Where we live in Kent
We are very lucky
To be able to get direct trains to London
We go to London quite a bit for Home Education visits and workshops
And for the theatre
Our local station has trains that travel to Charing Cross
Giving us easy access to The West End
But I think our favourite area to explore recently
Has been London Bridge
Esther and William both LOVE The Shard
And wherever we walk in the London Bridge area
The Shard seems to follow us
This area of London has a lot to offer families
And I thought I would share some of our favourite places and activities
If you are not local to London
You could consider an overnight stay
In a London Bridge hotel
There is definitely enough to do in this area
To fill a couple of days
Here are
10 Things To Try With The Kids In London Bridge
Where The Pancakes Are
I had looked at this place online a few times
Before being brave enough to give it a try
But I am so glad we did
The pancakes were perfect
The coffee was wonderful
And the cafe was just lovely
Tucked away by Southwark Bridge
Perfect view of The Shard
The staff were friendly
The service was excellent
And the pancakes were gone in minutes
Testament to their yumminess!
Esther was really brave and tried something new
Pancakes with forest berry compote, house cream, crushed meringue and toasted almond flakes
William had sausages and maple syrup
While I had bacon and maple syrup
All absolutely delicious and we will definitely be going back again
I took Esther and William to experience Borough Market
It is a real sensory experience
Sights and sounds, tastes and smells
They were amazed at the cheese stalls
So many different kinds of cheese!
They loved listening to the traders
Call out about their wares
We saw lots of different fruits and vegetables
All without plastic packaging
Freshly harvested
Sent from the farm
It was a wonderful experience on a rainy morning
We also knew that the market has links with the Harry Potter films
But did not see anything that we immediately recognised
We will have to go back again
Unicorn Theatre
We have recently discovered The Unicorn Theatre
Through a London Home Education Group that we are part of
This theatre is so convenient for us
Being quite literally over the road from London Bridge Station
Unicorn Theatre is the UK’s theatre for young audiences
A creative environment in which children and young people
Can be challenged, engaged and inspired
We watched a brilliant production devised around Aesop’s Fables
It was a fantastic show and made me long to be back in the theatre myself
The modern storytelling was very much like the shows I used to create
With friends and fellow drama students many years ago
We loved the show
The acting was amazing and we were hooked on the performance from the very first action
After the show we had a tour of the theatre
Esther loved meeting the costume designer and came away so inspired
The children then attended a drama / storytelling workshop
They were incredibly nervous going in without me
But they did it and were so pleased with themselves that they did
They loved the workshop, made a new friend and learned some new drama techniques
I was so incredibly proud of them
We all want to make Unicorn Theatre part of our home education routine going forward
The upcoming season has a whole host of inspiring shows lined up and we want to see them all!
The children are very keen to do as many workshops as they can
When I was growing up I lived for theatre
For plays, auditions, rehearsals, writing scripts, acting, directing …
I am so glad that my children seem to be starting to share that love
Bring on the drama!
Treasure Trails – Tale of Two Bridges Trail
Follow a map around London Bridge
A self-guided treasure hunt
To learn the history of two bridges that are often confused
London Bridge and Tower Bridge
As you follow the Trail route
Cann you solve the sneaky clues set on existing buildings, permanent features
And monuments to discover the location of the buried treasure?
This Trail will give you a chance to get to know both bridges
And the Thames-side paths between them
You will cross the river twice along this circular Trail
The Monument
We love history here
And we especially love learning about London’s history
And especially enjoy focusing on The Plague and The Great Fire
1665 and 1666
We have been to The Monument many times
But have not yet been up to the top
Esther and William have this on their bucket list for the autumn term
To return to London
And visit The Monument
And climb to the top
To see the far reaching views across our capital city
Have you been to the top of the monument?
St Paul’s Cathedral
This summer I visited St Paul’s Cathedral for the first time
Together with Esther and William
We went for a history workshop
About the cathedral’s history and it’s links to The Great Fire of 1666
The workshop was wonderful
We are going back again at Christmas
For another workshop
I loved being inside the cathedral
The people’s church
And we were able to light a candle for Tilda
Which was just so very very special
A moment I will never forget
More London Riverside Fountains
These fountains are such good fun
Perfect for cooling off on a hot day
Only my William has managed to get soaked
From head to foot in winter!
A symphony of over 200 white water jets arranged in linear banks
The jets spring from the limestone paving delighting children
And while the children play
The adults can enjoy the amazing city view
3BIS Gelato
When we go up to London
We often have a treat
Pancakes
Cake
Lunch out
An ice cream!
In Borough Market
You can get some very special ice cream indeed
You need to try it
It is pricey
So perhaps for a special occasion
But try it if you can
You will not be disappointed
Museum of London
This is a wonderful free museum where you can learn all about the history of London. From the Roman city of Londinium to Medieval London to the horrors of plague and fire. Learn about how London became the World City that it is today and look back at London 2012. The museum itself is a wonderful resource for schools and families and they also organise walks around the local area.
I organised a Great Fire Walk for our Home Education Group all around All Hallows and following the route of the fire, learning the story of what happened back in 1666.
It was a wonderful experience and a great way to see the city and learn about it’s story. It is also how Esther and William first fell in love with The Shard!
The Shard
Standing proud and tall, towering over London Bridge Station is The Shard. A beautiful glass building, striking and dominating the local area. Wherever we wander in the London Bridge area we are always followed by The Shard.
Esther and William’s dream is to go up to the top of The Shard and I hope to make that happen one day. Meanwhile, they stare in awe and wonder, and make up stories of how it is alive and follows them on their adventures in the city.
We love to wander the streets of London
There is always something new to do
Some hidden secret to discover
Is London calling you?
Do you have a favourite place in London that we should find and try?
We would love for you to let us know
This is a collaborative post. The spending money was gifted by Hotels.com, but all views are my own.