London’s Little wonders and curiosities to see with children

London is a city of layers.

Vertical and horizontal.

Historical and cultural.

Untold stories are hidden everywhere in London because there are simply too many to tell. Forgotten under dust, sealed in concrete and buried under other stories. It would take days, for example, to explore Roman London sites. If you’re visiting London for the first time, inevitably sightseeing is going to be on the agenda. However, I recommend earmarking some time to discover the quirky wonders and curiosities that make it a rich and extraordinary city. I’m collecting little wonders and clustering across the city so you can build them into London adventures. Some are hidden in plain sight, free, or part of a museum or neighbourhood you might be already visiting.

To give you an idea of how long the flock of ravens dubbed the Unkindness have been residents at the Tower of London, it’s recorded that in the 16th century Charles II insisted that they were to stay.

The Tower of London

The Tower of London’s flock of Ravens. The one unmissable London tourist attraction, not just with children, but for anyone is the Tower of London. With ten centuries of history, the medieval walled tower complex sits on the bank of the Thames and has played a pivotal role in London’s history. The walking tour is fantastic: iconic beefeaters tell vivid tales of those imprisoned like Thomas More or Anne Boleyn. But one of my favourite curiosities of the Tower of London is its flock of six ravens call the Unkindness. To give you an idea of how long the flock of ravens have been residents, it’s recorded that in the 16th century Charles II insisted that they were to stay. Legend has it that if the Raven’s leave, the Crown will fall.

While in the area

The best way to get to the Tower is by boat. Use your oyster card, take the Uber boat to just outside the gate. Or continue the history lesson on the Horrible Histories boat tour, which is connected to the excellent children’s show of the same name. If you’re looking for lunch, Emilia’s Crafted Pasta serves fresh pasta with a view of St. Katharine Docks. Or hike up to Spitalfields Market for a selection of the best market stall food in London. Watch Dirty Bagel’s melt cheese with a blow torch.

Originally set in Regents Park, 101 Dalmatians will will run this summer at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Queen Mary’s Rose Garden is the perfect picnic place to pair with a show.

Regent’s Park

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre: on a warm night watching a play outside in a lush garden is the pinnacle of British summer. Established in 1932, the outdoor theatre has 1,200 seats and this summer is running a production of 101 Dalmatians, the story of Pongo and Perdi which is set in Regent’s Park! Pack a picnic and lounge in Queen Mary’s Rose Garden before.

While at the park:

There’s also an excellent playground slide in Regent’s Park near the Avenue Gardens and a trilling extended zip-line by the Zoo entrance of the park. Other children specific theatre’s in London (which are magical): Little Angel Theatre and Polka Theatre.

Jeppe Hein’s series of bright oranges benches are a study on personal space. Plus they’re quirky, photogenic and magnets for the kids.

Southbank

The Southbank complex is rich for exploring as it’s home to the Hayward, National Theatre and BFI. Jeppe Hein’s series of bright oranges benches are a study on personal space. Plus they’re quirky, photogenic and magnets for the kids. For lunch check out the interesting market stalls located behind Royal Festival Hall for a bite. Alongside the Thames, you may see mudlarking, which is the increasingly popular hobby of searching for treasure in the muddy gravel of the Thames at low-tide. There are a surprising amount of well preserved items of historical significance found in the banks of the Thames. Apparently the mud is anaerobic (without oxygen) so items can survive centuries in a good condition. To officially try, you need a permit or could go along with the Thames Discovery Programme or the Thames Explorer Trust. If watching rather than scavenging is more your speed, catch the sand art at Southbank. It’s only five minutes walk from the Millennium Bridge, the pedestrian steel suspension bridge that connects St.Pauls to the Tate Modern.

Victoria and Albert Museum Courtyard

South Kensington

The Victoria and Albert museum has a stunning inner courtyard with fountain pools where children can to splash around in the summer, with an outdoor cafe for a drink or ice-cream. If you’re at the V&A for lunch or tea visit the Gamble Room, restored to it’s original 1860’s design. The V&A is across Exhibition Road from the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum. It’s a great stop if you’re there to visit the dinosaur bone’s that float in the main gallery or the Wonderlab. For a special al fresco meal, visit the family bistro or oyster bar and see the stained glass at Michelin House.

The Serpentine Cafe, with the Lido in the background

Hyde Park

In the heart of Hyde Park, there’s a lido beach in the Serpentine where you can have a swim on a sweltering day, but a warning that you may be swimming with the swans. This stretch of the Serpentine was part of the London Olympics Triathlon swim. Paddling boats are available for rental across the Serpentine. There’s a cafe situated directly beside the lido which has a barbecue stall in the summer months. Every summer, The Serpentine Pavilion has an outdoor installation that’s free to walk through. 2022 will be Black Chapel by Theaster Gages. Nearby is the Diana Memorial Fountain sculpture, which is a stone circle of flowing water the kiddies use as a paddling pool. Across the park, have a coffee overlooking the Italian Gardens.

Sky Garden above London

Monument/Bank

The climbable Monument was built to commemorate the Great Fire of London which burned down 86% of London in 1666. It was designed by Robert Hooke and Sir Christopher Wren during the the rebuild years of the 1670s and originally housed a telescope and science lab underneath. Across the square is Pudding Lane where the bakery stood that originally started the fire. Further east, is St. Dunstan-in-the-East. Now a public garden inside the skeleton of church, which was first built in 1100, rebuilt by Wren after the fire, and then damaged by the Blitz in 1941. Go early or in the evening to get the garden ruins to yourself. For a garden at a height, book lunch in the Sky Garden to get a fantastic view of London - would recommend Darwin’s Brasserie. Or walk up to the Barbican Centre, a striking Brutalist style arts complex with a multilayer garden conservatory and a rich children’s programme. It’s also home to the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Shakespeare Company.

If your kiddies love transport, hop on the Docklands Light Rail (DLR) from Bank Underground station and take a seat in the first carriage, which is glass fronted for an exciting ride.

St. Dunstan-in-the-East is now a public garden inside the skeleton of church. First built in 1100, it was rebuilt by Wren after the fire, and then damaged by the Blitz in 1941.

Hampton Court Palace during the annual Tulip Festival in April.

West London (Hampton, Richmond, Kew)

Henry VIII’s Hampton Court Palace’s rotisserie meat. Just outside of London, Hampton Court is a walled Palace complex with grounds and gardens including a Magic Garden for kids. Daily in the Palace Kitchen, you’ll find actor cooks turning lamb or beef on an open fire just as they would have when Henry was a resident. You can ask them questions life at the Palace or just warm yourself by the fire. You’ll also find the largest grape vine in the UK in the Privy Gardens. If you have time for a swim, around the corner the Hampton Pool has a heated outdoor kid’s pool open year round. Just across the Thames, you’ll find Richmond Park that was originally preserved to hunt deer when Charles I moved his court to Richmond Palace to escape the plague in 1625. In the spring, Isabella Plantation dazzles when it pops with azaleas.

For finding curiosities in London and all over the world, check out Altas Obscura.

I’m collecting London’s curiosities and wonders for kids, so please share your recommendations with me.