Looking for fun things to do around London Bridge with kids? This central London area is packed with family-friendly attractions, and to make it even better, many of them are free! From riverside walks and interactive museums to playgrounds and viewing platforms, this guide covers the best things to do near London Bridge as a family. Whether you’re visiting for the day or a London local, here are our top picks for a family day out.
In this post, when we say “London Bridge,” we’re talking about the area around London Bridge Station; London Bridge itself (often confused with Tower Bridge) is not that exciting! However, this part of central London is full of hidden gems and fun, family-friendly things to do with young kids. All the London attractions and activities I mention below are within less than 30 minutes walk from London Bridge Station. So read on for more!
20 Things to Do Around London Bridge with Kids
Let’s dive straight into our list of 20 things to do in and around London Bridge as a family!
Fun Things To Do Near London Bridge With Kids
1. Walk The Glass Walkway at Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is London’s most iconic bridge, possibly the most famous bridge in the world! So, of course, I had to put Tower Bridge at the top of my 20 things to do around London Bridge Station with kids post!
While Tower Bridge is free to see and also free to walk across, you can actually go inside! The two blue sections connecting the Towers are actually walkways, both with glass floors! Visiting here is a very cool activity offering unique views of London.
It is also great for kids as they have a trail specially designed to keep them engaged throughout the visit!
BOOK: TOWER BRIDGE ENTRY TICKETS
READ MORE: OUR FULL GUIDE TO VISITING TOWER BRIDGE
There are plenty more things to do near Tower Bridge with kids, so read on!
THE TRAIL AT TOWER BRIDGE | VIEW OF TOWER BRIDGE WITH KIDS | WALKING INSIDE TOWER BRIDGE WITH MY KIDS
2. Visit The Tower of London
Visiting the Tower of London is another great thing to do with kids, and it’s located very near Tower Bridge, just on the other side of the River Thames from London Bridge Station.
This historic castle was once home to the British Royal Family, it has since been turned into a museum and tourist attraction. This is an amazing family day out in London that is both cultural, educational and fun for the whole family.
See the amazing Crown Jewels, spot the iconic black ravens and even walk along the old battlements!
READ MORE: OUR FULL GUIDE TO VISITING THE TOWER OF LONDON WITH KIDS
VISITING THE TOWER OF LONDON
3. Enjoy the View from the Shard
The Shard is possibly London’s most iconic building, it’s also so near to London Bridge. This is an unpopular opinion, but I don’t think you get the best city views from the top of the most iconic building. You get them from the one next door!
As the Shard is such a popular attraction, I felt I should include it in this list. However, below I have a section on free things to do near London Bridge and have listed a couple of great free alternatives to the Shard, I’d recommend you check them out instead!
4. Take a Boat Trip Along the River Thames
There are multiple different boat trips and cruises you can take along the River Thames. These are a unique way to see the city, and kids will love to go on a boat!
Some options of family-friendly boat tours that depart from near London Bridge include:
- A Westminster to Tower Bridge Cruise – a half-hour trip down the River Thames, sailing past some of London’s most iconic sights.
- A Horrible Histories Thames Tour – perfect for older kids, especially if they love history!
- An Uber Boat by Thames Clipper – departing from London Bridge City Pier, this one can take you to multiple destinations.
- Thames Speed Boat Tour – if your kids are adrenaline junkies, then they’ll love this!
5. Climb Aboard the HMS Belfast
Talking of boats, there’s another famous ship near Tower Bridge, the HMS Belfast. This one has been turned into an interactive museum and is a perfect thing to do near London Bridge with kids. Explore all 9 decks and learn all about this historic World War II Warship.
6. Discover The Golden Hinde
If your kids like boats, there are lots of things for them to do around London Bridge! Another boat to check out is The Golden Hinde. This ship is much smaller than HMS Belfast, but still enjoyable for kids to explore!
7. Climb Monument
Did you know you can climb the Monument to the Great Fire of London? This is still on our to-do list as the Monument doesn’t have any pushchair parking.
However, if you’re visiting with older kids and can face the 311 steps to the top, you’ll get great views of the city.
Best Museums Near London Bridge for Kids
There are some great museums to visit near London Bridge with kids. We already mentioned The Tower of London and HMS Belfast, which are sort of like museums, however, there are some more traditional museums as well, which I will discuss below.
