Children

Whether you're bringing toddlers or teenagers to London, there's no better city to entertain the little darlings! A sprawling metropolis it may be but London is still jam-packed with things to entertain and amuse kids of all ages. And the good news is many of them are free!
For starters, London is full of tranquil parks - from our traditional, English Royal parks like the centrally located Regent's Park to the natural beauty of Richmond Park and its roaming deer. As well as housing London's famous Zoo, Regent's Park has a great boating lake to keep old and young amused.
Then there's Covent Garden where street performers from around the world pepper the large cobbled Piazza. Most galleries and museums are free too in London, particularly for those under 16.
Below you'll find This is London's don't miss guide to entertaining children in the capital.

The London Aquarium
Zebra Sharks, tongueless Albino African-clawed frogs, baby dog fish - you name it they've got it! Covering all the seas in the world from the Pacific Ocean to the Mediterranean, here's your chance to touch rays and imagine what it's like to be in a giant goldfish bowl. Children are filled with wonder as they look into the huge tanks filled with an amazing variety of colourful and strange-looking fish. While it gets very busy during school holidays, the Aquarium is so near to the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament you can enjoy all three sites in one day.
Admission: £8.50; 3-14s £3.50.
Where: County Hall, Riverside Building, Westminster Bridge Road, SE1, 020 7967 8000, www.londonquarium.co.uk
Tube: Westminster, Waterloo
Open: Daily 10am-6pm

London Zoo
The 175-year-old zoo is home to a wealth of fluffy animals, jungle creatures, insects and birds. It has around 600 species of animals to admire, and extras put on for children include birthday parties, art sessions, fancy dress parties and zoo tours. For an unforgettable memory of the zoo, you can even adopt an animal - the current favourites are the Western Lowland Gorillas! Part of the fun of this visit is its Regent Park setting. In good weather, you can also travel to the zoo by canal from Little Venice or Camden.
Admission:£9.30-£11; £8 3-14s; Free for under 3s
Where: Regent's Park, NW1, 020 7722 3333, www.londonzoo.co.uk
Tube: Camden/Baker St
Open: April-Oct daily 10am-5.30pm; Nov-March daily 10am-4pm

Madame Tussaud's
Imagine a chamber crammed with wax celebrities and you've got Madame Tussaud's. From an adult's point of view it's verging on creepy, but it's the ultimate entertainment for young teenagers and children. It's not everyday you come face to face with Samuel L Jackson, David Beckham and the entire cast from hit TV soap EastEnders. Inclusive in the ticket is a 20-minute star show in the London Planetarium ? next door to Madame Tussaud?s and another attraction that titles itself as 'a gateway to the galaxy'. Madame Tussaud?s is London?s number one tourist attraction, so it often gets very busy.
Admission: £14.95; 5-15s £10.50; Free under 5s
Where: Marylebone Rd, NW1, 0870 400 3000, www.madame-tussauds.com
Tube: Baker Street
Open: Mon-Fri 10am-5.30pm; Sat, Sun 9.30am-5.30pm

London Dungeon
Children will love the dungeons like they do Madame Tussaud's, and it's all set underground too! There's more waxworks, but this time they're partially decapitated, bloody and gruesome. The low light and spooks that jump out of dark catacombs are pretty scary and the Dungeon journey emphasises the darkest parts of London history such as Jack the Ripper and The Great Fire of London.
Admission: £10.50; 5-14s £2
Where: 28-34 Tooley Street, SE1, 020 7403 7221, www.thedungeons.com
Tube: London Bridge
Open: Daily 10am-5.30pm

West End Musicals
Another way to entertain the kids is by taking them to a West End musical. Try The Lion King at Covent Garden's Lyceum Theatre. Based on Disney's story of the lion cub, the show is renowned for its breathtaking costumes and scenery.
The Lion King, Lyceum Theatre, Covent Garden, 0870 243 9000
Tube: Covent Garden
Open: Cats by phone Mon-Sat 10am-7.45pm; The Lion King Mon-Sat 10am-6pm
Buy tickets online at www.thisislondon.co.uk/tickets

Thorpe Park
Considered the best theme park outside the capital, Thorpe Park is the place to go for hair-raising roller coasters and lots of stick sweet stalls for kids to enjoy. There's a zoo for very young children, and the terrifying Detonator - a 100ft vertical drop. This year the park has introduced the world's first ten-loop ride which twists at speeds up to 65kmph. Think Disney Land on a smaller scale.
Admission: £12-£17, Family £57 (Prices vary according season and deals)
Where: Staines Road, Chertsey, Surrey, 0870 444 4466
Train: Staines
Open: Call for details, as times are not fixed