Betsy's Buddies
Do London
By Betsy McCormack
London offers many opportunities to have fun with infants and
toddlers. The first and most obvious choice is Hyde Park,
spectacular for many reasons. A play area for elementary aged children and
younger is located between the Edinburgh and Albert gates. Children can
swing, climb, slide and run in an enclosed play area. With an equestrian trail
right next to the play area, children can enjoy watching the horses.
Just a short walk from the play area is a dining room
serving many varieties of
food, including children's platters and a la carte items such as
fruit, vegetables, chicken nuggets and French fries (or "chips" as
they are called in the U.K.). Elsewhere in Hyde Park, you can rent small boats to float along the
Serpentine or stand on the banks and feed the multitude of geese and
ducks. Squirrels can be persuaded to eat right out of your child's hand, or
she can feed the many pigeons that abound. With plenty of space to run and
play and hide, Hyde Park is a great place to spend an afternoon.
Not too far from Hyde Park is Regents Park, home of the
London Zoo, open daily all year, but with different hours in the summer and winter.
Admission prices are £8.00 for adults and £6.00
for children. If
you want to see everything, you should plan more than one day at the zoo. With
over 10,000 animals, your child will have a
grand time. In the
children's zoo, you'll find animals with particular appeal to children, such as
llamas, reindeer and penguins. Here, your child can interact directly with the
animals for a delightful experience.
If you are operating on a tight budget, an alternative would be the
Battersea Park Children's Zoo. While a taxi, bus or
underground would be necessary to get to Battersea,
the admission prices are only £1.10 for adults and £0.60 for children.
Another great place to take your children is the
London Aquarium, home to many varieties of
marine life, from starfish to sharks. Displays include a living rain forest,
Europe's largest display of fish and marine life, and captivating shark
display tanks. In the interactive touch pools, adventurous children can
handle amazing creatures, such as harmless rays, hermit crabs, anemones and
starfish, with the guidance of trained Aquarium staff. Located on
Westminster Bridge Road, the ride to the Aquarium is filled with historical
sights. The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben are across
Westminster Bridge, just a short walk from the Aquarium.
Another amazing attraction is the London Eye. This
amazing structure, created to celebrate the millennium, resembles a carnival Ferris wheel. However, this unique
piece of machinery rises to a height of 135 meters (that's 445 feet for Americans). On a clear day, the view from the top is spectacular. For those
afraid of heights, a fully enclosed glass
"pod" exists to hold approximately 20 people at a time. Equipped with a bench
for the weak-kneed and a tour guide for the curious, you and your children
can experience a "bird's eye view" of historic Westminster and
London. The London Eye is definitely a must see.
These few items barely scratch the surface of
what London has to offer. All in all, London is
a great place to bring the family on vacation.
Families will have a great time exploring the rich culture and heritage
of London. A trip to the surrounding
countryside would make a vacation in England unforgettable, but even if you never get
any farther than Hyde Park, the trip will be worth it.
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