What to do with kids in London: Holborn
Holborn, located in the heart of London, is a vibrant area steeped in history and brimming with attractions that cater to all ages. Whether your children are budding historians, aspiring artists, or just looking for a fun place to play, Holborn has something to captivate their interests and spark their imaginations. In this blog post, we’ll explore the best things to do with kids in Holborn, ensuring your visit is fun and memorable for the whole family.
If you’re looking for suggestions on where to eat in Holborn with kids, check out our separate post.
About the area
The name ‘Holborn’ (pronounced Ho-burn, not Hot-born) is believed to derive from the Old English words ‘hol’ (meaning hollow or sunken) and ‘bourne’ (meaning stream or brook). It refers to a stream that once flowed through the area, which is now largely built over. This stream, known as the ‘Old Bourne’, flowed into the River Fleet, and its course is now mostly hidden beneath the streets of modern London. The name reflects the area’s geographical features from centuries ago, giving a glimpse into the historic landscape of central London.
Situated between Covent Garden and the City of London, Holborn is famous for its beautiful architecture, prestigious universities, and historic sites such as the British Museum. This area offers a diverse range of activities for families.
Visitors with kids can enjoy educational trips to museums, explore picturesque parks, and dine at family-friendly restaurants. Holborn’s central location and mix of attractions make it an ideal spot for a fun and educational day out with children.
What to do with children in Holborn?
Holborn offers a wealth of activities that can entertain and educate children, making it a fantastic destination for families exploring London.
Play at Coram’s Fields
Coram’s Fields is a green oasis in the heart of Holborn, offering a perfect retreat for families with children. This unique seven-acre playground and park is designed specifically for young visitors, ensuring a safe and fun environment where kids can run, play, and explore.
Coram’s Fields features a variety of play areas, including swings, slides, and climbing frames, as well as sports facilities like football pitches and basketball courts.
In the Spring and Summer months the paddling pool is also open. Parents can relax on the benches or enjoy a picnic on the grassy lawns while kids burn off energy and make new friends. With its dedicated focus on providing a child-friendly space, Coram’s Fields should be top of the list for families looking to enjoy outdoor fun.
Visit the British Museum
The British Museum is probably Holborn’s biggest draw for tourists. Visiting the British Museum with kids is an experience that can spark their curiosity about history and cultures from around the world.
The museum’s vast collection includes fascinating artifacts such as the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies, and the Parthenon sculptures, which are sure to captivate young minds and support their learning at school. Interactive exhibits and family-friendly trails make exploring the museum engaging and educational.
With its diverse range of exhibits, the British Museum offers both education and entertainment for children, making it a must-visit destination in Holborn.
Visit a smaller museum
Unlike the grand and often bustling British Museum, the smaller museums in Holborn are hidden gems that provide a more personal and engaging atmosphere, perfect for curious kids and their parents. Visiting these smaller museums allows children to examine collections and intriguing exhibits, from the literary world of Charles Dickens to the quirky and eclectic displays at Sir John Soane’s Museum.
In this blog post, we’ll highlight some of Holborn’s lesser-known museums, where you can enjoy a quieter, yet equally enriching experience with your children.
Sir John Soane’s Museum
A visit to Sir John Soane’s Museum in Holborn is a look into the world of one of Britain’s most eccentric and visionary architects. Housed in Soane’s former home, this free museum is a treasure trove of art, antiquities, and curiosities, carefully curated and displayed in a series of beautifully preserved rooms.
The museum’s intimate setting offers an immersive experience that brings history to life. Located on Lincoln’s Inn Fields, kids can then run off any pent up energy right outside.
The Hunterian Museum
On the opposite side of Lincoln’s Inn Fields is the Hunterian Museum, a fascinating and educational experience suitable for older children (particularly those aged 10 and up, as the museum contains various human and animal remains) with an interest in science and medicine.
Located within the Royal College of Surgeons, this free museum houses an extensive collection of anatomical specimens, surgical instruments, and medical curiosities collected by the 18th-century surgeon John Hunter. Children can view preserved specimens, explore exhibits on the history of surgery, and learn about the advancements in medical science. The museum’s displays provide a unique insight into the human body and the evolution of medical practices.
While some exhibits might be a bit intense for younger children, those with a budding curiosity about biology and history will find the Hunterian Museum an interesting and informative visit.
Charles Dickens Museum
Visiting the Charles Dickens Museum in Holborn will immerse families in the life and times of one of England’s greatest novelists. Housed in the beautifully restored Georgian townhouse where Dickens lived and wrote some of his most famous works, the museum brings the author’s world to life with an impressive collection of personal items, manuscripts, and rare editions.
The period rooms are meticulously decorated to reflect the Victorian era and so this would make an ideal choice for children learning about the Victorian times or for older children/teenagers who have read any Dickens novels.
Find the statue of Dr Johnson’s cat, Hodge
Dr. Johnson, best known for compiling the first comprehensive English dictionary, was a notable figure in 18th-century London. His deep affection for his cat, Hodge, is well-documented, and this endearing relationship is immortalised with a charming statue of Hodge, located just outside Dr. Johnson’s former home, now a museum, at 17 Gough Square.
The statue depicts Hodge sitting proudly atop a dictionary, with a few oyster shells at his feet—his favourite treat. This tribute highlights the human side of a great literary figure and provides a unique photo opportunity. Visiting Hodge’s statue adds a touch of playful whimsy to an exploration of Holborn.
Visit Temple Church
Visiting Temple Church is an interesting experience for families with a keen interest in history and adventure. This historic church, founded by the Knights Templar in the 12th century, is steeped in tales of medieval knights and ancient rituals.
The church’s round nave is designed to resemble the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, and there are effigies of knights lying on the floor. The church’s rich history, which includes its role in the Magna Carta and its connection to the famed warrior monks, provides an enthralling narrative that brings the past to life.
Exploring the atmospheric interior and learning about the Knights Templar’s secretive world makes Temple Church a must-visit destination in Holborn for budding historians and imaginative children.
Discover the burial place of the real life John Smith
For kids who love the Disney film Pocahontas, visiting the burial place of John Smith in Holborn can be an educational experience. John Smith, a prominent figure in the story of Pocahontas, is buried in St. Sepulchre-without-Newgate Church.
Although the historical accounts differ from the Disney portrayal, visiting his burial site offers children a tangible connection to the real-life events that inspired the film.
Visit Novelty Automation
Novelty Automation in Holborn offers a unique and enchanting experience for families with children who are fascinated by robots, mechanics, and quirky inventions.
This museum showcases a captivating collection of coin-operated automata, from musical machines to mechanical toys. Kids will love the interactive exhibits, where they can activate the automata and watch them come to life with movements and sounds.
It’s an ideal spot for children aged 6 and up to explore the wonders of early robotics and mechanical art in a fun and hands-on environment.
How do I find all of these places?
Want easy access on the go to all of these ideas? We’ve created a Google Map with everything marked for you:
[googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/2/embed?mid=13n1YewRgm72srzCHbYpEQeW0NWbs8VY&ehbc=2E312F&w=640&h=480]Did you find somewhere you loved in Holborn that others should know about? Share your tips in the comments below.