Cheap days out in London with kids

12th October 2021

It may seem challenging to find things to do with your kids in London on a budget but worry not, we've got a list of the top picks in London for you to explore.

 

The city offers a wide range of free and cheap activities with kids, from educational museums and exciting exhibitions to fun parks and fascinating landmarks.

 

Hackney City Farm

In the middle of Haggerston Park, there is a fantastic little farm called Hackney City Farm. You’ll find an abundance of cute animals at the farm, including chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, and much more to keep you and your little ones entertained for hours.

 

Kids will also be able to learn new skills that will benefit their health and the environment. The farm offers classes in everything from beekeeping to mosaic making, bike maintenance, pottery making, straw bale building, and regular yoga sessions.

 

Getting there.

The nearest station is Cambridge Heath, a 10-minute walk or a 6-minute bus ride to the farm. Two adults and two kids can save over £82 travelling from Birmingham with a Family & Friends Railcard1.

 

Hackney City Farm

 

Diana, Princess of Wales' Memorial Playground

In this Peter Pan inspired magical space, the memorial park has a massive wooden pirate ship as its centrepiece; children will love to play, explore, run around, and let their imaginations soar. A fitting tribute to a Princess who cherished the innocence of childhood, the playground is adjacent to her Kensington Palace home.

 

Several toys and play sculptures are on display, along with a sensory trail and teepees, all set in a lush woodland environment. It has plenty of seating and open spaces so the adults can relax and even set up a picnic spread as well.

 

Getting there.

Paddington is the nearest rail station and a 16-minute walk or a short walk and 11-minute bus ride to the playground. Two adults and two kids can save over £76 travelling from Cambridge with a Family & Friends Railcard2.

 

Diana, Princess of Wales' Memorial Playground

 

Natural History Museum

Discover hundreds of interactive exhibits at London's Natural History Museum in one of London’s most stunning landmark buildings. Dino lovers, prepare to be amazed as you walk into the extraordinary Central Hall, where the Museum's legendary Diplodocus skeleton is among the highlights. With their gigantic Blue Whale model floating above, the popular Mammals galleries will have everyone in awe at the sheer size they can grow to.

 

Visit the state-of-the-art Cocoon, where you can see hundreds of samples on a self-guided tour and see how scientists work in the laboratories.

 

Among the museum’s many events, you can interact with science boffins in the Attenborough Studio within the Darwin Centre in topical discussions about science and nature.

 

Getting there.

West Brompton is the nearest station, a 25-minute walk or a 13-minute bus ride and a short walk will get you to the museum. Two adults and two kids can save over £74 travelling from Cardiff Central with a Family & Friends Railcard3.

 

Natural History Museum

 

Hampstead Heath

It is a picturesque destination for a tonne of photo ops with the kids if you can get them to stand still long enough. It has been called one of London's most loved green spaces; the heath boasts some of London’s most stunning vistas and highest points. Among these are Parliament Hill, Golders Hill Park (with a zoo and butterfly house), an open-air lido, swimming pools, tennis courts, athletic tracks, playgrounds, a listed pergola, and enough green space to feel like you're miles away from the city.

 

There are large grassland areas and ancient woodland on Hampstead Heath and a remarkable range of natural habitats.

 

Getting there.

Hampstead Heath is the nearest station and across the road from the heath. Two adults and two kids can save over £168 travelling from Manchester Piccadilly with a Family & Friends Railcard4.

 

Hampstead Heath

 

Richmond Park

Richmond Park offers wide-open spaces, grasslands, and deer herds just a stone’s throw from central London. Parks like this are among the top UK sites for ancient trees. They harbour rare species, for example, fungi, birds, beetles, grasses, and wildflowers.

 

A scenic woodland garden with exotic plants is now part of Isabella Plantation, designed to remain beautiful all year long. However, its name suggests a much more humble origin.

 

Stunning views of the Thames Valley are offered from King Henry's Mound to the west and of St. Paul's Cathedral to the east. Cycling, horse riding, and kiteboarding are some of the activities on offer at the park.

 

Children under five can run wild at the specially designed Kingston Gate Playground, located adjacent to the Kingston Gate Car Park. Children of all ages can enjoy Petersham Gate Playground.

 

There are also cafes dotted around the park so you can grab a coffee or an ice cream.

 

Getting there.

Richmond is the nearest station, a 21-minute walk or a 13-minute bus ride will get you to the Cambrian Road gate. Two adults and two kids can save over £40 travelling from Reading with a Family & Friends Railcard5.

 

Richmond Park

 

 

Railcard Savings.

1 Railcard price savings are based on Off-Peak Day Return tickets from Birmingham New Street to Cambridge Heath for 2 adults and 2 children with a Family & Friends Railcard. Prices checked on 4 August 2021 for travel on 21 August 2021.

 

2 Railcard price savings are based on Off-Peak Day Return tickets from Cambridge to Paddington for 2 adults and 2 children with a Family & Friends Railcard. Prices checked on 4 August 2021 for travel on 21 August 2021.

 

3 Railcard price savings are based on Off-Peak Day Return tickets from Cardiff Central to West Brompton for 2 adults and 2 children with a Family & Friends Railcard. Prices checked on 4 August 2021 for travel on 21 August 2021.

 

4 Railcard price savings are based on Off-Peak Day Return tickets from Manchester Picacadilly to Hampstead Heath for 2 adults and 2 children with a Family & Friends Railcard. Prices checked on 4 August 2021 for travel on 21 August 2021.

 

5 Railcard price savings are based on Off-Peak Day Return tickets from Reading to Richmond for 2 adults and 2 children with a Family & Friends Railcard. Prices checked on 4 August 2021 for travel on 21 August 2021.