Top Baby & Family-Friendly Activities in London and the South-East

Once you’ve visited one of our exceptional concerts, we’re certain you’ll be buzzing for more culture and excitement! So why not make a day of it? We’ve searched London and the South-East for family-friendly outings, locations and experiences, all suitable for families and young children, with many of them being free or low-cost.

All of our selections below are within easy reach of a Bach to Baby concert location, so go ahead and treat yourself and the family to a fun-packed day out!

1. Greenwich Park

Price: Park and grounds are free. Entry to the museums and historic buildings varies. Ranger's House closes for winter

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

Blackheath

Greenwich

Greenwich Park has acres of beautiful running-around space, as well as some of the best viewpoints and architecture in London. Take in the unbeatable panorama from the Greenwich Observatory and Point View, admire Ranger's House (home of the ton’s most illustrious family in Netflix’s Bridgerton), and wander down to the majestic Royal Naval College.

Greenwich Park

2. Award-winning gelato at Oddono's, Battersea

Price: Ice creams from £4

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

Clapham

You probably know Battersea Park for its vast fields and incredible playgrounds. But have you ever been to Oddono’s, the iconic local ice cream shop? This family-run gem is open all year round, with award-winning gelato so good you can even buy boxes to take home. Find it on the bustling Northcote Road, alongside many other charming cafes, some local faves being Alma and Cafe Tamra.

Award-winning gelato at Oddono's, Battersea.

3. Dulwich Picture Gallery

Price: £20 per adult, under 18s go free

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

Dulwich Village

The stunning Dulwich Picture Galley has hundreds of works including European masterpieces by Rembrandt and Gainsborough, , as well as creative family events such as Mini Masterpieces.. The oldest public art gallery in England, it boasts riches of the Renaissance, Baroque, and Pre-Raphaelite periods. Look out for the Tirzah Garwood exhibition! Or if the weather is fine, visit nearby Dulwich Park and burn off some energy in the playground or on the rentable pedalo boats!

Dulwich Picture Gallery

4. Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery

Price: £12 per adult, under 16s go free.

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

Ealing

The breathtaking Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery will transport you right back to the Regency era! Their exhibitions celebrate contemporary artists, such as Grayson Perry, with family workshops and trails available for little ones. Situated in the stunning Walpole Park, with its brilliant playground, cafe, fountains and lake.

Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery

5. Sumptuous pastries at Soderberg, East Dulwich.

Price: Pastries from £2.30

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

East Dulwich

Lordship Lane is the heart of East Dulwich, teeming with stylish cafes and shops. And there you'll find Scandinavian cafe Soderberg, a hotspot known for its scrumptious cardamom buns and Swedish meatballs. Stroll over to Peckham Rye park for fantastic play areas for kids of all ages, as well as woodlands and water gardens.

Sumptuous pastries at Soderberg, East Dulwich.

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING STIMULATING AND INSPIRING FOR BABY AND YOU?

6. Highgate Wood & Queen's Wood Cafe

Price: Free. Cafe - Coffee from £2.90

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

Highgate Village

Hidden away in North London lies the quiet, mystical Highgate Wood, which feels miles away from the metropolis. Spot local wildlife, enjoy the children's playground, and drop into the iconic, fairytale-like Queen’s Wood cafe for a freshly-made sandwich, cheese on toast or homemade cake.

Highgate Wood & Queen's Wood Cafe

7. Badiani, Islington's best ice cream

Price: Ice creams from £4

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

Islington - Highbury

If Arsenal football stadium isn’t your scene, head down to colourful Camden Passage in Angel, home to all sorts of boutiques and eateries, including the out-of-this-world ice cream at Badiani. The artisanal gelato will blow your mind! Grab a cone and take a stroll along Upper Street to After Noah, a gorgeous independent toy shop that also sells lovely things for us grown ups too. Something for everyone!

Badiani, Islington's best ice cream

8. Kew Gardens

Price: Adults from £12 off-peak. Children under 4 free.

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

Kew & Richmond

How can you go to Kew without visiting the world-famous Kew Gardens? Besides its botanical beauties, the garden is also home to a giant beehive installation, a children’s garden, and a towering treetop walk for the whole family to enjoy.

Kew Gardens

9. London's Famous Borough Market

Price: Free entry

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

London Bridge & Borough

Step into London's most famous food market and be wowed by the dazzling displays of fruit and veg, flowers and drinks! Local must-try hotspots include Humble Crumble for a cheeky treat, and Bread Ahead for the best baked goods in town. Take your snacks through the cobbled streets to the tucked-away Red Cross garden or the historic Golden Hinde ship.

London's Famous Borough Market

10. Hummingbird Bakery, Notting Hill

Price: Entry free, food £3+

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

Notting Hill

Among the hidden treasures of Portobello Road sits the original Hummingbird Bakery store! While you hunt for vintage finds, try one of their celebrated cakes, inspired by American-style bakeries. Classics include cheesecakes, cupcakes and pie!

