Lots of Birmingham families love the idea of taking their kids to London but it can get expensive. That’s why we were keen to talk to Brummie blogger Lavania Oluban as she regularly takes her son Arlo to the capital and has found cost-effective and stress-free ways to make it fun for both of them. She always travels there on the train – you can get £9 tickets each way with London Northwestern Railway – and then uses her train ticket to get 241 and third-off deals at great attractions. This includes London Eye, Madame Tussauds, Shrek Adventure and London Zoo. You can take up to four kids for just £1 each with a London Family Travelcard for off-peak, unlimited travel on the underground, bus and tram once there. It means you can enjoy a fun day out in the capital without spending a fortune. Read more: Things to do with the kids in and around Birmingham – the ultimate guide
We chatted to Lavania about her top tips and her favourite places to go on the Brummie Mummies Podcast. Listen here “My top tip, as someone who likes to do everything, is don’t!” said Lavania, who runs a blog called The Amazing Adventures of Me about her days out with Arlo. “Try to aim to do one or two things and give yourself enough time to really enjoy them. It’s only a couple of hours from Birmingham so you can go once every school holiday if you like and do something different each time.” “The biggest thing for me is cost, I think that’s the one thing that really puts people off travelling to London but it can be really reasonable. I avoid commuter times, so we leave after 9am and we park for free at one of the stations near me, like Bournville or Northfield. We then get the train home around 7pm and can be in bed for 10pm. Arlo normally nods off on my shoulder on the way home and I get to read my book. It’s a lot less stressful and costs less money than driving and parking there.”
Brummie Mummies – our parenting hub on Facebook, Instagram, newsletter and podcast – is partnering with London Northwestern Railway on their Destination London campaign. Find out more and book your tickets via the London Northwestern Railway website or download the LNR app where you don’t have to pay booking fees. Lavania added: “We like the big attractions, museums and art galleries. My favourite is the Design Museum on Kensington High Street. A lot of people don’t realise it’s there. They rotate exhibitions and it’s free to enter. It’s in Holland Park, which is one of London’s most beautiful parks. “Here you’ll find the Kyoto Japanese gardens, two big play areas and a sandpit. Kensington High Street has lovely pastry shops where you can buy snacks to take to the park. That’s probably one of my favourite places to explore. “With a Family Travelcard, you can jump on and off the London Underground. Head to Kings Cross to get your Harry Potter photo!”
Best places to take the kids in London You can get discounted tickets to the following London attractions with an LNR train ticket. Offers vary between 241 deals and third off discounts:
- London Zoo
- Tower of London
- Madame Tussauds
- London Eye
- Battersea Park Children’s Zoo
- Shrek Adventure
- London Dungeon
- Sea Life London Aquarium
Additional attractions offering discounts with LNR tickets include:
- Legoland Windsor
- Thorpe Park
- Wembley Stadium Tour
- Greenwich Museums
- Kew Gardens
- Tower Bridge
- Chessington World of Adventure
- Kensington Palace
- Westminster Abbey
- London Transport Museum
- London Hop on Hop Off Big Bus Tours
Keep up to date with things to do with the kids this summer by signing up to our Brummie Mummies newsletter and podcast for lots of fun days out ideas.
