Where to Stay in London With Kids (Best Areas + Hotels)

Deciding where to stay in London with kids can get tricky. Most hotel rooms here are not built with families in mind, so finding a place that is spacious enough to fit everyone while still being in a well-connected neighborhood can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.

I started visiting London as a family when my daughter was three years old. We now live outside London and still take overnight and weekend trips to the city regularly. I’ve tried out many hotels and AirBnBs along the way and have strong opinions about what works best.

I’ve focused this guide on the London neighborhoods that are the best areas to stay in London with kids: South Bank, South Kensington, Westminster, Covent Garden, Paddington, and Richmond Upon Thames.

This article highlights my top places to stay in each of these neighborhoods, along with what to look for to find the best place for your London family vacation.

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How to Choose Where to Stay in London with Kids

Picking the best London neighborhood for your visit is a big part of ensuring you have a fun family trip. London is a large city and different areas have very different vibes. Here’s a cheat sheet for picking the area that best suits your family:

If your family wants…	Then stay in…
Kid-friendly riverside walks	South Bank
Museums galore	South Kensington
Shopping and theatre	Covent Garden
The most iconic London sights	Westminster
The easiest airport transfers	Paddington
Suburban slow travel and green space	Richmond Upon Thames

Travel Tip: Look for hotels in close proximity to Tube stations to make getting around while sightseeing as straightforward as possible.

London Areas Explained

London is huge, but most family visitors prefer to stay in Zone 1. This refers to the fare zones set by Transport for London. Essentially, Zone 1 is the most central part of London, with circular rings extending out from there. 

I recommend visitors focus their stays on Zone 1 to limit the time you need to spend commuting to sightsee. Having the option to take tired kids back to the hotel for an afternoon nap is much easier when you don’t have a long Tube journey just to get there.

The one area I recommend in this article that is outside Zone 1 is Richmond Upon Thames, which is in Zone 4. This option works best for families who have been to London before, or those who value slow travel and want to build in quiet days outside the city.

Best Areas to Stay in London with Kids

Before choosing a hotel, it helps to understand how different areas of London actually feel, and how that impacts your trip with kids.

Each neighborhood offers a very different experience, from quiet, museum-filled streets to lively, central hubs packed with entertainment. The right choice depends on your London itinerary priorities: whether that’s walking to major sights, having space for kids to run around, or simply making daily logistics easier.

Below are the areas I recommend most for families, along with why they work so well and where to stay in each one.

South Kensington

Best for: younger kids

South Kensington is one of the easiest areas in London to visit with younger kids. Two of London’s most popular family-friendly museums are next door to each other here: The Natural History Museum and the Science Museum. If your kids love dinosaurs, this could be the perfect neighborhood for your visit.

Beyond the museums, you’re close to Hyde Park for space to run off extra energy. The area near South Kensington Tube station has lots of restaurants to cover all palates. Meanwhile, this area is not known for its nightlife, so it’s a bit easier to ensure a good night’s sleep.

South Kensington Hotel Picks

• The Bailey’s Hotel: Feels grand, but still very family friendly.
• Residence Inn Kensington: A bit further from the museums, but many room options, including suites that can fit larger families.

Westminster

Best for: proximity to major London sights

If your family is most excited about those uniquely “I’m in London” moments, then Westminsters is the place for you. London’s biggest icons are here, including Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace.

Staying in Westminster puts you right in the heart of London’s biggest tourist sights, with minimal transportation needed. It’s also a great option when your family is only staying in London for a few days as part of a bigger Europe vacation.

Westminster Hotel Pick

• The Goring: Exceptional service, beautiful rooms, and kids are treated like mini-VIPs.

Travel Tip: For a more budget-friendly option still close to Westminster, my South Bank hotel pick is only a short walk away.

Covent Garden

Best for: teens and theatre lovers

Covent Garden is an excellent choice for first-time visitors to London, especially if you have older kids or teens. There are many shops ranging from small independent boutiques to big designers in this area, along with lots of exciting diversions in the form of street performers and seasonal pop-ups.

Covent Garden is walking distance to many of London’s top attractions, like Trafalgar Square and the British Museum. It’s also next to popular areas like Chinatown and Soho.

Staying in Covent Garden also places you right in the middle of London’s West End, making it easy to add theatre to your London itinerary. 

Covent Garden Hotel Picks

• Z Hotel Covent Garden: Compact family rooms that blend budget savings with a super central location.
• Citadines Trafalgar Square: Aparthotel offering studio to 2-bedroom flats including kitchens.

South Bank

Best for: river views and better prices

I love the South Bank for family visitors. The pedestrian walk here is broad and a good space to relax your hold on kids in a way that is hard to do on many of London’s busy traffic streets. 

