Most household journeys to London will go by the Tower of London and Tower Bridge at the very least as soon as โ however when youโve had a glimpse of the 2 iconic landmarks, youโll discover a string of different issues to do close to Tower Bridge with children.
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So whether or not youโre trying to fill an hour or two in your London itinerary, or making an attempt to work out learn how to spend a complete day round Tower Bridge with children, Iโve picked out my high suggestions.
Every little thing is inside round a ten minute stroll of one of many two websites and principally inside the realm between Tower Bridge and London Bridge โ so if you happen toโre on the lookout for issues to do close to London Bridge, youโll discover loads of concepts right here.
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridgeย is well probably the most well-known of Londonโs bridges, and in addition to getting a view of its well-known blue and white paint and taking a stroll throughout Tower Bridge, you possibly can head inside to find its historical past โ together with the truth that it was a chocolate brown color when it first opened, earlier than being repainted for the Queenโs Silver Jubilee in 1977.
Head into theย Tower Bridge Exhibitionย and you’ll cross its high-level walkways and expertise views down over the bridge and River Thames by means of its glass flooring. One for the courageous!
Do you know that when the bridge was opened in 1894, eight years after development started, it had high-level walkways so individuals might nonetheless cross even when the bridge itself was opened โ though these closed 16 years later for lack of use!
And in addition to the prospect to face on the glass walkway and nervously benefit from the views, head into the engine rooms, and there are common household actions for youths too.
Try the Tower Bridge Path for Little Explorers and household path, in addition to particular occasions throughout holidays and the prospect to some well-known occasions in its historical past, together with the time a double-decker bus jumped throughout the opening bridge.
To ensure entry, purchase tickets to Tower Bridge upfront, though you may as well get walk-up entry. A go to normally takes round 60-90 minutes.
See Tower Bridge rise
One of the vital well-known information about Tower Bridge is that the central sections will be raised to permit bigger boats to sail into the Higher Pool of London โ and the instances are revealed upfront.
The bridge โ which is technically a mixed suspension and bascule bridge โ rises round 800 instances a 12 months, so time your go to proper and you’ll watch because it lifts open to let the river site visitors by means of.
For a number of the finest views of Tower Bridge opening there are viewpoints on each banks too. On the north financial institution, head close to the Tower of London and in direction of St Katherineโs Pier โ spot the lady with a dolphin fountain as you do โ or on the south financial institution discover a spot close to HMS Belfast or round Butlerโs Wharf.
Examine the freshestย schedule of bridge elevate instances right here.
The Tower of London
The Tower is one in all my very own private favorite days out in London with children, from the astonishing crown jewels to the well-known ravens, beefeaters and centuries of historical past.
You’ll be able to discover former royal residences, adorned as they might have been when kings lived there, and uncover the Towerโs grim historical past as a jail too, together with a memorial to 2 of Henry VIIIโs executed queens.
It additionally homes a part of the Royal Armoury, plus youโll discover shows on the Towerโs menagerie of animals, uncover stay performances throughout college holidays, and have an opportunity to stroll the partitions.
Prime tip: Should youโre visiting, head to the Crown Jewels first because the queues solely are inclined to get longer all through the day โ however shortly after opening, you possibly can typically stroll in with out ready.
Tickets will be purchased on the day, though prebooking is strongly advisable. Excursions with the beefeaters (correctly often known as Yeomen Warders) are together with in entrance, and you’ll merely flip up on the day.
For a memorably uncommon night, you possibly can go to within the night to look at the Ceremony of the Keys โ take a look at my expertise of watching the Ceremony of the Keys with children right here.
The Gunpowder Expertise, which was positioned near the Tower of London has now closed
The Sky Backyard
Londonโs highest public backyard, theย Sky Backyardย is likely one of the metropolisโs most uncommon viewpoints โ and the most effective free issues to do close to Tower Bridge.