Both of these are free museums near London Bridge to visit with kids, and advance booking is not needed.
8. Tate Modern
The Tate Modern is a modern art museum located near London Bridge, and it is very family-friendly!
They offer free activity sheets to keep kids entertained and also sometimes run play sessions, specifically aimed at children!
9. Bank of England Museum
You’ve probably heard of the Bank of England, but did you know they have their own museum? It is a free museum near London Bridge and is open to the public, Monday to Friday.
The Bank of England Museum is small, but my kids enjoyed it. They also have free worksheets for kids to complete, and there is a real gold bar on display, you can try to lift. Spoiler alert: it is heavy!
READ MORE: OUR FULL GUIDE TO THE BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM
THE BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM
Free Things To Do Near London Bridge With Kids
If you’re looking for some other free things to do near London Bridge with kids, I have some great options for you. I’ll share them below.
10. Explore the Sky Garden
If you’re looking for an alternative viewing platform to The Shard, The Sky Garden is a great option. Although it isn’t specifically aimed at kids, mine love it here!
The Sky Garden is completely free to visit, but tickets should be booked in advance.
BOOK: TICKETS FOR THE SKY GARDEN
READ MORE: OUR FULL GUIDE TO THE SKY GARDEN WITH KIDS
11. Horizon 22
While we prefer the Sky Garden, Horizon 22 is another great option, free for families looking for iconic things to do around London Bridge.
It is higher than the Sky Garden and the views are great, but my children didnt find it as engaging. They like the plants in the Sky Garden.
Tickets are free, but you do need to book in advance.
12. Relax at the Garden at 120
If you miss out on tickets for The Sky Garden and Horizon 22, The Garden at 120 is a great option, as booking is not required. You can do this instead of or as well as one of the other options.
This adorable little garden isn’t as high up as the other viewing platforms, but it does have an excellent view, and it’s a relaxed atmosphere for families to enjoy.
INSIDE THE SKY GARDEN | VIEW FROM THE SKY GARDEN | VIEW FROM THE GARDEN AT 120
13. Wander St Katherine’s Docks
This beautiful dock area is located so near Tower Bridge. It’s actually Central London’s only marina and the perfect place for a family walk.
14. St Dunstan’s in the East
Another cute place to explore is St Dunstan’s in the East. This was originally a church but has been abandoned for many years, the ruins left are a hidden gem in London!
15. Leadenhall Market
This beautiful market has lots of shops, pubs and resteraunts. It was also used as a filming location for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. It gives all the Diagon Alley vibes kids will love!
16. The Millennium Bridge
Another Harry Potter filming location is the Millennium Bridge. Death Eaters are seen destroying it in The Half Blood Prince.
FUN FACT: This bridge was built in the year 2000 for the millennium, the Harry Potter book was set in 1996-1997, so this bridge wouldn’t have even been there yet!
17. Borough Market
If you’re looking for somewhere to eat near London Bridge, Borough Market is an excellent choice. With a whole range of different food on offer, this market is often on people’s London bucket list.
Note: it can get very crowded and sometimes hard to navigate with toddlers.
18. Hayes Galleria
Another cute place to wander through is Hayes Galleria. Located across the road from London Bridge Station, it is often not so crowded, making it a great place to see with kids.
There are coffee shops and restaurants here. Plus, kids will love the giant boat sculpture in the middle!
Tip: walk through here and along the River Thames to Tower Bridge!
19. Find The Dragons that Guard the City
There are 14 dragons that guard the City of London; look out for their statues in the London Bridge area. They are said to protect the city’s treasure as this is the area of London where all the banks traditionally were (and the banks hold the money!)
The dragon sculpture in the middle of the road where The Strand turns into Fleet Street, Google map location linked here, is a fun one to find!
Best Playgrounds Around London Bridge
20. Mint Street Adventure Playground
While I think the city of London could do with a few more playgrounds. There is one playground near London Bridge that kids absolutely love! This is a great thing to do with kids in the London Bridge area as it’s free and allows them to burn some energy!
Thank you so much for reading our guide on things to do around London Bridge with kids. We hope we’ve given you some inspiration on how to spend your day in London!
Happy Exploring,
