"Stella's latest outpost includes a Stella McCartney Kids section complete with its own entrance. You'll find plenty of "mini me" versions of pieces from the women's collection, along with other really bright and modern picks. It's worth having the little ones try something on, as the fitting rooms are seriously fun."

"Borough Market is London’s oldest market and offers a dizzying expanse of food options, most of them organic and fresh from the farm. For kids, weaving through the stalls (the baked goods and sweets offering is particularly on point) and taking in the sites and smells is a total blast. Since it's a covered space, it makes for a great rainy day excursion. "

"Beyond being a beautiful place to pass an afternoon, this is also London's oldest botanical garden (it dates back to 1673). Don't miss the newest addition, the Garden of Edible and Useful Plants, where you'll find foliage with a variety of uses, from perfume to cosmetics. P.S. Closed Saturdays."

"A beautiful, wood-lined bakery that turns out beautiful cakes, croissants, and scones. The space itself is airy and kind of refined for a bakery, making it the perfect destination for tea. It's a good spot for a mid-day break as it doesn't fill up as much as other central London sweet stops."

"Every single Sunday this East End street morphs into a sprawling outdoor flower market, packed with stalls of wildflowers and potted plants. Columbia Road itself is a great shopping street for home goods, vintage wares, and delicatessens—all the stores open their doors for market foot traffic."

"Divided by the Serpentine Lake, the impossible-to-miss Hyde Park is central London's most prominent chunk of greenery. It's worth getting lost: You'll find the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial; an awesome pirate ship playground; the very cool Serpentine Gallery; the lakeside Lido Café; sports facilities; boating; seasonal events; and many wonderful walks and paths to wander. From November to January of each year, the entire place is decked out in holiday decorations for the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, including an ice-skating rink and a winter festival."

"Run by husband-and-wife team Ian Paley and Emily Dyson, this multilevel space is stocked with independent designers from all over the globe. While the women's section is home to plenty of international names that are hard to find elsewhere (along with a strong NYC contingent like Rachel Comey and Steven Alan), it's the meticulously edited kids’ selection—Morley tees, Oeuf toys—that's earned the shop praise from locals and visitors alike."

"This indoor skate park offers full-day lessons for beginner and advanced skateboarders of all ages, as well as skate camps and after-school clubs. Kids especially love Gary, but all the guys are very knowledgeable, friendly, and welcoming. The skate park itself is an iconic scene of punk life in London. "

"The animals at the London Zoo are well kept, so a visit here is always a happy one. Plus, a recent renovation converted many of the animals' enclosures, making them truer to how they live in nature. There are also a number of daily kids activities that are heavy on fun without skimping on education."

"It may be the cupcakes—of which there are 36 flavors, including mojito and Mexican hot chocolate—or its charming co-founder, YouTube phenomenon Jemma Wilson, but regardless, kids and adults alike adore this bakery. There's also the made-to-order cakes, a selection of which are on show at the shop on a daily basis, that rack up many of the wow-factor points (They'll recreate all manner of cartoon characters, animals, and mythical creatures in cake form). Whatever it is, it's probably the best spot for a sweet in the entire neighborhood, thanks to the fresh flavors that Jemma and her crew concoct on a weekly basis. "

"This store actually has no sign, so you have to look hard. Kristin Baybars, who has run the shop for decades, stocks everything you could ever want for a dollhouse. The front of the store has traditional kids toys and imported dollhouse accessories, but as you venture farther back, you'll find handmade British pieces on display inside kooky old cabinets and quintessentially English townhouses. You'll either leave with a bunch of miniatures or grand plans for a dollhouse of your own, just remember to bring cash as they don't accept cards. Photo: The Small Desk"

"This colorful and well-equipped playground with jungle gyms, tire swings, picnic tables, and more is just behind Marylebone High Street at the end of Paddington Street Gardens (where you'll find a beautiful English rose garden). The space is covered with trees and makes a for a supremely peaceful break from errands or sightseeing."

"Papouelli—formerly known as Papillon—focuses on beautifully crafted, classic children's shoes that are actually practical. Their bestselling moccasins are adorable, though they also sell loafers, booties, and special occasion shoes for littles of all ages. There's an outpost on Elizabeth Street and a second location on Marylebone Lane."

"Nowhere else in London will you find this many Calico Critters, or, as they're known in the UK, Sylvanian Families. The store stocks the full UK range, as well as a large number of imports from the US and Japan. They also do amazing window displays."

"This unique playground located towards the northern end of Hyde Park has an enormous pirate ship, a sandy beach, teepees, and mini houses to climb in and out of—all in the spirit of Peter Pan. Most of the facilities are wooden and beautifully designed. Parents can hang out at the café which serves casual fare."

