Horniman Museum and Gardens
This eclectic museum in Forest Hill ostensibly covers natural history - the kids will love the musical instruments, aquarium, and famous overstuffed walrus. The huge gardens and animal walk are free, making it ideal for a low-cost family picnic with London skyline views. There is a fee to enter the aquarium and butterfly house.
Times change seasonally — always check before you set off.
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Gambado Forest Hill
Children can explore a giant soft play frame, dive into ball pools, zoom down slides, and relax in a calm sensory room for under 2s. The centre also features a dedicated under 4s zone, an upcoming laser tag arena, and an on-site café for parents. It's just a short walk from Forest Hill station, with loads of parking and buses stopping nearby.
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Herne Hill Velodrome Kids Cycling
Endless fun on two wheels! It's a wheely good place (sorry, couldn't resist) where kids can learn to ride, build cycling confidence through coaching sessions tailored to all abilities, or race around on track cycling tasters and youth mountain biking. There's a really busy schedule so check the website to see when is best for you to go - take your own bikes or, the Frog, Learn to Cycle, and all track sessions (Track Tasters, Track Skills, Intermediate Training, Race Training and Accreditation) sessions include free, optional bike hire. Road/TT Bike sessions do not include free bike hire (they don't have Road/TT bikes to hire), and offroad sessions have an option to hire a bike for £8 extra. Riders aged 6yrs+ can take part in weekly Youth Mountain Bike sessions and youngsters aged 8yrs+ are able to try the Track Cycling Tasters.
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Brockwell Park Miniature Railway
Is this London's best-value train ride? I think so! Families can ride this unique 7¼ inch gauge miniature railway through Brockwell Park, travelling between Herne Hill Gates and the Brockwell Lido... and it's only £1 each. Our kids loved this journey, and the small shop packed with souvenirs! All rides are £1 return for adults and children. Under twos travel free with a fare paying adult (+16).
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Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery (And Mini Makers for tots)
Inside the Pitzhanger, the historic countryside retreat of architect Sir John Soane which is set within Walpole Park in Ealing, the main musem has contemporary art exhibitions, free digital family trails, hands-on building block stations, and access to Walpole Park's playground. On Fridays, under 5s will love the Mini Makers dedicated early years sessions, led by experienced artist practitioners, there's messy play, circus play and music and rhyme sessions. Pack a spare change of clothes - the messy play sessions mean business, and make a day of it with Walpole Park and its expansive green lawns, walled garden, and playground area.
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Wellcome Collection
A quirky museum exploring medicine, health and human life through bizarre historical objects, art and a wonderfully comfy Reading Room.
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The British Library (Family Trails)
Book-loving kids will enjoy an hour here among the world's most famous manuscripts, from the Magna Carta to Leonardo da Vinci's notebooks and Beatles lyrics, mostly in one ground-floor exhibition hall. There are free weekend family workshops too.
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