Monopoly Lifesized London Review: Is It Worth It? (Updated 2026)
LAST CHANCE TO PLAY
Monopoly Lifesized is closing its doors in London on 3 January 2027. Tickets are still available throughout the festive season at monopolylifesized.com.
Monopoly Lifesized turns the world’s most argued-over board game into a giant, immersive, on-your-feet experience, and it is one of the most fun things I’ve done in London. Instead of shuffling a tiny top hat around a board, you and your team step onto a lifesized board, roll the dice and race around real London streets, and every time you land on a property you have to win it by completing a challenge behind its door.
Here is my honest review of the Classic Own It All board, what’s good, what’s not, and the one big mistake you can avoid.
MY RATING
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
The Experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
The Puzzles: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Fun Factor: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Food & Drink: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Value: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
What Is Monopoly Lifesized?
Monopoly Lifesized is an immersive game on Tottenham Court Road where you play Monopoly for real, on giant boards, as part of a team. There are four teams per game and up to six players per team, and each team gets its own human token to guide them round the board. Roll the dice, move to a property, and instead of just paying for it, you head into its challenge room to earn it with a puzzle, a mini game or a hands-on task. The venue advertises 52 challenge rooms in total, and which ones you play depends entirely on where the dice land.
There are four boards to choose from: Luxury, Classic, Classic Own It All and City. The rules are exactly the same on every board, it’s the themes and challenges that change.
How Does It Work?
It plays out in turns. On your turn you roll, move and tackle the challenge for the property you land on. Win it and it’s yours, fail and it goes to auction. When it isn’t your turn you draw a Chance card and get to strategise, which can mean building houses and hotels, or making life difficult for the other teams. Landing in jail is as bad as you’d hope, and getting out means beating a challenge rather than just paying bail.
Our Experience on the Classic Own It All Board
We played the Classic Own It All board, the venue’s more cutthroat take on the classic board, where you really have to hustle for the win and the aim is to beat your rivals and own the board. It was properly good fun.
What makes it special is the game show feel. Our host was incredibly charismatic and the whole thing is genuinely immersive, which is rare. A lot of immersive experiences suffer from wooden acting, but here the hosts are brilliant, funny and completely committed to the bit. The costume design is absolutely banging too, you really feel like you’ve stepped into a Monopoly world rather than a room with props.
The challenges are a brilliant mix. Some are over in about two seconds, some are maths puzzles, some are properly physical, and a few are hard for the time you’re given, though none are super difficult. We even had to build a house and a hotel by hand, which sounds easy until a clock is running. We also landed in jail, and the challenge to get out was one of the most fun puzzles of the whole game. We won it and escaped, which felt amazing.
It’s also nicely competitive. If you’re really behind, the hosts will quietly help you out, so nobody is ever completely out of the running.
The One Thing I’d Change: Don’t Play in a Team of Six
We were a group of six, which is the maximum, and I would discourage it. Six people is too many. The property rooms aren’t big enough for a group that size, so we kept getting in each other’s way, and honestly the experience was a bit sub-par because of it. It was still lots of fun, but I’m convinced it would have been even better with a smaller team. If you can keep your group smaller, do.
The Top Hat Bar and Restaurant
The venue has its own themed bar and restaurant, the Top Hat, and we had drinks there. The Electric Avenue cocktail was the best one, and the Strand was a fun one to order because of its sparkly ball presentation.
My advice, from experience: leave the drinks until after the game. They really can affect how good you are at the challenges, and you’ll want a clear head for the maths ones.
The Monopoly burgers were my favourite, absolutely delicious. The rest of the food was average.
Which Board Should You Pick?
I can only speak for Classic Own It All, which I loved if you like a competitive edge. The other three are Luxury (an art deco bank with a laser challenge), Classic (the closest to the original board) and City (a night-time tour of London’s streets). Since the challenges change between boards, it’s replayable if you want to try a different one.
Practical Info
- Where: 213-215 Tottenham Court Road, London W1T 7PS
- Price: standard tickets start from £54 per person, and that includes a £1.55 booking fee. Family tickets save up to 15% with a minimum of four tickets per order.
- How long: around 80 minutes, so check the time when you book
- Team size: up to 6 per team, and four teams per game
- Age: the venue recommends 9 and over (it says it can be flexible), and babes in arms and pushchairs aren’t allowed
- Closing: Monopoly Lifesized closes in London on 3 January 2027
Book Monopoly Lifesized tickets
Is Monopoly Lifesized Worth It?
For me, yes. The production quality is brilliant, the hosts are the best I’ve come across in any immersive experience, and the mix of challenges means everyone on the team gets a moment to shine. It gets a 5 out of 5 for value from me because of how much is packed into the game. My only real caveats are the team size (keep it under six) and saving the cocktails for afterwards. With the doors closing on 3 January 2027, this is your last chance to roll the dice.
If you love this sort of thing, have a look at my guide to the best immersive experiences in London.
Monopoly Lifesized FAQ
Is Monopoly Lifesized worth it?
Yes, it’s one of the most fun immersive experiences in London, with brilliant hosts, a great mix of challenges and a proper game show feel. It’s best with a smaller team.
How many people can be in a team?
Up to six, but I’d recommend fewer. The property rooms are small, so a team of six ends up getting in each other’s way.
How long does Monopoly Lifesized take?
The game takes around 80 minutes, so allow extra time if you want to eat or drink at the Top Hat afterwards.
What age is Monopoly Lifesized for?
The venue recommends it for ages 9 and over, though it says it can be flexible. Babes in arms and pushchairs aren’t allowed.
Which board should I choose?
I played Classic Own It All and loved it. The challenges differ between the Luxury, Classic, Classic Own It All and City boards, but the rules are the same.
When is Monopoly Lifesized closing?
It closes its doors in London on 3 January 2027, with tickets available throughout the festive season.
This is a sponsored post. All opinions and experiences are my own.
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What to See, Do and Eat in Tooting, London (2026)
Tooting was named one of the 10 best neighbourhoods to visit in the world by Lonely Planet, and once you’ve spent an afternoon getting gently lost in its two indoor markets, you’ll understand why. As it happens, Tooting is actually my neighbourhood, I’ve lived here for over 12 years now, and it’s genuinely home. I chose to stay because I love how multicultural it is, and if I’m honest, mostly because of its super fun markets. Wedged between Tooting Bec and Tooting Broadway tube stations, both on the Northern line, is a proper “curry corridor”, decades of South Indian, Sri Lankan and Pakistani food culture sitting shoulder to shoulder with newer wine bars, bao shops and more. It’s the kind of place that rewards wandering without a plan. Here’s my up-to-date guide to what to eat, do, drink and see.
TOOTING ESSENTIALS
✈️ Getting There from the Airport / From Heathrow, the quickest route is the Elizabeth Line into Tottenham Court Road, changing onto the Northern line, roughly 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes depending on which Tooting station you’re headed to (Tooting Bec or Tooting Broadway). From Gatwick, the fastest option is the direct Southern/Thameslink train to Clapham Junction (around 30 to 45 minutes), then a short onward hop into Tooting via bus or bus + train. If you’d rather not deal with luggage on public transport after a flight, book a private airport transfer with WelcomePickups.
🚇 Getting There from Central London / The Northern line runs straight down to both Tooting Bec and Tooting Broadway, about 25 to 30 minutes from central London depending on where you’re starting. There’s also a separate Tooting mainline rail station on the Southern/Thameslink network if you’re coming from Clapham Junction, Victoria, or south of the river.