"Ever wish you, er, your child, could stroll along the Great Hall, stumble into Dumbledore's office, hang out in the Gryffindor common room, or pay a visit to Hagrid's hut? Complete with two soundstages where the Harry Potter series was filmed over the past 10 years and features like the "creature effect" workshop, where you can see how they created such beasts as the giant Basilisk head, this is Mecca for all Harry Potter fans. Reservations are required"

"This colorful indoor climbing frame for 6-month to 11-year-olds is part of the Talacre Sports and Community Center, and just a short walk from the Kentish Town West station. If you want to bring your really little ones to play, a good time is between 9-10:30am on weekdays for the "Under 5 Only" session. "

"This private members’ club comes at a price, but the variety of activities available to kids and parents is pretty astounding. It’s located right in Chelsea, with views of the Thames; parents can enjoy the gourmet food, stunning modern décor, and the amazing views, while kids have the options of beach club (indoor pool), massive soft play center, music booth, kitchen (with cooking activities), music room, and art lab. Kids will love it, and adults will find the whole experience oddly peaceful for a kids’ activity center."

"Known for his relaxed approach to cooking, Bill Granger has fronted major culinary hits in Australia and Asia. This bright, airy, and generally packed place on Westbourne Grove is his first London restaurant, and like its predecessors, it offers casual all-day dining with a comfort-food slant (awesome mash) and a fantastic weekend brunch. Look for simple dishes, like the signature ricotta hotcakes or the full Aussie breakfast. The no-reservation policy means you'll probably have to wait, but it's totally worth it. For the North Londoners reading, there's a second location in King's Cross, plus two more in Clerkenwell and Chelsea."

"Originally built in 1910, Electric Cinema is one of the oldest movie theaters in the UK: It's been running on and off since that time, but it caught our attention when it was leased to Soho House as part of its Electric House property. The Saturday night Kids Club shows a great selection of films for little ones, and kids love hanging out in the unusual leather sofa seating."

"Here, both adults and kiddos can explore virtually every scientific topic of the modern world, including space, agriculture, energy, time, medicine, psychology, and even identity. There's a 3D Imax theater, an Apollo 4-D Cinema, galleries, hands-on displays, flight simulators, and much more. While it's easy to pretend it's just for the kids, you'll be shocked by how much you'll learn yourself."

"The flagship studio in Fulham has a spacious upstairs area for decorating your own pottery and a new party room in the basement—ideal for birthday parties and special events. The shop was set up by London's Emma Bridgewater in 1998, and has a very homey feel. Don't miss the adorable Little Toy Shop in front, packed with goodies for little ones. They also have a location in Battersea, and in Chessell, on the Isle of Wight. "

"Benjamin Pollock's toy theater shop was revamped in the 1960's by Marguerite Fawdry (it was her idea to add a museum), and Mr. Pollock's grandson runs the shop and adjoining museum to this day. There are old-fashioned teddy bears, doll houses, zoetropes, and vintage games that kids and adults alike will find fascinating. The specialty here, however, remains the mini-theaters. The toy store still stocks them and makes for the start of a very fanciful toy collection."

"Each season's offering here includes both classic and new tales presented by talented thespians, plus plenty of resources that teach kids about the theater. Meanwhile, the Polka theater offers plenty of workshops during half-term weeks."

"Alexandra Palace (or "Ally Pally," as London kids have nicknamed it), is like a park, rec center, and a concert venue wrapped into one Victorian package. As if that weren't enough, its location also provides one of the best views of the city. Between the ice skating rink, the paddle-boat-filled lake, the skate park, drive-in movie theater, and the farmer's market, it's a definite go-to for tiring out the littles. "

"This cozy, intimate bookshop has something for everyone. A separate children's section encourages parents to linger with their little ones, and almost every section in the store features bookmarks with comments by the knowledgeable staff."

"This wildlife reserve in the Cotswolds is pretty beautiful. There are tons of activities and stations for kids to learn about the 500 species of birds that live here. Also worthwhile is a tour of the grounds and of the Marshmouth nature reserve for more bird and animal sightings. Definitely a day's worth of family activities outside of London."

"Kew Botanical Garden's Treetop Walkway literally lets you amble through the trees. The path leads underground first, to the Rhizotron, where an installation teaches you about tree roots. Then, you'll head 59 feet up to walk amongst the lime, sweet chestnut, and oak trees and mingle with the resident birds and bees. It's a very special experience for adults and kids alike. During the holidays, they do up the entire place in lights and guide after-dark tours along the path as well."

