9 Perfect Activities with Parents in London

Parents always think of you as a toddler no matter how old you are and have spent their money frugally and wisely on you. They are not there to see the sights of London or to be pushed way out of their comfort zone by eating junk food or dancing the night away. Neither do they want to spend all their time only with you. So grab a special friend and let your parents meet who you hang out with. Relax awhile and stop rushing them off from one destination to another like they are burdensome on you. Understand that they love the simple sober things in life and are just checking in on you to ensure all is fine with you. Treat them to the simple bland pleasures they are comfortable with. Order those breakfast sandwiches, cook a meal for them, wander with them through time and memories and enjoy the vacation with the best things to do in London, just as you did when they did the vacation planning. Now, let us start with some things they are sure to appreciate.

Both could be different and argumentative when it comes to what they like to do or see. But with food, they are always wise and elegant. If you need to eat out, try the brunch at Chiltern Firehouse, the Rumpus Room at the Mondrian or Berners Tavern where the typical simple British enjoy the not-so-expensive delicious and healthy food while overlooking the best and sunny viewpoints in the house. It is a good idea to try the Italian food at the River Café or the Japanese menu at Zuma. But don’t go overboard with the best things to do in London and exotic foods that they would never try. Gift them a spa massage at the Aman Spa, or offer to take in a movie with them at the Notting Hill’s Electric Cinema. If one of them loves art then opt for the Sir John Sloane Museum in the afternoon sessions or the Royal Albert Hall’s Cirque du Soleil.

They have come to London and should be seeing the main sights and things to do in London with you. So take them mindfully to these places.

The headquarters of British Royalty and of the ruling monarch Queen Elizabeth is Buckingham Palace. This is one of the Queen’s working palaces and you can book your visit to the best things to do in London and look inside the royal palace’s 19 State Rooms. Dress formally as there is a chance that you may meet the Queen. Besides, the elaborate Change of Guard happens for 45 minutes every day from 10.45 am onwards. The viewing of the change of guard is free and the best places would be the Victoria Memorial steps, Buckingham Palace railings, or Spur Road. The schedule to visit is longer in summer and the palace is open in September-October from 9.15 am to 6.45 pm and during July August till 7:45 pm. The tickets would cost you £37.00. Its location is SW1A-1AA.

The National Gallery is home to some of the world’s most famous original paintings by master artists. Why not appreciate the paintings like Michelangelo’s The Entombment, Botticelli’s Venus and Mars, Rubens’ Le Chapeau de Paille, Raphael’s The Madonna of the Pinks, Titian’s Bacchus and Ariadne, Velazquez's Rokeby Venus, Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, or Monet’s The Water-Lily Pond? The National Gallery is open each day from 10 am to 6 pm and on Fridays for extended hours till 9 pm. The location is WC2N-5DN and the best part of the visit? It is all for free!

The London Eye literally is your eye in the sky and among the best things to do in London. The 1999 built Ferris wheel at the London eye is the best sky observatory allowing you to view from your pod 360 degrees of 25 km of London’s skyline. On a clear day you can get a clear view of Buckingham Palace and its grounds, the Parliament Building and Hyde Park from a height of 135 m above the ground.

Would they prefer to be adventurous and try something different among the things to do in London? Try the Zombie Experience or Secret Cinema. If they are the kind who loves a dare then try the Air Line from the Emirates group or climb to the O2 tower and use the cable car to cross the River Thames to take in some twists of adventure and photography of the aerial views. The James Bond based experience of the London Rib Experiences is sure to tickle them as will the virtual experiences at the new Somnai. Want to take the adventurous streak into the food bay? Try the Sherlock Holmes Murder Mystery dining experience with clues or dinner in the dark at Dans Le Noir or the Circus. For a freaky menu with protein-loaded insects try the Archipelago or tone it DOWN at the Underground Supper Club. Just remember to ask them first since most parents are sober elegant eaters and may not want to leave their comfort zone of the sometimes bland but healthy food zone.

Want to get a Bird’s eye view of London safely? Use the only ride in London to give you a helicopter view from the London Helicopter which takes up to 6 tourists on a city round in a helicopter. You will need to get to their location at the London Heliport at Battersea SW11-3BE or call them on 020*7887*2626 for reservations. The London Buzz shared package 12-minute flight for 6 people costs 150 pounds per person or 750 pounds for exclusive use. Want to do sightseeing flying over the best things to do in London? Choose the London Sights package costing 200 pounds/ person or 1000 pounds for the exclusive use of the 18-minute flight. Want to spend more time up there? Take on the London Max package costing 1500 pounds only for exclusive use.

If you do not want to try the helicopter ride as being too adventurous then this ride can do the trick to get an aerial view of the River Thames, Buckingham Palace and the Parliament which are the best things to do in London. You will float for 30 minutes climbing to 443 ft or 135m above the ground and rotating once every 30 minutes. The tickets cost 27 pounds for adults and 22 pounds for children between 3 and 15 when bought online. Tickets at daily prices at most of the best things to do in London and the booths are normally 2 to 3 pounds more. You can also get a 20% discount on prices with certain London sightseeing passes. Book your tickets on https://www.londoneye.com. The ticket booth’s start at 9.30 while the first round starts at 10 am. The location is SE1-7PB. You can also buy the skip-the-line tickets at 29.45 pounds.

Take those pictures of your quality time spent with your parents at the Farm Girl with blue coffees and a sporty ambiance, or try the dining options at Eggbreak, Chicama, Daisy Green Collection, The Ivy or Duck and Waffles especially if your mother blogs and is interested in food photography. Just want quality pictures at quiet spots with a great view and things to do in London? Try Notting Hill’s Farmer Street, Warren Mews, the sunrise and sunset at any spot on Southbank, the lovely architecture of Leadenhall Market. While at it, do spend time at the Sky Garden, climbing Primrose Hill, visiting the Monument or snapping the peacock of Kyoto Garden.

