Many would brace themselves for hefty expenses when planning a city break to London, notorious for its steep “London pricing” that can deter families from visiting.
Yet, I managed to pull off a surprisingly affordable trip to the capital with my nine year old son, jam-packed with two days of non-stop excitement.
What’s more, we enjoyed a host of activities that didn’t cost us a penny.
Now, it’s true that our accommodation was in South Kensington, one of London’s most upscale districts, which wouldn’t typically suggest affordability.
Our home away from home was The Pelham, a luxurious five-star boutique hotel situated at the very heart of this swanky area, conveniently located right across from the local tube station, reports the Manchester Evening News.
This prime location proved perfect for me and my lad, as after our train journey from Crewe to London Euston (snagging tickets for as little as £50 when booked online in advance), we had an easy tube connection straight to South Kensington.
Plus, kids under 11 ride the tube for free, and since it was my son’s inaugural underground adventure, he was quite thrilled by the experience.
Upon arrival at The Pelham hotel, we were greeted by unmistakable luxury. An enticing perk for those journeying with little ones: kids under six stay gratis, and for children below 16, it’s free if accompanied by an adult.
My son and I cozied up in a lavish king-sized bed, our bright red room affording stunning vistas of South Kensington’s skyline.
This gem is part of the Star Hotels Collezione, renowned for cherishing its younger guests, bestowing upon them the status of “Very Important Kids” or VIKs. The joy on my lad’s face was immeasurable as he discovered his welcome pack, complete with colouring book and an adorable “Star Hotels VIK” cap.
It’s these thoughtful gestures that make families feel genuinely appreciated, reassuring parents that their children are treasured guests, not mere afterthoughts, even in the most luxurious of settings.
Perfectly situated, The Pelham is just moments away from London’s crown jewels of culture: the National History Museum, Science and Industry Museum, and VandA Museum.
And the icing on the cake? Admission to these treasures is cost-free.
Visitors have the option to queue up on the day or pre-book a time slot for guaranteed, hassle-free entry we opted for the latter, ensuring a swift and smooth visit.
I’m thrilled we decided to book ahead, especially considering the school holidays had attracted hordes of people queuing in the non-reservation lines.
Our first stop was the Natural History Museum, a place so vast you could spend an entire day exploring and still not see everything. The iconic Hintze Hall, with its stunning blue whale skeleton suspended from the ceiling, is particularly impressive.
My nine year old was thrilled to explore the mammal exhibits and the renowned dinosaur rooms, complete with a moving T-rex.
After a morning at the Natural History Museum and a quick lunch break, we ventured further down the road to the Science Museum. The sheer scale of this place is simply awe-inspiring.
Children will be fascinated by the vehicle exhibitions, which include enormous old steam engines, stacked cars, and aeroplanes hanging from the ceiling.
We didn’t manage to fit in a visit to the Victoria and Albert Museum, partly due to concerns about the crowds drawn by the Taylor Swift exhibition and a concert happening in London at the same time.
Instead, we chose to soak up more of the local atmosphere, taking in the vibrant buzz of London life. However, I did regret stopping at an ice cream van outside the museums – charging £9 for a single scoop cone was certainly not good value!
Dinner was a treat back at our hotel in its Italian hotspot La Trattoria. Even sat in the lap of luxury with five stars twinkling above and ensconced in a prime central London postcode, the prices were a delightful surprise.
La Trattoria is the pride and joy of Michelin starred maestro Alfredo Russo. But here’s the twist – it leans into relaxed dining vibes rather than posh platefuls.
If you’re a pasta pundit, get ready to swoon over “Pasta Shakerata” – main courses kicking off at a purse-pleasing £9. And pizza lovers, brace yourselves for traditional Romana pizzas from an almost un-London-like £6.
But it’s not just the grown-ups whose eyes will be popping kiddos will go crackers for the novel Shakerata concept. They get to pick their own pasta cut, select a sauce, whack on a cheese topping, and then watch goggle-eyed as chefs shake it all up at the table before it lands on their plate.
My little lad made a beeline for the pomodoro and was all smiles.
Taking a steer from our server, I opted for the Guancia Brasata – a rich, slow-braised beef number partnered with creamy mash, roasted veggies, and a lush red wine reduction. It’s pricier at £22 but rest assured, it’s slam-dunk delicious.
Post a dead-to-the-world kip, we greeted our final London day fresh as daisies. Eager to eyeball more sights, we hopped on and off the underground, weaving in some educational fun at zero cost thanks to the monster-sized LEGO store in Leicester Square which my brick-dazzled boy couldn’t get enough of.
True, theres a queue, but you and your LEGO buffs won’t regret the wait.
It’s not just a shop you see, it’s actually full of incredible giant Lego displays that kids will love to admire and get a few photos with. During our visit, there was a life-sized James Bond Aston Martin that you could actually sit in for a photo.
There was also a huge model of Big Ben in the window, as well as Harry Potter displays and more activities on the upper floor to explore. Kids also got a free LEGO passport when we arrived, which you could fill up with three stamps inside the London store.
We had a brilliant break in the city, and while we did splash out a bit with the hotel, where rooms cost from £300, I was pretty impressed that everything else we did over the two days was almost all free, and open to all visitors.
Travel factfile
Dianne was a guest at The Pelham at 15 Cromwell Place, South Kensington, where rooms are available from £300. The hotel is directly opposite South Kensington tube station which is on the Circle and District and Piccadilly lines.
Children stay free aged from 0-6, including breakfast. Ages 6 -15 it is an extra £45 per night for an extra bed, but includes breakfast.
Bookings can be made via the hotel website here or via 020 7589 8288.