One among my favorite components of London, itโs simple to spend a day exploring Greenwich with youngsters โ in truth, with some incredible family-friendly sights and its pretty setting on the Thames, you possibly can very simply spend rather a lot longer.
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Until youโre primarily based in Greenwich itself or the Greenwich Peninsula, the easiest way to reach is by boat โ in any other case Cutty Sark DLR station is the closest โ and method from the water, as so many individuals have finished over the centuries.
And together with exploring the museums and different sights, itโs a beautiful place to wander, whether or not thatโs alongside the riverside or in Greenwichโs inexperienced areas. To begin you off, listed here are my high issues to do in Greenwich with youngsters.
Go to the Cutty Sark
One of many first belongings you see as you step off the boat at Greenwich pier or out of Cutty Sark DLR, a go to to the historic clipper ship is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Greenwich for youths.
There are kidsโs trails to observe however even with out these, you possibly can wander by way of the ship peeking inside cabins, discovering the cargo she carried, plus varied interactive shows together with an opportunity to strive your personal hand at crusing a digital ship (tougher than it appears!)
Better of all, you possibly can discover proper from the copper-bottomed hull of the Cutty Sark ship to the deck (be careful for the carved monkey). Maintain a watch out and also you typically can meet vibrant characters who would have as soon as hung out aboard, particularly at weekends and through faculty holidays.
Thereโs a reduction on tickets in the event you guide utilizing my hyperlink and code MUMMYTRAVELS6 โ you should buy mixed tickets in the event youโre visiting the Royal Observatory and Queenโs Home as effectively.
Learn what we considered visiting the Cutty Sark with a preschooler.
Jump over the meridian line
One factor everybody is aware of about Greenwich is its affiliation with time โ itโs right here you discover the prime meridian lineย used to calculate GMT.
However thereโs way more to it than that: the prime meridian is the start line to measure each place on earth by its angle east or west from this level.
For older youngsters, itโs a good way to deliver among the science to life, and nevertheless previous you might be, thereโs one thing enjoyable about standing with one foot both facet.
The meridian line runs throughout the courtyard of the Royal Observatory however you too can see a part of it exterior the principle constructing without cost.
Head to the massive Shepherd clock with indicators about measures and the time ball (all value studying in themselves), then by way of the black gate across the nook, the road stretches throughout a small alleyway.
The Royal Observatory
Set on high of the hill, the Royal Observatory comprises Londonโs solely planetarium in addition toย the Astronomy Centre, Flamsteed Home (named after the primary Astronomer Royal) and the Meridian Courtyard.
Itโs additionally house to the time ball: the purple ball on the jap turret drops every single day at 1pm as a sign to boats on the Thames of the exact time.
That is someplace for older youngsters, whoโll be extra within the tales of the clocks that modified the world โ John Harrisonโs clocks, which enabled sailors to find out longitude โ in addition to the telescopes and tales of the calculating the meridian.
The Planetarium has some nice exhibits aimed toward totally different ages too (together with digital exhibits on-line and Q&As with the astronomers throughout lockdown). Tickets for the Peter Harrison Planetarium exhibits are restricted have to be prebooked, or you possibly can guide entry to the Observatory individually, in addition to mixed Royal Museums Greenwich tickets for the Cutty Sark and Queenโs Home as effectively.
Greenwich park
Greenwich Park stretches for 183 acres so thereโs loads of room to run round and let off steam, plus itโs simple to mix with a go to to a museum โ itโs solely round 5 minutes stroll from the Cutty Sark alongside King William Stroll, proper subsequent to the Nationwide Maritime Museum and homes the Royal Observatory.
The oldest enclosed royal park can also be house to top-of-the-line views in London. Head to the hill the place the Royal Observatory is about and you’ll gaze down throughout the Royal Naval faculty and the Thames, and out to the London Docklands.
Or you possibly can merely wander spherical and benefit from the flowers: Londonโs longest herbaceous border, a rose backyard, herb backyard and the Queenโs orchard are all throughout the park.
Head to the south-east of the park and you’ll even spot deer within the Wilderness as effectively, or from Easter to October, thereโs boating on the lake close to the Queenโs Home.
For those whoโre searching for playgrounds in Greenwich, thereโs one within the north-east nook too, with sandpits, swings, slides and climbing frames โ or learn on for extra details about The Cove play space.
The Cove
This new play space by the Nationwide Maritime Museum places different playgrounds within the shade. The Cove is designed to deliver kidsโs imaginations to life in addition to letting them climb, clamber and play to their coronary heartโs content material.
On the centre is a ship, the Shanty, the place you possibly can take the wheel, hearth the cannon, discover the barrels in addition to climbing as much as the crowโs nest earlier than heading again down the enormous tentacle slide.
Or head contained in the Cutty Shark, climbing its fin and exploring by way of a maze of nets to find a secret den โ then slide out by way of its fearsome jaws.
Be careful for the Kraken too, as you slide, soar and climb by way of the creatures seaweed tangles, nets and bridges โ one of many enjoyable components of the playground for youthful guests. Thereโs no have to guide and itโs utterly free: thereโs additionally a restaurant and bathrooms contained in the Nationwide Maritime Museum subsequent door.
