Interior exhibits are interactive and informative. The castle was eventually converted to a prison and the site of many executions. Much of its history is dark and gruesome. Arrive as close to opening time as possible and head straight to the White Tower which is loaded with interesting and kid-friendly exhibits lines start forming shortly after the gates open and grow longer throughout the day. Next visit the Crown Jewels. There are free guided tours that start every 30 minutes and last 45 minutes β grab a program before you enter by the ticket booth which lists all the events for the day.
The bridge opens and closes almost times a year schedule posted online and at the bridge. You can see the river below through the reinforced glass section in the middle of the walkway. You can also get a look at the steam-driven machinery that raised bridge for the first hundred years of its existence. To keep them even engaged, download activity trails to your smartphone or tablet, or print worksheets before you go. A great collection of buses, trains, trams, and subway cars.
Kids can enter most exhibits. In Leavesden, 20 miles north of London, you can visit the studios where most of the Harry Potter movies were filmed. Extras include riding a broomstick using green screen technology, climbing aboard a mockup carriage of the Hogwarts Express and drinking Butterbeer. Legoland Windsor is all about the bricks. Some of the rides mean getting wet, which is particularly fun in hot weather. Download the Legoland app to find your way around the park.
A scrapbook of British history in museum form. It makes a great introduction to British history for both kids and adults. Kid-friendly audio tours are available. The Battle of Britain hall is particularly interesting. One of the best museums in the city. It features an incredible array of airplanes, tanks, guns, gear, and historical information. Displays and exhibits are meticulously detailed.
Videos have survivors and soldiers re-telling the horror and challenges of war. The audio tour is a must. The holocaust exhibit on the top floor is rightfully restricted to kids 11 and older. The National Army Museum is another museum potentially worth a visit. The NAM does, however, have a Kids Zone in the basement that is a great play area but does get busy so reservations are recommended. The IWM has one restaurant. The NAM has a small cafe. Some kids find this a little dull, others love the pomp and tradition.
