What to do with kids in London: the City of London
Often associated with suits, skyscrapers, and the financial district, the historic heart of London actually offers a treasure trove of experiences for young adventurers. If you’re wondering what to do in the City of London with kids, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. From climbing to dizzying heights for panoramic views to descending into Roman ruins, from exploring medieval churches to discovering hidden gardens, the City offers an array of activities that educate and entertain in equal measure. In this guide, we’ll uncover the family-friendly side of the Square Mile, revealing how this bustling business district transforms into a playground of discovery for curious young minds. So, let’s embark on a journey through narrow alleys, historic landmarks, and modern architectural wonders to discover the best of what the City of London has to offer for families.
About the area
The City of London, often referred to as the “Square Mile,” is the historic and financial heart of London, located in the central part of the capital. Bordered by vibrant areas like Westminster, Southwark, and Camden, it is famous for its iconic landmarks such as St. Paul’s Cathedral. Families visiting the City of London will find a blend of ancient history and modern attractions, offering kids a chance to explore medieval castles, engage with interactive exhibits, and marvel at the striking architecture. With its rich history, educational attractions, and numerous parks and open spaces, the City of London is a fascinating and family-friendly destination.
With its rich history, educational attractions, and numerous parks and open spaces, the City of London is a fascinating and family-friendly destination.
What to do in the City of London with children?
Let’s explore into some of the best attractions and experiences that make the City of London a fantastic destination for families visiting London.
Test out the whispering gallery at St Paul’s Cathedral
Visiting St. Paul’s Cathedral is an awe-inspiring experience, offering a blend of history, art, and adventure. As they step into the vast nave, kids are often amazed by the sheer scale of the building.
The real excitement begins with the climb to the dome – a journey of 528 steps that feels like a mini-adventure. Along the way, children can stop at the Whispering Gallery, where they’ll delight in the acoustic marvel that allows them to hear whispers from across the dome.
For those brave enough to continue to the Golden Gallery at the very top, the reward is a breathtaking panoramic view of London that never fails to impress young visitors.
Back on ground level, the crypt offers a treasure hunt of sorts, with famous tombs to discover, including those of Admiral Nelson and the Duke of Wellington.
Climb the Monument
The Monument is a 202-foot (61.57 meter) tall Doric column in the City of London, designed by Sir Christopher Wren and Dr. Robert Hooke, erected between 1671 and 1677 to commemorate the Great Fire of London of 1666.
Climbing the Monument offers children an exciting challenge and a unique perspective on London’s history. The 311-step spiral staircase to the top is an adventure in itself. At the summit, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the city and having done the climb kids will receive a certificate of achievement.
The Monument’s connection to the Great Fire of London will support school history lessons and bring to life what kids have learnt about in school. Families can embark on a Great Fire-themed exploration of the area – see a plaque on nearby Pudding Lane which marks the outbreak of the fire.
Discover public art in the city
The City of London offers a wealth of public art that can turn a simple walk into an exciting scavenger hunt for children. Here are some key areas to explore:
Paternoster Square
Spot Elisabeth Frink’s bronze sheep sculpture and look out for other regularly changing artworks in the square.
Sculpture in the City
This annual public art exhibition transforms the City’s streets into an open-air gallery. The trail changes each year, featuring contemporary works by internationally renowned artists. It’s an excellent opportunity for a family art walk, with children enjoying the challenge of finding each piece. Many sculptures are interactive or visually striking, capturing young imaginations. Pick up a map from the City Information Centre or download one online to guide your exploration.
Yayoi Kusama’s ‘Infinite Accumulation’ at Liverpool Street Station
Outside Liverpool Street Station, children will be amazed by Yayoi Kusama’s gleaming ‘Infinite Accumulation’ sculpture. These large, blob-like stainless steel forms reflect their surroundings in distorted ways, creating a fun, funhouse mirror effect. Kids often enjoy walking around the sculpture, watching their reflections change and trying to capture funny photos.
Exploring public art in the City offers a fun, free activity that encourages children to engage with their environment, sparks creativity, and provides excellent talking points about art and the urban landscape. It’s a great way to break up a day of sightseeing and keep kids engaged as you navigate the City’s streets.
Visit one of the City of London’s free viewing platforms
Visiting one of the City of London’s free viewing platforms offers children an exhilarating experience that combines breathtaking views with a sense of adventure.
These viewing platforms offer a bird’s-eye view of the tiny cars and people below, sparking kids’ imaginations about what it might be like to be a bird. These viewing platforms also offer excellent opportunities for impromptu geography lessons, as parents can point out different areas of London and major landmarks.
The Sky Garden
The Sky Garden, located in the Walkie Talkie building, is often dubbed London’s highest public garden, is particularly captivating for young visitors. Kids will be enthralled by the jungle-like atmosphere high above the city and the views across the river.
Horizon 22
At Horizon 22, one of the city’s newest free viewing platforms, children can enjoy spotting famous landmarks through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
The Lookout
The Lookout at 8 Bishopsgate is the city’s newest free viewing platform and offers a similar experience to Horizon 22.
The Garden at 120
The Garden at 120 provides a more open-air experience, where kids can feel the wind in their hair as they gaze out over London’s skyline.
For more information on these viewing platforms, check out our post What is the best viewing platform in London to visit with children?.
Discover Roman remains
Exploring Roman ruins in the City of London offers children a thrilling journey back in time, making history tangible and exciting. There are a number of places within the City of London at which you can glance a peek at old Londinium.
Guildhall Art Gallery
At the Guildhall Art Gallery, kids can descend into the remains of London’s Roman Amphitheatre, where their imaginations can run wild picturing gladiatorial contests and public spectacles.
