Reflecting on Our Family Trip to London: A Toddler-Friendly Itinerary

After returning from a fantastic week in London, I wanted to share insights and experiences from our family trip that could be beneficial for others traveling with young children. Our group consisted of two adults, a toddler (aged 1.5 years), and two seniors, all hailing from New York City.

Saturday: Arrival and Adjustment

Navigating the Airport

We landed at Heathrow’s Terminal 2/3, which made our transition to the Piccadilly line smooth and easy. The underground stations offer a convenient tap payment option (NFC), eliminating the need for an Oyster card. We opted for the Piccadilly line due to its affordability and direct route to our accommodation. If accessibility is a concern, consider using the Elizabeth Line, which is entirely step-free.

Insider Tip: The Chase Sapphire Lounge was quite busy upon our arrival, so we chose the less crowded Centurion Lounge instead—an excellent option for tired travelers. Our JetBlue Mint experience was enhanced by the ability to lie down and help our little one drift off to sleep.

First Meal

We kicked off our culinary adventure with fish and chips at Hobsons in Bayswater. Our favorites included the Plaice, which I believe has a comparable counterpart in flounder. The Bayswater neighborhood proved to be quite family-friendly.

Grocery Shopping

A quick stop at Waitrose revealed a surprising amount of single-use plastic packaging for produce. M&S certainly felt more upscale, but both provided what we needed for our stay.

Sunday: Exploring South Kensington

Morning Strolls in Hyde Park

After dealing with some jet lag, we ventured into Hyde Park around noon. The weather was glorious, and we enjoyed seeing an array of dog breeds—though we noted the unusual commonality of off-leash dogs.

Sunday Roast

At The Queen’s Arms, we indulged in a traditional Sunday roast. Despite being a walk-in—which meant we got a less-than-ideal high table—I highly recommend the chicken, which was juicy and flavorful.

Museum Visit

Choosing the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) over the Natural History Museum, our family was impressed by the scale of Trajan’s Column and the stunning jewelry on display.

Harrods Adventure

Our visit to Harrods was a feast for the senses. While the crowded food hall lacked seating, there were some discounted items near closing time