planning a day out in the capital can be difficult. Fortunately for you, tastecard has compiled a list of the best London attractions for families.
A dad and his son looking into a floor to ceiling tank of sharks, sea turtles, and a variety of fish.

SEA LIFE London

Let London SEA LIFE Aquarium take you on a fascinating journey from the coastline to the depths of the ocean. Discover a magical underwater world filled with a dazzling array of amazing creatures.

Every step will reveal something new at London SEA LIFE, from a face-to-face encounter with sharks to Gentoo Penguins in an ice adventure. See thousands of sea creatures in over 2 million litres of water and discover over 500 species from every part of the world. You can also gaze at more than 40 sharks from 12 different species when exploring the Shark Reef Encounter and the Shark Walk.

With over 65 displays and 14 themed zones over three floors and interacting with the animals at the interactive public feeding, diving displays and touch pools, SEA LIFE London is perfect for families.

A group of tourists cowering away from the actor at London Dungeons in a dark, eery room.

The London Dungeons

The London Dungeons is one of the best London attractions for families, delighting audiences for almost 40 years. It's a 90-minute journey through 1,000 years of London's murky past, guided by professional actors.

The shows are based on real London history and legends and you'll get up close and personal with a host of sinister characters, including the resident medieval lift jester, Mrs Lovett in her eerie pie shop, and her assistant - the Fleet Street Barber himself - Sweeney Todd. 

You'll also pass through the Whitechapel Labyrinth of misty East London streets, plague-ravaged houses, and the fearsome torture chamber, all while seeing what could have been if Guy Fawkes had succeeded with his plot at the Houses of Parliament.


A close up view of one of the pods on the London eye against the city skyline. A group of tourists are in the pod leaning to look out of the windows.

The London Eye

Make your way to one of the best London attractions for families with the London Eye and take in an array of spectacular views across the capital. Plus, with a tastecard membership, you can get a discount worth up to 28%!

Found at the heart of England’s capital city, gracefully rotating above the River Thames and offering a number of wondrous views across London, The London Eye is a must-visit for any sightseeing fanatic.

Sat at 443 feet tall, the structure makes the London Eye the fourth-largest Ferris wheel in the world. This magnificent London attraction offers breathtaking views of the city. Found opposite the likes of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, while also offering unique views of St. Paul’s Cathedral, Nelson’s Column and Buckingham Palace, the wheel is certainly the perfect location for a spot of tourism.

A display of celebrities including Prince William and Kate, Prince Harry and Megan, and Beyonce at Madame Tussards.

Madame Tussauds

One of London’s quirkiest attractions, Madame Tussauds provides all who enter with over 250 years of history through an array of wax figures depicting famous individuals. Members are invited to enjoy the Star Wars experience, where they'll meet Yoda, Han Solo, and Luke Skywalker, as they visit such iconic locations as the Death Star and Jabba's Throne Room. 

Alongside such attractions, there's a range of other stars, world leaders, movie artefacts and historical figures that can be found at Madame Tussauds - one of the best London attractions for families to make memories with loved ones.

A thick crusted pizza topped generously with chicken, sweetcorn, peppers, onions and sauce, cut into 8 slices.

Pizza Hut Restaurants

If you’re looking for a bite to eat to rest from your tourism then check out Pizza Hut at Leicester Square. Sitting right at the heart of London, Pizza Hut in Leicester Square is passionate about pizza. They lovingly develop pizzas with a range of bases – from deep pan to the All American thin to a skinny 600-calorie pizza, all decorated with fresh toppings.
Black writing "THE VIEW" in large capital letters and "FROM THE SHARD" in smaller capital letters, against a plain white background.

The View from The Shard

Fancy taking a different view over London from one of the tallest buildings in Europe? The View from The Shard is one of the best London attractions for families, offering visitors a unique chance to gain a bird’s eye view of England’s capital city.

The viewing galleries (one indoor and one outdoor) have floor-to-ceiling windows on all four sides of the building to give a full 360° view over London. There are also champagne bars offering a wide selection of cocktails, soft drinks and hot beverages on each level. 

Sitting on the River Thames above London Bridge Station, the Shard is easily accessible and surrounded by many other must‐see attractions in London.

Image of London Eye taken from across the River Thames, with an orange sunset, a group of birds flying behind, and some boats sailing on the waters.

The London Eye River Cruise

Ditch dry land and hop aboard The London Eye River Cruise which takes you on a tour of London’s most popular riverside landmarks. Take in the sights and sounds of the capital city from the viewpoint of the famous River Thames.

The expert guides on board know exactly how to keep visitors entertained whilst bringing the city to life. From fun facts about the Millennium bridge and Harry Potter to the history of the Houses of Parliament. The commentary gives guests the facts and laughs to create a unique experience - a brilliant London attraction for families. The kids will love the trip on the boat while the adults can take in the history!

A family laughing and smiling whilst taking a selfie with Shrek in front of Big Ben and the "ogre" ground station sign.

Shrek's Adventure

If your little ones are fans of a famous green ogre then you’ll all love Shrek’s Adventure in London! With immersive storytelling that plunges children and adults alike into the hilarious world of Shrek, Donkey and their DreamWorks pals, this is an attraction you won’t want to miss.

Lovingly crafted and theatrically reimagined, the experience combines live-action and iconic sets from the Shrek films with captivating storytelling, an amazing 4D bus ride, jaw-dropping special effects and extraordinary animation. On the Magic 4D Bus Ride, Princess Fiona takes you on a magical journey on a special tour bus, with the destination Far Far Away, but Donkey’s erratic driving causes trouble. There’s more entertainment on offer, with Lost in the Swamp as guests embark on a quest to find Shrek. There’s also Forest and Rumplestiltskin’s Carriage, The Poison Apple Pub, The Game Show Studio and even The Magic Mirror Maze.

A large black, metal framed rollercoaster at Thorpe Park, with a group of riders in the back ground.

Thorpe Park

Located just on the west-end outskirts of London is Thorpe Park, one of the country’s biggest and best theme parks.

Brace yourself for fun and fear as Thorpe Park Resort provides unmissable thrills.

Ride the world-class roller coasters and vibe with their awesome live entertainment. Can you brave the twists and turns of Thorpe Park’s rides? If so, then it’s one of the best London attractions for families that you can find.

Images sourced directly from partners and from partners' Instagram accounts.

Thousands of restaurants at your fingertips.

Italian, American, tapas - it’s all available to you at tastecard. Get ready to enjoy the flavours of the world without even having to leave the UK with tastecard!

Download the app