Summer is here which means it’s time to start planning adventures with the kids. Not sure on how to keep them entertained? Well, worry not, the team at City Matters has got you covered. Whether your kids are into activities or a walk around a museum, we have rounded up some of the best things happening in London this summer.
Charterhouse’s Family Tour
Looking for ways to keep the little ones busy during the school summer holidays? Look no further than the ‘Family Tour’ event happening at Charterhouse. First built in 1371 this historic building has witnessed so much of the history that makes London incredible, each of which has left its own mark in Charterhouse’s history. From a monastery, mansion house, boys school to the almshouse that it remains today, the Charterhouse has certainly had its fair share of reworks.
Join the friendly team as you go room by room exploring, try your best to spot Thomas Sutton’s missing Talbot greyhounds as you go. Uncover the fascinating history and the colourful characters that imbue the personality of the house as you go on a quest to discover where fluffy teddy bear Talbots has gotten to. Taking place just once a month, make sure that you book with plenty of time to spare. Best thing of all is that children go free while adults are just £10. Located less than a five-minute walk from the Barbican station it’s perfectly situated to save the energy of the little ones for the thrilling tour.
So, what are you waiting for, enjoy some family fun at the Charterhouse and discover it like no other.
Charterhouse Square EC1M 6AN
Young V&A
A great place to visit this summer is Young V&A. This is the museum where children, young people and families can imagine, play and design.
This summer you can go on an adventure with Story Explorers Arkem Mark Walton and Laura Sampson. The storytellers will be using objects from Young V&A’s collection to tell an original tale.
The storytelling sessions take place every Saturday until 2 September, at 12.00, 13.00, 14.00 and 15.00. Each session lasts for 20 minutes.
Cambridge Heath Rd, E2 9PA
Bank Of England Museum
It’s never too early for the little ones to learn more about the world they live in and its thrilling past. The Bank of England Museum is running one of their evening events on the Huguenots, exploring how the group came to London and their interactions with the Bank. Not only will there be an exciting special guest from the Huguenot Society but rarely seen items relating to the Huguenot’s history with Bank will be brought out for display. To give you a quick introduction to their history, between 1562 to 1598 there were eight civil wars in France, these were known as the Wars of Religion, no wonder the French protestants wanted to get away.
This and much more at the talk that runs from 6-7pm on the 17 August. Free tickets can be collected from 5pm onward and we recommend you get there early as they are expected to go fast.
Bartholomew Ln, EC2R 8AH
The Tower of London – The Gunpowder Plot
All over the world the Tower of London is seen as a symbol of the UK and with good reason. Steeped in British history and integral into the understanding of London there are always fun family events going on at this historic landmark. The Gunpowder Plot experience is no exception and uses technology and imagination to immersive you in this unforgettable experience that aims to excite and inform.
Be transported back to London in 1605 as you descend into the Tower Vaults to experience this world class show where explosions are never far away. Get spun around with their motion simulators and special effects, only added to by the live actors along with digital cast lead by Harry Potter’s Tom Felton. It all cumulates with you picking out the traitor and discovering the truth, just be careful who you trust.
Taking place on Thursday to Sunday from 13:00 to 19:30, the tickets run from £40 but, for the little ones under 16 you can save £10 per ticket.
8-12 Tower Hill Vaults EC3N 4EE
Pampering at Pan Pacific London
Pan Pacific London has partnered with luxury children’s brand Bonpoint, to create a unique offering for the hotel’s dedicated Wellbeing Floor. The first partnership of its kind in the UK, Pan Pacific London and Bonpoint have created a range of unisex skincare treatments and packages for children aged 6 -16 years old, that provide an opportunity for parents to spend quality time with their children and teens, and to treat them to a spot of pampering. Treatments start from £100.
80 Houndsditch, EC3A 7AB
Meet and Bleat at the Spitalfields City Farm
Looking to take the little ones for a fun but informative day out this month. The Spitalfields City Farm is always running great workshops for young people to enjoy but, the Meet and Bleat definitely caught our attention. Get the chance to meet some of the farm residence and learn more about them, no need to book, just rock up on 16th from 2-3pm.
Spitalfields City Farm, E1 5AR
NQ64
NQ64 has opened its biggest site, their latest arcade bar is a 9,000 square foot neon splattered drinking den filled with over 50 nostalgic and classic arcades and consoles sourced from across the globe, such as Pac-Man, Mario Kart, Guitar Hero, Time Crisis and Point Blank, with SNES, MegaDrive, Gamecube, Xbox and PlayStation on the console line-up.
Feeling peckish after playing a few games? NQ64 has a wide-menu of delicious treats to choose from; premium smashed patty, fried chicken burgers, chicken wings, and seasoned skin-on fries.
No doubt, NQ64 will ensure an afternoon or evening of fun.
Two Temple Place’s Family Day
There’s always something exciting going on at Two Temple Place and this time is no exception. Explore the exciting history surrounding this Victorian building and meet-up with the Green Man and Little Red Hood as you explore one of the interactive family trails to uncover the stories behind each room.
Choose from following along with The Green Man on your phone to hear all about the fascinating history of the building or to using their paper trail to follow Little Red Hood as she guides you from room to room. Not only that but get creative with Cecily Loveys Jervoise and her clay workshop to bring to life all sorts of clay gargoyles and green men inspired by their counterparts dotted about the building. Take note though that the clay workshop only runs from 11am to 1pm, so be sure to time your arrival just right.
Thinking about arrival, there’s no need to book! Just rock up with the little ones and start exploring, it’s bound to be an unforgettable summer day out.
2 Temple Pl WC2R 3BD
Picnic in the park
There is no shortage of wonderful parks within the City of London. Why not explore one of the wonderful green spaces within the City of London this summer? Festival Gardens, located in St. Paul’s Churchyard is a great choice. Grab that picnic basket and all the essentials you need from your local food market to make the picnic a success.
Beano Blamtastic Afternoon Tea Bus Tour
Afternoon tea on a bus? If that sounds like it’s your cup of tea, then jump aboard the Beano Blamtastic Afternoon Tea Bus Tour.
Undoubtedly this bus tour will provide for an afternoon or evening full of fun and mischief this summer.
To celebrate Beano’s 85th birthday, the chefs have created a blamtastic Beano-inspired menu featuring the Bangers & Mash-up Chocolate Cupcake, the Cheesy Coal as a Cucumber & Cream Cheese Finger on Charcoal Bread.
The Beano entertainer is fantastic and will provide you and the kids with unknown facts about Beano and the beautiful London landmarks you’ll see during the tour. The tour takes just under two hours, which gives you plenty of time to enjoy all the treats that this bus tour has to offer.
This is a wonderful bus tour, that will no doubt keep the kids entertained.
The BEANO Afternoon Tea Bus Tour is available Wednesdays to Sundays until 10 September 2023.
Looking for a fun adventure in London this summer? Head over to Sea Life London Aquarium. The Sea Life London Aquarium is located on the ground floor of County Hall on the South Bank of the River Thames in central London, near the London Eye. Home to over 500 different species in 14 different themed zones, this is a great learning experience for kids. Be prepared to be amazed as you take a stroll through the ocean tunnel. You will see shoals of glittering fish flutter along beside you whilst enormous Green Sea turtles glide slowly over your head. If you’re feeling brave then why not immerse yourself in a world of creepy crawlies, crocodiles and critters. But the real highlight and not to be missed is the Polar Adventure – undoubtedly the penguins. Whether your kids are toddlers or teenagers this is a fun day out for the whole family.
Westminster Bridge Rd, SE1 7PB
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