Fantastic London walks to take with your kids, chosen by a London Family Photographer

Wondering what the hell to do with the kids in London? Worry not! as a London Family Photographer with 9 years of experience photographing all over London, I've got your back...

I have photographed more than 900 families around our incredible city, so it’s safe to say I’ve gotten to know the places the kids love to go.

So here are my top three fantastic London trails to take with your kids this summer.

My top sight-seeing walk as a London Family Photographer: The London-Eye, Big Ben and St James’s Park to Buckingham Palace

Walking time: 30 minutes

Distance: 1.5 miles

I know most Londoners consider it an eyesore, but as a London family photographer I can tell you that kids (yes even my own) go giddy with excitement EVERY SINGLE TIME they see the London Eye.

You can pre-book tickets, and while you still have to queue to get on the Eye, you truly do get to see London in ALL its glory. You can pre-book your tickets, via the official London Eye website.

After your ride on the Eye, head on over Westminster Bridge to appreciate the Houses of Parliament in all their golden glory as well as Big Ben. You can wander towards St James’s Park (taking in 10 Downing Street, and pose with the horses at the entrance to Horse Guards parade, if you like).

My top tip as a London family photographer for this trail? If you time it right, the Horse Guards Parade is well worth a visit. The guard and their gorgeous mounts, all decked out in their finery, make for a thrilling sight. You can find the timings here, but as a general rule if you aim for 10:30am, you’l definitely catch them either on their way to or back from Buckingham Palace.

When you’ve had your full of playing soldiers, take time to wander through St James’s Park where there is a playground (a must for most kids), a cafe, and a whole host of greedy squirrels, geese and birds who can be a little aggressive because they get fed by tourists!

You can finish your trail at Buckingham Palace itself - and who knows, you might even catch a glimpse of the King on his way out on the town!

This London Family Photographer’s favourite walk: The Southbank, Tate Modern, Millennium Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral

Walking time: 30 minutes

Distance: 1.5 miles

The Southbank is a pretty great place to spend some time, and as a London Family Photographer I can tell you that it is my favourite place to take photos. It has a lovely vibe going on, with street food carts open for business and the occasional street performer putting on a show.

There is always something going on at the Southbank Centre which is a great place to take your kids.

If you take a left along the Southbank, away from the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament, a 15 to 20 minute stroll will take you to the Tate Modern and the Millennium Bridge, which gives you gorgeous views across the Thames to St Paul’s Cathedral, and you can see Tower Bridge to your right along the Thames. This is a London Family Photographer’s dream as far as photoshoots go, and you can capture some fabulous photos here.

St Paul’s Cathedral is open for sightseeing, and it is definitely somewhere to visit. Plus you can get some gorgeous photos in the gardens surrounding the iconic building.

Don’t fancy the walk? Why not hop onto a Thames Clipper boat from the Waterloo Pier (currently known as an Uber boat) right by the London Eye? As a London family photographer, it’s something I suggest to my clients with small children. It’s a fabulous way to enjoy London from the Thames, the kids love it!

And best of all? There is a bar/cafe on board!

It stops off all along the Southbank, including Tower Bridge, and you can also ride it all the way into Greenwich.

My top walk with secret spots as a London Family photographer: Monument, St Dunstan’s in the East, Tower Bridge and Borough Market

Walking time: 35 minutes

Distance: 1.7 miles

My kids loved learning about the Great Fire of London at school, and it is fair to say they are obsessed! So for the little history buffs out there, why not start your trail at Monument?

If you have the legs you can climb the 311 steps all the way to the top, for beautiful views across London.

From there it’s just a 10-minute walk to my favourite secret space in London. I probably shouldn’t tell you about it as I love doing my London photoshoots there, but take my word for it as London Photographer, the gorgeous ruins of St Dunstan’s in the East. is definitely a place you want to visit.

There is something ethereal about this beautifully maintained church garden and it is always especially peaceful.

Once you’ve rested your weary feet, hop on up and take a walk to the Tower of London.

This is definitely worth a visit, the history and building are just so impressive. Stroll through the amazing Tower of London at your leisure, and guess what? The exit is right onto the promenade along the Thames. Which is a lovely space to get a photo of the iconic Tower Bridge.

Want that view to be extra special? Have a look at the times the bridge lifts to let large boats and ships through. As a London Photographer, it is my top tip for tourists visiting our city. Your kids will thank you for this incredible sight!

At this point, you’ll probably be starving. During the summer there are loads of food stalls in that area. And if ice-cream is needed for a snack'/bribe, you are in luck because there is a truck on either side of the bridge (one just opposite the Tower of London entrance, and the other, right at the foot of the bridge as you cross over to City Hall.)

If you want something more substantial - then I can highly recommend the lovely little hidden area around St Katherine’s Docks (to the left of the bridge before you cross over). There are loads of restaurants and bars, and on a sunny day, it’s wonderful to sit outside and look at all the lovely yachts bobbing around.

You can then cross over the bridge, and enjoy the fountains above City Hall on the other side. And also visit my second favourite secret spot: Shad Thames.

It has a timeless vibe with its criss-crossing bridges. And it’s home to some secret steps right down into the river Thames (at high tide) or the bank of the river (at low tide).

Still hungry? Luckily you are just a stroll away from Borough Market, past London Bridge station. Not only is it foodie heaven, it’s a great place to take photos for all the photography enthusiasts out there, with the famous heart wall a permanent fixture!

Would you like to take a London Family photographer with you as you explore London?

All of the walks I have mentioned are ones I often take with my clients. We get to explore the city AND get some great photos while we are doing it.

So if you’d like a London Family Photographer to capture some amazing memories of you exploring this incredible city, get in touch! I’d love to help you plan your London adventure!