Are you wondering where to stay in London with kids for your family holiday? As a family-friendly city, there are so many great neighborhoods perfect for families.
London is an action-packed city with a vast array of shops, restaurants, parks, and tourist attractions that are suitable for the whole family to enjoy. Whether it is a weekend city break or a summer holiday, London has got something for all to do.
However, it can be overwhelming to know where to stay, which is near all the capital’s hot spots. As many families live in the city, you’ll find there are many great places to stay and call your home base for your family vacation.
We’ve compiled a list of the best family areas in London to stay, as well as some top tips on places to eat and visit that everyone can enjoy! If you are wondering where to stay in London with kids, you have come to the right place. Read on to find out our recommendations for the top family neighborhoods in London.
This post is a guest post from Sanctum London. It contains affiliate links which means I receive a commission at no cost to you should you make a purchase using this link. See my disclosures. Cover photo credit: Photo credit: @ CroMary/depositphotos.com
Where To Stay In London With Kids: Our Top 3 Areas
London is a very family-friendly city. In fact, many families live in London. It’s user-friendly transportation and fun things to do with kids make it ideal for a family holiday. But we recommend these three areas as great ones in London for your family holiday.
Maida Vaile
This sleepy part of London offers quaint charm and beauty whilst still being close enough to get to more central parts of the capital. Enjoy a trip to Little Venice and taking a walk along the canal bank, where you’ll forget you are even in a city for a moment!
Notting Hill
A famous location thanks to its namesake movie, there can be no doubt that Notting Hill is an iconic part of London to stay. Rows of pastel-coloured houses, independent shops, and the Portobello Market all add to its appeal. It’s also not far from Kensington Garden, home to Princess Diana’s Memorial Playground and Kensington Palace.
Regent’s Park
A luxury location with beautiful scenery, this area offers a wonderful mix of green parkland and urban city life. With nearby destinations, such as Camden and London Zoo, you’ll never be bored!
Which areas in London are best for families?
Here are a few neighborhoods that are also great for families to visit with fun activities for kids. They are great to include in your 5 day London itinerary with kids.
South Bank
If it’s tourist attractions you want on your London family break, South Bank is a great place to stay. You’ll be right next to some of the UK’s best sights including Big Ben, London Eye, London Bridge, the London Aquarium and London Dungeons.
There are also excellent transport links along South Bank with Waterloo, Charing Cross, and Embankment nearby offering Underground and National Rail services. This is a popular spot for visitors, as this riverside location always has exciting street performances and great views from the bridges that cross the River Thames.
Our accommodation pick:
Sea Containers London, 20 Upper Ground, SE1 9PD
With an in-house cinema, award-winning bars, and a fantastic restaurant, Sea Containers is an independent hotel that offers luxurious rooms with views of the river. They have some great family packages and often have a “kids eat free” deal available in school holidays.
Best restaurant:
Skylon, Royal Festival Hall, SE1 8XX
Located in the Royal Festival Hall, Skylon is an elegant yet relaxed restaurant that offers modern British cuisine. It has an extensive children’s menu with dishes to suit even the fussiest of tastes, all at a purse-friendly price! It is definitely one of the best restaurants for kids in London.
Best family activity:
A fully interactive experience, become immersed in all that Shrek has to offer in this walkthrough tour that offers fun for the whole family.
Regent’s Park
One of the city’s most desirable locations, Regent’s Park, is also probably the most conveniently located area to stay in London. With its own tube station, on the Bakerloo Line, it is in easy reach of key destinations such as Oxford Street for shopping, as well as other tourist destinations, such as Camden Lock and London Zoo.
Whilst it may be in close proximity to plenty of great attractions, don’t forget to check out the park itself! There are a wide range of things to see and do at Regent’s Park including an open-air theatre, playgrounds, and formal gardens, making it an ideal outdoor space to spend the day exploring on your family break in London.
Our accommodation pick:
Sanctum Regent’s Park, 28-32 Wellington Road, NW8 9SY
Based in the heart of St. John’s Wood, with Regent’s Park just around the corner, Sanctum’s serviced apartments are ideal for a family stay in London, as they offer far more space than a standard hotel room. With excellent facilities such as a fully equipped kitchen, communal lounge area, air con, and LED TVs in all bedrooms, if you are wondering where you should stay in London with kids, this is it!
Best restaurant:
The Waterside Café, Regent’s Park
Grab a bite to eat by the boating lake in Regent’s Park at The Waterside Café. It is vibrantly decorated and offers a great choice across its menus.
Best family activity:
ZSL London Zoo, Regent’s Park, NW1 4RY
No trip to London can be complete without a trip to the zoo! Home to over 16,000 seriously exotic animals from tigers to penguins, you can even visit the petting zoo to get up close and personal with llamas and donkeys!
Mayfair
For those wanting a touch of luxury, consider staying in the heart of Mayfair, which is home to some of the capital’s best shops, restaurants, and hotels, as well as Green Park, which is perfect for when you want to blow off steam in the great outdoors! Mayfair is also close to London’s West End, which provides the perfect opportunity to take in a matinée at one of the capital’s famed theatres.
Famed for its outstanding shopping destinations, such as Oxford Street and Bond Street, you really can shop till you drop, with something to suit all budgets. Be sure to explore hidden gems such as the Burlington Arcade, a covered shopping arcade, with exclusive shops, many of which still have the original store signs from when it opened in 1819.
