Добавить новость
ru24.net
News in English
Май
2024

We reveal London’s best free kids’ attractions ahead of May half term – from unlimited movies to world’s biggest museums

0

The Sun

LONDON is one of the most expensive cities in the world, so it’s not surprising that a day out there can burn a hole in your pocket, especially with kids in tow.

Yet it IS possible to see the best of London, totally free. From world-class galleries to singing lifts, gardens in the sky, street art and even rock pools, we reveal the capitals’ best days out – that won’t cost you a penny.

Alamy
The British Museum near Russell Square is the world’s oldest national museum dedicated to human history, art and culture[/caption]
Alamy
Check out the dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum in Kensington, and the skeleton of ‘Hope’ the blue whale[/caption]
Alamy
Horniman Museum and Gardens in South East London has galleries of natural history artifacts[/caption]

Ahead of the May half term, as part of our new Best of British travel series, we reveal ultimate list of free London attractions for all ages – from 3 to 73. 

Best free London attractions for kids aged 3-6 

Meet ferrets, bunnies, alpacas and more traditional farm animals at Vauxhall City Farm in Vauxhall and Mudchute Farm and Park in Docklands. 

Check out the dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum in Kensington, or one of the many other animal exhibits that are popular with people of all ages.

‘Hope’ the blue whale skeleton is on show in the main hall and you can even find out more about her life, like where she swam and what she ate. Get your free ticket online

The Young V&A in East London’s Bethnal Green. A newly opened museum aimed at kids up to age 14, using artifacts from the main V&A’s collection.

Current Young V&A exhibitions also include Japan: Myths to Manga, which will cost £10 to enter.  

Horniman Museum and Gardens near Dulwich in South East London, a a family-friendly museum and gardens in South London.

After browsing the galleries of natural history artifacts, visitors can get up close and personal with goats, sheep, guinea pigs, rabbits, chickens and alpacas on the Animal Walk. 

Visit the Museum of London Docklands to find out how the docks transformed London and made it what it is today.

It also has a fantastic Mudlarks gallery soft play area aimed at kids up to eight years old – but entry to that will cost you £3. 

See the world’s oldest dinosaur sculptures at Crystal Palace Park in South East London, which were unveiled by natural history artist Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins in 1854. 

Ride the singing lift at Royal Festival Hall on the Southbank – the glass-fronted lift carries visitors up and down six floors and will sing you all the way up… and back down again.

Be awed by the creations at the Lego store in Leicester Square, have fun making your own model too with the free blocks available. Just be prepared to queue to get inside. 

Splash in rock pools and balance on wobbly bridges at Tumbling Bay playground – nestled within the heart of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford. 

Alamy
For the more traditional art lover, there’s the Tate Britain near Pimlico[/caption]
Alamy
Meet ferrets, bunnies, alpacas and more traditional farm animals at Mudchute Farm and Park in Docklands[/caption]

Best free London attractions for 7-10 years olds

Curious minds will love a visit to the Science Museum in Kensington, where you can learn about everything from sound to outer space.

There is also a great immersive play exhibit for young children in the basement. You do have to pay £12 for the hugely popular Wonderlab exhibit, but kids (and adults) love it. Book your free admission ticket to the main museum on their website

The British Museum near Russell Square is the world’s oldest national museum dedicated to human history, art and culture and primary school-aged kids will find plenty of exhibits relating to what they have learnt in lessons.

Discover everything from the Elgin Marbles to Samurai Armour. Book your visit time on the museum’s website

Watch the pelicans being fed every day at 2.30pm at St James’s Park. Feeding time happens next to Duck Island Cottage. But the birds tend to stick around the lake for most of the day, preening each other and eating fish.

Watch street performers in Covent Garden – from magicians to acrobats, performances there date back to the 1660s. 

Get lost in Crystal Palace Park Maze in South East London. The maze is one of the largest in the country, standing 160 ft in diameter, and its twisting hedges were originally planted in the 1860s. 

Discover everything you need to know about the British Army at The National Army Museum in Chelsea.  There are one million items, spanning a 600-year period to see, as well as’ Play Base’ for kids, which includes a soft play assault course. 

Check out the capital’s incredible skyline and iconic landmarks at Horizon 22 in Bishopsgate – a free viewing platform 254 metres above street level that’s even higher than The Shard. Book your free ticket well in advance, as it’s very popular. 

