Underrated Sites of London: Family-Friendly Gems Beyond the Center

— By Toby Patrick —

Taking kids to London city center can be intimidating and may not be the best idea during peak periods, which are more prominent in London compared to other U.K. cities. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to enjoy this great city with your family. 

There are so many spots in London beyond the city center that are still only a short drive or train ride away. If you are struggling for spots, then you have come to the right place. Here are some of my family’s favorite underrated spots in London that I couldn’t recommend enough.

Little Venice

What’s more amazing than taking the little ones to Little Venice? It’s so adorable that I, of course, had to bring them here. It’s essentially what you imagine, a charming spot that is a network of canals with picturesque, quirky canal boats, local cafes and the opportunity to take the kids on a little trip on a boat if you want to. It’s much more peaceful than the likes of Camden or Regent Crescent. It’s a nice idea for when you don’t want to do anything wild but want to get out of the house.

Romford Town

This is just one town example that is located in East London and is such a charming place that I and the family drove through. As we liked the drive so much, we decided to stop with the kids and spend the rest of the day walking around the markets, soaking up the village life and taking the kids to The Liberty shopping center in Essex for a walk around and a bite to eat. 

Overall, visiting new towns around London is a great experience, and you end up seeing so much character while encouraging the kids to explore from an early age.

Leadenhall Market

If you’re looking for a market, this Victorian covered market is not only a great spot of history to take the kids, but also, if your kids are Harry Potter fans, then you can tell them this is where Diagon Alley was filmed. Places that hold this little piece of magic for yourselves and the kids are such a fun experience and are one of those times that you know the kids are always going to remember.

Beyond film spotting, you can enjoy a little shop around, take home a souvenir, and buy a couple of sweet treats from local sellers to finish the day off.

Horniman Museum

Any families that are all about education but also have an interest in animals, this museum is the perfect combination of both. Located in Forest Hill, this museum offers a collection of natural history, anthropology and animal exhibits, so it’s everything you could want in a museum, plus you can rest assured that this will keep your little ones curious and entertained with all of the new and exciting things they can see. 

Museums are one of the most underrated spots nowadays, and while to some it’s just looking at ‘old things’, it’s fascinating and is a great way to encourage questions and discussions with your kids. Most museums have children’s areas as well, which is very convenient.

Roman Baths

While this is a longer travel from the city center, Strand Lane Roman Baths is definitely worth mentioning in case you may have forgotten. This is an ancient site, so it combines a bit of fun within an immersive and unique experience. It’s a way to dive into Roman history, but also just something completely different to introduce them to.

Family Fun in London

When thinking about new and exciting things to do as a family within the London area, there are constantly new events, pop-ups and places to visit. It’s all about following the right groups online to stay in touch with, but also trying to do something new every so often to break out of boring routines and have a lot of fun.

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About the Author: Toby Patrick is a freelance writer who loves to combine his passion for travel with his love of creative writing. Many of his articles focus on revealing the many hidden gems across the U.K. and Europe, and he also occasionally covers fitness, men’s health, and lifestyle topics.