Photo Courtesy: visitlondonimages/ britainonview/ Pawel Libera
Once Upon a Time There Was a City Called London
I am a first generation Canadian. With a Glaswegian mum and Mancunian dad, growing up in Canada always meant trips “home” to the UK. But London is one of those places that is largely unexplored for me.
London Calling
Outside of a few brief visits when I was a child, and a glorious couple of days there in my twenties, London remains, for me, one of those places I just HAVE to go back to… If only to show my royalty-obsessed kiddo Buckingham Palace.
I am fortunate in that when we do get over, I won’t have to navigate tube stations with a stroller. Nor juggle a car seat in the back of a black cab. But I am fascinated with the idea of going back in time to seeing the real “Big Smoke” with a cooing baby instead of teens. London with baby sounds kind of magical.
Visiting London with Baby…
To start, even some of London’s luxury hotels are very family friendly. Besides offering specials for families during British school holidays, babies and infants (0-2 years) stay free of charge at the luxury boutique Grange Hotels. And high chairs and cots are available on request.
Grange has hotels at Covent Garden , as well as within walking distance from most popular attractions, tube stations, and other transport links.
Getting Around London with Baby
Riding the Tube with a Baby
Most advice for getting around on the tube with a baby suggests avoiding rush hour if at all possible, especially with a buggy or stroller. I do recall those escalators being very narrow and super steep. This may be one instance where a carrier is strongly recommended.
Or perhaps just fold up your umbrella stroller while riding the tube.
Most tube stations are now fully-accessible, so if those in a wheelchair can manage, you certainly could with stroller. And there are a number of completely step-free tube stations to more easily glide on and off.
London Cabs with a Baby or Toddler
But perhaps even trickier is the idea of a black cab with or without a car seat. Legally, in most cities, children do not need to be restrained in a car seat while riding in the back of a taxi. But this did not sit right with me when mine were tiny. We always traveled with our car seats and continued to bring along their boosters.
You can certainly install your car seat into most taxis and these days most modern black cabs have a central arm rest that converts to a booster seat that can be used for older children (in the 22-36kg/48-79lbs weight range).
Mini cabs might be the way to go, as many cab companies can provide a child seat if you ask for one. And, of course, Uber.
London Is for Everyone
London is such a magical city.
I love just thinking of strolling the marvelous (and many!) parks and museums with a little one content to be strolled or carried.
But I have no doubt that London with my kids will be amazing, just probably a little louder and busier