Our accommodation pick:
The Connaught, Carlos Place, W1K 2AL
For a family-friendly hotel that will feel like a total treat, try The Connaught, which greets younger guests with activity packs and even provides child-sized bathrobes, along with adult ones, of course! Every guest has been considered in this 5-star, luxury hotel.
Best restaurant:
Hard Rock Café, 150 Old Park Lane, W1K 1QZ
For a fun, family dining experience, head to the Hard Rock Café, which serves freshly prepared American diner classics. You can even explore the venue’s rock’n’roll museum once you’ve eaten, which is tucked away in an old Coutts Bank.
Best family activity:
Once you’ve done your rounds of the Mayfair shops, head over to Green Park and walk through the mature trees and grassland, through to the glorious sight of Buckingham Palace at the other end. No trip to London is complete without a glimpse of the Royal residence!
Maida Vale
This lesser-known part of London is well worth a visit when staying in London. Just north of Paddington station, it is in a great location for various tourist destinations in both Central and West London.
Maida Vale is also home to London’s Little Venice which is a peaceful canal area that has plenty of cafes and pubs to stop in to, as well as puppet shows along the canal banks.
Our accommodation pick:
Sanctum Maida Vale Serviced Apartment, 1 Greville Road, NW6 5HA
For family apartments in London, away from the hustle and bustle of Central London, but still in close proximity to all the key parts of the capital, Sanctum’s Serviced Apartments in Maida Vale are perfect.
Ideal for a family stay, these stylish, contemporary apartments provide the best of home comforts with the luxury feel of a hotel. You’ll even have access to a pool, gym, and health club during your stay for those moments of downtime in between activities.
Best restaurant:
The Peppermint, 294 Elgin Avenue, W9 1JS
Pop to this independent café for a spot of brunch during your London stay, which serves freshly made food and bespoke coffee. It’s the perfect pitstop for a bite to eat before a sightseeing adventure!
Best family attraction:
The Pawprint Trail, Various Locations
For those with younger family members, take them on the Pawprint Trail. Originally created as the Paddington Trail in 2014 to commemorate 50 years of our favourite, marmalade-eating bear, it has now been updated to the Pawprint trail. On this trail, you can travel around Paddington to find statues of the character, as well as pop for a spot of elevenses on the way!
Greenwich
Another base outside the madness of the central parts of London, Greenwich is a lovely place to stay. Family-friendly, with plenty of green space, and a quintessentially British atmosphere, there are attractions locally, such as the National Maritime Museum, as well as there being good transport links to travel further into the city with.
You could even try the IFS Cloud Cable Car which soars high above the Thames, allowing users to take in plenty of the sights from a panoramic perspective.
Our accommodation pick:
Intercontinental London- The O2, One Waterview Drive, SE10 0TW
Situated on the riverwalk, the InterContinental London, is 0.1km from the O2 which is home to a wide variety of restaurants, as well as the Icon Outlet shopping centre, not to mention it’s great if you plan to see live music whilst in London!
This family-friendly hotel has a swimming pool, complimentary cots, and free wi-fi, making it ideal if you plan to bring the kids on your trip to London.
Best restaurant:
Gordon Ramsay Street Burger, Unit 2.05, Peninsula Square, SE10 0DX
Make the most of having some of the most popular restaurants on your doorstep at the O2, we’d recommend Gordon Ramsay Street Burger for burgers and fries that the whole family will enjoy. There are cocktails for mum and dad, with milkshakes on hand to keep the younger guests occupied!
Best family attraction:
National Maritime Museum, Romney Road, SE10 9NF
Home to over two million artifacts, maps, and other maritime memorabilia, as well as exhibitions detailing battles, shipbuilding, and even Napoleon, this museum gives a vast insight into Britain’s naval history.
Notting Hill
A popular part of London, it is impossible not to fall in love with the bright and beautiful Notting Hill. It is a truly individual part of the city that offers a great alternative to Central London. There is an extensive choice of bars, restaurants, and not to mention, the infamous Portobello Market.
Head to Portobello Road for an early morning stroll on a Sunday, to shop some incredible antique items and vintage clothing.
Best restaurant:
The Butter Bakery, 219 Westbourne Park Road, W11 1EA
Pop to The Butter Bakery for a slice of chocolate chip banana bread. This family-run bakery offers French and Persian-inspired goods, as well as a range of sandwiches, salads, soups, and hot and cold drinks.
Best family attraction:
Biscuiteers, 194 Kensington Park Road, Notting Hill, W11 2ES
Head to Biscuiteers where you can take part in a biscuit decorating session at the Icing Café. Choose from an array of biscuit designs, icing colours, and other decorations to create an edible masterpiece.
Final Thoughts on the Best Places to Stay in London With Kids for a Family Holiday
London is a good family holiday location for everyone to enjoy. With an abundance of sightseeing opportunities, top restaurants, and on-trend shops it’s a great place for a family holiday.
Make sure you allow enough time to fit everything in. You will find that 4-5 days in London is enough for first-time visitors to take in all that the city has to offer. If you are coming to London with young kids, you may need a few more days, taking into account little legs and lots of walking!
When looking for family-friendly hotels or apartments to stay in London, there’s no end of choice. From luxury rooms to spacious serviced apartments that will make you feel right at home, you’ll be sure to have a great night’s sleep.
About The Author
Sanctum London Serviced Apartments are located in North West London. We have 3 locations – Sanctum Maida Vale, Sanctum Belsize Road and Sanctum Regents Park. From there, all of London is within easy reach. Sanctum opened in December 2006 and offers the perfect base for exploring the exciting, vibrant and cosmopolitan city of London.
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