South Bank and Westminster with a wheel ride

A riverside playground in the shadow of Parliament, a slow turn on the London Eye, the log-and-net playground behind it, then over the river for lunch in a church crypt and a gentle afternoon in the National Gallery's family spaces. Iconic London, sized for younger children.

One dayAges 3–7Cost £££10:00–15:455 stops

The plan

10:001
Playground · 10:00–10:45 (45m)
Horseferry Playground
Thames-themed playground with a sandpit and river-shaped water channel, right beside the Houses of Parliament. Public toilets.
A Thames-themed playground in Victoria Tower Gardens, right beside the Houses of Parliament, with a sandpit, swings, a wide slide, chimes and a water channel shaped like the river. Its railings illustrate moments in Thames history. A short walk from Westminster sights and free to use.
FreeOutdoors
Toilets
From the day-trip listing
Opening times, prices & map
Photo: royalparks.org.uk
11:002
Landmark · 11:00–12:15 (1h15m)
London Eye
About half an hour for a full turn plus queuing time. Pre-book the slot.
The 135-metre observation wheel on the South Bank, with 32 glass capsules that take about half an hour to make one slow turn. On a clear day you can pick out Parliament, St Paul's and the parks. Booking online is noticeably cheaper than paying on the day.
PaidIndoors
Accessibility
From the day-trip listing
Opening times, prices & map
Photo: Khamtran
12:203
Playground · 12:20–12:50 (30m)
Jubilee Gardens Playground
Enclosed timber playground for 2-11s directly behind the Eye. Paid public toilets next to it.
An enclosed timber adventure playground in the riverside gardens right behind the London Eye, built as a long run of logs, nets and balance beams. It is free and well used, so it is a handy place for children to let off steam before or after the wheel. The gardens around it have big lawns and mature trees.
FreeOutdoors
Toilets
Accessibility
From the day-trip listing
Opening times, prices & map
Photo: jubileegardens.org.uk
13:054
Food stop · 13:05–14:05 (1h)
Café in the Crypt
Self-service lunch under brick vaults; plenty of tables, buggy-friendly toilets and baby changing.
A self-service cafe in the brick-vaulted crypt beneath St Martin-in-the-Fields church on Trafalgar Square, with old tombstones set into the floor. It has plenty of tables, buggy-friendly toilets and baby changing, which is rare this close to the National Gallery.
Their website
Illustrative photo: Ayodele Adeniyi on Unsplash
14:055
Museum · 14:05–15:45 (1h40m)
The National Gallery
Free. On weekends and school holidays the Roden Centre has a welcome space, drop-ins and a buggy park.
An indoor museum in London, aimed at ages 4 and up.
FreeIndoors
Pushchair friendly
Baby changing
Café on site
Toilets
Accessibility
Good on a rainy day
From the day-trip listing
Opening times, prices & map
Photo: Diego Delso