Alamy
Marvel at the hundreds of reclaimed neon signs and old movie props at God’s Own Junkyard in Walthamstow[/caption]
Alamy
Watch street performers in Covent Garden – from magicians to acrobats, performances there date back to the 1660s[/caption]
Alamy
The Imperial War Museum near Elephant And Castle in South London was founded during World War I[/caption]

Best free London attractions for 10-14 years olds 

The Royal Air Force Museum on the former Hendon Aerodrome in North London Barnet explores the first 100 years of the RAF, with amazing aircraft such as a Supermarine Spitfire on display. Book your free ticket in advance

The Imperial War Museum near Elephant And Castle in South London was founded during World War I. The museum gives voice to the extraordinary experiences of ordinary people who lived their lives during wartime.

Marvel at the hundreds of reclaimed neon signs and old movie props at God’s Own Junkyard in Walthamstow, East London, part of late neon artist Chris Bracey’s personal collection. 

Walk along picture-pretty South Bank and you’ll always find something to entertain you. There are some great vintage comics and secondhand books for sale at Southbank Centre Book Market under Waterloo Bridge, or watch skateboarders of all ages practicing their tricks under the Southbank Centre. 

Push a trolley into Harry Potter’s magical world at the wall marked Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross Station

Watch the Changing the Guard ceremony outside Buckingham Palace. It takes place every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from 10:45am and lasts around 45 minutes. The actual handover takes place at 11am. 

Get some epic screentime at the Outernet in Tottenham Court Road, an immersive venue with floor-to-ceiling wrap-around screens – the most advanced of their kind in the world.  

The Butterfly Trail, a family friendly adventure exploring AR butterflies in the mysterious cloud forests of Peru, is currently being shown on the screens, or space fans can regularly check out content from NASA’s social feeds.

Find 360 degree views of London from The Sky Garden, located on the 43rd floor of the Walkie Talkie building near Monument. Book your free ticket online.

Also in the City of London is The Garden at 120, with excellent views of The Gherkin, The Shard and the Walkie Talkie. No ticket or booking is required unless you are a group of 12 or more.

Alamy
Find 360 degree views of London from The Sky Garden, located on the 43rd floor of the Walkie Talkie building[/caption]
Alamy
Track down the best places to see street art in London, including the colourful Leake Street Arches[/caption]

Best free London attractions for 15-18 year olds 

Arty teens will love the Tate Modern on the South Bank – with its collection of modern and contemporary paintings, sculptures and large-scale installations from artists around the world, including Picasso and Matisse. 

For the more traditional art lover, there’s the Tate Britain near Pimlico. It contains everything from Pre-Raphaelite paintings to artwork by David Hockney. And it has the largest collection of artworks by Turner. 

Take a walk through Tower Hill to see the London Wall – visible remnants of the Roman wall that was built by the Romans in AD 200 around the port of Londinium. While not much of it is left now, this wall shaped what people thought of as London for around 1,000 years. 

The Wallace Collection in Marylebone’s Manchester Square is an eye opener both for its stunning paintings, sculptures, ceramics, furniture and armour, as well the grand house they’re housed in – once the London home of the Seymour family, Marquesses of Hertford. 

Chose from more than 95,000 British films and television shows to watch for free at The BFI Southbank’s Mediatheque. Choose something to watch and a booth to sit in, and plug yourself in. 

Track down the best places to see street art in London, including works by Banksy and the colourful Leake Street Arches. Depending on where you’re based there are a number of self-guided street art maps available online, and a number of free guided tours too. 

Alamy
The Wallace Collection in Marylebone’s Manchester Square is an eye opener for its stunning paintings, sculptures, ceramics, furniture and armour[/caption]
Alamy
Check out the capital’s incredible skyline and iconic landmarks at Horizon 22 in Bishopsgate[/caption]

Best free London attractions for 20-30 year olds 

Check out some of the world’s most famous works of art at the National Gallery, in Trafalgar Square. It’s home to more than 2,300 works of art by artists including  Da Vinci, Botticelli, Rembrandt and Van Gogh. Booking is recommended. They also hold free daily guided tours from 3pm to 4pm. 

Combine art with one of London’s best parks at the Serpentine Galleries – two contemporary galleries five minutes apart in Kensington Gardens, on either side of the Serpentine Bridge. It has collections of contemporary art and architecture on display. A limited number of tickets are available to book online for guaranteed timed entry. 

Pay a visit to Queer Britain in Kings Cross, the country’s first museum dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community. With voices, objects and images covering over 100 years of queer life.

