Greenwich is one of my favourite places in London. Living nearby, I often find myself strolling through its narrow streets and enjoying its park. Since I became a mum then, I value Greenwich even more!

With its wheelchair accessible transport network, changing tables and high chairs present in most of the restaurants, playgrounds and museums with a children area, London is very baby friendly. But Greenwich in particular is a hub of activities and services suitable for children. Bonus: Most of the activities are free or cheap!

If you're in London and wondering how to spend a family day out, this is the blog post for you! Let's see what to do in Greenwich with kids.

Let's start with the main attraction of the neighbourhood, one of the most beautiful royal parks in London: the Royal Park of Greewich, better known as Greenwich Park.

In its 73 hectares, Greenwich Park is home to wild animals such as deer, foxes and birds, various flower gardens and orchards, monuments, statues, museums and a beautiful playground.

• Boating lake: right opposite the Queen's House there's a small lake, generally open from Easter to October, where you can rent a paddle boat. The service operates every day from 10:00 to 17:00 in July and August, while the rest of the year it's only open during the weekends, Bank Holidays and half term. You can hire a paddle boat for 20 minutes, it costs £3 for children up to 15, £4 per adult or £12 for a family (2 adults and 2 children). Check times and prices on the official website:royalparks.org.uk

• Playground: right next to the lake there is the entrance to a beautiful playground. It first opened in the 1940s but it has recently undergone a major makeover that includes modern maritime themed rides and play opportunities for children of all ages and abilities. There are swings, slides of different heights, a carousel, several wooden houses and a sandpit with water games ideal for the warmer months. In the playground there also are toilets with changing facilities, picnic tables, and a kiosk to buy snacks and drinks. The playground is free and open every day except December 25th.

• Panoramic view: walk to the top of the hill in Greenwich Park to find a splendid panoramic view of the Old Royal Naval College, the Thames, Canary Wharf, and - on the left - also a glimpse of the City of London with the Shard and St.Paul's Cathedral. It really is one of the most beautiful views in London, I dare you not to take dozens of photos! One of the kid's favourite activities from this point is rolling down the hill, so dress comfortable and fit for purpose!

• The wilderness deer park: in the heart of the park, hidden in a grove, you will find a deer enclosure.
  N.B. the deer have been temporarily moved to Richmond Park: Greenwich's Wilderness Deer Park is undergoing renovations, so the deer have been moved not to disturb them during the works which are due to finish in 2024.

• Cherry Blossoms walk: if you happen to be in Greenwich in spring, March and April, don't miss the so-called "cherry blossom walk". It is a small path surrounded by two rows of cherry trees that bend towards each other to form a sort of pink gallery. You'll obviously find hundreds of people taking pictures, be patient! The Cherry Blossom Walk is located at the top of the hill, just after the Royal Observatory (see the map at the top of this post).

Older children and geography and astronomy enthusiasts will find Greenwich is cut out for them too.

Did you know that the prime meridian passes through Greenwich? Yes, the one used to calculate GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). This imaginary line is also where East meets West at longitude 0˚. This means that, in Greenwich, you can literally place one foot on East and the other one on West!

The Greenwich Meridian is located in the courtyard of the Royal Observatory, which has an entrance fee. If you don't plan to visit the Observatory, part of the meridian is also marked outside the entrance.

If you decide to get into the Observatory, you can also visit the Planetarium and the Greenwich Time Ball, an ancient red ball that falls from the turret every day at 1pm, installed in 1855 to signal the accurate time to boats in the Thames.

The Royal Observatory is open every day from 10am to 5pm. Adult ticket is £16, children aged 4 to 15 pay £8 and little ones get in for free.

For more info visit www.rmg.co.uk.

National Maritime Museum is a gem not to be missed if you're in Greenwich with kids.

This free entry museum traces Britain's maritime history through a vast collection that includes artwork, maps, model ships and so on.
The giant map on the first floor of the museum is perfect for any age.

For the little ones there's a nice themed soft play called Ahoy! , where under 7s can play pirates, buy fish at the market, put coal in the stove, stack bricks on the ship and shoot from cannons.

Ahoy! is very popular, please book your ticket in advance.
Admission is free on week days, or £3 on weekends and half term.

For info, schedule and to book tickets, visit rmg.co.uk.