The London Mithraeum
The London Mithraeum at Bloomberg SPACE provides an immersive experience with its sound and lights, recreating the atmosphere of this mysterious ancient cult temple.
City Wall at Vine Street
The section of Roman wall on Vine Street allows kids to see a section of City Wall including the foundations of the original Roman bastion.
Roman Fort Ruins
Tucked away on Noble Street, just a stone’s throw away from St Paul’s Cathedral, the Roman Fort Ruins offer a fascinating glimpse into London’s ancient past. These well-preserved remains of the western gate of Londinium’s military fort date back to the late 2nd century AD. The site is easily accessible and free to visit, making it an excellent stop on your City of London tour. Informative plaques provide context, helping young history enthusiasts understand the significance of what they’re seeing.
Visiting Roman ruins in the City offers a fun and educational adventure that brings history to life for young explorers. Why not try out our Roman London self-guided walking tour? It takes in all of these sights and more!
Pause in one of the city’s green spaces
The City of London’s green spaces offer delightful places for families to pause and recharge amidst their urban adventures.
Postman’s Park, with its unique Memorial to Heroic Self-Sacrifice, captivates children with its poignant stories of everyday heroes. Kids often enjoy reading the ceramic plaques, each telling a tale of bravery, turning it into a touching scavenger hunt of heroic deeds. The park’s peaceful atmosphere and hidden location make it feel like a secret garden discovered in the heart of the city.
St Dunstan in the East presents a different kind of enchantment – a bombed-out church transformed into a hauntingly beautiful public garden. Children are often mesmerised by the ivy-covered ruins and the juxtaposition of nature reclaiming the man-made structures.
These green havens provide a welcome break from sightseeing. Whether it’s having a picnic lunch or simply enjoying a quiet moment of reflection, these unique green spaces add a touch of magic to a family’s exploration of the City of London.
Visit Temple Church
Visiting Temple Church in Holborn 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 resembles the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, and there are mysterious 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 for budding historians and imaginative children.
Walk through Leadenhall Market
Walking through Leadenhall Market and its ornate Victorian architecture is like stepping back in time. Many children recognise the market as a filming location for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter films, adding an extra layer of excitement to their visit. They can pretend they’re shopping for wands or magical creatures as they explore the winding passageways.
While there, take time to appreciate the unique architecture of the Lloyd’s building next door to Leadenhall Market.
Learn about money at the Bank of England museum
The Bank of England Museum offers a surprisingly engaging experience for children, turning the potentially dry subject of finance into an interactive adventure.
Kids will love the opportunity to try and lift a genuine gold bar, marvelling at its unexpected weight.
Interactive exhibits will keep children entertained as they learn about money and economic theory. The museum also offers free activity sheets tailored for different age groups.
With its blend of history, economics, and hands-on activities, the Bank of England Museum provides an unexpectedly enjoyable and educational experience for children exploring the City of London.
For more information, see our post on visiting the Bank of England Museum with kids.
Walk across the Millennium Bridge
Walking across the Millennium Bridge is a must-do activity for families visiting the South Bank and Bankside areas. As you stroll across its 325-meter span, children will be thrilled by the panoramic views of London’s skyline, including St. Paul’s Cathedral to the north and Tate Modern to the south.
Harry Potter fans may recognise the bridge from the film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. The bridge was destroyed in early scenes in the film.
What makes this walk even more intriguing for kids is the quirky chewing gum art that lines the bridge’s deck. Artist Ben Wilson has transformed thousands of discarded pieces of gum into tiny, colourful paintings. This unusual art gallery underfoot turns an ordinary walk into a fun treasure hunt for different designs.
Explore the Barbican
The Barbican, a unique brutalist complex in the heart of the City, offers a treasure trove of experiences for children. The Centre itself is like a giant playground for the imagination, with its elevated walkways and hidden corners waiting to be explored.
The Barbican Conservatory is a hidden oasis within the iconic Brutalist architecture of the Barbican Centre and is home to over 1,500 species of tropical plants and trees, as well as exotic fish. The conservatory offers a lush, jungle-like atmosphere that kids will love exploring, with winding paths and secret corners to discover. The Barbican Conservatory is completely free to enter, though it’s only open on select days, usually Sundays and some bank holidays. Make sure to book tickets. Tickets are released every week on Fridays, up to one month in advance. A limited number of day tickets are released for online booking from 9.30am each day when the Conservatory is open.
The centre regularly hosts family-friendly exhibitions, workshops, and performances tailored to young audiences, covering everything from interactive art installations to science demonstrations. Check their website to see what’s on.
The Barbican Lakeside terrace, provides a perfect spot for a break or bit of lunch.
Visit the burial place of John Smith, of the Pocahontas story
St Sepulchre-without-Newgate, the final resting place of Captain John Smith, offers For kids who love the Disney film Pocahontas, visiting the burial place of John Smith in Holborn can be a fascinating and 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 beloved movie.
The church’s bells are the bells of Old Bailey as referred to in the nursery rhyme ‘Oranges and Lemons’ (‘When will you pay me? Say the bells of Old Bailey’).
Walk the Thames Path
Walking the Thames Path along the City of London stretch offers children an exciting adventure filled with iconic sights and hidden gems. Starting from the Tower of London, kids can check out the sights across the river, including the Tate Modern, the Shard and Shakespeare’s Globe.
The Thames Path will take you under various bridges and children will enjoy watching the boats and river traffic, perhaps spotting a RIB speeding by.
With its mix of modern architecture, historic sites, and river views, the Thames Path provides an engaging walking tour that keeps children interested and active throughout their City of London adventure.
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:
Do you have a great tip for something to do with kids in the City of London? Share with other readers in the comments!