Climb to the top of the hill in Greenwich Park for an impressive view of the city skyline, then head to the Royal Observatory and stand on the world-famous Prime Meridian Line. 

Stroll among the 35,000 monuments in Brompton Cemetery in Chelsea, including one of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst. 

Venture up the yellow spiral staircase on the South Bank and find Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden, where you can enjoy views of the river and drinks among wildflowers.

Enjoy free entry to blues bar Ain’t Nothing But... in Soho, from Sunday to Thursday nights.

Alamy
Arty teens will love the Tate Modern on the South Bank – with its collection of modern and contemporary paintings[/caption]
Alamy
The Royal Air Force Museum on the former Hendon Aerodrome in North London Barnet explores the first 100 years of the RAF[/caption]
Alamy
Go down seven metres below modern street level at London Miratheum,  to explore an ancient temple[/caption]

Best free London attractions for Millennials 

Pay a visit (without paying!) to the V&A museum in Kensington, with exhibitions on art, design and performance. The V&A has archives on everything from Glastonbury and underwear to wallpaper and wedding dresses. 

Check out the art at the Whitechapel Gallery in East London – the gallery’s mission is to make contemporary art and ideas accessible to the widest possible audiences. 

There’s something for everyone at the Design Museum in Kensington, which is devoted to contemporary design in every form. There’s currently an exhibit on skateboards and one on Barbie launching on July 5. 

Chill out in the Barbican Conservatory among tropical plants, trees and fish. Open on select days throughout the year.

Drop in to the Tiwani Contemporary in Mayfair – international contemporary artists are on exhibit here with a focus on Africa and its diaspora. 

Enjoy strolling around Hampstead Heath’s woodland and meadows, then take a picnic to the top of Parliament Hill, for great views of the city.

Follow the towpath through tranquil Little Venice in North London, which is lined with an abundance of waterfront cafes and pubs. 

Tap your feet to live jazz every Sunday and occasionally Mondays at The Troubadour in Chelsea.

Affordable overnight stays in London from £42

*if you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue

Stay in a selection of London hotels from £50 per night

Travelodge rooms available in in London from £60 a night

Premier Inn rooms in London from £42 per room

Save money on attractions with Merlin’s Magical London Pass – from £73 per child, £88 per adult

London Theatre Break with £25 meal voucher and hotel stay from £67pp

And great attractions for all ages…

Drop into the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich and find out what made J.M.W. Turner’s largest painting so controversial, or get up close to the actual uniform Admiral Nelson was wearing when he was fatally wounded at the Battle of Trafalgar. Book your free visit on its website

Pay a visit to the Welcome Collection near Euston Square- a museum and library that explores health and human experience. There’s an impressive selection of books and contemporary journals covering topics ranging from modern medicine to witchcraft. 

Sir John Sloane’s Museum, next to Lincoln’s Inn Fields in Holborn, is the former home of the architect and collector, It’s filled to the brim with antiques, sculptures and paintings. 

At the Guildhall Art Gallery and Roman Amphitheatre,  in the Moorgate area of the City of London, you can find one of Britain’s largest oil paintings inside – The Defeat of the Floating Batteries of Gibraltar.

You can also step into the ruins of London’s Roman amphitheatre, where crowds once gathered to watch wild animal fights, public executions and gladiatorial combats. 

At the Bank of England Museum, located within the Bank Of England in the City Of London, you can learn how the bank started and its history up until the present day.

Go down seven metres below modern street level at London Miratheum,  to explore an ancient temple – discovered just 70 years ago in the City Of London during building work – through an immersive experience. Visitors are encouraged to book a free ticket in advance.  

Join a free London walking tour – there are a number of companies you can book with online. You can learn about anything from royal London to bankside brothels and Jack the Ripper. 

Not far from the hustle and bustle of High Street Kensington is Holland Park’s Kyoto Gardens, with tranquil waterfalls, a pond full of koi carp. Sometimes you can spot peacocks relaxing in the trees. 

Enjoy some free music at the Royal Opera House’s Live at Lunch concerts. Between March 8 and July 19, 2024 there are free performances featuring Royal Opera House and guest artists. Check dates on the website.

