London Transport for toddlers
Forget all the attractions sometimes a toddler will love nothing more than enjoying the different modes of transport that London has to offer. I have suggested some ideas below.
Boat rides on the river
A boat ride along the River Thames is one of my favourite things to do in London with or without a toddler but your little one may love being aboard a boat and watching the water. Get on a boat at Westminster Pier and ride up to Greenwich where you can visit Greenwich park and playground and the National Maritime Museum. Greenwich also has a market and the Royal Observatory among it’s attractions. Many or the boat rides include a commentary which gives interesting facts and historical information about the buildings that surround the river.
Top deck of a London double decker bus
Why not climb aboard one of the many double decker buses and sit on the top deck and have a short ride around London? If you can choose an empty bus and sit right at the front. If your toddler likes buses he/she will love the experience.
Alternatively you could also try a big bus tour which will take you to all the historical landmarks and provide a commentary while you travel. I haven’t actually been on this tour myself and the tickets seem quite expensive but may appeal if you don’t know London very well. Big Bus Tours
Canal boat rides
You can also take a canal boat ride in London. You can take a trip from Camden lock to Little Venice but I would recommend getting on at either of those stops and taking a canal trip to London Zoo. The canal boat stops inside the Zoo at its own canal gate. To get off here passengers must pay the fare for the Zoo but you miss any queues to get in at the main admission gates. Check out the following websites for more information.
London Waterbus Company
Canal Museum
London duck tours
The London duck tours is a sightseeing tour with a difference. You step aboard a vehicle with can drive on the roads and go into the water. The vehicles were known as ‘DUKWS’ and were first used for the D Day landings to take more than 21 000 troops to shore. They have now been renamed ducks and they have been refurbished and repainted yellow for their new task of showing around tourists. The tours include most of the major landmarks and interesting commentary about London’s them. Again, I think it is quite pricey but it would be exciting for small children to see London.
London duck tours
The Docklands Light Railway (DLR)
This is one of my favourite modes of transport in London for toddlers. The DLR has no driver so get on at the front and your toddler can pretend to drive the train. Take a trip on the DLR between Canary Wharf and Greenwich and you can visit the following top toddler attractions along the way. There’s Mudlarks at the Museum of Docklands, Mudchute Farm, Greenwich park and the National Maritime Museum. Additionally the DLR is spacious and great for pushchair access as there is lots of room on board and there are lifts at every stations so you don’t have to worry about getting up and down steps.
Train
If your little one likes trains why not treat them to a train ride. Get on at London Bridge and take the short train ride to Forest Hill station. When your there you can visit The Horniman Museum, a great family friendly museum. Look at National Rail Enquiries for times of trains and avoid the rush hour if possible.