The best family days out in London and beyond rated by kids and teens
Published: 24th March 2021
Alex Humphreys is a BBC presenter and journalist. Formerly with CBBC’s Newsround, she now splits her time between journalism and weather forecasting. You’ll see her presenting the weather on the Welsh channel, S4C and often talking about video games for various programmes across the BBC.
Alongside forecasting the weather for the Welsh channel, S4C, I’m still working on news programmes and particularly enjoying making gaming reports. The UK’s kids might have seen my reviews of the latest Xbox consoles on Newsround before Christmas, but more recently I took a trip to Bletchley Park’s National Computer Museum to report on the BBC Micro’s 40th birthday for the BBC’s technology programme, Click. You can catch up on that report on Click’s 21st February episode, available on iPlayer.
Alex Humphreys as a kid, with a wicker basket on her head
Growing up in North Wales, I never visited London much as a kid, but one of the first places I remember going to was the Royal Albert Hall. I have a memory of walking in and looking up at the massive auditorium with its acoustic diffusers (aka ‘mushrooms’) floating from the ceiling – they always reminded me of giant Smarties.
I’ve been lucky enough to play there with a brass band a couple of times. It’s the most awesome experience to hear live music in this place – definitely worth a visit during the Proms season (July – September) and they always have some really cool family events.
My Old Dutch pancake house, Kensington, London
When I lived in Kensington, I loved going to My Old Dutch for pancakes. It’s just off the high street and whether you’re a sweet or savoury person, they had some amazing combos – but their butterscotch pancakes were delicious.
Snowdonia in North Wales. It’s home to Wales’ highest mountain, Snowdon. Not only are the views immense if you go walking in the National Park, but there’s so much to do in the area, like take a ride on the famous Zip Wire at ZipWorld. Their underground Slate Caverns are close by too. And if you hop in the car, take a drive to the sea and walk along the lovely prom at Llandudno.
Literary Tube Map in honour of World Book Day
I’d say bus, tube and walk. The tube is so easy and handy, but taking the bus gives you a better view of the city. And if you walk, you’re bound to see interesting things – some of the architecture in London is amazing, but we’re often in such a hurry we forget to look up and around us.
Download the CityMapper app – it was one of my most used (and favourite) apps when I first moved to London… Helps you get anywhere, and in the fastest time possible!
