Stratford / Hackney Wick
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park · Photo: Arne Müseler
A morning of big playgrounds and riverside paths in the 2012 Olympic Park, a picnic, then two very different V&A spaces: the new East Bank museum and the Storehouse, a walk-through working store where you can peer into conservation studios. Free unless you add a paid venue in the park.
Park · 10:00–12:30 (2h30m)
Free park with riverside paths, wildflower gardens and large playgrounds. Paid add-ons (swim, slide, VeloPark) charge separately.
The 2012 Olympic site, now a 560-acre free park with riverside paths, wildflower gardens, sports venues and big playgrounds. You can mix a free afternoon of play with a paid swim, the Orbit slide or the VeloPark.
Photo: Arne Müseler
Food stop · 12:30–13:15 (45m)
Bring lunch and picnic on the lawns.
Photo: Arne Müseler
Museum · 13:20–14:30 (1h10m)
The V&A's newest museum, focused on creativity and contemporary culture; opening exhibition runs to January 2027.
The V&A's newest museum on the East Bank of the Olympic Park, focused on creativity and contemporary culture. Its opening exhibition runs to January 2027, and general admission is free like the main V&A.
Photo: vam.ac.uk
Museum · 14:45–16:15 (1h30m)
Three floors of open racks, from fashion to whole building fragments. Open until 18:00 (22:00 Thu and Sat).
A free, walk-through working store for the V&A's collections, with three floors of racks holding everything from fashion to whole building fragments. Older kids and teens like peering into the conservation studio and seeing how a museum works behind the scenes.
Photo: vam.ac.uk
LondonCamden / King's Cross
Follow the Regent's Canal towpath from the moored boats of Little Venice past the edge of the zoo to Camden Lock, eat your way round the market, test the 50-metre zip wire at Gloucester Gate and finish among the converted coal stores at King's Cross. Best for confident walkers rather than buggies.
Regent's Canal Walk: Little Venice to Camden → Camden Market → Gloucester Gate Playground → Coal Drops Yard
LondonTower Hill / City of London
A long morning at the Tower with the Crown Jewels, ravens and a Yeoman Warder tour, lunch overlooking the boats at St Katharine Docks, then a free lift up to a wisteria-covered roof garden and a stroll through a painted Victorian market known from the Harry Potter films.
Tower of London → St Katharine Docks → The Garden at 120 → Leadenhall Market
LondonAbbey Wood
A one-date special: fossil hunting and abbey ruins in Lesnes Abbey Woods in the morning, then the ornate Victorian pumping station at Crossness with its giant beam engines in steam for the Christmas Steaming Day. Great for engine-mad and history-minded children.
Lesnes Abbey Woods → Crossness Pumping Station
