Many London residents have parents living elsewhere who inevitably come to visit now and then. The city is vast, with an endless choice of places to go and areas to check out. But what if you're looking for ideas beyond eating out in Leicester Square, shopping in Oxford Street or visiting typical tourist hotspots? You want mum and dad to come away with a good impression of the city, even if their time here is limited.
This is why we recommend planning ahead, and with that in mind we've compiled a list of places and attractions the average parent will appreciate. A mix of the obvious and the less-obvious, we think these are pretty foolproof (if your parents have niche interests or are in fact very hip and trendy, that's another story):
Not your average parents...
A classic parent-pleaser, not just because of the antiques on display, but because it's in a nice part of London. A short walk from Notting Hill Gate tube, Portobello Road is home to an array of curiosity shops, retro stalls, art galleries, colourful houses and really good eats. Basically, there's enough variety to hold everyone's interest.
The history of this London institution dates back to 1707, when Hugh Mason opened up a small family shop in what is now 181 Piccadilly, halfway between Green Park and Piccadilly Circus tube stations. It soon transformed into the luxury department store it is today, worth admiring for its decor, window displays and the ridiculous pseudo-Victorian bellhop getup worn by attendants. All kinds of outrageously-priced items are stocked, but small trinkets and edibles are affordable. Mums on the lookout for quintessentially British foodstuffs (tea, biscuits, confectionery) need look no further, and the quality here is a cut way above Whittard. The store is especially bedazzling during the holiday season.
By far one of London's most picturesque features, Regent's Canal is an idyllic place to spend a morning or afternoon away from the city's hustle and bustle. Depending on your parents' fitness levels, you can merely pop down for a photo-op or ambitiously walk the full nine miles from Little Venice (near Paddington) to Limehouse Basin in the docklands. Walking a set stretch – perhaps from Regent's Park (where it borders the zoo) to Camden Lock, or from Victoria Park to Mile End Park in East London – is a good middle ground and an effective way to work up an appetite for that meal you hope dear ma and pops will treat you to.
By far this is the museum to take your parents to if you only have time for one. As much wonderment as the National Gallery contains, it's nothing that can't be found in any number of museums across Europe, and while the British Museum is iconic, it proves tiresome in its vastness and the jostling frequently required for a momentary glance at an important exhibit (you'd think the Rosetta Stone had God's face imprinted on it). The Tate, however, is a flawless package: an eclectic mix of modern art pieces and installations which even if befuddling at least provoke discussion, a café with a balcony that offers great views of the London skyline overlooking the Thames, a gift shop that actually sells cool gifts, and free themed tours that are surprisingly insightful. It's a space that asks to be experienced rather than merely box-ticked on an itinerary, and unlike the classical fare of the National Gallery, if your parents think its collection is crap they'll say so.
Tucked away near Tower Hill is a little gem of a marina known as St Katharine Docks. The Starbucks here is possibly the quietest, less offensive one in the whole of London, with pleasant waterside seating. If you want something more unique, there's the option of dining on a boat or at the highly-acclaimed Dickens Inn, built on the renovated site of an 18th-century spice warehouse. All in all, this is a great spot for parents to recharge in tranquil surroundings if they've just spent the morning queuing for the Tower of London (a torture site in more than one way).
Many Londoners tend to avoid Borough Market (located between London Bridge and Borough tube stations) due to the massive crowds it draws on any given weekend and the fact that you can probably find the same quality produce for a cheaper price at lesser-known markets. This has no bearing, though, on the fact that parents love it. It's got all kinds of culinary delights under one roof (not to mention free samples), convincingly demonstrating that the English palate encompasses more than a taste for all things cheap, greasy and salty. Look, mum, London hasn't malnourished me!
Yes, we realise it's in zone 5. But it's also a short train ride away from Waterloo if you can't be bothered with the District line (because we normally can't). An alternative to tourist hubs like Windsor, Richmond's primary appeal is that thanks to beautiful riverside views and a historical feel, it actually lives up to the quaint image people have of English towns.
King's Road is in the heart of Chelsea, stretching from near Victoria station at one end, to Sloane Square and towards Fulham at the other. It's an area with a continental vibe characterised by chic boutiques and outdoor cafés which appear to be almost exclusively patronised by elegantly dressed people. It's befitting that this is the location of the Saatchi Gallery and also of the country's first Starbucks, unveiled to the public in 1999. Parents will take to this clean, upmarket area rife with interesting shops and bites, and if so inclined, one suggestion for the latter is Benihana, the Japanese-American steakhouse chain famous for having its knife-wielding chefs theatrically prepare your food in front of you – kitsch masquerading as class, for sure, but then, you're in Chelsea...
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Click to read the Spoonfed Team's guide to main London attractions.
Click to read the Spoonfed Team's guide to main London activities.
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