Nationwide Maritime Museum
The free Nationwide Maritime museum traces Britainโs maritime historical past, with an enchanting assortment that ranges from artworks and maps to mannequin ships and even the coat Nelson was sporting when he died.
Whereas toddlers are more likely to be much less enthralled, there are household trails together with ones for mini mariners and the enormous map proper on the coronary heart of the museum is ideal for any age, in addition to loads of household enjoyable actions aimed toward youthful guests.
EDIT: Till summer season 2025, ongoing works imply that the Nice Map and Ahoy are briefly closed. Different galleries stay open and exhibitions are at present free consequently.
And the Ahoy Gallery, is good for underneath sevens; the immersive play area enables you to do every part from stoking the boiler of a steamship to promoting fish within the market, in addition to discovering extra about pirates, polar tales and adventures galore โ this does have a small cost at weekends and college holidays and must be prebooked (whereas itโs free on weekdays, itโs unsurprisingly common so nonetheless value prebooking).
Thereโs lots extra to maintain major age kids (and up) entertained too, from tales of journey and piracy in Tudor occasions, the challenges of the Polar adventures, and tales of exploring the Pacific.
As thereโs free entry, thereโs no have to prebook (though you possibly can guide free tickets on-line to get updates earlier than your go to).
Even in the event you donโt go in, itโs value heading down to identify the massive ship in a bottle exterior โ Yinka Shonibareโs recreation of Nelsonโs Victory โ one other of the enjoyable free issues to do in Greenwich with youngsters.
Go bowling at Vintners Lanes
Maybe my favorite London bowling alley is in Greenwich, at Vintners Lanes โ tucked away down a facet road close to Greenwich DLR station, on the location of a former brewery.
With six lanes and a incredible retro vibe, it is a trendy world away out of your common bowling with youngsters, though youโll nonetheless discover all the sensible parts you want, like rails on the facet and slides for bowling balls for youthful youngsters.
Plus thereโs an excellent menu with cocktails, mocktails, beer, wine, comfortable drinks and alcohol-free beer, in addition to an entire vary of meals โ some classics like pizza and burgers, but additionally some extra uncommon options equivalent to pizza with buttermilk rooster and sizzling honey topping, or a falafel burger, and arancini alongside onion rings and rooster wings on the menu.
You even get jokes and quirky details on the display screen beneath your scores as an added bonus. Youngsters are welcome till 7pm, and there are tables dotted round to eat and drink earlier than or after your recreation too.
Comply with a Treasure Path
Iโm a giant fan of those self-guided Treasure Trails to discover with youngsters, and the Greenwich path isn’t any exception. With American pals visiting, we determined to observe the route by way of Greenwich as a technique to see all the realmโs highlights whereas nonetheless entertaining our youngsters.
You donโt have to go inside any of the Greenwich museums to seek out the clues (though itโs simple so as to add visits in alongside the way in which), and the path helps you see among the little particulars on buildings as you wander, strolling from the Cutty Sark down a few of Greenwichโs little alleyways, by way of the park and previous the Royal Observatory, and all the way down to the river.
One of many longer trails, it lasts round two and a half hours.
Greenwich market
Thereโs all the time one thing enjoyable to find at Greenwich market โ together with some nice meals, which makes it a enjoyable and simple place to cease for lunch in Greenwich with youngsters.
Youโll additionally discover quirky souvenirs, together with collectables, jewelry and classic garments, to not point out some good espresso and ice cream to assist gas a stroll round Greenwich.
In December, it additionally transforms right into a Christmas market as soon as every week, in addition to different household pleasant festive occasions beginning in November.
Painted Corridor
Reopened in 2019 after in depth restoration, the Painted Corridor on the Previous Royal Naval Faculty has been known as Britainโs reply to the Sistine Chapel โ one of many jewels in Greenwichโs crown, serving to make the borough a Unesco World Heritage website.
For adults, you possibly can uncover how the work inform tales of politics, in addition to scientific, cultural and industrial achievements โ however for any age, itโs an impressive paintings to sit down and stare at.
Or fairly, to lie and stare at. There are mirrors dotted strategically round but additionally cushioned benches so you possibly can lie again and take in the small print.
In any other case you possibly can wander by way of the buildings of the Previous Royal Naval Faculty, which stands on the location of the previous Greenwich Palace the place Henry VIII and Elizabeth I had been born, recognizing cannon alongside the way in which.
The Painted Corridor is free for kids to enter, though they nonetheless want a ticket, which should be prebooked.
For extra royal locations in London to go to with youngsters, take a look at my choose of the very best, from palaces to castles and extra
Boat journey to Greenwich
My favorite technique to arrive in Greenwich, you possibly can cruise on the Thames from central London or select a sightseeing boat for a bit extra background.
Uber Boat (previously Thames Clippers) sails alongside the river from Battersea, with stops at Westminster, Waterloo, Embankment, the South Financial institution and Tower Hill alongside the way in which, earlier than heading out by way of the Docklands to Greenwich.
