Free family breaks and activities

Sometimes the simplest things in life are the best – benches, river views and water jets. In the summer, Granary Square is essentially a free water park and kids never seem to stop having fun trying to dodge the jets of water from the ground.

Granary Square is also in a very pretty part of the city, with stone steps looking out on to the canal, Central Saint Martins art school next door and King’s Cross St Pancras around the corner. In fact, being so close to King’s Cross is a big thing on a trip for the kids – that’s less time travelling and more time enjoying your day out. You’re also right next to Platform 9 ¾, which is free to visit and take pictures of (with the Harry Potter Platform 9 ¾ shop next door). It’s a great spot for budget family breaks that won’t compromise on fun for your kids.

Kids spend a lot of time reading about kings and queens in books, and a trip to Buckingham Palace can be like bringing the magic of their stories to life. The Changing of the Guard is probably one of the most exciting events outside the Buckingham Palace grounds, and it’s a treat to watch. As soon as your kids hear “make way for the Queen’s Guard!” and see all the excitement for themselves, you’ll see their eyes light up – just keep them out of the way of the guards! Plus, you’re right next to St James’s Park Playground afterwards.

We can’t get you in to Buckingham Palace, but we can get you close – our Premier Inn London Victoria hotel is under a mile and only a 15-minute walk away. It’s perfect for exploring nearby Westminster Cathedral and parks in the area, too.

London has some of the best parks in the UK. It’s easy to see London as this gigantic grey giant, but there’s vast rolling fields and hills right there in the middle of the city. There’s plenty to choose from and some of the most famous like Hyde Park and Regent’s Park are popular and get incredibly busy, which isn’t always great if you have noisy kids to look after. For us, Greenwich Park is one of the best spots for a picnic with kids.

First, there’s a hill up to Greenwich Observatory which overlooks Canary Wharf and the whole of the city, and just getting up there is a fun adventure that’s sure to tire them out. Secondly, Greenwich Park is surrounded by shops and great places to eat, and even fantastic free museums like the London Maritime Museum and the Queen’s House. Thirdly, it just tends to be a bit quieter because it’s so spread out, there’s just so many good spots to sit for a picnic.

This one isn’t free, but it’s one of the best (and most affordable) ways to get closer to the river without paying for a tour or hiring a private boat. London’s river buses glide past all the major sights on the Thames like Big Ben, Tower Bridge and the London Eye all the way to the O2.

They’re also fully stocked with food and drink while you’re on board. River buses are still buses and it can get busy during peak commuting hours, but generally they’re a lot quieter than regular buses and the Tube, and they’re a refreshing way to get across the city.

There’s nothing to stop you spending lunch on a Thames Clipper, tucking into sandwiches with the backdrop of the best of the river around you.