Set within the skyscraper often known as the Walkie Talkie (if you happen toโre fighting instructions, itโs not tough to identify), the terraces are stuffed with Mediterranean and South African crops, so it feels such as youโre removed from the town beneath.
Till you take a look at the nice 360-degree views of London, that’s! With a lined terrace, you will get some superb views throughout to the Shard, St Paulโs, Tower Bridge and alongside the Thames, with views by means of the glass if you happen to want to not go outdoors.
Whereas tickets are free, it’s a must to ebook upfront (and adults want ID to enter), with tickets getting snapped up rapidly for weekends and college holidays.
Theyโre launched three weeks upfront, though there could also be some walk-in areas if you happen toโre joyful to queue on the day โ itโs finest to reach early if you would like one in all these although. You can even ebook tables on the two eating places as a substitute method to go to (though clearly itโs not then free).
For extra free issues to do in London with children, take a look at my high picks
View from the Shard
The View from the Shardย is likely one of the costlier London viewpoints, however itโs additionally deservedly one of the memorable.
The massive viewing platform sits on flooring 68 and 69 of Londonโs tallest constructing, a whopping 310m above the bottom, making it Londonโs highest viewpoint.
The 360 diploma view over the capital allows you to see for as much as 40 miles on a transparent day, and The View from the Shard is the one place the place you possibly can actually see the entire metropolis without delay.
Thereโs additionally an Open-Air Skydeck on flooring 72 so you possibly can really feel virtually as if you happen toโre floating within the air above London.ย Click on right here to ebook tickets.
Try these different nice views in London with children for extra methods to take in the skyline, together with Horizon 22, The Lookout at 8 Bishopsgate and the Backyard at 120, that are all within the space round Tower Bridge
St Katherineโs Dock
Only a stoneโs throw from the Tower of London, St Katherineโs Dock is a good chilled out place to flee the bustle of London โ and ideal if you happen toโre on the lookout for locations to eat close to Tower Bridge with children.
As soon as the docks the place a few of Londonโs most beneficial cargo was unloaded, at present itโs a marina โ you possibly can even sleep overseas a number of the yachts, together with Sea Dancer โ with a complete string of eating places, plus the dockโs common road meals market, Kerb.
The Dickens Inn is a reconstructed 18th century pub, at present serving nice pizza and with tables outdoor overlooking the water for sunny days. Or there are family-friendly chains together with Cote Brasserie, Zizzi and Cafe Rouge, plus dim sum at Ping Pong amongst others.
Maintain an eye fixed out for occasions as properly, whereas the Horrible Thames boat tour additionally departs from Tower Bridge Quay, by the marina, as do the Thames Tigers speedboats.
Horrible Thames boat tour
What do you get if you cross the creators of Horrible Histories with 2,000 years of drama alongside Londonโs riverbanks? Theย fantastically child-friendly Horrible Thamesย cruise.
With tales of revolution, beheadings and pirates (and the stomach-turning motive why Queen Victoriaโs pleasure cruise lasted solely minutes), you sail from close to Tower Bridge to Westminster and again through Execution Dock, whereas prizewinning school-child Billy (or Billie) and their trainer carry out and supply the commentary.
The cruise itself solely takes 45 minutes however with songs, simply the correct amount of viewers participation, plus a terrific steadiness of enjoyable and information, it feels such as you get twice as a lot packed in โ all together with the same old Horrible Histories recipe of gruesomely ridiculous, gory sound results, plus loads of rest room humour.
Alongside the best way, youโll uncover some genuinely quirky information, plus it doesnโt shrink back from the tough subjects, together with Londonโs function within the slave commerce. Departs from Tower Bridge Quay close to St Katherineโs Dock, on choose dates from early April to late October โ purchase tickets or present vouchers right here
Try my overview of the Horrible Thames boat tourย right here
Boat journey alongside the Thames
The Horrible Histories boat tour isnโt the one method to see London from the river, with an enormous selection ofย boat excursions in London with childrenย too.