🚶 Getting Around / Tooting itself is small and entirely walkable, everything in this guide is within about 15 minutes on foot of Tooting Broadway station, so there’s no need to think about local transport once you’re here.
What to Eat in Tooting
International food is what Tooting does best, below are my top picks.
Eating in Tooting: If You Only Have One Meal
Daddy Bao (113 Mitcham Road, London SW17 9PE) does fluffy, flavourful bao buns and delicious cocktails. It’s a sister spot to Peckham’s Mr Bao, and it’s always busy, so book ahead if you actually want a table rather than a wait outside.
Barra10 (16 Broadway Market, Tooting High Street, London SW17 0RL) is an Argentinian steakhouse tucked inside Broadway Market, run by an Argentinian chef and his Mexican wife, the kind of place where the smell of the grill hits you before you’ve even sat down. It’s been recommended by TopJaw, and as an Argentinian myself, I can vouch for it too, I visit very frequently. Go hungry, and whatever else you order, do not miss the ox cheek nuggets.
Lahore Karahi (1 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0SN) has been here since 1995 and turns up on nearly every “best curries in London” list going. It’s spicy, and it’s good. It’s also hectic, and the service can be a bit rude, but honestly that’s just part of the charm, you’re not here for hand-holding, you’re here for the tarka dhal and the sizzling lamb chops. Open till late most nights if the craving hits at 11pm.
Juliets (110 Mitcham Road, London SW17 9NG) works great for brunch. A very hipster brunch spot in London, relaxed staff, indy music, all exposed brick and inventive plates like smoked caviar and pumpkin omelette. Everything on the menu is delicious, it genuinely feels like it’s been put together by Michelin-star chefs, not a neighbourhood brunch spot. It’s first-come, first-served, no bookings, so turn up early on weekends or be prepared to hover.
Naked Loaf (70 Moyser Road, Tooting, London SW16 6SQ) does sourdough pizza that’s genuinely one of the best I’ve had in London, full stop.
Eating in Tooting: Brunch
Flora inside Tooting Market does Latin American fusion brunch that’s louder and more colourful than most, now with a bottomless option and DJs at the weekend turning the whole thing into more of an event than a meal.
MUD (141 Mitcham Road, London SW17 9PE) is the classic, meat-focused brunch menu, big plates of eggs and bacon done properly, as well some caribbean fusion dishes. They do big portions so come hungry.
Branché (14 Trinity Road, Tooting Bec, London SW17 7RE) does French street food and an entirely halal, all-day brunch menu, the signature French tacos are worth the trip alone.
Eating in Tooting: South Indian
Radha Krishna Bhavan (86 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0RN) is the one to try if you want your South Indian food a bit gentler on the palate, all soft idlis and coconut-heavy sauces rather than anything that’ll have you reaching for water.
Dosa n Chutney (68 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0RN) does exactly what its name promises and does it well, proper crispy dosas with a spread of chutneys to go with them.
Jaffna House (90 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0RN), London’s oldest Sri Lankan restaurant, does great curry at a genuinely negligible price.
Eating in Tooting: International Food
Little Taperia (143 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0SY) does proper Spanish tapas, the kind of small plates and sherry list that makes an evening stretch out without you noticing.
Meza (34 Trinity Road, Tooting Bec, London SW17 7RE) is the Tooting Bec branch of the Lebanese restaurant, moujadara, creamy houmous, and plenty of grilled meat off the char.
Eating in Tooting: Coffee
Juliets (110 Mitcham Road, London SW17 9NG) doubles as one of the best specialty coffee spots in the area on top of its brunch reputation, think salted espresso butter and a proper chai, not just an afterthought bolted onto the food menu.
Blueprint now has two spots to choose from, 162A Mitcham Road near Tooting Broadway, and a newer branch at 60 Franciscan Road closer to Tooting Bec common, both doing the same reliably good “coffee by design” approach. This is my go-to coffee shop, which I visit daily.
arêvery (116 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0RR) is your daytime coffee spot that quietly turns into a lovely little wine bar come evening, small producers, intentional sourcing, and 30p from every coffee going to the local food bank.
Forty (165 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0SY) is a proper community-run coffee spot, the kind of place that feels like it knows half its customers by their usual order.
Milk Run (16-18 Ritherdon Road, Tooting Bec, London SW17 8QD) is Milk’s (mega popular brunch spot in Balham) sibling, all croissants, pain au chocolat and proper sourdough loaves alongside the coffee, worth the short detour off the main strip.
Eating in Tooting: Fancy Meals
Rosmarino (23 Trinity Road, Tooting Bec, London SW17 7RE) is a small, family-run, proper grown-up Italian, contemporary plates built on seasonal ingredients flown in from Italy, run by a husband and wife who genuinely seem to know every regular by name. Booking ahead is worth it, it’s a small room.
Smoke & Salt (115 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0SY) is tasting-menu only, a rotating six-dish “Culture” menu built around the best produce of the season, with wine pairings if you want to make a proper night of it. Thursday to Saturday only, and it’s small, so book ahead.
Things to Do in Tooting
Tooting has two indoor markets, and honestly, wandering both of them properly is a thing to do in itself.
Wander and Eat at Tooting & Broadway Markets
Tooting Market (21-23 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0SN) is the older of the two markets, a warren of small units where you’ll stumble on something new every visit.
KOI Ramen Bar does a rich, properly bone-deep tonkotsu broth that’s worth queuing for, plus gyoza that disappear off the table faster than you can order more.
Get Juiced does fresh juices and smoothies, and banging açai bowls, good for a quick, cold reset between market stops. Do not leave without trying the all-vegan snickers bar, it’s genuinely one of the best things in the market.
Vermicelli (Unit 11, Tooting Market, 21-23 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0SN) does consistently excellent handmade pasta, rolled out in full view of the market. The owners, Ahmos and Aleksandra, opened it after getting properly obsessed with vermicelli’s history, tracing the pasta back to 14th-century Italy and Maestro Martino da Como, sometimes called the first celebrity chef, and built the whole menu around telling that story properly.
Graveney Gin is a genuinely woman-run gin distillery with its own cocktail bar and bottle shop, the actual stills sitting right there behind the counter, so you can watch what you’re about to drink get made.
Love Art Tooting is a gallery and gift shop stocked with prints and cards from local artists, alongside ceramics, jewellery, books and stationery, genuinely nice gift territory rather than tourist tat.
Slime Bar does exactly what it sounds like, kids make their own slime in a one-hour workshop (or grab a 30-minute session with pre-made slime if patience is short), and it’s been a genuinely popular after-school and birthday party spot here since 2019.
Broadway Market (29 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0RJ), the smaller and newer of the two, is where you’ll find Barra10 (see above).
The Brasa Club (Unit 25, Floor G, Broadway Market Tooting, SW17 0RJ) is genuinely one of the best-reviewed restaurants in the whole neighbourhood, 5 stars from well over a hundred reviews, small plates, ox cheek doughnuts, and everything made from scratch.
Pan Asian Street Food (Unit 24, 29 Broadway Market, London SW17 0RJ) does bao buns, tonkotsu ramen and a proper pork ramen, hundreds of genuinely glowing reviews.
On weekend nights the whole place fills with live music and an energy that’s a world away from a normal shopping trip.
Check Out a Legit Indian Market
Patel Brothers (187 Upper Tooting Road, London SW17 7TG) has been the go-to Indian grocery store here since 1973, shelves stacked floor to ceiling with spices, lentils and snacks imported directly from India, it genuinely feels like you’ve been transported there for the ten minutes you spend browsing.
