Relocating to London with kids?

Are you one of those lucky people relocating to the wonderful city of London? If so, prepare to be wowed and amazed by this exciting metropolis. As the British capital, London unsurprisingly has a lot going for it in terms of facilities, job opportunities, great arts and cultural life, lots of green spaces and a diverse mix of inhabitants. Whether you are going to set up home north or south of the river (Thames, that is!), or perhaps head out East towards Greenwich or West out to Richmond, there are many good places to live. Being such a large city, the accommodation options are rich – large rambling Victorian villas and mansions of Georgian grandeur are set amongst high rise apartment blocks and compact new builds, no matter what you’re looking for in terms of a family home, London can deliver.

London is a thriving centre of commerce and many people come to the city for employment reasons. Newcomers planning to hit the nine to five trail when they arrive, need to sort out their domestic arrangements before they start work. Finding a nanny in London can be difficult if you are new to the area and don’t yet have a network of friends to offer support or recommendations. So it’s good to know there are well vetted services in the city helping put you in touch with the right people to look after your children. If you are coming to the city to work, and you have small children, make finding a nanny in London a priority because without reliable child care, your plans may be in trouble.

If you are moving to London with children in tow, you’ll be pleased to learn that it is a city crammed with entertainment for young, enquiring minds. When you get down-time from work there are lots of places to explore with your kids. Let their imaginations run riot in the museums and art galleries of London. The Science Museum, British Museum and Victoria and Albert all make great places to spend the day, offering stimulating and educational entertainment free of charge. If they are budding artists, why not inspire them with trips to some of London’s world leading galleries? The Tate Gallery, The National Gallery, Tate Modern and The National Portrait Gallery all offer rich pickings and exhibits that will have them gasping in awe.

If your kids enjoy something a bit more light hearted, you can take them out of town to Legoland near Windsor for a fun day out. Or consider Leavesden in Hertfordshire where the Harry Potter experience at the Warner Brothers’ Studio Tour has Hogwarts fans jumping up and down with excitement.

Perhaps your children are transport buffs? A ride on a Routemaster double-decker bus, iconic black taxi cab, the Riverbus or the London underground all offer different ways of seeing the city. Or maybe it is history that makes an impression? The Tower of London with its rich traditions, red uniformed Beefeaters and Yeoman Warders is somewhere you don’t forget in a hurry. With 900 years under its belt, the pomp and pageantry of this fabulous place fascinates all ages. Whether it’s the glittering crown jewels or the mysterious Ravens, the Tower of London offers a feast for young imaginations.

Before you start really exploring London, why not get the perfect overview from the best position in the city? Get your bearings by booking a ride on The London Eye and be treated to a birds eye view of the city in all its glory. As a bold feature on the London skyline, the Eye has thirty-two pods in which to ride with up to twenty-five other people. It only takes thirty minutes to complete the ride and during that time you get to clock over fifty five of London’s top attractions – from the perfect viewing point.

If you are worrying about bringing children into a city that is all concrete jungle, think again. London is one of the greenest capital cities in the world and there are places to picnic, play and relax all over the place. Choose from the central beauty of Hyde Park and Regent’s Park or head out west for the wild beauty of deer friendly Richmond Park or East for the landscaped elegance of Greenwich Park. With Hampstead Heath, Victoria Park, St James’ Park, Clapham Common, Battersea Park and Lee Valley Park all within striking distance, there really is no excuse for not taking regular walks in the open air.

Once your bags are packed and your tickets are bought there really is no turning back. Be assured, when you arrive in London with your family, you’ll wonder why it took you so long to make this fantastic city your home…