Hummingbird Bakery, Notting Hill

11. The Story Museum, Oxford

Price: Story Museum entry £14 for adults, £6.50 for 1-4 year olds

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

Oxford Summertown

As you stroll through the ancient, golden streets of Oxford, why not pop into the Story Museum? This brilliant family museum is dedicated to the magic of stories, with exhibitions and performances for children of all ages. Bookworms may also want to peek into Alice's Shop, the authentic Alice in Wonderland themed shop, in the very spot where Lewis Carroll, and the Alice who inspired the story, passed through.

The Story Museum, Oxford

12. Fulham Palace and Gardens

Price: Entry to house and gardens is free.

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

Putney

Fulham Palace is known as an historic home for bishops, dating back centuries. Soak in the history indoors, discovering the stories of the real people who lived and worked there, and then enjoy the 13 acres of stunning plantings, rare trees and a walled garden. There’s also a play area, alongside family trails and activities aimed at little ones.

Fulham Palace and Gardens

13. Reading Museum

Price: Free

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

Reading

Nestled away minutes from the train station lies the charming Reading Museum, featuring collections of art, natural and local history. Medieval buffs will appreciate the full-size Victorian replica of the Bayeux tapestry. Smaller visitors will enjoy the family trails and the dressing-up opportunities in the permanent galleries.

Reading Museum

AMAZING LIVE MUSIC, FEEDING, CRYING, DANCING & NAPPY CHANGING

14. Regent's Park

Price: Free entry to park. Zoo from £27 per adult and £18.90 for children. Kids under 3 go free.

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

Regent's Park

There’s so much to do around Regent's Park! Little ones will gravitate straight to the renowned London Zoo, but don’t forget to breathe in the beautiful scents of the Regent’s Park Rose Garden, wander along the canals, and see the famous views of London from atop Primrose Hill.

Regent's Park

15. The Natural History Museum

Price: Free

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

South Kensington

You're spoilt for choice with museums in South Kensington! Little ones love to gasp at the gargantuan skeletons in the Natural History Museum, and admire the glittering geodes. With free entry and multiple floors, there's plenty to do for all ages. On the world famous Exhibition Road also lie the Science Museum and the V&A - a big day out for all.

The Natural History Museum

16. Clissold Park

Price: Free

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

Stoke Newington

Clissold Park is beloved by locals for its wonderful playground and green spaces. Families can feed the ducks on the stream, and spot the deer and goats! Nearby Green Lanes also contains many fabulous Turkish eateries, and is considered one of the top spots for baklava in London.

Clissold Park

17. Dinosaurs at Crystal Palace Park

Price: Free

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

Sydenham

Get prehistoric at Crystal Palace Park! Children love the famous dinosaur statues, which date back over a century and show Victorian ideas about what dinosaurs would have looked like. The park also holds cafes, a fishing lake, a boating lake, a small museum and maze.

Dinosaurs at Crystal Palace Park

18. Tate Britain

Price: Free

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

Victoria & Pimlico

The Tate Britain houses inspiring collections of British art from multiple eras - and much of it is free to visit! Children will enjoy the digital sketchpads and the half-term workshops, adults will appreciate the grandeur of the Pre-Raphaelites, then all can grab a bite to eat at nearby Wilton Road, home to a multitude of international restaurants.

Tate Britain

19. Victoria Park

Price: Free

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

Victoria Park

Victoria Park is a favourite with local children of all ages, for its numerous play areas including splash pools, huge slides and climbing equipment. And that's not to mention the skatepark, boating lake, and critically-acclaimed Pavilion Cafe. See if you can spot the fruit trees in the Orchard Meadows blooming in summer!

Victoria Park

20. The William Morris Gallery

Price: Free

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

Walthamstow

The William Morris Gallery is dedicated to William Morris' artistic and social legacy. Grownups will recognise his iconic wallpaper designs and love the exhibitions, but keep an eye out for the Mini Morris days designed for little ones, alongside the family trails. The nearby Lloyd Park and Walthamstow Wetlands also offer plenty of scope for exploring.

The William Morris Gallery

21. Lola's Bakery, West Hampstead

Price: Cakes from £4

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

West Hampstead

It’s impossible to miss Lola's famous cupcakes, found at so many central London train stations - now come to the cafe! Lola’s Bakery is a hotspot in eclectic West Hampstead, serving their flagship cakes as well as savoury food, catering for a range of dietary needs.

Lola's Bakery, West Hampstead

22. Wimbledon Common

Price: Free

Nearest Bach to Baby concerts:

Wimbledon

Wimbledon Raynes Park

Wimbledon isn't just for tennis - breathe in the wild, natural beauty of Wimbledon Common. This famous green contains plenty of flora and fauna to admire, a children’s activity area, and the iconic Windmill Museum! Perhaps you’ll even spot a Womble…

Wimbledon Common

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