Buy Fresh Naan
Daily Naan (176 Upper Tooting Road, London SW17 7ER) does naan so fresh it’s still warm when you’re handed it, and I find it an experience in itself just buying the bread!
Play Bingo in an Art Deco Cinema
Buzz Bingo (50 Mitcham Road, London SW17 9NA) is housed inside the old Granada cinema, a genuinely stunning art deco building from 1931 that got converted into a bingo hall in the 70s but kept its original interior. Worth popping your head in just to see the building, even if bingo isn’t usually your thing.
Wander Around Tooting Common
Tooting Common is the proper green space to walk it all off, and next to Tooting Bec tube it connects through to Balham and Streatham if you fancy extending the walk. Head to the pond for the ducks, it’s a genuinely lovely spot to just sit for ten minutes, and there’s a weekly park run if you’re that way inclined. Fun fact: I got engaged by the lake here, so this particular patch of grass is a pretty special one for me.
Cool Off at the UK’s Largest Freshwater Lido
Tooting Bec Lido (Tooting Bec Road, London SW16 1RU) is the largest freshwater swimming pool in the UK, a proper South London institution with those distinctive coloured changing huts you might recognise from Guy Ritchie’s Snatch. Fun fact: it was built in just four months and opened in July 1906 as “Tooting Bathing Lake”, a communal bath for locals who mostly didn’t have their own bathroom at home, which makes 2026 its 120th birthday. It’s open from 1 May to 30 September, and on bank holidays you’ll want to get there early or fight for the last spot in the sun.
Discover a Hidden Sewing Machine Museum
The London Sewing Machine Museum (308 Balham High Road, Tooting Bec, London SW17 7AA) is only open 2pm to 5pm on the first Saturday of each month, but the collection is genuinely something: over 600 sewing machines, one of them gifted to Queen Victoria’s daughter as a wedding present. There’s a haberdashery on site too if you leave inspired to sew something yourself.
Bake Your Own Cake in a Competitive Bake-Off
If you fancy something a bit more competitive than a pint, The Big London Bake runs baking sessions in a twelve-station tent set up in The Castle’s garden, walked through by real patisserie chefs in about 90 minutes. Best done in pairs or a group, and it’s non-alcoholic in the tent itself, though The Castle is right there for a pre or post-bake drink.
Where to Drink in Tooting
Pubs
The Castle (38 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0RG) is a Young’s pub that’s been here since 1832, likely one of the biggest pubs in Tooting by sheer square footage, and its garden, complete with rentable garden huts, is the real draw for a summer get-together.
The Antelope (76 Mitcham Road, London SW17 9NG) is a historic Victorian pub that reopened in April 2026 after a £1 million refurbishment, and thankfully it still feels like the same community pub underneath the polish. Beer garden intact, and a proper Sunday roast now on the menu too.
The Selkirk (60 Selkirk Road, London SW17 0ES) is a gorgeous Victorian two-bar pub tucked just off the main high street on a residential corner, with a surprisingly large walled garden that still feels like something of a locals’ secret. It’s especially good for a Sunday roast, and there’s a room upstairs for hire with a regular run of comedy and trivia nights, worth checking what’s on before you head down since it doesn’t run every single week.
The King’s Head (84 Upper Tooting Road, London SW17 7PB) is a proper piece of Victorian pub architecture, built in 1896 and recognised by CAMRA as a historic interior of national importance, so much so that the actual Euro 2020 trophy did a promotional visit here for a day. Sitting at an awkward midpoint between the two tube stations means it’s rarely as packed as it deserves to be, and with pool tables out back and sport on the screens, it’s a solid pick if you want space to actually sit down.
The Rose and Crown (140 Tooting Bec Road, London SW17 8BH), opposite Tooting Bec Common, is a proper local’s local with fresh pizzas, live sport, and a Sunday night pub quiz that’s worth building your evening around.
Craft Beer
Craft Tooting (143 Mitcham Road, London SW17 9PE) is my favourite London beer shop, full stop. It moved here from Broadway Market in late 2024 and now has six draft taps and a bottle selection that’ll have you standing at the fridge for a good ten minutes deciding.
Br3wery (97 Moyser Road, Furzedown, London SW16) is a bit further out but worth the walk, a proper craft beer taproom with sourdough pizza and natural wine, families and dogs both welcome.
Wine Bars
arêvery (116 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0RR) is your daytime coffee spot that quietly turns into a lovely little wine bar come evening, small producers, intentional sourcing, and 30p from every coffee going to the local food bank.
Indie Wine Club (Tooting Market, 21-23 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0SN) is a proper by-the-glass wine bar right inside the market, a list that changes with the seasons and a genuinely dog-friendly, unpretentious vibe. Closed weekends for private events, so a weekday visit is your best bet.
Cocktail Bars
Goldfinch (145 Mitcham Road, London SW17 9PE) does one of the best negronis in the city, and its fairy-light-covered heated garden, tucked behind an unassuming side entrance, feels like stepping into somewhere entirely different once you’re through it.
Where to Go Out in Tooting
The old Tooting Tram and Social, the converted tram shed everyone used to head to for a late one, closed and reopened in April 2026 as House of Ora, a genuinely different kind of night out for the neighbourhood, live music, DJs, and rotating art installations all in the same building that used to just be somewhere to dance till 2am.
The Candlelight Club (48A Mitcham Road, London SW17 9NA) is a proper 1920s speakeasy behind a secret door, candlelight, live jazz from Red Hot Rhythm Revival, and burlesque from Jolie Papillon. Dress the part, book a Champagne table or the three-course dinner option if you want to make a proper night of it.
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Jurassic Coast Day Trip from London: The Ultimate Guide (2026)
If you’re based in London and looking for a day trip that genuinely takes your breath away, a Jurassic Coast day trip from London is one of the best you can make. Two hours from the capital (or just over by train), the Jurassic Coast stretches 154km from Exmouth in East Devon to Studland Bay in Dorset, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where 185 million years of geological history is exposed in the cliffs. Think towering limestone arches, chalk sea stacks, fossils tumbling onto the beach, and views that look like they belong in a BBC documentary (because they often do).
Wait, Jurassic Coast? Am I going to see dinosaurs? Sadly, no. But you will be walking along 185 million years of geological history instead, with rock formations from the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods and fossils still visible in the cliffs, and that’s honestly just as good.
JURASSIC COAST ESSENTIALS
🚆 Getting There / Trains run from London Waterloo to Weymouth, Dorchester, Bournemouth and Poole, with journey times from around 2 hours 15 minutes. Book on Trainline in advance, fares are significantly cheaper than walk-up tickets.
🚗 Getting Around / The sights are spread out along the coast, so a hire car gives you the flexibility to cover multiple spots (Durdle Door, Corfe Castle, Old Harry Rocks and West Bay, for instance) in one day. I hired a car in London for my visit and it made the whole trip far more enjoyable. Search deals on DiscoverCars.
🎟️ Tours / Rather not drive? Guided day tours from London and local boat cruises are a great option. The best ones to book in advance:
– Jurassic Coast and Isle of Purbeck Day Tour
– Jurassic Coast, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door Bus Tour
– Poole Jurassic Coast Circular Cruise
Browse all Jurassic Coast tours
🏨 Stay / Options for every budget, see the full picks below:
– Budget: YHA Swanage
– Mid-range: Heights Hotel
– Splurge: Moonfleet Manor
📱 Connect / Visiting the UK? Stay connected even once you’re out on the coast path. I use Holafly, use code TRAVELWITHPAU for 5% off.
🛡️ Get Insured / If you are travelling from abroad, it’s worth having cover if you’re planning coastal walks or water activities. World Nomads offers flexible cover for adventure activities.
