There are guidebooks, and then there are the people who actually know. Anna Bromilow, freelance fashion stylist, mother of three, and a woman who cut her teeth at Vogue before becoming Fashion Director at Tatler under the legendary Isabella Blow, is firmly in the second camp.
She has lived and breathed London for years, navigating its royal parks and hidden backstreets, its secret patisseries and members’ bars, with the kind of effortless intimacy that only comes from truly belonging to a city. Here is her unfiltered, insider guide to London with children: the neighbourhoods worth exploring, the foodie haunts that kids will adore, and the quietly magical spots that never make it onto a tourist map.
I am a freelance fashion stylist living in between London and West Sussex and have three daughters with my husband, who I have been together with since university. My first job was at Vogue, soon followed by Tatler where I worked under Isabella Blow before becoming Fashion Director. I spend disproportionate amounts of time packing – for shoots, children, weekends in the country and holidays. I’m driven but a little chaotic, fun loving but a touch neurotic and quite a dreamer. Friends and family are everything. I adore going out, am an enthusiastic champagne drinker and am always trying to ditch my diet coke addition. There’s nothing I love more than dressing up. Entertainment is pretty essential to my well being- cinema and theatre are big escapes. I have a nifty ability to sleep well (I’ve probably jinxed it writing that) and would like one day to graduate from a half marathon to the real deal. I love having so many girls under one roof and every year I make the same new year’s resolution to read more.
When is the best time to visit London with children?
I think most places around the world feel exciting in the Spring when everything feels reborn and bright. But London in particular lights up in April and May especially with everything in bloom through our royal parks and green streets – you can’t beat Regent’s Park or areas of Notting Hill with bursts of cherry blossom and wisteria around, particularly with a blue sky backdrop and beautiful Georgian architecture. There’s nothing I love more than those first few walks of spring, when coats come off – it’s like this city re-emerges elegantly from its grey hibernation. Whenever I can I walk back home from meetings in town I do and it always feels seriously uplifting, passing canals, beautiful residential patches, chic coffee shops along the way. The promenades in Regent’s Park are heaven.
What are your favourite neighbourhoods in London, and why?
Primrose Hill is pretty hard to beat. From a purely aesthetic point of view, who wouldn’t want to wander around pastel painted world (my girls love the fact Paddington was filmed here). There’s an elegance, understated grandeur and quirky charm to the place which I feel has that London sensibility at its core. You’re on the edge of the park, with it’s incredible view of the city and there’s a general buzz to the place without being too flashy. It has that community spirit which in a big city is hard to find. Oka is a great local Asian restaurant, there are a handful of good bakeries, Greenberry café is a local haunt for work meetings (and also happens to be a great place for celeb spotting) and there are a few good pubs around like The Engineer. It also has the best little retro ice cream parlour called Reenie’s Ice Cream Bar which is a secret 1950s gem. And there’s a Cowshed if you’re after a massage.
Photo credit @timur_valiev via unsplash
How do you handle the weather in London with kids?
Always be prepared- a small umbrella is normally in the bag alongside some sunscreen. Though my eldest two have hit their teenage years and now refuse to wear coats anymore so they’re having to handle that issue by themselves. Layering is generally the answer. I’ve bought so many hooded trench coats for them over the years that there is normally one to hand in the right size. We go to Cornwall every year where weather is so unpredictable and doesn’t stop us doing anything so I think they’ve been toughened up a little by that. You can’t let the climate stop you but it does make a good hair day a touch testing – probably one of the reasons I wear mine up so much.
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Which hotels should we check into for a family-friendly stay?
My preference for a city break with the children is always somewhere with character, a boutique find that is in or near to a residential area and doesn’t feel overly urban- more a home from home. We love Beaverbook in Surrey and would love to visit their townhouse overlooking Cadogan Gardens, particularly during Chelsea Flower Show when that area looks so vibrant and celebratory. There’s something really warm, inviting and exciting about Charlotte Street in Fitzrovia- lots of colour and print. There’s a two bedroom loft suite there that has the most beautiful forest mural that’s like walking into a story book. I can’t imagine a room my youngest would want to sleep in more. I also love the bar there and would sneak down with my husband for a nightcap. For my slightly older girls, I can imagine them absolutely loving The Berkeley. My husband and I went to a party on the rooftop by their pool last year on the most beautiful summer’s evening and it was just sensational. They normally do Capri In The City there, with poolside pizza oven and great views of Knightsbridge and Hyde Park.