You need to use Oyster playing cards/contactless or purchase tickets utilizing the Uber boat app, and the principle RB1 service travels round each half hour to Greenwich.
Or take a look at the sightseeing cruises from Metropolis Cruises, which have a commentary (dwell or recorded) about what youโre seeing alongside the way in which.
There are different Thames boat excursions to select from, together with this sightseeing tour from Westminster to Greenwich in addition to a hop-on hop-off sightseeing cruise.
IFS Cloud cable automobile
For those who fancy one other, fairly totally different view of London, head over to North Greenwich โ you possibly can hop on a ship or bus, in addition to taking a stroll alongside the riverfront (admittedly not probably the most scenic stroll alongside the Thames).
The cable automobile hyperlinks to the Docklands so itโs greatest to consider it as an expertise fairly than a way of getting from A to B as chances are high you receivedโt be exploring the realm round Excel!
However there are some nice views alongside the river, because it rises 90m as much as journey the kilometre throughout to the opposite facet.
For those who time your journey for sundown, itโs much more memorable โ plus because itโs a part of the Tfl community, fares receivedโt break the bank. Kids aged 5-15 additionally should pay, however you need to use contactless or your Oyster card in addition to reserving household tickets.
The journey lasts round 5 minutes at peak occasions, round double that at different occasions together with night journeys and cabins arrive round each 30 seconds.
For those who guide a spherical journey, you donโt should get off and stroll spherical to queue for the journey again, though itโll price barely extra.
Go to the O2
House to a string of eating places, there are additionally common exhibitions on the 02, together with dwell performances โ to not point out Disney on Ice โ on the 02 enviornment.
However probably the most uncommon issues to strive on this a part of Greenwich with youngsters, is climbing onto the highest of the constructing at Up on the O2.
Youngsters have to be at the very least eight and over 1.2 metres tall (with one grownup to each two youngsters, in the event that theyโre aged between eight and 11).
After a security briefing, you get a go well with, boots and harness, and set off to climb up the walkway which leads you 52m above floor โ it takes round an hour, and when you begin, thereโs no turning again.
With superb views out throughout London โ as a lot as 15 miles on a transparent day โ itโs incredible for extra adventurous youngsters.
For youthful youngsters, there are some simpler thrills at Oxygen freejumping trampolines, together with toddler periods, in addition to comfortable play, plus TOCA Social immersive soccer expertise and a cinema all throughout the O2.
London Museum Docklands
Iโm dishonest barely by together with this in a listing of issues to do in Greenwich with youngsters however when youโre over in south-east London, itโs really easy to go to that itโs value conserving in thoughts.
Actually, in the event you hop on the DLR from Cutty Sark to West India Quay, it takes across the similar time to get to theย London Museum Docklandsย (previously the Museum of London Docklands) because it does to get to North Greenwich.
And a go to here’s a enjoyable one to mix with a go to to the Nationwide Maritime Museum โ whereas that follows Britainโs historical past on the water worldwide, the London Museum Docklands traces the story of Londonโs river and the commerce which constructed up round it.
Beginning in Tudor occasions proper by way of to the post-war interval and the constructing of the townโs monetary district, the galleries cowl every part from slavery and strikes to interactive shows, equivalent to an opportunity to wander by way of sailortown.
Itโs free to enter and thereโs no have to prebook tickets, until youโre planning to go to one of many common short-term exhibitions as effectively. Thereโs additionally the nice Mudlarks kidsโs gallery for youths aged as much as 8, with 45-minute periods introducing youthful youngsters to among the museumโs tales by way of play and hands-on enjoyable โ this does have a ยฃ3 price and wishes prebooking although.
Take a look at our go to to theย London Museum Docklands with youngsters
Ice rink on the Queenโs Home
For those whoโre visiting Greenwich within the run-up to Christmas, this London festive ice rink has been an excellent addition exterior the Queenโs Home for the previous 5 years (besides 2024).
The one outside ice rink in south London, you possibly can look out to the Thames as you skate, with sizzling chocolate and mulled wine to heat up once more afterwards.
For extra particulars ofย Londonโs Christmas ice rinks, together with the close by Canary Wharf rink, take a look at this publish.
Locations to remain in Greenwich with youngsters
If you wish to make Greenwich your base for a household vacation in London, there are many family-friendly locations to remain together with lodges and self-catering properties.
Take a look at among the family-friendly lodges in Greenwich on reserving.com, or for self-catering lodging, Iโm a giant fan of the flats from PlumGuide. Every has been individually vetted, you possibly can filter for baby-friendly and family-friendly properties, plus the professionals and cons are laid out clearly.
*First printed 2020, final up to date 2025*
PIN FOR LATER: THINGS TO DO IN GREENWICH WITH KIDS
Disclosure: This publish comprises affiliate hyperlinks โ any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee. Our recreation at Vintners Lanes was free for the needs of overview however all opinions why that is one in every of my favorite issues to do in Greenwich with youngsters are my very own. And never simply because I receivedโฆ.
Pictures: Painted Corridor picture courtesy VisitBritain, Nationwide Maritime Museum facade/Emirates cable automobile/sizzling chocolate courtesy Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels
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