Things to Do on the Jurassic Coast
1. Stand Beneath Durdle Door
Durdle Door is the Jurassic Coast’s most iconic image: a natural limestone arch thrust out into the sea, with a pebble beach either side and views along the cliff line that stretch to the horizon. This natural wonder is the reason I wanted to come to the Jurassic Coast in the first place, and it’s undeniably breathtaking, absolutely earning its status as one of England’s most photographed spots.
Getting there involves parking at the top (book in advance in summer, the car park fills early) and walking down a steep path to the beach. It’s about 15 minutes down and a sweaty 15 minutes back up, but worth every step. Swim through the arch if the conditions allow, it’s a genuinely memorable experience.
Tip: visit as early as you can, especially at weekends. By mid-morning in summer the beach is rammed and the path down is a queue. At 8am it’s magical.
2. Explore Lulworth Cove
Lulworth Cove is a textbook-perfect natural cove, a near-circular bay carved out of the Jurassic limestone by centuries of wave action. It’s an A-level Geography case study come to life, and it’s genuinely beautiful. The village behind the cove is characterful too, with quaint stone cottages, small ponds in front gardens, and little shops selling coffee, fudge and ice cream.
From Lulworth, you can walk west to Durdle Door in about 30–40 minutes along the cliff path, which gives you spectacular views of both. The hike continues further east along the South West Coast Path towards Kimmeridge if you have the energy and the time.
3. Kayak to Old Harry Rocks
Old Harry Rocks are a series of chalk stacks that rise out of the sea at Handfast Point near Studland, a dramatic, crumbling headland that marks the eastern end of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. They’re impressive from the cliff path, but the best way to see them is by water.
A guided kayaking tour launches from Middle Beach in Studland Bay and takes you paddling past sea caves and rugged cliffs before arriving at Old Harry from the sea, looking up at those white stacks from the waterline. It’s a brilliant experience and fully guided, so no prior kayaking experience is needed. Book the kayaking tour to Old Harry Rocks.
4. Visit Corfe Castle
One of Dorset’s most dramatic sights, Corfe Castle sits on a steep hill above the village of the same name, a ruined Norman fortress that was partly demolished by the Parliamentarians in the 1640s and left in atmospheric collapse. The views from the top are outstanding in every direction. The village below is lovely too: stone houses, independent shops, and a great pub for lunch.
Corfe is also on the Swanage Steam Railway, which adds a nostalgic extra layer to the visit. Combine it with Swanage (a classic English seaside town just a short drive or a steam train ride away) for an excellent half-day.
5. Walk Chesil Beach
Chesil Beach is one of the most remarkable landforms in the UK: a 29km barrier beach (technically a tombolo) connecting the Isle of Portland to the mainland, made entirely of graduated pebbles, coarser at the Portland end, finer towards Abbotsbury. Walking along it in strong wind, with the sea churning on one side and the Fleet lagoon behind, feels genuinely elemental.
The Fleet lagoon behind the beach is an important wildlife habitat and home to a large colony of mute swans at the Abbotsbury Swannery. At the Portland end, the beach connects to the Isle of Portland, which is worth an afternoon of exploration in itself.
6. Explore the Isle of Portland
The Isle of Portland is connected to Weymouth by Chesil Beach, a narrow causeway that makes the approach feel almost theatrical. This is the home of Portland stone, which has been used for major buildings across Britain and the world, including St Paul’s Cathedral and Buckingham Palace. Once you’ve crossed the beach road, pop by Portland Castle before continuing towards the lighthouse, and stop at the Olympic Rings Stone Sculpture on the way, the sculpture itself isn’t much, but the views over Portland and Chesil Beach from up there are stunning.
Head for Portland Bill Lighthouse at the southern tip, where you’ll find the remains of old quarries, strange rock formations, and sweeping views of the English Channel, the quarries here are what provided the white Portland stone in the first place. Park up and go for a walk on the rocks near the lighthouse, and have some fun climbing Pulpit Rock, an artificial stack set by quarrymen that mimics a slanted bible leaning on a pulpit, hence the name. Keep an eye on the rocks as you go, there are fossils visible in them too.
The cottages along the road to the lighthouse are some of the most characterful you’ll see anywhere in Dorset, small and slightly eccentric, with the sea visible from every angle.
7. Meet the Primates at Monkey World
Just inland from Lulworth, near the village of Wool, Monkey World is an ape rescue centre set across 65 acres of Dorset woodland, home to over 250 primates rescued from abuse and illegal smuggling: chimpanzees, orang-utans, gibbons, woolly monkeys, lemurs and more. It’s a brilliant break from clifftop walking if you’re travelling with kids (or just love primates), and genuinely one of the best family days out in the area. Open daily 10am to 5pm. Wool train station is about 1.5 miles away with taxis usually available, so it’s reachable even without a car. Check opening times and book tickets on the official site.
8. Hunt for Fossils at Charmouth
Charmouth is one of the best places in the UK for amateur fossil hunting, the beach regularly yields ammonites, ichthyosaur bones and belemnites, particularly after winter storms when new material is washed out of the eroding cliffs. The Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre (formerly the Lyme Regis Museum) has interactive displays, a fossil identification service, and guided fossil walks that take you onto the beach with an expert. Perfect for families and anyone who’s ever wanted to hold a 180-million-year-old ammonite. Book a guided fossil walk directly with the Heritage Coast Centre.
9. Spend an Afternoon in Lyme Regis
Lyme Regis is the Jurassic Coast’s most beloved town, a mix of fossil heritage, independent shops, good restaurants, and a working harbour with fishing boats. The famous Cobb harbour wall (made famous by The French Lieutenant’s Woman) is worth a stroll, and the town beach is excellent for fossil hunting at low tide. Grab fish and chips or fresh crab and eat on the beach wall. It’s exactly what a seaside town should be.
10. Find the Broadchurch Filming Locations at West Bay
Fans of the ITV crime drama Broadchurch will recognise the dramatic golden cliffs of West Bay, near Bridport, this small harbour village stood in for the fictional Broadchurch throughout the series, and the cliffs are just as imposing in real life. The Hive Beach Café nearby is one of the best places on the entire Jurassic Coast for a seafood lunch, their crab sandwiches and daily fish specials are exceptional, and the views across Lyme Bay are the kind that make you want to stay for another coffee.
11. Walk the South West Coast Path
The South West Coast Path runs the entire length of the English and Cornish coast, and the Jurassic Coast section between Lyme Regis and Poole is one of its finest stretches. You don’t have to walk the whole thing (it’s 1,014km end to end), but picking a section for a few hours is one of the best free things you can do here. The stretch from Lulworth Cove east to Kimmeridge Bay is particularly spectacular, as is the cliff walk above Old Harry Rocks.
12. Discover Weymouth
Weymouth sits roughly at the midpoint of the Jurassic Coast and makes an excellent base if you’re spending more than a day. The Georgian harbour is lovely for a wander, the esplanade stretches along a wide sandy beach, and there’s a proper seaside energy here, arcades, fish and chips, and people very much enjoying themselves. The Boat Café on the water is great for breakfast.
13. Explore Swanage
Swanage is a genuinely lovely, slightly under-the-radar seaside town at the southeastern end of the Isle of Purbeck. Clean beach, interesting architecture, good independent cafés, and a steam railway that chugs between here and Corfe Castle. It’s quieter than Weymouth and has a lovely unhurried feel, worth an afternoon if you’re in the area.
