Our patch of the capital is known to be one of the most wonderful places for families to live, together with top local schools and the strong community, the vast number of children’s activities in West London definitely play a role in making it such a wonderful place to reside.
From theatres and sports centres to soft play and outdoor adventure, here are some of the many children friendly locations in West London:
Photo credit: Oxygen Freejumping
The Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith
The Lyric Theatre in London offers a range of family-friendly shows and activities for children. Little Lyric shows are primarily run during the school holidays and have included shows such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar and at Christmas Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas, together with Tales from Acorn Wood which is based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s work.
London Climbing Centre, Hammersmith
Known as the Ravenscourt Wall, Hammersmith is home to a London Climbing Centre. For children aged 7 and over, London climbing centre, which is located under the arches near Ravenscourt Tube Station is a great place to enjoy climbing. They even run specific junior bouldering clubs.
Dukes Meadows, Chiswick
Dukes Meadows is a fantastic place for developing sports talent. With golf, tennis and skiing on offer there’s lots of children’s activities to take part in. During term time there are regular scheduled group lessons, and of course private sessions too. And over the holidays there are golf summer camps and tennis summer camps taking place.
Rocks Lane Multi-Sports Centre, Chiswick
Rocks Lane Multi-Sports Centre in Chiswick offers a range of activities for children. They have a full timetable with afterschool, weekend and holiday time including sports such as football, netball, paddle, and multi-sports for younger children. One of the most popular features at Rocks Lane is the soft play area which is next to the cafe, and has been designed for children aged 1-8 years old.
CTA Performing Arts, Chiswick
On Belmont Road, CTA Performing Arts is an excellent establishment that offers regular classes for dance and acting throughout the term time and runs excellent camps during the holidays. Catering to a wide range of ages and abilities, the CTA Performing Arts covers a diverse curriculum including musical theatre, classical ballet, tap and also street dance, together with guiding pupils to completing LAMDA speech and drama examinations.
Kidzania, Westfield, Shepherd’s Bush
KidZania is an interactive indoor city located in within Westfield shopping centre, which is designed for children aged 4-14. Kidzania is a miniature city where children can role-play and experience different careers in a fun learning environment. The city features a range of real-life establishments, such as a hospital, fire station, police station, and airport, where children can experience what it’s like to work in these professions.
Putt in the Park, Gunnersbury
As part of the large scale regeneration and new facilities at Gunnersbury Park, Putt in the Park has an 18 hole mini golf course with twisting greens, bunkers, and pools. There’s also a great café on site with a licensed bar too.
Kew Gardens, Kew
Just a short bus, train or car ride away, Kew Gardens boasts exceptional children’s activities year-round. Kew Gardens offers a range of activities for children, making it a great family-friendly destination. One of the most popular children’s activities is the Children’s Garden, which is designed for children aged 2-12 years old.
In addition to the Children’s Garden, Kew Gardens also regularly runs interactive exhibits and seasonal events such as the Christmas at Kew. The gardens also have a range of natural play areas dotted across the garden such as the log trail.
Kew is exceptionally pram friendly meaning it is ideal to explore with younger children together with those who are older and able to explore more on foot.
London Museum of Water and Steam, Brentford
The London Museum of Water & Steam is a historic pumping station, just a short distance from Chiswick, with Brentford bordering Strand on the Green.
Catering to a range of ages the museum is interesting and filled with information tracking the history of water supply and disposal in London and demonstrates how the Victorians cleaned up London’s water supply. And for younger children it also has a Museum Garden and Splash Zone.
Dinosaur Escape Adventure Golf, West London Golf Centre
A mini golf course with dinosaurs too! Located in Northholt, which is a short drive from Chiswick, Shepherd’s Bush and Hammersmith, Dinosaur Escape Adventure Golf is an 18-hole mini-golf course that features life-size model dinosaurs. There’s also a dinosaur themed soft play area at the West London Golf Centre.
Oxygen Freejumping, Acton
Oxygen Freejumping Acton is an indoor trampoline park which features interconnected trampolines, a giant airbag, a ninja course, climbing walls, an interactive dodgeball court, and reaction walls.
A great time for children of a variety of ages, adults can also accompany younger children on the trampolines.
Hobbledown Heath, Hounslow
Heading out to the West, Hobbledown Heath is a new edition to West London. With an incredible indoor soft play that cannot be outdone in the area and three extensive outdoor play areas and several wonderful animals on site too; Hobbledown caters to a wide variety of ages and interests.
Outdoor adventures for children
Hanwell Zoo
Walk on the wild side at Hanwell Zoo, a community zoo home to a selection of birds, mammals, as well as a porcupine, a mob of meerkats and a flock of Flamingos.
Hanwell Zoo holds a number of animals whose numbers are declining in the wild, including the red-crowned crane, phantasmal poison arrow frog and Azara’s agouti to name a few. International efforts are in place to look after those animals in captivity and to keep their numbers at sustainable levels.
Adrenalin Rush Laser Combat, Chiswick
Based in Chiswick, Adrenalin Rush is a laser tag facility providing all ages (excluding children aged 6 and below) the ability to participate in outdoor laser combat.
Dash around the outdoor game zone, featuring buildings, giant tractor tires, oil drums and abandoned cars for hiding, while battling your family and friends using their harmless lasers.
Gripped London, Hounslow
Located in Hounslow, West London, Gripped is an aerial adventure park offering a variety of aerial activities and adventures for children aged 4 and over.
Children can explore the treetops, enjoy wandering through one of the high rope trail courses, zoom through 30-metre trees on the dual zip line trekking course (one of the longest in London), whizz down either their 50-metre or 20-metre long speed slides and more.
Parent and Toddler Groups
For younger children there are several parent and toddler, stay and play set ups run regularly, though many are predominantly during term time. From storytime at Chiswick library to sessions at Turnham Green Church (which has its own soft play!) there are lots of groups run in the community.
Playgrounds in West London
There is an abundance of playgrounds in West London. Some of the larger or better known ones include Brook Green Playground, there are three playgrounds at Ravenscourt Park and one either side of the railway over in Chiswick on Acton Common.
Sports Clubs in West London
When it comes to children’s activities, there are a number of Sports Clubs in West London that have an exceptional schedule. David Lloyd near Acton Park runs regular children’s sessions as does Virgin Chiswick Riverside.
Living in West London with children
West London is a truly wonderful place to live with family; the excellent schools, the many, many activities and a strong sense of community are amongst the reasons, but it is also the beautiful family homes in Chiswick, Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush that make it such an appealing place to reside.
Get in touch to discuss your plans to move.