You’ll be able to select from sightseeing cruises and hop-on hop-off choices departing from Tower Pier, whether or not you fancy heading all the best way to Greenwich after your time out round Tower Bridge with children, or alongside the Thames in direction of Bankside and Westminster.
For sightseeing, take a look atย Metropolis Cruisesย which runs numerous excursions alongside the river, or if you happen toโre not bothered about commentary,ย Uber Boatย by Thames Clippers is usually a cheaper choice, and a great way to get from A to B.
Or head over to Tower Bridge Quay, by St Katherineโs Docks, for a extra adventurous boat journey alongside the river with Thames Tigers speedboats (appropriate for ages 7+).
Click on right here to take a look at the whole set ofย boat journeys in London with children
HMS Belfast
As soon as a Royal Navy mild cruiser, now a museum ship completely moored on the Thames,ย HMS Belfastย is probably the most vital surviving Second World Conflict Navy warship โ current on the D-Day landings and within the Korean Conflict.
Reopened after main renovations, you possibly can uncover what life would have been like on board for the crew who served aboard โ and with 9 decks to discover, thereโs a lot to see aboard.
Interactive experiences vary from a sound set up inside a gun turret to an opportunity to see simply what it takes to feed the 950 males aboard (trace: meaning peeling a LOT of potatoes) and steering the ship.
There are additionally recollections from veterans who served on HMS Belfast, in addition to common household trails and actions throughout college holidays.
Prebookingย ticketsย is advisable however not important.
Stroll the Thames Path
The Thames is the guts of the town, so a stroll alongside the river is all the time the most effective issues to do in London with children.ย
Itโs straightforward to walk alongside the banks of the river alongside the Thames Path โ or if you happen toโre feeling energetic, it stretches off for miles in every course from round Tower Bridge.
Look out for a number of the quirky particulars just like the dolphin lamposts โ if you happen to donโt suppose the ornament seems to be very similar to dolphins, youโd be proper, theyโre really sturgeon.
And as you benefit from the views throughout the river, you might consider a number of the highlights from by means of its historical past. Roman artefacts have been dug up on its banks by archaeologists and mudlarks for hundreds of years, together with an oil lamp and bone hair pin throughout the previous decade alone, because the tides and wakes of the boat site visitors fire up the silt.
Maintain going slightly additional past London Bridge and you’ll see theย Golden Hinde, a recreation of the ship through which Sir Francis Drake circumnavigated the globe, in addition to Borough Market, plus all of the sights of the South Financial institution and Bankside, together with the Clink jail, the Globe Theatre and Tate Fashionable
Go to London Bridge Metropolis
Head throughout the river from Tower Bridge to find the realm referred to as London Bridge Metropolis โ stretching all the best way from Tower Bridge to London Bridge, there are usually family-friendly occasions and trails to observe.
In the summertime, take a look at the fountains close to The Scoop at Extra London, 200 jets organized in strains which spring as much as catch the unwary, in addition to free theatre performances, stay music and movie and sports activities screenings at The Scoop itself.
In winter, thereโs the Christmas by the River Christmas market, with twinkling lights and festive decorations alongside the riverside.
Thereโs typically free public artwork to find, together with a string of theme trails, plus Hayโs Galleria with its retailers and eating places.
Be a part of a donut tour of London with children and you’ll uncover extra of this space of the river, in addition to Borough Market, Southwark and Bankside
Uncover Roman London
There are many reminders of theย Roman metropolis of Londiniumย if the place to look, together with a part of London Wall close to Tower Hill tube station.
You can even spy a statue of the emperor Trajan in entrance of the stone and tile wall, in-built 200AD. The emperorโs head and physique initially got here from fully totally different statues.
The residents of Londinium had their very own public bathhouses, whereas the rich loved personal baths connected to their home โ utilizing both was as a lot of a social event as an opportunity to get clear โ together with theย Billingsgate Roman Bathhouseย at 101 Decrease Thames Road.