14. Take a Cruise Along the Coast
135 minutes round trip. For a different view of the coast entirely, the Poole Jurassic Coast Circular Cruise sails from Poole Harbour to Swanage and back, taking in the Sandbanks Peninsula, Brownsea Island, Studland Bay and the famous Old Harry Rocks along the way. There’s live commentary from the captain throughout and a fully licensed bar onboard, and it’s genuinely well-reviewed, 4.4 out of 5 from over 400 bookings.
Where to Stay on the Jurassic Coast
You can stay anywhere along the coast depending on your itinerary, here are the best-reviewed options by budget:
Budget Accommodation
- YHA Swanage: Clean, friendly hostel close to the beach and close to the South West Coast Path. Good for solo travellers and those prioritising getting out early for walking. Best for: solo walkers, backpackers, budget-conscious visitors.
Mid-range
- Heights Hotel (Isle of Portland): Perched above Chesil Beach with excellent views and easy access to both Portland and Weymouth. Good value and a practical base for the central section of the Jurassic Coast. Best for: explorers, couples, longer stays.
Splurge
- Moonfleet Manor (near Weymouth): A country house hotel with spa, sea views, and extensive family facilities. If you’re making a proper weekend of it rather than a day trip, this is a beautiful retreat, the kind of place where you arrive planning to check emails and end up spending the whole afternoon by the pool. Best for: couples, families, a romantic weekend.
Camping is also fantastic along this stretch of coast, there are excellent coastal campsites near Lulworth and Charmouth. None of these float your boat? Search all Dorset accommodation.
Where to Eat on the Jurassic Coast
Burton Bradstock
Hive Beach Café: Arguably the best seafood spot on the coast. Famous for fresh crab sandwiches and daily fish specials, with panoramic views of Lyme Bay. Arrive early or outside peak hours, it gets busy.
The Seaside Boarding House: A beautiful spot for an evening cocktail with panoramic sea views. The kind of place you go for a drink and end up staying for dinner.
Weymouth
Crab House Café: A relaxed, oyster-shack-style spot right on the water, another excellent lunch option if Hive Beach is too much of a detour.
Catch at The Old Fish Market: Seafood-focused fine dining with a Michelin recommendation. Perfect for a special dinner if you’re staying overnight.
The Boat Café: A floating café on the harbour serving hearty breakfasts, good coffee, and a relaxed waterfront vibe. My pick for a morning start.
Lyme Regis
Hix Oyster & Fish House: Mark Hix’s Dorset seafood restaurant, unfussy dishes built around whatever the local fishermen brought in that day, floor-to-ceiling windows over the bay and a covered deck that’s perfect for a sundowner.
Rockfish: Proper fish and chips done well, whatever’s been landed that morning cooked to order with your choice of new potatoes, salad or chips. Casual, reliable, and dog-friendly if you’re travelling with one.
Beyond these, the town has a good range of independent cafés and fish and chip shops along the seafront too, it’s the best place for a casual sit-down lunch on the coast.
How Long to Spend
One day: Absolutely doable as a day trip from London. Focus on one area: either Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove (western section) or Old Harry Rocks and Corfe Castle (eastern section). Don’t try to do both in a day on your own, you’ll feel rushed. If you’d rather let someone else handle the logistics, the Jurassic Coast and Isle of Purbeck Day Tour actually covers both sections in a single 10-hour day, Corfe Castle and Old Harry Rocks in the morning, Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door in the afternoon.
Two days: The ideal amount of time to cover the main highlights: Durdle Door, Lulworth, Corfe Castle, Weymouth, and either West Bay or Lyme Regis. Add a fossil hunt at Charmouth if time allows.
Weekend or longer: Stay for 3 to 4 nights and walk sections of the South West Coast Path, explore the Isle of Portland properly, and genuinely slow down. This coastline rewards those who linger.
Best Time to Visit the Jurassic Coast
The Jurassic Coast is walkable year-round, but the experience varies significantly by season.
Spring (April–June) is my personal recommendation for a Jurassic Coast day trip from London: wildflowers on the cliff paths, fewer crowds than summer, and long enough daylight hours to make the most of a day out. The water is still cold for swimming but the coastal walks are at their best.
Summer (July–August) is peak season, Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove get extremely busy, especially at weekends. If you’re visiting in summer, go early. I cannot stress this enough: arriving at Durdle Door at 8am on a summer Saturday is a completely different experience to arriving at 11am. The car parks fill fast and the steps down to the arch become bottlenecked with people.
Autumn (September–October) offers a great balance, the sea is at its warmest for swimming, crowds thin out noticeably from September, and the light on the cliffs in early autumn is absolutely gorgeous.
Winter (November–March) is dramatically quiet and can be stunning for photography, dramatic skies, rough seas, the cliffs looking their most ancient and wild. Fossil hunting on Charmouth beach is particularly good after winter storms when fresh material is washed up. Just dress warmly and check weather forecasts before you go.
Getting To & Around the Jurassic Coast
The most straightforward way to do a Jurassic Coast day trip from London without a car is by train. Services run from London Waterloo to Weymouth (around 2h30), Bournemouth (around 2h) and Poole (around 2h15), and from Bournemouth or Poole you can pick up local buses to Swanage, Corfe Castle and the Isle of Purbeck. Book advance tickets on Trainline, fares are much cheaper when booked ahead. National Express coaches also run to Bournemouth from London Victoria, the most affordable option if you don’t mind a longer journey.
A hire car is the most flexible option and really does make a big difference to how much you can see in a day. I drove from London and it gave me the freedom to visit Durdle Door, Lulworth, Corfe Castle, the Isle of Portland and West Bay all in one trip, which would be logistically tricky by public transport. Search for the best rates on DiscoverCars. Once you’re in Dorset, the Jurassic Coaster bus service runs along the coast between Bournemouth and Exeter, stopping at key spots, and the Swanage Steam Railway connects Swanage to Corfe Castle and Norden.
Jurassic Coast FAQ
How do I get to the Jurassic Coast from London?
By train, take a service from London Waterloo to Weymouth, Bournemouth or Poole, journey times are 2h15 to 2h30 depending on the destination. Book in advance on Trainline for the best fares. From Bournemouth or Poole, local buses and the Swanage Steam Railway connect to key sites like Corfe Castle and Studland. By car, it’s just over two hours from London, and it’s the easier option if you want to cover multiple spots in one day. Search DiscoverCars for hire rates.
What is the most iconic thing to see on the Jurassic Coast?
Durdle Door, a natural limestone arch above a pebble beach, is the Jurassic Coast’s most photographed landmark. Lulworth Cove, Old Harry Rocks, and the cliffs at West Bay (as seen in Broadchurch) are close runners-up.
Is a car necessary for a Jurassic Coast day trip?
Not essential, but it makes a huge difference to how much you can see. Trains get you to Weymouth or Bournemouth easily, and buses connect some coastal spots, but to visit Durdle Door, Corfe Castle and West Bay in the same day, a car is the most practical option. Search DiscoverCars for hire rates.
When is the best time to visit the Jurassic Coast?
Spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October) offer the best combination of good weather, manageable crowds and beautiful light. Summer is stunning but Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove get very busy, visit early morning on summer weekends. Winter is dramatic and brilliant for fossil hunting after storms.
Can you swim at Durdle Door?
Yes, and it’s one of the best swims you can have in England. The beach is pebbly and the water is cold even in summer, but swimming through the arch is a genuinely memorable experience. Always check conditions before swimming, the area can have unpredictable currents.
Where is the best place to find fossils on the Jurassic Coast?
