areas. My kids loved dressing up as
Victorian-era scullery maids, playing
with tea sets and re-enacting Punch &
Judy at an old-fashioned British beach
scene. In addition to their regular
storytelling hours, the museum runs
workshops and classes during UK
school holidays.
A short bus ride away, you’ll find
London’s oldest market, Spitalfields.
This is the perfect spot for some lunch
with family-friendly restaurants such
as Giraffe and Wagamama.
Curious finds
A 40-minute train journey south
of Central London will lead you to
the Horniman Museum. Like an
Aladdin’s Cave, the Horniman houses
a number of quirky objects that were
all part of Frederick Horniman’s
personal collection. The taxidermy
collection, for example, includes a
rather large stuffed walrus. What’s
particularly good for kids is the Hands
on Base, where they can explore,
touch and even wear some of the
museum’s artefacts. The gardens
surrounding the museum are beautiful
and there’s even an Animal Walk
where you might spot an alpaca, goat,
sheep or guinea pig. You can also
find large musical instruments dotted
around the garden – a hit with kids
of all ages. A visit to the Horniman’s
Aquarium comes at a small extra
cost but is worth the charge to see the
jellyfish and British pond life.
Whilst a visit to London might
prove expensive in terms of eating,
accommodation and transport, at least
many of its major museums are free.
These museums have really evolved
over the past decade, offering up a far
more interactive experience than the
stuffy exhibits of the past. If you are
travelling during UK school holidays,
visit the museums’ websites to see what
activities have been scheduled, as you
may need to book in advance. For
more information on what London
has to offer, check out the official
visitor guide to London,
.
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