The Southbank - London Bridge to London Eye (and back)

The walk from London Bridge to London Eye has always been one of my favourites. Going with the children is also possible as London Bridge has Disabled access ie a lift will take you from platform level right through to the ticket hall and from there another lift takes you to street level at Borough High Street. Go through Borough Market (over the road) to avoid the steps & get direct access to the Thames Path. This takes you, traffic free, via the Southbank to the London Eye. 

This summer there are some fantastic fun things to do with toddlers on this stretch of the Thames Path. My 4 year old brought his scooter, my 2 year old was in the buggy, or when she was so inclined could walk safely across the pedestrianised route in full view of the Thames. They loved the Golden Hinde, seeing the boats on the Thames, the pebbly 'beach at low tide which you can access at various points on the route if you wish down slopes (suitable for buggies). We stopped for a coffee (me) and juice (the children) outside the Southbank. The kids ran around on the grass outside the Tate while I took in the beautiful view of St Pauls across the bridge. 

Stop here for  a bring your own picnic, or there are other green spots to stop further on. 

Onwards, we stopped at the Queen Elizabeth Hall for the sandy 'beach' built especially for the summer holidays. Along with lots of other children, my toddlers passed a happy hour playing in the sand, hiding treasure, and just generally enjoying getting sandy whilst barefoot against a backdrop of the London skyline. Benches are adjacent to the sand and plentiful so weary and grateful parents can sit and watch their children play in relative comfort. 

We walked past the beach-huts display, a bright multi-coloured fun-fest of huts many of which you are encouraged to enter and explore close up before accessing the lift at Charing Cross Bridge which takes you from the street level up 1 floor level to the Royal Festival Hall (we stopped there for the loos). I found its foyer has a drop in play area for preschoolers. This comprised hoops and rings for them to throw, jump and generally play in, while you can grab a coffee and cake and take 5. 

On the mezzanine outside the RFH is a criss-cross water fountain area designed to entice the brave to step in and try not to get wet. Children of all ages loved it, mine included. Fountains of water jet up into the air in alternating patters of lines/squares, sometimes stopping completely. 

Beyond this, a fairground and stalls stretched. But we'd run out of time so decided to head back the way we'd come. My tired 2 year old fell asleep, my 4 year old and I treated ourselves to an icecream for the journey back to London Bridge. The tide was in and the pebble beaches we'd seen earlier were underwater on the way back. While William tackled with this concept, I enjoyed the beautiful skyline and the route I've loved to walk well before children. 

A full day out, felt like we'd had a day at the seaside rather than a day in town. Simply fab!

Plenty of coffee/cafe stops en route. 

Toilets available at majority of venues en route. 

Route suitable for buggies and scooters. 

For the weary, heading back to North London, Waterloo tube has disabled access so you can head back from London Eye rather than taking the return route back to London Bridge. 

Alternatively why not take a Thames Clipper, from one of the many piers on route, back to Bankside Pier to leave you with a short stroll back to London Bridge (Borough High St. Entrance). 10% discount if you use your Oyster card.