Charmouth and Lyme Regis are the best locations for amateur fossil hunters. The beach at Charmouth (particularly at low tide after winter storms) regularly yields ammonites and belemnites. The Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre runs guided fossil walks and can help you identify what you find.
More from the blog: Brighton Bucket List | Visiting Rye & Camber Sands | Southend-on-Sea & Leigh-on-Sea
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Best Things to Do in London at Christmas with Kids 2026 (with Prices)
London properly leans into Christmas, and if you’re planning a festive trip with children this year, you’re spoilt for choice. I’ve pulled together everything from the big-ticket immersive experiences to the free stuff you can just wander into, so you can actually plan a few days instead of scrolling ten different “best of” lists.
A few of these change their dates and prices every year, so I’ve included the most current 2026/27 information I could find, but always double check before you book. I’ll be keeping this updated once a week throughout the Christmas season too, so check back if you’re planning ahead.
LONDON CHRISTMAS WITH KIDS ESSENTIALS
🎟️ Tickets / Book your big days out in advance, especially Winter Wonderland and Hogwarts in the Snow, both sell out their best time slots weeks ahead over December. Book your Winter Wonderland entry slot here.
🚇 Getting Around / An Oyster card or contactless bank card is all you need for the Tube, buses and most trains within London, just tap in and out and it caps your daily spend automatically. If you’re heading out to Windsor or Chessington for the day, book your train in advance on Trainline for the cheapest fares.
✈️ Getting There / Flying in for a festive city break? Search flights on Skyscanner, and book a private airport transfer with WelcomePickups so you’re not wrangling kids and suitcases on public transport after a long flight.
🏨 Stay / London hotel prices climb fast in December, so book early. Skip the endless scrolling, these are the ones I’d point a friend toward (full picks in Where to Stay below): Search and compare all London hotels.
📱 Connect / Stay connected from the moment you land with an eSIM. I use Holafly, use code TRAVELWITHPAU for 5% off.
🛡️ Get Insured / Things can and do go wrong when you travel, especially with kids in tow over a busy holiday period. World Nomads offers coverage for over 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Things to Do at Christmas in London with Kids
1. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland is the big one, and if you only do one Christmas thing in London with kids, this is probably it. It runs from 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 in Hyde Park, with 150 plus rides, attractions and shows including a new Peter Pan themed Magical Ice Kingdom for 2026, the Giant Wheel, an ice rink and an ice bar. Entry itself is free, but you need to pre-book a timed entry slot. Book direct through hydeparkwinterwonderland.com, this is the official ticketing route, not a third-party reseller. Monday to Thursday sessions in November are just £1.
2. Christmas at Kew Gardens
Christmas at Kew turns the botanic gardens into an after-dark light trail, running from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Expect illuminated tunnels, immersive installations and a visit from Father Christmas, plus a traditional festive fairground near the Temperate House with rides for all ages. Already almost sold out, so book your Christmas at Kew ticket here. From £29.50 for adults, £20 for children, under 4s free.
3. Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
If you’ve got Harry Potter fans in the family, Hogwarts in the Snow is worth the trip out to Leavesden. It runs from 14 November 2026 to 17 January 2027, included in the regular studio tour ticket at no extra cost, and sees the Great Hall and the Hogwarts model dusted in fake snow for the season. The easiest way to do it without a car is a ticket that bundles in coach transport from central London. Book Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour with coach transport. From £130 adults, £55 children (5-15), £188 family ticket, under 5s free for tickets including a coach from London.
4. Ice Skating
London does not lack for pretty places to fall over on ice.
Somerset House brings back its rink in the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Courtyard next to a 40ft Christmas tree, running from 12 November to 11 January, sessions have typically run from around £18 to £26 depending on the time slot in past seasons.
Hampton Court Palace has one of the prettiest settings of the lot, skating right in front of the Tudor palace, with Santa on Ice sessions and live ice-sculpting on selected dates, tickets from £18 to £21. If you want to make a day of it, the palace’s own Winter Palace festive programme runs from 28 November to 3 January, included in normal palace admission and open to all ages (children need to be accompanied), with timed entry every 30 minutes. There’s also a Festive Fayre on 4 to 6 and 11 to 13 December, so book your palace ticket ahead if you’re going on one of those days. The rink is a separate ticket.
Glide at Battersea Power Station runs three interconnected rinks around a 30ft tree from 6 November to 3 January, plus a new riverside skate trail through the trees, tickets from £16 for adults or £48 for a family ticket.
Skate Leicester Square is right in the middle of the West End, tickets from £14.50 for adults, £9.50 for children, or £40 for a family ticket.
Book direct through each venue’s own website, availability moves fast closer to Christmas, and exact prices for this season are confirmed nearer the time.
5. Christmas at The Paddington Bear Experience
Over at County Hall, The Paddington Bear Experience gets a Christmas makeover from around 12 November to 5 January, with an immersive walkthrough, a decorated Christmas tree and festive treats for younger kids. Book your entry ticket here. From £44, under 2s free.
6. London Christmas Village, Shepherd’s Bush Green
New for 2026, London Christmas Village at Shepherd’s Bush Green is an immersive Dickensian storytelling walkthrough running from 28 November to 23 December. It’s too new to have reviews yet, but the Dickensian theming makes it a nice fit if your family has already done the more established options. Book your London Christmas Village tickets here. Tickets from £15.
7. Meet Father Christmas at Hamleys
Hamleys on Regent Street turns into a proper winter wonderland every December, and children can step inside a cosy grotto for around 40 minutes with Father Christmas himself. It’s one of the most famous grottos in London and tickets went on sale on 23 September and sell out quickly, so book soon through the Hamleys website. Prices run from roughly £75 up to £195 depending on the date and group size, with the days closest to Christmas costing the most.
8. London’s Christmas Lights
This one’s free. Walk down Oxford Street and Regent Street for the big overhead light displays, then head to Covent Garden for the giant tree in the Piazza. It’s an easy, low-cost way to spend an evening and works well tagged onto the end of another activity in the West End. If you’d rather sit back with tired little legs than walk the whole route, book an open-top vintage bus tour of the lights instead, it covers Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and more in about 75 minutes.
9. Character Christmas Lights Bus Tours
If you’ve already got a Paddington fan in the family, there’s a Paddington-themed Christmas Lights bus tour that does the same kind of route with Paddington on board. For PAW Patrol fans, there’s a PAW Patrol Christmas Lights bus tour too, with clue-solving, an activity book and Christmas afternoon tea built into the ride. And for Peppa Pig fans, a Peppa Pig Christmas Lights bus tour covers a similar route from Temple, past Tower Bridge, St Paul’s, Piccadilly Circus and Big Ben, with sing-alongs and interactive tablets on board.
10. The Polar Express Train Ride
If your kids love the film, The Polar Express Train Ride at Euston Station is worth booking early, it sells out. It’s a genuine train journey with theatrical performances, a light show, character meet-and-greets, hot chocolate and a cookie, and a Santa visit at the end, running on selected dates from 5 to 23 December. Book direct through londonthepolarexpressride.com. From £69, under 2s on a lap from £5.
11. Meet Santa at London Transport Museum
London Transport Museum in Covent Garden puts on one of the better low-key Christmas outings for younger kids: Santa arrives in an interactive sleigh from 27 November to 23 December, and there’s a festive family trail running right through January exploring 200 years of seasonal transport history, and it’s small enough not to turn into a whole-day slog if you’ve already got a big attraction booked the same day. Book direct through the London Transport Museum website. Adult admission around £27 (doubles as a 12-month pass), kids go free.