Pack your picnic basket and head out to Hyde Park. Take a stroll or a boat ride in the Serpentine Lake before enjoying your summer picnic on the inviting grass. If your parents wish to take in any of the events or things to do in London like exhibitions or concerts and hate the crowds at most landmarks then here is your chance to just relax and enjoy the fresh air. You can visit anytime from 5 am to midnight and the entry to the park is absolutely free.

It is not the regular museum kind of things to do in London. The 1852 Queen Victoria and Prince Albert museum of art and decorative design is London’s largest museum with 4.5 million-plus objects like the royal jewelry collections, silver trinkets, ceramics and household items, regal capes and costumes, exquisite sculptures, ornate furniture, silk and textiles and more to see. Their working hours are from 10 am to 5.45 pm in the evening daily and admission is free. On Fridays, the time is extended until 10 pm.

London is an expensive place to live in and with over 9 million people in London, going to places or doing things to do in London that aren’t crowded or where you don’t get jostled around in the transportation queues appears to be a daunting task, right? No, you are wrong! Some of the best things to do in London and the best dining options do run to full houses and need advance reservations and good planning, that’s all! Try the weekday lunch at 12 noon at the Grazing Goat, or the spacious Gherkin at Searcy's Club both of which are casual, elegant and with food that is delicious. Want to celebrate something intimate? Try 45 Park Lane- CUT or the 7-seater only Clos Maggiore’s The Conservatory. Want to preview at the art galleries without a crowd. Try the morning sessions at the Wallace Collection or Saatchi Gallery. For gyming and smoothies the Bodyism rocks is the place to be, while walking is best at the Notting Hill’s Westbourne Park Road or Holland Park’s Kyoto Garden. Also, don’t miss out at strolling or admiring the neighborhood at Belgravia.

You definitely cannot shop or do the shopping things to do in London with your mum the way you do with your friends. So take her over to Carnaby Street and its cool stores like Jack Willis and Monki, or head to Topshop on Oxford Street. Shopping at Liberty, Claridge’s and Harrods should be high on your list so she can buy something to show off when she gets back home. If she loves the modest stuff in stylish clothes, accessories, or shoes then head to the ends of Oxford Street and the Primark stores. If she wants to explore the street markets then head to Camden Market. For the ritualistic tea sessions of London which is among the best things to do in London, the finger sandwiches, scones, clotted cream, croissants and more are great at any of the places we mentioned above.

It is normal that your parents will say they have already seen the sights and may not want to do the same things again. Why not pamper the quirky and explorative side of them? Try taking them to London’s quirky and famed Cereal Killer café for a cereal breakfast with a twist and pick up some divine rainbow bagels from Beigel Shop to snack up on your way. Reinvent their morning coffee with AIDA Shoreditch’s rose coffees or take them for lunch at the fun and quaint Sarastro restaurant. Any ideas among the things to do in London for an elegant champagne dinner? Buy the stuff at the Bob Bob Ricard the latest favorite on Instagram. To try something different take them on a visit to Denis Severs' House, the Brands and Advertising museum or God's Own Junkyard for the artistic and neon stuff of their age. Any fans of Sherlock Holmes? The museum dedicated to Sherlock Holmes is worth a visit as is the home of Charles Dickens. Want to put up your parents at a hotel? Try the London Shoreditch’s citizen-M close to Liverpool station. The Hotel Moonlight is also modestly priced, clean and with sober facilities.

Want your parents to try out the food and things to do in London that you normally make do with? Take them to Borough Market the oldest food market at the South Bank of the River Thames. Make sure you work up an appetite by visiting the close by Hayward Gallery and the Royal Festival Hall since the South Bank area is noted for being London’s largest art display area since 1951. Enjoy the street, music and arts performances before heading to eat at the best food trucks or restaurants with a modest price and delicious typical foods. Try the best things to do in London and gorge on chocolates at Choc Van Star, Vietnamese foods at Ca Phe Vietnam, doughnuts at You Doughnut, NYC burgers at Bleecker Street Burger, or the burritos and Tacos famous at Wahaca Street Kitchen. If you do not want them into unhealthy food, then try out the Borough Market specials like cheese on toast, sausages, fruit smoothies, salted beef, olives, pots of tea, caramel nougat, broccoli and chicken quiche. Also, try out the French wine tasting classes at Vinopolis close to Borough Market. For 27 pounds you get to use the seven credits after the class at any of the vending stations of absinthe, white, red or fortified rum, and champagne. You can even order the tapas plate where you get to taste a bit of all the dishes served in the house. If you want to buy a wee bit of wine, wait till the staff member comes to change the depleting bottle. You should be able to get it for free if its down to the last few glasses.

As we say our goodbyes aloud, we hope you have enjoyed our nine suggestions of things to do in London that are not going to dent your wallet and yet can speak volumes for you and how well you’ve adapted to London. Give them back some of their love and show them that you’ve cared enough to make their time with you the highest priority and one of the best things to do in London. Yes, let them know that you understand their reluctance to go to the many crowded theaters, parks or museums, accounted for the unpredictable foggy days of London, their weak knees, their reluctance to go partying with you, the fact that your limited budget is not overspent and of course that you love having some special time with them. We wish you happy exploring times with the nine things to do in London as we bid adieu to you. Enjoy the visit and let us know you appreciated our advice. Happy vacations!