Just like New York City and Paris, London is a city made up of different neighborhoods. Each area has its own personality, with both desirable and not-so-desirable districts right next door. Everywhere in London has a real mix of cultures, families, tribes and vibes so wherever you stay in London with kids, you’ll be close to a mix of alternative scenes.
As the city expands, more and more young families have carved out cool communities in the suburbs, extending the feel of urban London life out further towards the more spacious and green areas. These residential communities give tourists the chance to live like a local, all the while dipping in and out of the central hub to visit the more famous hotspots.
If you’re wondering where to stay in London with kids and looking for an alternative to a city-center urban hotel, we’ve chosen some of our favourite kid-friendly neighborhoods where you can find the best family-friendly vacation rentals.
The 7 Best Kid-Friendly Areas to Stay In London
- Kensington & Chelsea
- Primrose Hill
- Dulwich
- Fulham
- East London
- Notting Hill
- Queens Park & Kensal Rise
1. Kensington & Chelsea
The most frequently-searched destination for our US visitors, Kensington & Chelsea continues to be a favourite family vacation destination in London. It has all the hallmarks of a traditional London scene: beautifully-maintained Victorian townhouses, tons of shopping streets and hundreds of family-friendly cafes, delis and restaurants.
It’s also home to the city’s most famous museums: The V&A, The Science Museum and The Natural History Museum, all located in South Kensington.
Key Takeaways
- Buses are commonly used here to get around, but walking is the best form of transport
- The best connections for traveling in and out of the city are via Victoria Station
- This neighborhood is home to Hyde Park and Kings Road
2. Primrose Hill
For village life within the city, affluent locals and London-based celebrities choose Primrose Hill as their home. The neighborhood centers around Primrose Hill green itself, a spacious park and playground which is bordered by a pretty street of cute bakeries, coffee shops, gift shops and beauty stores.
Key Takeaways
- You can walk to Camden Town, Regents Park or Marylebone – all great areas to explore
- It’s close to Abbey Road Studios
- London Zoo is right opposite Primrose Hill playground
3. Dulwich
One of the most desirable places to live in London, Dulwich Village is filled with leafy streets, huge green parks and great schools. Dulwich Park is a popular weekend hangout for families, with playgrounds, a boating lake and recumbent bikes to hire.
It’s also home to The Horniman Museum, one of the best museums in London for kids. On the borders of Forest Hill and Sydenham, this museum has a gigantic taxidermy gallery, interactive nature exhibits, a butterfly walk-through house and a huge expanse of gardens that are full of families every day.
Key Takeaways
- The tube doesn’t stretch into South London, so locals favor overground trains for access to the city center (15-30 minutes).
- Check out Dulwich Picture Gallery’s activities for children in school holidays
- It’s next door to up-and-coming Peckham
4. Fulham
Families priced out of Chelsea made the smart move into neighboring Fulham. Now a desirable destination in itself, it’s great for access to the river, spacious family homes and a bustling village vibe at Fulham Broadway.
The River Thames curves around the Fulham neighborhood, and you can walk along the riverfront from Chelsea to Hammersmith discovering parks and playgrounds all along the waterfront.
Key Takeaways
- Head to Parsons Green for a traditional Sunday roast in Aragon House
- If you have access to a car or cab, it’s a quick 5-minute drive to Chelsea or Battersea
- It’s home to the iconic River Cafe, where Jamie Oliver started his career
5. East London
Oh-so-cool and ever-so-slightly edgy, this is quickly becoming one of the most popular parts of London to visit. It’s filled with creatives and designers, so fun families flock here to experience a different side to the city: think vintage markets, street art, pop-up stores and a global food scene.
Key Takeaways
- Despite the urban location, there are 2 cute farms for kids in East London, in Hackney and Spitalfields
- Don’t miss the world-famous Brick Lane bagel shop
- This area is best served by buses and the Overground train line, known colloquially as the ‘Ginger’ line.
7. Notting Hill
Still one of the most popular London destinations for traveling families. Ever since the ‘Notting Hill’ film was released in 1999, global tourists have been flocking to this neighborhood to experience its quintessential London charm.
The heart of the area is the vibrant Portobello Road street market, with stalls selling everything from antiques and souvenirs to street food (and it’s just round the corner from THAT blue door).
Key Takeaways
- Those private gardens really are locked – head to Avondale Park or Holland Park for your fresh air hit.
- Westbourne Grove is one of the best shopping streets outside of the city center.
- Notting Hill Gate is super well-connected: under 10 minutes by tube to Soho.
6. Queens Park & Kensal Rise
Now that the whole world knows about Notting Hill, families looking for larger properties and more space have moved to the next-door neighborhoods of Queens Park and Kensal Rise.
It’s a quick journey into the city center on the underground and notable for its lively high streets with great pubs and independent stores, as well as green parks and a great community feel.
Key Takeaways
- Don’t miss the weekly Farmers Market on Sundays
- Visit Queens Park Books where kids can pick out a children’s book for their journey home
- Grab easy family meals at Pizza Pilgrims
Booking Your London Family Vacation
If you’re looking to book a family vacation in the British capital, you can choose where to stay in London with kids from our collection of great child-friendly neighborhoods, all with parent-approved vacation homes.
Read our tips on how to choose the best family vacation home and learn more about traveling internationally with kids from our expert well-traveled team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! London is full of families and children are welcome in most eateries and nearly all the museums and galleries.
Anything from 2 days to 2 weeks. Stick to one or two neighborhoods if you’re only staying for the weekend, or check out our 5-day Family Friendly London Itinerary.
Tourists tend to head for Central or West London areas, but local families are prevalent in North and South London too, making lots of areas within these districts very safe for kids. Most areas are safe when kids are up during the daylight hours.
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/primrose-hill/the-elliott-square-residence
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/kensington-chelsea/the-gregory-place-residence
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/kensington-chelsea/the-vernon-street-residence
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/fulham/the-st-dionis-road-residence
- https://www.kidandcoe.com/destinations/notting-hill/the-upper-addison-gardens-residence
