School’s out for summer! For children, that means six weeks of lie-ins and leisure time. In contrast, parents are frantically scheduling six weeks’ worth of activities that will keep the children entertained without costing the earth. It’s no easy task. Don’t panic though – we’re here to help you out with our suggestions for fun, educational and affordable activities right here in our home city of London.
Free museums in London
Affordable activities can be educational too. London is blessed with some of the best museums in the world, and the good news is that many are free to visit. South Kensington is home to two of the best museums in the city, each with a very different flavour. The Science Museum is a paradise for tech lovers, with exhibits that include Stephenson’s Rocket and the Apollo 10 command capsule. They even have an entire exhibition devoted to maths in the breath-taking Winton Gallery.
Help your child learn about the wonders of the natural world with a visit to the Natural History Museum. This famous museum has appeared in blockbuster films such as Tomb Raider, The Mummy, Highlander, and Paddington. It’s also been featured on the popular CBeebies show “Andy’s Dinosaur Adventures”. The infamous skeleton of Dippy the Diplodocus is currently on tour, but Hope – a huge skeleton of a diving blue whale – has replaced him. The museum also features many free exhibitions covering every aspect of natural science and geology, from dinosaurs to earthquakes.
Boat trips on the River Thames
No trip to London is complete without a ride on the iconic Thames clipper boats. They may not be free, but travelling by river is an affordable way to access the city’s other attractions whilst soaking up the London atmosphere. In fact, it’s one of our favourite affordable activities in London! So buy a day ticket and hop on and hop off the boat as many times as you like.
The River Thames flows through the heart of the city, passing all the main sights as it goes. it all. The clipper boats – known as London’s River Buses – have been serving the capital for more than 20 years. With an onboard café bar and unparalleled views of the capital, taking the river is one of the best all-weather ways to travel through London! It’s gives you the chance to see the city’s major sights without the hustle and bustle.
Sailing west takes you past Battersea Power Station. You can then cruise through central London past the Houses of Parliament, The London Eye, the Tate Modern, and the Tower of London. Those who disembark at Westminster Pier to visit these attractions in person can even take a stroll through St James’s Park to see Buckingham Palace.
Finally, sail east under Tower Bridge, and in just 20 minutes you’ll reach Maritime Greenwich, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the Greenwich Royal Observatory!
Parks in London
You’re always guaranteed a great time at the famous Hyde Park. This oasis in the heart of London hosts many key events, as well as providing green spaces, play facilities, and some world-class cafés.
If you’re looking for somewhere a little quieter, take a visit to Holland Park. At 54 acres, it’s the largest park in the royal borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Featuring 22.5 hectares of gardens, large woodlands with abundant wildlife, playgrounds, and a café.
If you’re visiting Holland Park, don’t forget to check out the Kyoto Garden. This unique spot was created by an eminent Japanese Garden designer to celebrate the Japan Festival in London in 1992.
The parks are free to visit, so why not pack a picnic and spend the whole day!
George Alexander Tuition is a specialist maths tuition agency based in Central London. We support children aged 11-18 with a variety of termly tuition packages and exam coaching from 11+ to A-Level. We also offer bespoke packages to support children who are learning at home. To find out more, contact us on info@gatuition.com. You can also follow us through social media, on Instagram and Facebook, and check out our handy maths tutorials on our YouTube channel.
