We’ve based ourselves at Town Hall Hotel in Bethnal Green more times than we can count, and for family trips to London, it’s hard to beat. A former Edwardian council building turned Grade II-listed hotel, most of its 97 rooms are apartment-style suites with fully fitted kitchens, which makes a real difference when you’re travelling with children: space to spread out, somewhere to make breakfast on your own schedule, and a proper sofa for the inevitable slow morning. It’s five minutes from Bethnal Green tube, on the Central Line into the heart of the city, and surrounded by some of East London’s best family-friendly ground: Victoria Park, Columbia Road, Brick Lane, and Shoreditch are all within easy reach. It’s one of a growing number of boutique hotels in East London worth knowing about, and the one we keep coming back to for family stays.
This guide takes you through some of the best things to do in London with kids, built around that base, whether it’s your first visit or your fifth.
Historical Sites to Visit as a Family
London’s history runs deep, and its landmarks offer children and adults a genuine glimpse into the past. All of the below sit centrally, a straightforward Central Line ride from Bethnal Green.
Tower of London
Visit a medieval fortress that has witnessed centuries of history. Marvel at the Crown Jewels, including the Koh-i-Noor diamond, and join a tour led by the Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters), who bring stories of royal prisoners, executions and legends to life. Afterwards, St Katharine Docks is worth the short walk east: a quiet historic marina with locks, boats and waterside cafés, a world away from the crowds you’ve just left.
Buckingham Palace
The official London residence of King Charles III, Buckingham Palace is worth a visit for the Changing of the Guard alone: a precisely choreographed ceremony that draws crowds year-round. The building’s architecture and history make it a natural stop on any family itinerary, even without a glimpse of the King himself.
Westminster Abbey
Step back in time among the Gothic architecture of Westminster Abbey, where monarchs have been crowned, married and laid to rest for centuries. Wander the nave, cloisters and chapels, and take a guided tour to learn about the notable figures, from monarchs to poets, resting within its walls.
HMS Belfast
A historic warship that played a vital role in the Second World War, HMS Belfast lets families explore decks, engine rooms and living quarters, and get a real sense of life at sea and the Royal Navy’s role in protecting Britain’s shores.
The Globe Theatre
Discover the world of Shakespeare at the reconstructed Globe Theatre. Watch a performance or take a guided tour of this faithful reproduction, where the open-air, round structure creates surprisingly good acoustics. Interactive workshops offer a deeper look at the language, costumes and stagecraft of the period.
Cultural Exploration in Galleries and Museums
Seven museums, seven different ages catered for, so pick and choose based on who you’ve got in tow.
Young V&A (best for 0–14, especially strong for under-5s)
A short walk from Town Hall Hotel, in Bethnal Green itself. Interactive galleries covering design, imagination and play, with a collection of over 2,000 toys, and a dedicated Mini Museum sensory space for babies and toddlers.
London Museum Docklands (best for 0–8)
An easy DLR journey from Bethnal Green. Free entry, with an interactive family gallery, Mudlarks, plus Sailortown, a reconstructed dockside street kids can wander through. Fully buggy accessible.
London Transport Museum (best for 0–8)
In Covent Garden, so a Central Line ride in. Buses, trains and vehicles kids can climb aboard, making it one of the most reliably popular museums for the youngest visitors.
Natural History Museum (all ages)
The blue whale skeleton greeting visitors at the entrance sets the tone. Come face-to-face with life-sized exhibits, get hands-on with fascinating specimens, and explore the workshops and exhibitions designed to spark a love of science and nature in young minds.
Science Museum (best for school-age and up)
Hands-on exhibits and immersive displays cover everything from space exploration to robotics. It’s a museum built for roaming, with a good in-house café and 3D cinema to round out the visit.
British Museum (best for school-age to pre-teen)
A treasure trove of human history, spanning thousands of years and continents. Look out for the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies and Greek sculptures, and take advantage of the family-friendly activities that bring the collections to life.
Tate Modern (best for pre-teen and up, art-curious kids)
Contemporary and modern work from around the world through thought-provoking, interactive displays. The observation deck also offers some of the best city views around.
Serene Escapes in London’s Parks
Three, kept deliberately tight: one on the doorstep, two worth the trip.
Victoria Park
Genuinely on the doorstep from Town Hall Hotel. One of East London’s great green spaces, with playgrounds, wide paths for scooters and bikes, and plenty of room for a picnic without needing to go anywhere near central London.
Regent’s Park
A sprawling green space with manicured gardens, Queen Mary’s Rose Garden and a lake for rowing. Wide-open spaces, playgrounds and sports facilities make it easy to fill an afternoon, and it sits close to London Zoo.
