Eltham Palace and Gardens
Where else in London can your kids run through a medieval Tudor palace and step straight into a dazzling 1930s Art Deco mansion? Eltham Palace and Gardens is a south-east London treasure that manages to feel like two completely different time machines in one visit. Once a favourite childhood haunt of Henry VIII, the estate was given a glamorous makeover in the 1930s by millionaire eccentrics Stephen and Virginia Courtauld. Between the vast medieval Great Hall, 19 acres of grounds, and plenty of interactive fun, it makes for a fantastic family day out.
Find the Pet Lemur’s Quarters: Keep your eyes peeled inside the house for a heated room with a custom ladder built specifically for Mah-Jongg, the Courtaulds' pampered pet lemur! Kids love hunting for lemur references hidden around the mansion.
Head upstairs to find the vintage dress-up corner where both kids and adults can try on 1930s-inspired outfits and wartime gear for quick photo ops.
The outdoor wooden playground is inspired by the Courtaulds’ global adventures - it’s conveniently located right next to the Orchid House Café, so parents can grab a coffee while the kids play.
Cross London's Oldest Bridge: Take a stroll across the moat via the 15th-century stone bridge—the oldest working bridge in London—and explore the rock gardens and cascading pools down below.
- English Heritage members go free.
- Check opening days — it is not open daily all year.
- Pick up a family multimedia guide at the entrance—it turns room-hopping into an engaging, story-led adventure packed with quirky historical facts.
Times change seasonally — always check before you set off.
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Whitechapel Gallery
A touchstone modern art gallery in East London running free family creative workshops and dynamic art exhibitions. Provides free entry, brilliant family activity packs, and hands-on art-making sessions led by professional contemporary artists.
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Dino Snores for Kids (Natural History Museum Sleepover)
The ultimate museum bucket-list experience for children. Once the museum doors close to the public, kids explore illuminated halls by torchlight, take part in hands-on science shows, and eat dinner before rolling out sleeping bags to sleep directly beneath Hope, the giant 25-meter blue whale skeleton in Hintze Hall. Includes breakfast and morning animal shows... But you'd want inclusions - tickets cost £80+.
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Dulwich Picture Gallery
England's oldest purpose-built public art gallery, set in peaceful gardens with world-class paintings and active family programming. Kids can enjoy the interactive art trails, brilliant hands-on creative workshops, and wide lawns for post-gallery running around. The ArtPlay pavilion (see separate listing) is outstanding for younger kids, but does have an entry fee.
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Clapham Pottery
Clapham Pottery is a non-profit (so not as pricey as usual clay centres) and gives kids and adults the chance to get really hands-on with clay, from beginner throwing sessions to creative workshops, all in a characterful old chapel. It's messy and slower-paced than many London activities, with a real object to remember the day by. Wear clothes that can handle clay and check the collection or firing arrangements before you leave. Kids’ Classes run after school for children 6+ and on Saturday mornings for children 10+.
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Dulwich Park
A classic, leafy 29-hectare Victorian park offering loads to do for families - there's recumbent bike and family banana bikes hires (great for zipping along the flat paths), a boating lake, and a top-notch playground.
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Polka Theatre
Tucked away in Wimbledon, Polka children's Theatre is one of those gems that actually understands how kids (and parents) operate. It has two spaces: the main stage for bigger kids, and the smaller adventure theatre, which caters brilliantly to toddlers and babies with short, cushion-on-the-floor shows where nobody minds if someone decides to crawl across the stage mid-scene. There's also free indoor and outdoor play - you don’t even need a show ticket to turn up, there’s a free indoor play corner stuffed with books and toys, plus a brilliant sensory garden out back with a wooden climbing frame to let them burn off steam. The cafe is actually great too: clean high chairs, buggy parking and nice food. And shows in the early-years space are capped at 30–45 minutes, with soft lighting and acceptance that toddlers don't sit still. Go for the relaxed slots if you have sensitive kids, the house lights stay up and everyone can move around freely. Walk five minutes down the road to South Park Gardens for a great local playground and a green space if you'd like to afterwards.
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