The best family days out in London and beyond rated by kids and teens
Average K-Rating based
on 5 K-Rating reviews
If you’re looking for a stellar day out in London with your kids the Royal Observatory in Greenwich is a fantastic spot, containing London’s only Planetarium.
Before you get inside, kids will love standing on the Meridian Line, where they can literally straddle the eastern and western hemispheres. It’s a great photo op and a fun way to learn about geography and time.
If you’re visiting on a weekend, check out the Observatory Unlocked sessions. These special events let families explore the observatory with expert guides, who bring the wonders of space to life. Kids can look through historic telescopes, learn about the stars, and ask all their burning space questions.
For the little ones, don’t miss Ted’s Space Adventure. Designed for ages 3-7, this charming ticketed show takes kids on a journey through the solar system with Ted, an adventurous teddy bear. It’s a delightful introduction to astronomy that will have young minds buzzing with curiosity.
Once you’ve finished inside, the views from outside the Royal Observatory are simply stunning. Overlooking Greenwich Park and the River Thames, it’s a perfect spot to take in the beauty of London from above.
To continue the space theme, visit the annual Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition at the National Maritime Museum, just down the hill from the Royal Observatory. Kids will be amazed by the incredible photos of space, from distant galaxies to stunning star clusters. It’s an inspiring look at the beauty of the universe.
While you are in Greenwich, visit the Cutty Sark or Old Royal Naval College.
I’d never been to a planetarium before and it was so so cool. I didn’t even know there was one in London. I had a really fun time visiting the Royal Observatory. I learnt about the Meridian Line which I knew nothing about before and straddled the line. Also, the park has amazing views of London so we stayed for sunset and little snack. Highly recommend.
You can find loads more information by Laura Porter at aboutlondonlaura.com
Greenwich Park is massive, but the Observatory is at the top end of the park, farthest from Greenwich, so you might consider parking at the top (if you drive). It’s an awesome piece of history where you can straddle the famous Prime Meridian line and visit the planetarium, which is a hit with all ages. It is not free to enter, but if you happen to be at the park and want to see the Prime Meridian you can actually walk along the outside of the gate until you come behind the buidling. There’s a small line showing the PM line and which side lies to the East and which side of it is to the West. You can pair it with a picnic in the park and a lovely walk on a sunny day.
We love the planetarium. The hill on the way up is a bit steep though be warned!