London’s Top 10 : Children’s London

Science Museum

Natural History Museum

Madame Tussaud’s

One
of London’s most popular attractions, this is where you can see
everyone from Arnold Schwarzenegger to the Queen. A Spirit of London
ride takes you on a whistle-stop tour of the city’s history. The famous
Chamber of Horrors puts you face-to-face with London’s most infamous
criminals and has the very guillotine that beheaded Queen Marie
Antoinette in the French Revolution. Other sections of the exhibition
include Premiere Night, which is devoted to the giants of the
entertainment world. Get there early to avoid waiting in long lines .

London Zoo

There’s
a full day out to be had in this 36-acre zoo. Home of the Zoological
Society of London, the zoo emphasizes its important international role
in conservation and research work. Its cages and enclosures have won
awards, such as the aviary designed by Lord Snowdon. The children’s zoo
is full of things to do, with a pet care centre, Animals in Action and
Predatory Birds displays.

Sea Life London Aquarium

Located
on London’s South Bank, the aquarium is home to thousands of marine
creatures. A journey along the Great Ocean Conveyor Belt shows them in
all their glory. Seahorses, green turtles and zebra sharks are among the
sea life. For interactive fun, Eco Pirates can climb aboard the Good
Ship SOS .

London Trocadero

The
Trocadero entertainment complex in the heart of the West End is a
magnet for children. Aside from its shops, restaurants and cinema, a
Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, a bowling alley and a bewildering array of
hi-tech video games and simulators that will keep them occupied for
hours .

V&A Museum of Childhood

Children
are invited to spend the day at this East End museum, which has one of
the largest toy collections in the world, including dolls, teddies,
puppets, games and children’s costumes. Activities are organized on
weekends.

Coram’s Fields

No
adults admitted without a child, says the sign on the gate to this
7-acre park dedicated to small children. There’s a paddling pool, play
areas and a city farm with a pets corner and grazing farm animals.

• 93 Guilford Street WC1

• Open daily

• Free

Battersea Park

This
large south London park is ideal for children. There are colourful
gardens, an adventure playground, boating lake, deer enclosure and a
children’s zoo.

• Albert Bridge Road SW11

• Zoo: Open Easter to October, and weekends in Winter

• Admission charge

London Dungeon

The
scariest experience in town combines history and horror to celebrate an
“orgy of grisly entertainment”, with death, torture and violence at
every turn. Follow in the bloody footsteps of the Victorian serial
killer Jack the Ripper, witness medieval murders, the 17th-century Fire
of London, or go to your own execution on Judgment Day. Not for the
faint-hearted.

• 28 Tooley Street, SE1

• Opening times vary. For more information on times please check their website www.thedungeons.com

• Admission charge