By Dana Fennell
London is a big city with so much to explore. You could definitely fill a week within the city center and not run out of things to do. However, if you are looking for some activities that are a little outside of the city center, but well worth a trek, here are some suggestions.
Wimbledon Tennis Museum and Wimbledon Village
Whether or not you’re a tennis enthusiast, Wimbledon Tennis Museum is a great place to visit. There are several ways to experience the museum, including guided tours. Since we have always gone with our littles (4 and under), we have opted to explore the museum on our own.
At the time of our visits, admission included the option to view Centre Court No. 1 where the final games are played in the tournament. The grounds are very impressive. The museum itself is child friendly and accessible. There are hands-on exhibits and a really cool virtual reality experience of the grounds. The museum may be more entertaining for children 5+ years, but our children still enjoyed running around and playing some of the games. Make sure to check their website before planning your visit, as parts of the grounds are closed during periods of the year for preparation of The Championships. Notably, if you visit when the tournament is going on, you should look at queuing options for tickets. Although we have never queued, many friends have gotten tickets day-of with a little waiting. Plus, the atmosphere is very festive during this period!
Wimbledon Village is a quaint village, set up the hill from the tennis stadium. After your visit (or before), the village is a great place to explore and grab a bite to eat. I suggest catching the 493 bus towards Tooting, which will drop you off right in the village if you are coming from the museum. The village has a lovely common area with a pond in the middle, a great place for the kids to run around and use up their energy. Plus, on any given day, you can see horses and riders going out for rides in the heath nearby.
There are two pubs that we love and are very kid-friendly, The Dog and Fox and The Crooked Billet. Both offer kids’ menus, the option to dine in the pub or the restaurant side, access to high chairs, and changing facilities. You can find typical pub type food at both. The Dog and Fox is in the middle of the village, while The Crooked Billet is a little further away, across the common. I would highly suggest making reservations if you are thinking of either dining option, as they can get busy. If you are looking for something quicker, Wimbledon Village has a branch of Gail’s Bakery in the middle. You can’t go wrong with any of their tasty bakery items!
Royal Botanic Gardens (Kew Gardens)
Kew Gardens is one of my family’s most favorite places to visit on the weekends. The grounds are absolutely beautiful with plenty of space to run around and enjoy all the different flowers and greenery. They have a new children’s playground opening in May 2019. Additionally, throughout the year they have different events geared towards children, from scavenger hunts to music days. The website lists current family activities and booking in advance is strongly suggested, as events sell out. If you happen to come during the Christmas season, Christmas at Kew is a must do. The gardens are adorned with thousands of lights and there are extra fun activities for kids to participate in. Close to Kew Gardens is Richmond and Richmond Park, which are also areas worth exploring.
Greenwich
My family has only done Greenwich once and we didn’t do it very well. However, Greenwich has so much to offer that the day was amazing regardless — a great area for kids of all ages. There is a large outdoor playground with play areas for different ages (toddler on up). We hiked up to the Royal Observatory and saw The Prime Meridian Line (advanced tickets are recommended). You get an amazing view of London from the top. The National Maritime Museum, Greenwich Market, and the Cutty Sark are all within close proximity to Greenwich Park. We didn’t fully explore these areas, but all are said to have great hands-on kids activities.
Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace offers a day of adventure and history, as it was the home to Henry the VIII. The options are endless between roaming the gardens, wondering the maze, playing in the Magic Garden, exploring the house. There are constantly additional kids activities and their website offers up-to-date information. My kids had a blast running through the old buildings and running the gardens. Notably, membership options may be a good route if you plan on doing multiple palace visits, as the Tower of London, Kensington Palace, Hampton Court Palace, and a few others are all under one membership.