While you’re museum-hopping, swing past the Natural History Museum in South Kensington too, its animatronic T. rex gets dressed in a giant Christmas jumper and Santa hat every December in the Dinosaur Gallery, free to see and always a hit with younger kids.
12. Wander a Christmas Market
For an easy, mostly-free evening, the Southbank Centre Winter Market, also known as Christmas by the River, runs along the Thames from Jubilee Gardens to Waterloo Bridge, alpine-style chalets, a visiting Santa, and it’s right by the London Eye if you want to combine it with a ride. Browsing is free, you just pay for food, drink and any craft stalls that catch your eye. Covent Garden and Greenwich both run their own smaller markets too if you want to spread the wandering across more than one evening.
13. The Magic of Christmas at London Zoo
London Zoo runs its own Christmas programme from late November to Christmas Eve, with festive animal talks and crafts included in normal entry, plus a separate bookable Meet Santa experience (on selected dates from 21 November to 24 December) where kids do a bit of Christmas crafting before heading into the grotto. It’s a nice way to combine a day out you’d probably do anyway with something properly festive, rather than a standalone Christmas-only ticket. Book direct through the London Zoo website. Entry from around £32 adult, Meet Santa experience from around £19 per child.
14. Gingerbread City
Gingerbread City at Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross is a genuinely impressive annual exhibition, an entire miniature city built from gingerbread, candy and icing, running from late November to early January. There are also family gingerbread-building workshops if your kids want to do more than just look. Book direct through the Museum of Architecture. From £8.50 for a child, £13.50 for an adult.
15. Taste Film Cinematic Dining
If your kids are old enough to sit through a proper sit-down dinner, Taste Film runs themed cinematic dining experiences across London, a multi-course menu synced to key moments as a film plays. All three of this year’s Christmas options are rated PG with a minimum age of 5, so they work best as a one-off treat rather than a regular day-out option: How The Grinch Stole Christmas at The Moniker (November and December), Elf at New Street Square (December), and The Nightmare Before Christmas at Parlour in Kensal Rise (November). Around £80 to £100 a head depending on venue and course count.
16. Chelsea Winter Illuminations
Chelsea Winter Illuminations at the Royal Hospital Chelsea is the only light trail in central London, over 30,000 illuminated white roses through Ranelagh Gardens, running from 25 November to 28 December. The Winter Village itself (markets, workshops, pop-up choirs) is free to enter, the illuminations trail needs a ticket. Book direct through the Royal Hospital Chelsea website. Last season’s illuminations tickets ran from £15 (off-peak) to £25 (peak), children from £5.
17. Phantom Peak
Phantom Peak is one of my own favourites on this list, an immersive open-world experience where you wander a whole built town solving puzzles and interacting with characters in character. The original Canada Water venue closed after 625 performances, but it’s back from 4 December 2026 at a bigger new home in Westfield Stratford City, multi-level, fully accessible, with three distinct storylines and a proper themed bar. Given how seasonal-storyline-driven these immersive experiences tend to be, and that reopening date landing right at the start of December, I’d be amazed if it doesn’t come back with a Christmas theme worked in somewhere. Book your Phantom Peak tickets here. Dynamic pricing, from £39.90 to £65.10 adults, £29.40 to £53.55 under 18s, earlier dates are cheaper.
18. Wundrful World of Christmas
For younger kids specifically, Wundrful World of Christmas at Immerse LDN on the ExCeL Waterfront is one of the more elaborate Santa experiences on this list, a mixed-reality walk-through where you travel to the North Pole, help out in the Elves’ Workshop and Toy Sorting Station, visit Mrs Claus’s Kitchen, and finish with a proper sit-down with Father Christmas himself and a photo. It runs on selected days from 13 November to 24 December, and every child needs a ticket, including babies in arms (free under 12 months). The nearest station is Custom House on the Elizabeth line and DLR. Book your Wundrful World of Christmas tickets here. From £24.90.
19. Christmas Fair at Fulham Palace
A properly festive family day out rather than just a browse, Christmas fair at Fulham Palace fills the historic Palace and grounds with independent market stalls, Christmas crafts and badge-making for younger kids, a themed trail around the Palace, live carols from local choirs in the Tudor courtyard, and a community Christmas tree showcase you get to vote on. It runs Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December, 11am to 4pm, tickets are £3 for children and £5 for adults. Buggies and prams need to stay in the designated outdoor parking areas, and food and drink aren’t allowed inside the Palace’s historic rooms. Book your Christmas fair at Fulham Palace tickets here.
20. Santa’s Winter Garden at Fulham Palace
New this year and selling fast, Santa’s Winter Garden turns the walled gardens of Fulham Palace into a snowy North Pole, with real snow effects, twinkling lights and a magical wardrobe to step through on your way in. The path ends with a visit to Santa himself. It runs from 20 November to 23 December, and it’s a separate thing from the December Christmas fair above, so you could happily do both. Book Santa’s Winter Garden tickets here. From £38 per child and £20 per adult on the quietest days, up to £67 per child and £38 per adult at peak times, plus a £5.50 booking fee per order.
21. Christmas at Woolwich Works
If you’re south-east of the river, Woolwich Works is a lovely, much calmer alternative to the big-name grottos. Santa’s Grotto runs on selected days from 28 November to 23 December, with a reading corner, a colouring table, a letter to post to Santa, a hunt for hidden elves and a photo with the man himself, plus quiet sessions on weekend mornings. From £13.50 per child including the booking fee. Alongside it are The Elf Factory, a playful non-verbal show for all ages on 13 December (1pm and 3pm, £17.50), Santa’s Silent Disco on 19 December from 4pm to 6pm (all ages, £12.50) and a Baby Gospel Christmas Family Concert on 21 December at 11am (around 45 minutes, recommended for ages 0 to 8, from £11.50 for children). See the full Christmas at Woolwich Works programme.
London Christmas Shows for Kids
London does not hold back on festive theatre, there’s a genuinely good spread of family shows every year, sorted roughly by age below so you can pick the right one for your kids rather than gamble on a panto that’s too loud or too babyish.
For toddlers and younger children:
Christmas Lights at the Polka Theatre in Wimbledon (11 to 22 November, ages 1 to 4) is a visual, mostly wordless show with integrated BSL about two characters lighting up their house for Christmas, with a play session in the snow-covered garden afterwards.
Dear Santa at Battersea Arts Centre (28 November to 24 December, ages 2 to 6) is based on the Dear Zoo author’s book, and kids get to meet Santa and take home a gift after the show, it runs on Battersea Arts Centre’s pay-what-you-can model with a suggested price around £10.
There’s A Bear On My Chair at the Southbank Centre (early December to 3 January, ages 2 to 7, around 55 minutes) is a puppetry show about a mouse reclaiming his chair from an enormous bear, with tickets from £16 plus a booking fee.
The Snowflake at Little Angel Theatre (21 November to 23 January, ages 2 to 5) is a gentle puppet retelling of Benji Davies’ picture book, tickets £18 for adults and £16 for children.
For older kids:
The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre (21 November to 3 January, all ages) is the reliable classic, a new staging this year from the Birmingham Rep, still built around Raymond Briggs’ story and that soaring “Walking in the Air” score, tickets from £18 to £75, with off-peak family packages from around £105 for 3 and £140 for 4.
Pinocchio at Shakespeare’s Globe (28 November to 3 January, age 5+) tells the story through life-sized puppets in a full musical staging, standing tickets from around £13, seated from a bit more.
Santa’s First Christmas at the Unicorn Theatre (14 November to 3 January, age 4+) is a dance and music piece about the elves giving Santa a taste of Christmas magic for once.