Alamy
Follow the towpath through tranquil Little Venice in North London, which is lined with an abundance of waterfront cafes and pubs[/caption]
Alamy
Take a picnic to the top of Parliament Hill in Hampstead Heath, for great views of the city[/caption]



Moscow.media
Частные объявления сегодня





Rss.plus



Владислав Овчинский: жители дома на Радужной улице начали переезд в новостройку по программе реновации

Певец Дмитрий Камский готовит к релизу новый сингл "Песня Земли"

19 июля: какой сегодня праздник, что было в этот день

Москва слезам не верит: в ТПП РФ подержали инициативу по защите прав предпринимателей


Ростовский ЭРЗ Желдорреммаш в 4,2 раза увеличил объем ремонта электровозов серии 2ЭС5К «Ермак».

Фестиваль «Имена России» собрал талантливую молодёжь со всей страны

Трезвость как основа жизни: больше половины выпускников «Урала без наркотиков» справляются с зависимостью

Спа-наслаждения от Canopy by Hilton Seychelles


Biden's anger bleeds through as party weighs his future

Faculty of International Journalism and Mass Communications Eurasian International University is conducting an additional intake of applicants!

England U20 overpower France to be crowned world champions

Suspect arrested for ‘threatening to kill Trump and his VP pick JD Vance’ in Florida days after assassination attempt


Иван-Чайное настроение....

Запчасти выходят на второй круг

Певец Дмитрий Камский готовит к релизу новый сингл "Песня Земли"

Прощай, ЕС! Россия будет поставлять газ в Иран по сверхмощному трубопроводу


Yesterday I ignored 10 tornado warnings to finish a Destiny 2 raid, didn't get the exotic drop, and disappointed my fiancée. Is there some sort of lesson here?

According to BioWare, Dragon Age: The Veilguard is the first entry in the series where "the combat's actually fun" and where characters are "intentionally" the focus of the storytelling, which seems pretty unfair on the first three games

CD Projekt's Pawel Sasko tells the inspiring tale of how an Estonian beet farmer in Australia became a senior quest designer on The Witcher 4

Двадцать пять человек за одним столом под звуки караоке – это было шедеврально!


Фотомагазин PYN: ваш надійний партнер у світлі та фотографії


Запашный пришел поддержать Исмаилова перед боем с Минеевым

Прощай, ЕС! Россия будет поставлять газ в Иран по сверхмощному трубопроводу

«Мы голодные!». Дети остались одни дома и просили в окно еды

Минеев единогласным решением судей победил Исмаилова на турнире в Москве




Баку и Ереван пока не могут договориться: мнение Ильхама Алиева

Москва слезам не верит: в ТПП РФ подержали инициативу по защите прав предпринимателей

Русские туристы поделились, где проведут новогодние каникулы

Владислав Овчинский: жители дома на Радужной улице начали переезд в новостройку по программе реновации


Бесплатные занятия по греко-римской борьбе продолжатся в Центре единоборств «Борец»

В Москве на выходные подготовили гастромаршрут и развлекательную программу

Футболист Погостнов заявил, что аренда в белорусский клуб пошла ему на пользу

Владимир Ефимов: Более пяти тысяч детей и подростков прошли обучение во Дворце спорта и образования Ирины Винер


Панова и Сизикова вышли в финал турнира WTA в Палермо в парном разряде

Шнайдер прошла в финал турнира WTA в Будапеште

Теннисистка Мария Шарапова снялась без макияжа и укладки

Тарпищев: Рублёву надо не играть, а заняться своим здоровьем


Ньямси считает «Локомотив» конкурентом «Зенита» в борьбе за чемпионство

Взбунтовались даже самые терпеливые. Регионы России обрушили главную ложь о мигрантах: "Не рвётся в клочья"

Новый год не за горами: где россияне планируют провести зимние каникулы

Президент Никарагуа Ортега назвал преступными санкции Запада против России


Музыкальные новости

Основание памятника Рахманинову и площадку вокруг в Великом Новгороде ремонтируют впервые с 2009 года

МакSим, Мари Краймбрери, Анна Седокова, DEAD BLONDE, Ольга Серябкина и другие артисты представили новинки на «Вечернем Звуке»

Семья сотрудника Улан-Удэнского ЛВРЗ одержала победу в федеральном конкурсе

Целовались на виду у всех: Анастасию Волочкову заметили в объятиях своего возлюбленного в Москве