Tucked away within the basement of an workplace block, it contains the stays of a number of of the totally different rooms โ the chilly frigidarium, the tepidarium and the warmer caldarium the place iron scrapers referred to as strigils would take away the dust and sweat, with perfumed oils utilized. Usually open to the general public on Saturdays between April and November.
Stroll a bit additional to the Mithraeum, the place you possibly can uncover the Roman temple of Mithras โ based within the third century, it lay hidden for hundreds of years however since 2017, itโs been open to the general public. Free to enter howeverย prebooked tickets are advisable.
Discover the London historical past sundial
Just a few steps from the exit from Tower Hill underground station, yow will discover one in all Londonโs most uncommon items of public artwork โ a sundial with an outline of just about 2,000 years of London historical past across the edge.
Beginning with the Romans and persevering with till 1992, itโs typically ignored by guests and Londoners alike, however full of particulars โ youโll discover plenty of main occasions in London historical past, together with the Nice Hearth, but additionally quirky extras, together with former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher together with her purse subsequent to a cranium.
While you exit Tower Hill, youโll see the highest of the sundial simply forward of you on the high of the steps โ take a look at my video for a fast go searching.
Climb the Monument
Standing 202 toes excessive, the Monument can be 202 toes from the spot the place the Nice Hearth of London began on Pudding Lane โ if you happen to laid it down, it could attain proper to the bakery the place the primary spark ignited the blaze which destroyed a lot of the medieval metropolis.
Sitting on the junction of Monument Road and Fish Road Hill, the pillar with its flaming orb on high was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and completed in 1677 to commemorate the well-known hearth in 1666.
And in addition to studying the plaque on the backside, you may as well climb the 311 steps to the gallery on the high to look out throughout the town.
For extra Nice Hearth of London areas, take a look at this put up to plan a strolling tour to a number of the key websites
Solely 33 individuals are allowed inside at any time, with a free certificates for these which make the climb. Evidently, it will get very chilly on the highest if you happen toโre visiting in winter!
If you wish to climbย the Monument, tickets are solely accessible on the website itself (deliver money to be on the protected aspect), with grownup entry costing ยฃ6, and ยฃ3 for youngsters aged 5 to fifteen.
Itโs open day by day from 9.30am-1pm and 2-6pm, with admission half-hour earlier than closing and itโs closed solely from December 24-26.
Go to Londonโs oldest church
Relationship again to 675AD, All Hallows-by-the-Tower is believed to be the oldest surviving church in London, overlooking the Tower of London from Byward Road.
Based by the Abbey of Barking, itโs greater than three centuries older than the Tower itself, and you’ll nonetheless see an arch from the Saxon church at present.
Head all the way down to the crypt, with its little museum tracing the historical past of the church, and thereโs a Roman pavement thatโs even older, relationship from the 2nd century.
With such an extended historical past, it has hyperlinks to a string of well-known individuals. Samuel Pepys watched London burn from its tower (although fortunately the blaze didnโt attain All Hallows), whereas lots of these beheaded on Tower Hill had been dropped at the church, together with Thomas Extra.
John Quincy Adams, sixth president of the USA, was married within the church in 1797, whereas William Penn, founding father of Pennsylvania was baptised within the church.
There are guided excursions in addition to a free audio tour accessible.
Go to a park in a church
Thereโs been a church of St Dunstan on this website since round 1100, added to by Sir Christopher Wren after theย Nice Hearth of Londonย earlier than being broken within the Blitz through the Second World Conflict.
However whereas the bombing left the church in ruins, it additionally led to one of the exceptional inexperienced areas in the entire of London โ and simply one of the uncommon issues to do close to the Tower of London.
Reworked to a public backyard, you possibly can nonetheless see the arched stone home windows ofย St Dunstan within the East, now with ivy entwined across the stone and moss rising.
On the coronary heart of the church, timber develop and there are benches set in a circle to chill out amid this busy part of the town between the Monument and the Tower of London (though nowadays, itโs much less of a quiet oasis than it as soon as was on a sunny day).