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The place only local parents know about?
I used to live in Marylebone and have a real love of the area still. A great friend introduced me to the Potato Art Studio there which is a fab, secret craft spot for all my girls (ranging from 9 years to 16). It’s a cosy art space with a wall of colour-coordinated decorative charms, pop-mart figures and jewels– mirrors, candles, necklaces all on offer to create and decorate. You can order matcha there and it’s just a fresh, modern, creative vibe. For families with younger children, the Puppet Theatre Barge in Little Venice is utterly magical. It’s a unique, fifty seat marionette theatre with such a whimsical, old-fashioned aesthetic presenting imaginative stories through rod poppets- a little treasure of a show that’s in the most charming area of London and not readily known about. You really do step back in time.
How do you navigate the city with kids?
If the weather is good, I always encourage a walk. My daughter and I walked back home from Holland Park yesterday and it was heaven. As a family we would opt for the tube rather than the bus which can be so slow– we are lucky to be relatively central so it’s only a few stops to Bond Street. The Elizabeth Line is pretty slick and gets you across London at speed.
What are your top 3 must-do activities in London for kids?
In the summer it has to be the pedalos (with an ice cream from the Waterside Cafe) in Regent’s Park. All my girls have very fond memories of doing this in the summer, chasing the ducks and getting caught up in Weeping Willows. At Christmas time we go to see The Nutcracker without fail every year. Our family group has extended to include my father and brothers over the years and it’s very touching to see my girls look forward to certain dances and parts of the music that they know so well. We have found the perfect little Italian in Covent Garden down a historic alleyway called Giovanni’s that we have delicious pasta at beforehand. In terms of museums, though the Natural History Museum is a family must, it’s always notoriously busy and when my kids were younger we would head towards Exhibition Road but often opt instead for the V & A. It’s huge inside and a great place for kids to stretch their legs if the weather is lousy with such a lot on offer to see with family trails, games and workshops. The museum café is really quite an amazing space with incredible Victorian tiling and oversized orb lighting. Any tantrum or screaming is generally lost in the vastness of its size- always a reassuring prospect with very small kids.
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Are there any classic attractions that are unmissable?
Southbank keeps getting better and better- I think as newcomers to this wonderful city you must walk along the Thames and get a view of the Houses of Parliament. Westminster Abbey is magical and steeped in so much history- definitely worth a visit, particularly if their evensong is on. It is world class, no booking required and utterly heavenly.
And ones that are worth avoiding?
My children all went through a phase of loving Madame Tussauds but I never understood the appeal. I know it’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in London but the queues are always crazy and I just don’t understand the buzz from looking at a doll replica of a celebrity. Sorry to be a kill joy!
What are your go-to spots for family-friendly dining?
Le Relais de Venise L’Entrecote in Marylebone is excellent- I love the fact there is no menu so everyone knows what to expect – no fussing over the food selection! And with chips on tap- what’s not to love?! I don’t know what they put in that steak sauce but it is sublime.
All my girls love Sushi and Mexican so Los Mochis in Notting Hill is a great spot for them and a fab, fun birthday treat. A Sunday Lunch roast at a great pub is a family must and again pretty straight forward in terms of ordering and expectations. Cubitt House has a selection of great pubs over London that you can’t go wrong with. I also love local haunts The Pelican (Notting Hill) and The Hero (Maide Vale).
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Any insider snack spots, bakeries, or sweet treats that kids love (and adults too)?
If you are looking for an extremely low key but incredible patisserie, Lanka in Swiss Cottage is a hidden gem. The Japanese chef there is French trained and came from La Gavroche in the 1980s- you can imagine the quality of his creations. His green tea gateau is not to be missed.
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Which museums or cultural spaces are unmissable?
I studied History of Art and am always eager for them to appreciate a good gallery – slow the pace down and really look. It very much depends on what is on but over the years I have taken them to exhibitions that have peaked my interest and I thought would translate well for them. The Wallace Collection had a fantastic show last year called Delusions of Grandeur by Grayson Perry that we all absolutely loved – vibrant multi-media, such an original narrative and the audio guides really bought it all to life. (The Wallace Colection also happens to be the place we got married so my girls are familiar with it there, we pop in from time to time). The Serpentine has great modern shows on – we all like Hockney so plan to visit his show there soon. The National Portrait Gallery is a staple visit and always a good choice for kids- I took my girls there from when they were really young to see the annual Portrait Awards which is very accessible for children of all ages- the human face and form a universal language of its own. Take children from as early as possible so they get used to being in a gallery space and appreciate there is no wrong or right way to view artwork.
