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Original poster

London holiday with 4 & 1 yo

15 replies

clinellwipe · 30/12/2025 07:49

Despite living in London for 5 years in my 20s, I have never been since becoming a mum and I have no idea how to navigate the city with young kids…

Considering going for about 4 nights in June , maybe staying in a serviced apartment? I wanted to go to the science museum and natural history museum as I know DS4 would love it and my DH has never been.

South Ken is obviously super expensive but I’m not sure how DS4 would cope with the tube (he has autism and whilst he says he’s excited for ‘the train’ I think he could be easily overwhelmed) and DD1 will be in a stroller. I’ve never navigated step free TFL before so I’m sure that will be an experience in itself!

Any advice on where to look to stay or things to do? Similarly if it’s all a terrible idea let me know! London is my favourite place in the world , but of course that was as a carefree childless woman …

OP posts:
Barrellturn · 30/12/2025 07:52

If actually avoid the nhm and science museum at 4. They're very big and a lot of the content requires reading to be fun. Yes mum/Dad can read but then the child doesn't have the freedom to really explore.

I would do transport museum, postal museum and a river boat trip. Dc won't follow the tour but...it's a boat. Boats are fun.

Chocdown · 30/12/2025 07:56

Our kids are slightly older but we stayed in a Premier Inn in South Ken. It was intense though and even a 1 bed apartment would probably have been better for us (with a sofa bed in the living room). Have you looked on AirBnB for any bargains?

We did Kew Gardens as well, which the kids enjoyed - there are kids’ play areas dotted around.

Whizzingwhippet · 30/12/2025 07:57

Agree with the above. I'd also ditch the pram and have your 1yo in a soft carrier like a tula. If your 4yo isn't huge I'd also have a spare for him. Tube is your best option for getting around, but maybe some ear defenders would take the edge of the overwhelm for your oldest?

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Bitzee · 30/12/2025 08:14

Barrellturn · 30/12/2025 07:52

If actually avoid the nhm and science museum at 4. They're very big and a lot of the content requires reading to be fun. Yes mum/Dad can read but then the child doesn't have the freedom to really explore.

I would do transport museum, postal museum and a river boat trip. Dc won't follow the tour but...it's a boat. Boats are fun.

The science museum and natural history museum are my 4YOs favourite places! You don’t have to do every single floor of them, especially since it’s free entry, just choose the stuff that appeals and is age appropriate and focus on that. E.g. at the science museum I would do The Garden (get there for opening and go there first before it gets busy), Pattern Pod, Space and The Wonderlab which is a paid extra but really good- my 4YO loves it.

OP you wouldn’t normally look for step free with a buggy… especially if there are 2 of you so can carry up any steps as needed. But there’s also always the bus if that would be easier/less overwhelming for your 4YO.

Original poster
clinellwipe · 30/12/2025 08:19

Thanks for responses - really helpful! Accommodation is extortionate so need to be confident it will be a successful trip!

OP posts:
StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 30/12/2025 08:22

When I took my 1 yo to London in a buggy some kind strangers helped me at every set of stairs.

Barrellturn · 30/12/2025 08:23

Bitzee · 30/12/2025 08:14

The science museum and natural history museum are my 4YOs favourite places! You don’t have to do every single floor of them, especially since it’s free entry, just choose the stuff that appeals and is age appropriate and focus on that. E.g. at the science museum I would do The Garden (get there for opening and go there first before it gets busy), Pattern Pod, Space and The Wonderlab which is a paid extra but really good- my 4YO loves it.

OP you wouldn’t normally look for step free with a buggy… especially if there are 2 of you so can carry up any steps as needed. But there’s also always the bus if that would be easier/less overwhelming for your 4YO.

Show quote history

It's not 'free' if you have to travel into London and plan it all in that sense though.

I had a runner and at 4 he just legged it round the nhm in a mad sprint. He was far too young to really take any of it in. He didn't even understand that bones = dinosaurs and was confused as to when we would see these elusive creatures.

HappyFace2025 · 30/12/2025 08:26

My DGS who is now 13 and autistic finds London overwhelming. I would try to go by bus whenever possible and agree with pp to get ear defenders. The Army museum in Chelsea is a very spacious space and interesting for children. Bus 170 stops outside.
Agree with pp that even without the autism the 4 year old won't get as much from the trip as you'd like. Would it not be better to wait a few years? London is going nowhere!

TheNightingalesStarling · 30/12/2025 08:27

Definitely take a sling if those are your target museums. The queues for the lifts in the museums are insane.

Mineloved those museums. Unfortunately we had to stop going as they were too busy for my child who struggled with noise and people. The tube was the easy bit! Can you go earlier in the year before the summer tourist season really hits?

reluctantbrit · 30/12/2025 08:29

The big issue with the Natural History Museum is going in the school holidays. It can be mayhem. So be prepared to drop in and out very quickly. Even on a school day - we went on an inset day - it can be lots going on as it's popular for school visits as well. Plan carefully what you want to see and don't imagine you will go through all galleries.

DD is autistic and hates the tube, she can now deal with it with things like loops but when she was under 10 we avoided it as much as we could and used lots of busses and walked.

You can take a buggy but use one which folds small and carry your toddler. There are now more and more tube stations with lifts so maybe plan with them in mind if you can't avoid the tube.

Greenwich is brilliant for children, we spend plenty of Sundays in the park. The Maritime Museum is interesting, again, it's free. The Cutty Sark is nice, you have to pay but I found it worth it.

If your 4 year old loves trains - the Transport Museum in Covent Garden is a must.

Kew is nice but it's a full day out, so it depends on your time.

PigglyWiggle · 30/12/2025 08:29

Barrellturn · 30/12/2025 07:52

If actually avoid the nhm and science museum at 4. They're very big and a lot of the content requires reading to be fun. Yes mum/Dad can read but then the child doesn't have the freedom to really explore.

I would do transport museum, postal museum and a river boat trip. Dc won't follow the tour but...it's a boat. Boats are fun.

I don’t agree - the basement floor of The Science Museum is designed for toddlers!

Holesinsnow · 30/12/2025 08:30

I agree with the first post, nhm and science museum are better for older kids. I would also say that mine love the postal museum- it has a themed soft play thing and a small train that goes under London.

Hubby took them to the transport museum and they loved it.

Battersea zoo/Battersea power station is also a good little adventure and you can get the river boat a few stops up river back to Blackfriars.

PigglyWiggle · 30/12/2025 08:32

I would make a list of all the places you know you definitely want to go, then ask ChatGPT to organise them into days by location so that each day you walk 90% from one to the other, with minimal transport.

EvolvedAlready · 30/12/2025 08:39

I would try and get a stroller pram not a big one, and stick around the Elizabeth line as it’s accessible by lift.

Hyde park, the Princess of Wales playground and the fountain are lovely too.

Original poster
clinellwipe · 30/12/2025 16:46

Thank you everyone! Have decided to go in March (cheaper) and have taken onboard getting a baby carrier for little one - hadn’t even thought about the stairs inside the museums! Have made it a shorter trip than I originally intended incase DS hates it. But he has said he’s excited to look at the minerals in the natural history museum ❤️

If anyone else has any tips keep them coming!

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