The parks, our great allies in London
London , that of punk, that of the great concerts, that of the essential museums , the one with everything that's cool, is the city you go to when you're young. But it is also the city to which one returns a thousand times: a new exhibition , that trendy restaurant , the penultimate gentrified neighborhood … The excuses are endless, and the flights are daily, so the strange thing, really, is that you haven't already been to London hundreds of times.
The day comes, however, when you travel to the home of Queen Elizabeth with a +1, with a chubby and meaty addition in the form of a baby. Babies, in general, adapt quite well to one's plans -if we obviously ignore those that include watching the sunrise from the door of a bar-, but around seven months, babies, oh, they also demand their share of fun . The toll to pay if it is not granted is quite high, and it will come back to us with the force of a boomerang in the form of cries, whimpers and tantrums .
Exploring London with babies will be different, but also great
Since no one wants to lug around a cranky baby on vacation, ideally devote part of the day to recreation , which, in the end, will also be ours. And be careful here, because London -the one with the cool shops, the traffic jams, the curry stalls- can be a wonderful place for it. Take note:
WHERE TO PLAY
1. PARKS
It is a blessing that there are so many green areas scattered around the city, and in them it seems that we entered through a magical door to the idyllic English countryside. Each one has something fascinating for babies, but let's start with the swing parks: the one in Hyde Park it has one as a small bamboo forest, which is located near South Carriage Drive -and which is next to a cafeteria with a terrace-; the of Victoria Tower Gardens It also has a children's area, Horse Ferry Playground , with a sandbox and water games, while in Kensington Gardens there is the Diana Memorial Playground , inspired by the adventures of Peter Pan and constantly watched.
The deer of Greenwhich Park will fascinate the little ones
Bushy and Greenwhich Park They both have a colony of deer ; that of St. James's, another of pelicans. Regent's houses the Open Air Theater , an open-air theater that often puts on shows for babies and children, and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park , whose huge Tumbling Bay Playground It has been designed by playground experts. And they all have large expanses of lawn on which to roll happily.
CORAM'S FIELDS
This complex of more than 30,000 square meters dedicated to children not only has a spectacular swing park : also an indoor area for children under five with a padded play area specifically for children under two years of age , a reading area, another for creativity and another for resting, as well as spaces to play with water and sand.
In addition, they have a complete program which changes every month, and includes everything from finger painting to experimentation with textures, through puppet theater, music and movement workshops, storytelling... Admission costs two pounds per baby, one if you come with siblings.
DISCOVER CHILDREN'S STORY CENTER
Welcome to Wonderland for children from zero to 11 years old. Discover Children's Story Center is exactly that, the entrance to a fantasy world where tales come true in an interactive environment that changes every six months or every year, depending on the exhibition.
The Diana's Playground Memorial, in Kensington Gardens, is spectacular
You can go play in the interior forest, get on the ships and boats -there is a specific area for the little ones-, or take part in some of the wonderful storyteller that they organize for babies up to three years old.
It is open from Friday to Sunday only for families - from Monday to Thursday there may be school visits - and reservations are required. Children under one year enter free; from one to two years, they pay two pounds, and from there, both adults and children must pay 6.5 pounds. There's also discounts for families of four members.
THE BEE'S KNEES INDOOR CHILDREN'S GARDEN
We have talked about how great it is to have fun in the parks, but it is true that the weather is not always good. for those rainy days where we prefer to play indoors, The Bee’s Knees, a free play space, is a fabulous option.
Its padded surfaces are designed for its audience, boys and girls from zero to five years old, and workshops are sometimes held that you can attend with prior registration. Admission is three pounds, except every final Saturday of the month, when the space in which it is located, the Battersea Arts Center , celebrate a free family day with activities from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. -face painting, concerts, storytelling for children under five. If you want to go from Monday to Friday, you can play from 10:00 to 12:30; the rest of the day they hold regular workshops.
WHERE TO DANCE
BABY LOVES DISCO
Yes, because in London, you and your baby can dance together in some of the most fashionable nightclubs… yes, during the day! In Baby Loves Disco , renowned djs like Fat Boy Slim They play hits at a level suitable for children ages zero to six, so the whole family can get moving together.
When they get tired, there a whole world for your enjoyment, so that nothing prevents you from calmly drinking your cocktail: face painting, bouncy castles, instruments, toys, healthy snacks, juices, bubbles, balloons, costumes, crafts, games with a monitor... The only downside to this dream come true? It is not carried out every day -although it is several times a month-; you will have to enter your website and find out when the next events are.
WHERE TO SLEEP
THE ROYAL LANCASTER
This accommodation of Preferred Hotels & Resorts we like it for several reasons, and the first is its location: very close to the subway, very close to everything on foot -and still quiet-, but, above all, right next to Kensington Gardens! That doesn't just mean that the views are wonderful; also that we can escape at any time to let the little ones vent in the extensive green spaces.
We will also enjoy the walk, among fountains, waterfalls and centenary trees -and, if we go to Hyde Park, also in the always curious Speaker's Corner -. Furthermore, if we walk for about ten minutes, we will find one of the most fascinating swing areas in the capital: the Diana Memorial Playground.
Other advantages? They offer free strollers for children from 0 to 4 years old, so you will avoid traveling carrying it yourself, as well as bottle warmers and sterilizers, changing mats and baby baths. Of course, they also provide high chairs at their wonderful breakfast buffet, full of healthy and quality products suitable for the little ones.
Also watch out for your Paddington Bear's Family Adventure , a pack for families that includes an interconnecting suite or pair and various goodies for the children: coloring books, chocolate bars, a precious Paddington Bear, a Frisbee to play in nearby Hyde Park and their own bathrobes, slippers and amenities!
These are the views you will have from your room at the Royal Lancaster London
THE HARI
The beautiful neighborhood of Belgravia is not only ideal for walking and imagining a better life: also for staying with babies due to its tranquility and central location. There is The Hari of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, a very, very special five-star that more than a hotel resembles the house you have always wanted to have. In fact, it is decorated by the famous interior designer Tara Bernard , who has tried to give the place the same vibe as the luxurious residences in the area by adding unforgettable details, such as the works of Tracey Emin that hang in the rooms.
An experience that both parents and babies will love is to take a mini dip in the bathtub with a view of your Studio Suite , a room with the perfect size for the little ones to roll and crawl. Other? Enjoy the exquisite breakfast in the room, because we all know how stressful mornings can be when the tea is getting cold and our beloved little ball of drool decides that no high chair, that he wants to go play.
But the best, the absolutely unique thing about The Hari, is Joanna, your Guest Relations Manager , whose mission is to surprise and amaze young and old alike. Do not be surprised if, during your visit, you find a personalized tipi waiting for you in the room or a herd of stuffed animals fresh from the savannah. Or, rather, of bornfree, the NGO that supports wildlife with which the hotel collaborates very closely.
For slightly older children, there are also personalized packages made up of activity books and all kinds of tools to fill them in, which will make your visit to London a fun gymkhana , starting with icons like the nearby Natural History Museum and Buckingham Palace. But don't stay with the obvious; let Joanna and her fantastic team advise you and your days in the city will also be five stars.
In The Hari is the perfect mini dip with views