Greenwich Park
Set on a hill above the Thames, Greenwich Park offers sweeping skyline views and a quieter pace. Visit the Greenwich Observatory, stand on the Prime Meridian line, and let the kids loose in the playgrounds while you take in the view. Reachable via DLR.
Afternoon Tea and Themed Experiences
Afternoon tea remains one of London’s most enduring family traditions, and the city does it well, from the classic to the theatrical.
The Wolseley
Set in a Grade II-listed building, The Wolseley offers a reasonably priced, classically elegant afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, scones and pastries. It’s not aimed specifically at children, but it works well for the whole table, with vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, dairy-free, nut-free and gluten-free options available.
Sketch
A playful, art-filled interior makes Sketch as visually striking as it is delicious. Expect egg brioche buns, finger sandwiches, apricot éclairs and raspberry Battenbergs served on distinctly whimsical tableware, alongside a gallery-like space worth exploring in its own right. Children take home a Pat the Bear.
The Dilly
An elegant, heritage-led afternoon tea with finely crafted sandwiches, warm scones and a well-judged selection of pastries and teas, set within the hotel’s grand surroundings.
Jungle Book Afternoon Tea, Brown’s Hotel
Inspired by Rudyard Kipling’s classic, this themed tea brings Indian-influenced treats and teas from around the world. A limited-edition printed copy of The Jungle Book is available for an additional £20, and 48 hours’ notice is required to book.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Afternoon Tea, One Aldwych
A Roald Dahl-inspired spread featuring Golden Egg cupcakes and chocolate caramel milkshakes, with water pistol punch cocktails or Champagne for the adults at the table.
Culinary Delights in London
Five, curated for proximity and genuine family ease, with one exception worth the trip.
Dishoom
Bombay-style street food, curries and tandoor-grilled dishes, inspired by the Irani cafés of Bombay, across several London locations. The breakfast and the chai are both worth ordering, and it remains one of the city’s most reliably good, genuinely kid-friendly restaurants.
The Culpeper
A short walk from Town Hall Hotel, in Spitalfields. Modern British food built around fresh, locally sourced ingredients, with a rooftop terrace overlooking the skyline. We’ve stayed here too, so it’s worth a full look if you fancy splitting your trip across two East London bases.
Sodo Pizza
Tucked into a railway archway a short walk from Town Hall Hotel, Sodo Pizza is the kind of place you’d only stumble on if you knew to look. Sourdough pizzas, natural wine, and a proper neighbourhood feel that beats anywhere more obvious nearby. Order the Wicker Man.
Borough Market
Further afield, south of the river, but worth the trip: artisanal cheeses, freshly baked pastries and street food from around the world, in one of London’s oldest food markets.
Poppie’s Fish & Chips
A retro 1950s diner serving classic battered fish and chips with mushy peas and tartar sauce, with locations in Camden and Soho.
Outdoor Adventures and Explorations
Beyond the parks, London has plenty of ways for families to get outside.
Little Venice A picturesque stretch where the city’s canals converge. Regent’s Canal runs from here to the Docklands, passing London Zoo and Camden Town along the way. A boat trip is a relaxed way to see houseboats, willow trees and quiet bridges.
Battersea Power Station
Now a destination in its own right, with crazy golf at Birdies set against the power station’s architecture, a lift to the top for panoramic views, and an outdoor cinema to close out the day.
Orbit Slide, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
The UK’s tallest and longest tunnel slide, reaching speeds of up to 15mph, with a genuinely memorable view of the London skyline on the way down.
Hackney City Farm
A working urban farm in East London, home to goats, rabbits and a full programme of activities and workshops for children. Worth checking opening hours before visiting.
Coal Drops Yard
A shopping district worth exploring in its own right, with an outdoor splash park nearby for warm days, outdoor cinema by the canal, and a Lina Stores outpost we’d recommend for families. Its location also makes stopping in Camden easy.
Retail Wonderlands
Three, chosen because they’re genuinely kid-led rather than adult shopping with children in tow.
Selfridges, 4th Floor
Home to The Toy Shop, a genuine wonderland of toys, games and interactive experiences for children and adults alike.
Hamleys
The world-famous toy store on Regent Street, spread across seven floors, with live demonstrations and interactive displays that make it more experience than shop.
Westfield Stratford City
One of Europe’s largest urban shopping centres, with fashion, beauty and lifestyle stores alongside dining and family-friendly entertainment for a full day out. A short hop from Bethnal Green.
London has plenty to offer families, from historic landmarks and immersive museums to theatre, parks and open-air adventure. We keep coming back to Town Hall Hotel as our base: the apartment-style suites give families room to breathe, the Grade II-listed building gives the stay some real character, and Bethnal Green puts you close to enough of this list that you’re rarely more than twenty minutes from wherever you’re headed next. If you’re weighing up other options, our edit of boutique hotels in East London is a good place to start.