«Мы голодные!». Дети остались одни дома и просили в окно еды

Минеев единогласным решением судей победил Исмаилова на турнире в Москве

Прощай, ЕС! Россия будет поставлять газ в Иран по сверхмощному трубопроводу

Первый класс пожарной опасности спрогнозировали в Подмосковье 22 и 23 июля


Боец ММА Минеев победил Исмаилова на турнире по правилам бокса в Москве

Google отказалась от ИИ-функции поиска в сервисе Фото из-за технических проблем

Экс-глава «Яндекса» Волож заявил об отсутствии связей с Россией

Владимир Минеев под крики "русские вперёд" избил и уложил на ринг Магомеда Исмаилова


Собянин рассказал о создании пешеходных зон у причалов столицы

В Москве грабитель выхватил из авто сумку с 46 млн рублей и попал на видео

Москва заключила офсетный контракт на поставку компонентов для асфальтовых покрытий

Источник 360.ru: 2 девушки попали в больницу после ДТП-перевертыша в Москве


Пепе Эскобар: Йемен, опозоривший флот США в Красном море, предложил Путину интересные варианты

Гениальный ход: Путин переиграл НАТО. Йеменцы прибыли в Москву с интересным предложением. США в панике готовят флот и авиацию





Актрису Марию Аронову увезли в Боткинскую больницу в Москве

В Москве ребенок попал в больницу с сотрясением мозга после удара огурцом

Источник 360.ru: 2 девушки попали в больницу после ДТП-перевертыша в Москве

Приживается в кишечнике на год: где можно заразиться смертельно опасным листериозом


Уκpaинcκaя пpοпaгaндa: Ροccийcκaя гиpя для ΚΗΡ κудa увecиcтee уκpaинcκοй

Кличко: любой шаг Зеленского чреват политическим суицидом

Кличко снова разнёс Зеленского и предрёк ему политическое самоубийство

В Киеве из-за незаконного сноса Дома Зеленских XIX века возбудили уголовное дело


Лаунж на Большой Дмитровке и фабрика музыки: как проходят выходные в центре столицы

Минеев единогласным решением судей победил Исмаилова на турнире в Москве

Ефимов: 5 тысяч детей обучились во Дворце спорта и образования Ирины Винер

Боец ММА Минеев победил Исмаилова на турнире по правилам бокса в Москве




Собянин рассказал о жизни Московского международного дома музыки

Собянин: Началось строительство подъездной дороги к станции Кокошкино МЦД-4

Собянин рассказал о создании пешеходных зон у причалов столицы

Собянин рассказал о работе Московского международного дома музыки


Бренд экологичной одежды первым в мире сообщил о нападении анти-эко-активисток

Богомолу и осе комфортно в нашей полосе: почему в Москве появились необычные насекомые

Москва. Народная приемная КПРФ в ВАО. Кто ответит за гибель лошадей при пожаре в Лосином острове?

Запчасти выходят на второй круг


Ньямси считает «Локомотив» конкурентом «Зенита» в борьбе за чемпионство

Лекцию об Олимпиаде-80 провели для школьников в Химках

Третьего организатора подпольного липецкого алкохеца задержали в Москве с поддельным паспортом

Президент Никарагуа Ортега назвал преступными санкции Запада против России


АО «Транснефть - Север» обеспечивает надежность производственной инфраструктуры в четырех регионах

Архангельская область в топе регионов по лесовосстановлению

ТСД SAOTRON RT41 GUN: практичный, производительный, надёжный

Спортсмен из сборной Архангельской области стал победителем масс-старте в Малиновке


Час духовности «Приняла крещенье Русь»

В г.Геленджике состоялся Открытый чемпионат Краснодарского края по фланкировке казачьей шашкой, 2024г

Краеведческое посвящение «Здесь артековская слава начинала свой поход»

Выставка-персоналия «Замечательный русский беллетрист» к 250-летию со дня рождения М.Н.Загоскина, русского писателя и драматурга


Новый год не за горами: где россияне планируют провести зимние каникулы

Заммэра Москвы Ефимов: в Нагатинской пойме построят концертный комплекс

В дептрансе Москвы рассказали, какие вещи пассажиры чаще всего забывают в метро

Следствие намерено провести экспертизы с потерпевшими в «Крокусе»












Спорт в России и мире

Новости спорта


Новости тенниса
WTA

Шнайдер прошла в финал турнира WTA в Будапеште






Владимир Ефимов: Более пяти тысяч детей и подростков прошли обучение во Дворце спорта и образования Ирины Винер

В дептрансе Москвы рассказали, какие вещи пассажиры чаще всего забывают в метро

Бесплатные занятия по греко-римской борьбе продолжатся в Центре единоборств «Борец»

В центре Москвы загорелось здание театрального училища