Scruff’s Christmas Adventure, also at Little Angel Theatre (28 November to 3 January, ages 3 to 8), follows a puppet dog trying to work out the perfect Christmas gift for his owner, tickets £18 for adults and £16 for children.
Stick Man at the Bloomsbury Theatre (3 December to 3 January, all ages) is now in its 15th Christmas season, a stage adaptation of the Julia Donaldson favourite, a tight 60 minutes with no interval, good if you’re not confident your kids will sit through a longer show, tickets from around £19 up to £37 for the best seats.
For a proper pantomime: the London Palladium has the biggest-name cast in town this year. Cinderella runs from 5 December to 10 January with Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders as the Ugly Sisters and Julian Clary as the Fairy Godfather, loud and silly and made for full audience participation, with tickets from £25.
For a bigger spectacle: Scrooge: A Cirque Extravaganza at ExCeL London (23 to 28 December, age 3+) puts a genuine circus twist on A Christmas Carol, aerialists, fire tricks and stilt walkers included, tickets from £38.
For a calmer evening: London’s Candlelight concert series runs dozens of Christmas-themed evenings in churches and halls across the city, string quartets performing by candlelight. Not every one is aimed at kids, but a few are a genuinely lovely, quiet family outing, the Nutcracker Suite performances and the Disney Love Songs and Christmas Movie Soundtracks evenings especially. Browse all Christmas Candlelight concerts in London here and pick one that suits your family.
Close to London Christmas Day Trips with Kids
LEGOLAND Windsor Christmas
LEGOLAND Windsor runs its Christmas event from 21 November 2026 to 2 January 2027. It’s genuinely the one big Merlin Christmas event worth the trip for younger kids who love the rides and the Lego builds. It’s about an hour from central London by train to Windsor & Eton Central, book direct through book direct on Legoland’s website here. From £34, Father Christmas grotto upgrade from £27.50 per child.
Chessington’s Christmas Village
Chessington World of Adventures puts on its own Christmas Village, Winter’s Tail, with a Santa’s grotto, a silent disco and an Elves’ Toy Workshop, running from 22 November to 31 December. Book before 24 December for the best price. It’s around 40 minutes from central London by train, book direct in Chessington’s website here. From £35 per person.
Where to Stay in London at Christmas with Kids
Budget Accommodation
- Premier Inn London County Hall: I wouldn’t call it exciting, but that’s kind of the point at Christmas when you’re already spending on everything else. Reliable, no-frills rooms right by the London Eye and the Southbank, and after a long day out you can just walk along the river to the Christmas market stalls rather than deal with the Tube. Best for: families who want to be central without paying central prices.
Mid-range
- The Tower Hotel: This is the one I’d pick if I wanted the kids to wake up to an actual view, Tower Bridge right there out the window. Family rooms are available, and it’s an easy walk to Borough Market’s own festive stalls if you fancy mulled wine with your breakfast pastry. Best for: families who want a bit more space and a proper “we’re actually in London” moment.
Splurge
- The Langham, London: Properly grand, and genuinely one of the most festive hotels in London, close enough to Oxford Street’s lights that you can walk the whole strip straight from the front door. Their Christmas afternoon tea is an event in itself, worth booking even if you’re not staying the night. Best for: a treat-yourself Christmas trip where the hotel is part of the occasion, not just where you sleep.
- Ham Yard Hotel: If I were building a trip entirely around the hotel, this is where I’d stay. The Kit Kemp-designed Christmas trees fill the lobby, handmade stockings hang above the fire in the Drawing Room and Library, and a full Gingerbread Village goes up in early December, it’s genuinely one of the loveliest lobbies in London to just sit in with a hot chocolate and watch the world go by. Best for: families who want the hotel itself to be one of the days out, not just a place to collapse at the end of one.
None of these float your boat? Search all London hotels.
Where to Eat in London at Christmas with Kids
Christmas afternoon tea is a whole genre in London, and most of the big hotels do a festive version with mince pies, gingerbread and hot chocolate worked into the usual sandwiches and scones. Look for kid-friendly sittings, some hotels run earlier slots specifically so families can bring younger children. Three genuinely worth booking:
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Festive Afternoon Tea at One Aldwych is the most imaginative of the lot, a whole children’s menu themed around Roald Dahl’s book, Fizzy Lifting Drinks included, from £55 per child.
Children’s Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason, served in the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon decked out for the season with sparkling trees and fairy lights, is the classic, glamorous choice, for ages 4 to 10, from £60 per child.
Festive Afternoon Tea at The Library, London Marriott Hotel County Hall is the one to pick for the view, Big Ben right across the river, and it comes with a welcome gift for kids and a complimentary sweet shop too.
For something more casual, Borough Market and Southbank Centre Winter Market both have street food stalls doing mulled wine for the grown-ups and hot chocolate for the kids, good for grabbing lunch between attractions rather than a sit-down meal.
How Long to Stay in London at Christmas with Kids
A weekend (2 to 3 days) is enough to do Winter Wonderland, one immersive experience and a wander through the lights, if you’re not trying to squeeze in a day trip as well.
4 to 5 days gives you room to add one of the day trips, LEGOLAND Windsor or Chessington, without rushing everything else, and leaves a spare evening for ice skating.
A week or more lets you spread things out properly, especially useful if you’ve got a mix of ages in the family and want to alternate big, busy days with quieter ones like the Christmas lights walk or a pantomime.
Best Time to Visit London at Christmas with Kids
Early to mid-December hits the sweet spot: the lights and grottos are all open, but it’s before the really frantic final week before Christmas when everywhere gets packed and prices peak. If you can travel on a weekday rather than a weekend, you’ll find shorter queues at the big attractions and cheaper off-peak entry, Winter Wonderland’s £1 Monday to Thursday November sessions are the standout deal if your half-term dates allow it.
Getting To & Around London
Most international families fly into Heathrow, Gatwick or London City, all of which connect into central London by train or the Underground within an hour. Search flights on Skyscanner, and if you’d rather not deal with luggage and tired kids on public transport after a long flight, book a private airport transfer with WelcomePickups instead. If you’re coming from elsewhere in the UK or Europe, Eurostar into St Pancras or a direct train are both easy options, especially useful in December when airports get busy with holiday traffic. Once you’re in London, the Tube and buses cover everywhere in this guide, just tap in with a contactless card or an Oyster card and the system caps your daily fare automatically, no need to work out zones or buy individual tickets.
London at Christmas with Kids FAQ
Is Winter Wonderland free for kids?
Entry to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland itself is free for everyone, adults and children, but you must pre-book a timed entry ticket. Individual rides and attractions inside are paid for separately, or bundled into a wristband package.
What is the best free Christmas thing to do in London with kids?
Walking the Christmas lights on Oxford Street and Regent Street, then finishing at the tree in Covent Garden, is completely free and works well as an evening activity tagged onto another day out.
Do I need to book Hogwarts in the Snow in advance?
Yes. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London tickets, including the Christmas Hogwarts in the Snow dressing, sell out well in advance over the festive period, especially for weekend and school holiday dates, so book as early as you can.
Is Chessington or LEGOLAND better for younger kids at Christmas?
LEGOLAND Windsor tends to suit slightly younger children better thanks to its gentler rides and Lego-building activities, while Chessington’s Christmas Village works well across a wider age range with its Santa’s grotto and silent disco.
Is London expensive for a Christmas trip with kids?
It can be, especially for hotels and the big-ticket attractions in December, but there’s a genuine mix of free things to do (the lights, window displays, wandering the markets) alongside the paid attractions, so it’s easy to balance a trip around your budget.