"Part of a larger group of wonderfully homey, modern and totally English hotels, one of the highlights here is high tea. What's truly thoughtful is that you don't have to rush to make tea time (a tough ask when sightseeing with little ones) since here, it's served all day. Kids go bonkers for the three-tiered trays of scones, cakes, and sandwiches while parents appreciate the quiet respite (and lengthy cocktail menu) of the hotel bistro, Oscar. This is the sister hotel to The Crosby in NYC."

"The original Primrose Bakery was born over a decade ago (there are multiple locations), mainly because the owners wanted to make cupcakes, which were already killing it overseas, available in London. Over the years, The assortment has expanded to include classic chocolate cake (it's the moistest, richest, most perfect thing ever) and a menu of made-to-order layer cakes, which can be decorated any way you like."

"This is the kind of Hampstead Heath go-to where everyone, even the family dog, is welcome. The atmosphere is cozy and traditional with maroon leather seats, chalkboard menus, and lots of distressed wood. Don’t miss the bread basket, homemade ice cream, and ale (for grownups only)."

"For a soccer-obsessed kid, seats at a Chelsea game are about as good as it gets. The Premier League boasts some of the best players anywhere (their matches are the most watched in the world), and fiery Chelsea coach José Mourinho guarantees a good show. The West Stand Lower is the family area; if your littles are on the younger side, you'll appreciate the no-swearing policy and the less rowdy atmosphere."

"This cultural institution has some of the best shows on Fashion, Photography and Design every year, not to mention the new London Design Biennial as of 2016. Aside from the galleries, there are a couple good spots to have a snack, take in the views of the Thames and also take the kids. Every Saturday, Somerset House offers kids a range activities from painting and model-making to fashion design and animation. Each workshop is designed to encourage and inspire fresh activities to try at home. The courtyard, which is by a great concert series in the summer, is transformed into a public ice skating rink every winter."

"Unlike most of Soho House’s buttoned-up and exclusive restaurants, the Dirty Burger brand is a series of down-and-out tin-clad locales churning out ridiculously tasty and super-cheap cheeseburgers. (Vegeterians can order the "Cop Out," which is just as satisfyingly dirty.) It’s very purposefully a no-frills situation that’s totally worth the wait. There are more locations in Whitechapel, Kentish Town, and Shoreditch."

"Located on a quiet street in Marylebone, this place boasts full-on fancy décor and an overall upscale vibe. The food, and the pizza especially, is delicious. Kids feel like they're getting to experience something grown-up while adults get to enjoy great food and a cocktail or two."

"Like all good things in London, this burgeoning chainlet is growing fast. Once a beloved food truck with a cleverly built-in pizza oven, it now has not one but two bricks-and-mortar outposts. The thin-crust pizza at all their charmingly lo-fi locations is superb, as are the negronis and affogato. At the new spot off Carnaby, we’re looking forward to fried pizza courtesy of their first authentic Neapolitan fryer—the guys spent a couple of weeks in Naples recently to learn the art of frying pretty much everything. "

"Opened by a Frenchman as a restaurant in the mid-1800's, the Café Royal came to be known not only for its wine cellar—at the time, the largest in the world—but also as the intelligentsia's favorite watering hole. Everyone from Oscar Wilde—today, the sleek, green glass-tiled absinthe bar is named after him—to Rudyard Kipling, Virginia Woolf, D.H. Lawrence, and later, David Bowie, Princess Di and Mick Jagger showed up. When the glamour died down, the small hotel chain The Set came to the rescue for a revamp via David Chipperfield Architects and reopened the institution as a hotel and private club. Nowadays, the hotel, café, bar, and club attract a new kind of intelligentsia— namely fashion and media types—and is a hive of activity especially around fashion week, Frieze, and PAD. If you're splurging, don't miss the dreamy, pastel-hued Dome suite on the top floor, which boasts a terrace overlooking Regent Street, and the Akasha Spa, which is an unlikely, peaceful haven in the middle of Piccadilly."

"This restaurant is situated in a great location, right on the square, making it the ideal spot for traditional afternoon tea in a posh Chelsea environment (the menu is refreshingly well-priced despite the environs). The Botanist Breakfast, which is perfect for kicking off a full day of wandering, includes a generous main dish and coffee and rings in at £12."

"At four locations deep (three of them are in the UK), this casual Italian joint can easily qualify as a chain. Their approach to pizza, however, is very mom-and-pop: all are made in a wood-burning oven, resulting in a chewy, crispy crust that's actually pretty hard to find in London. You can get a table inside the sprawling, industrial-looking dining room, have a quick snack at their bar, or order for takeaway. "

"Straddling Westminster and Camden, Regent's Park features the largest grass area for sports in London, plus an Open Air Theater, Regent's College, Regent's Canal, the London Zoo, restaurants, cafes, and much more. Every October, the park hosts Frieze, with two enormous pavilions and sculptures throughout the park. "