Your favourite places to shop for kids?
My eldest two are now teens so live for Westfield but Selfridges is a close second for them if I take them on a shopping trip myself. It has a good mix of high street and contemporary on-trend brands, lots of streetwear, a large trainer selection and we love the food hall there (plus Brasserie of Light for a treat). At Christmas time in particular Covent Garden is a magical place to shop with the kids. The market is so beautiful all lit up, the cobbled square always reminds me of My Fair Lady. There’s a big Brandy Melville and Urban Outfitters as well as a large stand alone Charlotte Tillbury store so my two eldest girls are happy. For my little one, she has huge amounts of hand me downs but when she needs something for a special occasion she likes La Coqueta (Ledbury Road).
And to shop for yourself?
So much of my shopping is done online while I work, styling for other people and brands. I do a lot of sourcing new designers and looking for specific looks and items – it’s often the European labels that I gravitate towards which are sometimes tricky to source in store over here. Isabel Marant is my forever go to for effortless, laid back cool- I have a small collection of her designs. I love their shop on Bruton Street but I am also now obsessed with Bicester Village – not only do they have an Isabel store there but I’ve found incredible discounted accessories from Gucci and Prada there. If I had a day shopping all to myself anywhere in the UK, that is where I would head – off on the train from Marylebone for a day to myself. I always leave with an absolute gem or two.
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If mums have a few hours sans enfants where should they go?
A bit of downtime for a pampering session is always time well spent in my book, particularly when it comes to looking after my skin. If I look tired, I feel tired. I recently went to the Le Petit Saint Clinic on Charles Street and it was a total sanctuary from beginning to end. The décor is deliciously pink, it’s so welcoming and calm and the treatment rooms utterly luxurious. It was one of the best facials I have ever had. I also love Vaishaly who I have known for years and does a great mesofacial for brightening the skin- she is a goddess and really knows what she is doing. Her cranial sacral technique normally leaves me feeling mentally off-loaded and calm. Facegym is a great option – I have one locally and will often pop in if my face feels puffy or I have an event that night. It’s a great pick me up.
What’s something about London with kids that surprises you (in a good way)?
I always try my best to show my girls the value of money and so being able to enjoy time with them out and about in London without spending a huge amount is a real blessing. This city has a lot of wonderful, free things to do. The Granary Square Fountains are such fun and open every day of the year – on a hot day there is nowhere better. Golders Hill park has a charming little zoo with a number of exotic mammals and birds. Many museums have free entry (The National Gallery and Tate Modern in particular) and we’ve spent many a fun afternoon on Hampstead Heath or at Kenwood climbing trees, taking a picnic into the wild grasses. It has such range this beautiful city.
If a family only had one day in London, how would you spend it?
If you asked my girls I imagine their answer would be different! But my ideal family day would start off by heading to Fischer’s in Marylebone- all my girls absolutely adore brunch there. We might walk down the high street and look in a few shops along the way like American Vintage or Sessun and I love Daunts Books. Next we’d pop into The Wallace Collection and see an exhibition or wander around the state rooms, look at Fragonard’s The Swing and imagine what it would be like to live in an opulent Rococo era. We’d then take the kids’ bikes or scooters and head to Regent’s Park, weave our way down all of the long stretches of promenades, passing fountains and blossom covered trees along the way. Maybe take a pedalo out onto the lake and have an ice cream. We’d carry on walking all the way to Primrose Hill and beyond, maybe ending up in Hampstead for a late lunch- we love the Wells Tavern there for family meals. We’d take some cards with us or a game of some kind and have a long meal (a few glasses of champagne in the mix for my husband and I). Then we’d walk up Hampstead Hill to the Everyman and watch a movie altogether and dissect it on the way home. Lots of walking, and talking and enjoying our surroundings together.
Why is London a wonderful family destination?
This place is steeped in culture and history- there’s a romance to the place and a depth of character that I absolutely love and just so very much to do and see. It’s a vibrant, vast, artistic city that has so many different faces from the grandeur of Buckingham Palace to the tranquil, bucolic spaces of Hampstead Heath and its village surroundings. The Royal Parks are at the heart of this city and set such an lush, elegant backdrop to the pace and glamour of the city. A huge amount on offer, to learn and experience and enjoy.
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Any Questions or Tips to add?