A visit to Cutty Sark is a must during a stroll in Greenwich.
This famous Victorian-era sailing ship successfully completed eight round trips from London to China carrying tea. It's impossible to miss: it stands tall on the banks of the Thames, welcoming anyone arriving in Greenwich by land or river.

Exploring the interior of Cutty Sark is one of the things to do in Greenwich with children. You can follow the trails designed for kids or wander around the ship on your own, looking at the interactive displays, peeking into the cabins, and imagining what life was like on board 150 years ago. Additionally, on the first weekend of every month, there's the Cutty Sark Family Weekend with workshops, songs, activities, and experiences for all ages.

Cutty Sark is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00.
Adult tickets cost £16, children aged 4 to 15 pay £8, and little ones enter for free.

Tip for adults: at Cutty Sark, you can also enjoy a traditional afternoon tea, consisting of tea, sweets, and sandwiches. Afternoon tea costs £36 per person and includes entry to Cutty Sark. Considering the prices of afternoon tea in London, I'd say it's quite a good deal!

For updated information, visit the official website rmg.co.uk/cutty-sark

Another activity to do in Greenwich with children - perhaps not if you're particularly claustrophobic - is to walk through the Greenwich Foot Tunnel.

The tunnel connects the south bank of the Thames with the Island Gardens area. There are two lifts (as well as stairs) that will take you 370 metres deep, and you can literally walk under the river!

The tunnel isn't particularly attractive to look at, but you can take advantage of the unique walk to emerge on the other side of the river, where there's a lovely view of the Greenwich skyline. Then, you can take the DLR back to the city centre (Bank station), passing through Canary Wharf.

While strolling through Greenwich, you can't help but notice the covered market, always lively and bustling with people.

Greenwich Market dates back to 1737. When it first opened, it had about 60 stalls selling meat, fish, eggs, butter, poultry, fruit, and vegetables. Some of the original slaughterhouses and horse stables are still visible today.

Nowadays, the market is the heart of Greenwich's commercial life, with shops and stalls full of art, antiques, clothing, jewellery, handmade items, and delicious international street food.

If you happen to be in Greenwich over the weekend, there's also a vintage market on High Road, opposite St. Alfege Church.

Greenwich Market is open daily from 10:00 to 17:30 and entry is free.

If you want a different perspective of Greenwich, take a bus to North Greenwich. Here you'll find the IFS Cloud Cable Car, a cable car that connects North Greenwich to the Docklands. To be clear, there's not much to see in North Greenwich or around the Excel, so if you venture here, it's really for the experience of the cable car that flies 90 metres above the Thames. The journey lasts about 5 minutes, and the cabins arrive every 30 seconds. From up there, there's a beautiful view of the river, especially at sunset!

Adults pay £6 per trip, children aged 5 to 15 pay £3, and little ones travel for free. The IFS Cloud Cable Car is part of the Transport for London network, which means you can pay with an Oyster Card or a contactless card just like you would on the Underground.

In Greenwich, as in all of London, no palate will be left unsatisfied. From international street food to cafés, ice cream parlours, fish & chips shops, restaurants, and classic super British pubs, there's something for everyone!

Most places (I'd dare say all!) are equipped with baby changing facilities and high chairs, and some even have a children's menu. I recommend always booking a table, whichever place you choose, especially during the weekend!

Here are some suggestions for where to eat in Greenwich with children:

• Cutty Sark Pub - my favourite pub in Greenwich! Old, full of history, with a lovely fireplace and a view of the Thames. The food is excellent too! Although not specifically a children's venue, it has everything needed to accommodate families with little ones. High chairs, a bathroom with a changing table, and a children's menu called Little Sailors: classic British cuisine in smaller portions. Burgers, fish & chips, even kids' roast beef!
  To book, visit the website cuttysarkse10.co.uk

• River Gardens Café - a beautiful and modern family-run café overlooking the Thames, where you can have breakfast, brunch, lunch, or afternoon tea. The cakes and fresh fruit juices are delicious! The café is dog-friendly, so there's a good chance you'll find dogs both inside and outside. River Gardens Café has high chairs, a kids' menu, and a changing table.
  To book, visit the website rivergardenscafé.co.uk

• Greenwich Market - if you're in a hurry and need a quick bite, Greenwich Market is the place for you. When I say there's international food for all tastes, I'm not lying: Italian, Brazilian, Indian, Jamaican, Spanish, Thai, Chinese, British, and many more! I particularly enjoyed the Sunday Roast takeaway, it was delicious!
  Greenwich Market is open daily from 10:00 to 17:30 and entry is free.