Enter from Idol Lane or St Dunstanโs Hill, from 8am to 7pm/nightfall (except thereโs an occasion going down).
For extra uncommon issues to do in London with children, take a look at my high picks
See a part of outdated London bridge
The church of St Magnus the Martyr stands on the head of the outdated London Bridge, and is residence to a 4 metre mannequin of the outdated bridge in addition to elements of the townโs early river crossings.
Constructed round 900 years in the past, presumably longer, the churchyard can be residence to a number of historical sections of earlier London Bridges, together with medieval stones. And you may as well spot a timber thought to this point again to 75AD, now tucked away inside an 18th century archway.
Discovered on Fish Road Hill, one of the necessary streets in Roman Londinium, itโs a reminder of simply how lengthy Londoners (and guests!) have been crossing the Thames at this level, when London Bridge was as soon as the primary bridge downstream of Kingston for hundreds of years โ till Putney Bridge was in-built 1729.
Cross London Bridge
London Bridge has spanned the Thames for the reason that Romans constructed the primary one in 55BC โ over time, it has typically โfallen downโ (because the nursery rhyme has it), been destroyed by hearth and repeatedly rebuilt.
The early pontoon-style bridge was changed by timber bridges then a thirteenth century stone bridge, with retailers and homes constructed alongside the bridge โ it was as soon as one in all Londonโs busiest buying streets.
It even had public bathrooms, or latrines, at one stageโฆ although it was distinctly dangerous to make use of them at instances, with one set falling into the Thames within the late fifteenth century.
The โnewโ bridge, changing the medieval crossing in 1831, was later bought and now stands in Lake Havasu Metropolis in Arizona.
The current-concrete day bridge, linking the Metropolis of London and Southwark, is unquestionably not probably the most thrilling one โ however on the plus aspect, itโs a terrific place to get an excellent view again over to Tower Bridge (and a reminder that the 2 aren’t the identical!) and the Shard.
Look out for the dragons as you attain the southern financial institution, marking boundary of the Metropolis of London, the place you formally cross from the outdated Liberty of Southwark. Typically mistaken for griffins, there are 13 across the metropolis โ this pair is a later smaller recreation of the nineteenth century originals close to Temple Gardens.
The London Bridge Expertise & London Tombs
Journey again in time to find over 2,000 years of the realmโs darkish and ugly historical past as a part ofย The London Bridge Expertise. The spooky interactive walk-through journey options stay actors enjoying a few of Londonโs most notorious characters, together with Jack The Ripper, William Wallace, and plenty of extra.ย
Then, for a very terrifying Halloween expertise in London, you can also make your means all the way down to the scare maze that’s the London Tombs. Right here youโll have to squeeze your means by means of the confined catacombs, trying to flee the zombies, spiders, clowns, bloody butchers, and different creatures of nightmares round each nook.
The London Bridge Expertise is for youngsters 4+, whereas the London Tombs is barely appropriate for youngsters 11+ โ however be warned, the Tombs have been topped the UKโs scariest attraction for the final 13 years, so the attraction positively isnโt for the faint-hearted.
Go to Leadenhall Market
Who wouldnโt need to step by means of the magical entrance into Diagon Alley? The true life filming location from Harry Potter is just not off Charing Cross Street โ as a substitute the Victorian lined market within the Metropolis of London was used for the road of wizarding retailers within the first film.
For extra Harry Potter areas in London, take a look at this put up
Youโll additionally discover pop-up retailers, performances and artwork installations โ tentacles have been seen entwining from the ceiling at Halloween โ in addition to common family-friendly occasions going down.
And the best way in to The Leaky Cauldron? You want the curved door subsequent to the optician in Bullโs Head Passageโฆ beforehand blue, itโs now been painted white.
For extra concepts of issues to do in London with children, take a look at my high suggestions
Disclosure: This put up comprises affiliate hyperlinks โ any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Tower of London/Sky Backyard/Horrible Thames/lamppost/dragon statue copyright MummyTravels, all different photographs courtesy of Depositphotos
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