Entertainment in this area is pretty kid-friendly too. You’ll find singers and bubble artists performing along your walks. Take a few minutes to watch the skateboarders as you pass the skatepark near Waterloo Bridge. There is also a good selection of family friendly dining options in South Bank, like Giraffe and Wahaca.

Your closest major attraction is the London Eye, though you’re also just a short walk across Westminster Bridge to be right in front of Big Ben.

Travel Tip: I always suggest heading to the south side of the river to get the best pictures of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Staying in South Bank means you’re already here.

I often suggest South Bank because it tends to be slightly less expensive than neighborhoods on the north side of the Thames river. It’s not quite as well connected by the Tube, but still a great choice if your kids are up for a short walk to several of London’s biggest sights.

South Bank Hotel Pick

• Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London: My overall top family hotel recommendation. Many different room types are available, including some with views of Big Ben. The hotel regularly runs family friendly events and special offers.

Paddington

Best for: quick access to and from Heathrow airport

Flying through Heathrow and dreading getting your family + luggage to and from the hotel? When you want to prioritize getting out to sightsee without all your stuff in tow, Paddington is the best choice.

The Heathrow Express and the Elizabeth line make for short trips to Paddington station. This neighborhood isn’t the most charming part of London, but it is a convenient base with quick access to other areas via the London Tube. 

Paddington Hotel Pick

• Hilton London Metropole: Lots of large, American-style room configurations. Also offers family suites and interconnecting rooms.

Richmond Upon Thames

Best for: slow travel and a more local feel

If you want to see a more local side of London, in a family friendly setting, then consider heading out of the city center to Richmond Upon Thames. This is still part of London, but further from the typical tourist areas. You can get into central London on the District line, which has a final stop at Richmond.

Travel Tip: The District Line splits as it moves out of central London. Check the boards to ensure you get on a train going to Richmond or you could wind up in a different area by mistake.

I love to spend time in Richmond, particularly in the area near the Thames. You may recognize some spots here as filming locations for Ted Lasso. Nearby Richmond Park is a former royal hunting ground where you’re still likely to find deer bounding over the hills.

While you are further out, there are still some tourist sights near here as well. Kew Gardens is very close, while Hampton Court Palace is only a short train ride away.

Travel Tip: For an extra special arrival to Hampton Court Palace in the summer months, look for riverboat trips departing from the Richmond riverfront.

Richmond Hotel Picks

• The Petersham: Elegant Victorian hotel overlooking the Thames. Best for small families.
• Richmond Escape: 2 bedroom vacation home right in the heart of the Richmond Upon Thames town center.

Should You Stay in an Apartment?

For most families, I’d say no. Hotels in London tend to be better located for transportation, are more flexible to allow requests like early check-in when your whole family is jet-lagged, and include complimentary luggage storage on your check-in and check-out days.

I’ve stayed in a few vacation rentals in London, and really only recommend them if you know your way around the city and are comfortable with longer distances to sightsee. They’re also a good idea for longer stays in the city, such as a week in London or more.

With that in mind, here’s an apartment rental in Kensington that I think is a good match for families. It has two good-sized bedrooms, with the second having two single beds that are perfect for kids. There is a small courtyard garden that would be nice for relaxed evenings in the warmer months. It is also located close to Gloucester Road Tube station.

Tips for Booking a Family Hotel in London

1. Book Early

Booking the right hotel in London with kids takes a bit of planning. The most important tip is to book as early as possible, especially if you need a true family room or space for more than three people. These room types are limited in London and tend to sell out quickly, particularly during school holidays and summer travel season.

2. Check Occupancy Limits

You also want to check occupancy limits carefully before booking. Many rooms labeled as “family rooms” in London only accommodate three guests, and adding a rollaway bed is not always an option. 

Travel Tip: When I search on Booking.com, I like to check the “number of guests” column by the room description and also look at room photos to gauge whether I’m comfortable with the space provided. 

3. Be Aware of UK Room Sizes

Another thing that often catches American visitors off guard is room size. London hotel rooms are typically much smaller than what you might be used to in the US. Even higher-end hotels can feel compact, so it’s worth looking at photos to set expectations.

4. Location Matters

Finally, prioritize location and transport access. A slightly smaller room in a central, well-connected area will almost always make your trip easier than a larger space that requires long Tube journeys at the start and end of each day.

FAQs About Where to Stay in London With Kids

Choosing the Best Place to Stay in London With Kids

In London, where you stay makes a huge difference in your trip. The biggest mistake I see families make is choosing a hotel that looks great, but isn’t in the right location.

Choose somewhere central, close to transport, and suited to your family’s travel style. Book early, double-check room configurations, and prioritize convenience.

Booking with these tips in mind will help ensure your London trip is enjoyable for the whole family.

More Resources for Your London Vacation

• The Best London Tourist Attractions
• 25 Unique Things To Do in London
• The Best Areas of London for First-Time Visitors
• Top London Travel Tips
• 3 Castle Day Trips From London by Train