London offers a wealth of affordable family activities this bank holiday weekend, with options ranging from a £1 miniature railway ride to free urban beaches and a petting zoo with over 100 animals. Families can enjoy everything from Notting Hill Carnival's Children's Day parade to dinosaur sculptures in Crystal Palace Park, according to MyLondon.
Free urban beaches and parks
Costa Del Croydon, an urban beach on the rooftop of the Centrale Shopping Centre's multi-storey car park, offers free entry with two sessions daily. The event, which opened on August 7, runs until the end of the month and includes creative workshops, food stalls, giant chess, fairground rides, and a chill-out zone for children. Pre-booking is recommended to avoid queues, and tickets are available on the shopping centre's website.
Crystal Palace Park, recently revamped, features giant dinosaur sculptures that have been a South London staple since 1854. The park now has a new visitor centre and a dinosaur-themed adventure playground, plus a maze that is 49 metres in diameter, one of the largest in the UK. Entry is free.
Affordable animal encounters
Mudchute Park and Farm on the Isle of Dogs is home to over 100 animals and birds, including pigs, sheep, goats, llamas, horses, and cows. The farm offers a petting zoo and daily feeding times at 9am and 3pm. The on-site Mudchute Kitchen serves home-cooked meals, with breakfast and brunch options, as well as cakes, sandwiches, and beverages. Entry is free.
Hanwell Zoo, located within Brent Lodge Park, has been a borough mainstay since 1975. It houses various birds, mammals, porcupines, a mob of meerkats, a flock of flamingos, playful lemurs, and exotic margay wild cats. Entry costs £5.50 per child and £4 per adult. The park also features the Millennium Maze and a playground.
Unique experiences and events
Brockwell Park miniature railway offers a 220m ride for just £1 return, with children under 2 going free. The train operates from 11am to 4pm every Saturday and Sunday between April and October, weather and staffing permitting. The track has been a Lambeth staple since 2003 and is run by volunteers, with the entrance located between the Herne Hill and Lido car park along the footpath.
Notting Hill Carnival's Children's Day parade takes place on Sunday, offering family-friendly activities and a procession route with costumes and music, starting at 10.30am. The parade is free and encourages youngsters to carry on the Carnival tradition.
Greenwich Fair, held on Saturday, August 22, and Sunday, August 23, features kid-friendly street theatre, circus acts, games, puppetry, dance, and acrobatics at the top of Greenwich Park Hill. The two-day event is free and unticketed.
More free activities for kids
Coram's Fields, a playground and park near the British Museum, has been entertaining children for nearly 90 years. It offers sports pitches, outdoor and soft play equipment, sandpits, a paddling pool, and a wildlife garden, along with one of London's longest slides. The charity runs free sport activities for 5 to 19-year-olds and drop-in sessions for under-5s. An on-site café serves sandwiches, drinks, cakes, and ice cream.
Wembley Park hosts the Speaker Box Street Party, a free, all-ages event featuring Latin, Bollywood, Afro, and Caribbean DJ sets over five hours starting at midday. Attendees can reserve spots on Eventbrite and enjoy a summer market in Market Square on the same day, with handmade crafts, plants, gifts, and street food.
The Young V&A in Bethnal Green, formerly the Museum of Childhood, has been refreshed with help from local children. It features three permanent galleries: Imagine, Play, and Design. An exhibition celebrating 50 years of Aardman animations, including Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, and Morph, is available for an extra fee. Entry to the museum is free.