• Nando's - kids of all ages love Nando's... and so do I! Nando's is a chain of restaurants specialising in grilled chicken with Peri Peri sauce, spiced to various degrees (I don't like spicy food and always go for the mildest sauce, Lemon & Herbs). Despite the menu being mainly chicken, there are also vegetarian options. The children's menu is called Nandino's and includes chicken breast fillet, chicken burger, or chicken wings with sides of chips or vegetables, followed by yogurt or ice cream. The Nando's in Greenwich is particularly nice because it overlooks the Thames and has an outdoor terrace on the first floor! You can't book a table at Nando's, so try to go early to avoid long queues.
  Menu and opening hours on the website: nandos.co.uk

• Old Brewery Greenwich - set in a lovely location next to the Cutty Sark and in the heart of the Old Royal Naval College, this brewery has a nice garden where children can run around. Don't be put off by the name, the Old Brewery is not just a brewery but also serves traditional British food. This venue is also dog-friendly and has a children's menu called Little People: fish & chips, burger, pasta, and Sunday Roast + ice cream and brownie for dessert.
  For info and bookings: oldbrewerygreenwich.com

So far, we've talked about how easy it is to visit Greenwich with children. I have good news for you: getting there, with or without a pushchair, is very easy too!

• Tube: Taking the tube is the fastest way to reach Greenwich from central London. Take the DLR line from Tower Gateway station (accessible via lift) or from Bank station (which does not have a lift) and get off at Cutty Sark station, which is accessible with a pushchair via lift. The journey takes about 20 minutes. Bonus surprise for children: did you know that DLR trains don't have a driver? This means that, with a bit of luck, you can sit in the front seats of the first carriage and pretend to drive the train!

• Bus: A slightly longer but more economical and equally pleasant way is to take the bus. Buses always have spaces for pushchairs, so you don't have to worry about lifts or escalators. You can take the 188 from Holborn, Waterloo, Elephant & Castle, or Tower Bridge, or the 199 from Canada Water station in Zone 2. Both stop at Cutty Sark, which is your stop.

• Train: Taking the train is also a convenient and fast option to get to Greenwich, although more expensive than the tube. If you are at London Bridge (which has lifts to all platforms), you can take the Thameslink or Southeastern and get off at Greenwich station, which is also accessible via lift or ramp.

• Ferry: The ferry is definitely the preferred mode of transport for children when it comes to getting to Greenwich from central London. More than just a means of transport, it's an experience that allows you to see the London skyline from a different perspective, that of the Thames. You can choose between a simple ferry that takes you from central London to Greenwich, or a tourist boat that also offers commentary on the main landmarks seen from the river.

So there are 2 options:

1. Uber boat - You can take this ferry from Westminster, Embankment, London Bridge, Tower Bridge, and various other piers, and arrive in Greenwich in about half an hour. Most of the piers are accessible with a pushchair, and you can pay with an Oyster card or a contactless card just like you would on the Underground, by tapping in and out. Prices vary depending on the departure and arrival zones; for example, a single trip from Westminster to Greenwich costs £9.40 for adults and £4.70 for children aged 5 to 15. For schedules, stops, prices, and updated information, visit the website thamesclipper.com

2. Thames cruises - If you're looking for a more relaxed experience, with more time and a captain's commentary, you can opt for a Thames cruise from central London to Greenwich. These cruises last 1-2 hours, and if you can't quite catch the Captain's English, Italian audio guides are available. They cost around £15 per trip for adults and £10 for children aged 5 to 15, with little ones travelling for free. No problems with pushchair access here either.

Here are the links to check schedules and prices for the two companies offering this type of cruise:

Option 1. --> Sightseeing cruise from Westminster to Greenwich

Option 2. --> Hop-on hop-off the famous city cruise

That's all for now. I hope I've given you some good ideas for spending a lovely day with your family in Greenwich!

If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to email me at flavia.iarlori@outlook.com

See you soon!