A family day out with London Duck Tours

Yesterday we learnt why there are no flower beds in Green Park, we heard where the Queen was rumoured to have learnt to swim, and we discovered where Phileas Fogg made a bet to circumnavigate the world.

We had been invited to go on London Duck Tours, a 75-minute London sightseeing tour aboard a bright yellow amphibious vehicle, and I was excited to take the family on the tour, as I think the special vehicles make the tours particularly fun for children.

Four-year-old Big Girl has started learning about London landmarks, and it was exciting to take her on a very first sightseeing trip in our own city.

The tour started from the London Duck Tours bus stop near London Eye, and we passed Houses of Parliament, Downing Street, Trafalgar Square, Pall Mall, Green Park, Hyde Park Corner, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and Tate Britain before the vehicle drove into the water and took us on a boat trip back up to Big Ben.

The fact that the tour included 45 minutes on land before splashing into the Thames meant it wasn’t too long for a family outing, but there was still enough time to see some of London’s most famous landmarks.

I also really enjoyed listening to the witty guide, and although we had heard the basics before, I feel we’re now armed with plenty of facts and stories that I can see being fantastic knowledge for pub quizzes or board games going forward.

In terms of bringing mini Londoners on a sightseeing trip, I realise sixteen-month-old Baby Boy and four-year-old Big Girl are young for going on any guided tours, and London sightseeing tours are probably even better for slightly older children.

But we were all wrapped up warm in WoolLand gear, hats and winter coats, and Daddy T and I had fun showing Big Girl some of the city’s top attractions.

A great start to half-term!

Tags: Activities for children, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Half term, Landmarks, London, London Duck Tours, London Eye, Phileas Fogg, Review, Sightseeing, Tate Britain, Tour