Updated 2023
Anytime my boys and I want to wander off to a magical land, we think about the stories that take us there. Books can provide a spark of curiosity or inspiration for travel. When I head to London with kids, for example, I start by grabbing some of my favorite story books to talk about and share the museums, monuments, historical sights, and neighborhoods we may explore.
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Reading a London book begins to familiarize my boys with the city and involves them in our planning. My youngest likes to know our travel plans well head of time, which is why children’s books are especially important to our family.
He doesn’t like surprises, so if this kid is going to see Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and Trafalgar Square, he wants to know what to expect when he gets there.
So, whether you’re planning a visit to London with kids, or just want to share a new city with them, books are a great way to start. Here’s some of our favorites that we have collected throughout the years. Buy your own copy or check them out at your local library.
Headed to Ireland? Grab our favorite Irish Children’s Books!
Our Favorite London Children’s Books
This is London
- By Miroslav Sasek
- CLICK TO BUY on Amazon
First published in 1959 and updated in the 21st century, this charming book features beloved illustrations by Miroslav Sasek. The playful narrative highlights the main attractions and unique characteristics of the bustling city!
All Aboard the London Bus
The Story of London
- By Richard Brassey
- CLICK TO BUY on Amazon
A gorgeously illustrated and informative story with all the facts you need to know about London. Famed author and illustrator Richard Brassey even promises to share some of the city’s best secrets – shh!
Hello London
- By Marion Billet
- CLICK TO BUY on Amazon
A playful and interactive tour of London perfect for toddlers. Kids can push, pull, and slide their way through some of London’s most famous sights. Hello London will entertain and teach little ones about the bustling city.
The London Noisy Book
- By Marion Billet
- CLICK TO BUY on Amazon
Little ones can discover the sights and sounds of London with this delightful children’s book. Hear the noises from the London Zoo, Buckingham Palace, and a double-decker tour bus. Kids can also use their best detective skills to find the hidden crown jewel thief on every page!
My Little Cities: London
- by Jennifer Adams and Greg Pizzoli
- CLICK TO BUY on Amazon
My Little Cities: London is a playful board book geared towards babies and toddlers. Start ’em young with this colorful introduction to London’s most famous landmarks. This book is the perfect gift to inspire future travelers.
London: A Book of Opposites
- By Ashley Evanson
- CLICK TO BUY on Amazon
A playful book of opposites featuring all of London’s favorite spots and characters. The wonderful illustrations make London: A Book of Opposites a delightful book to share with the city’s youngest fans.
A Walk in London
- By Salvatore Rubbino
- CLICK TO BUY on Amazon
View the sights of London with this mother-daughter duo visiting the city for the day. The book features lovely illustrations and interesting trivia about the city’s main attractions. A perfect beginners guide to the city!
Paddington Pop-Up London
- By Joanna Bill and Olga Baumert
- CLICK TO BUY on Amazon
A beautifully designed pop-up book based on the popular Paddington movie. The book includes six pop-up images and scenes direct from the movie. Celebrate the history and culture of London with the classic story of Paddington Bear.
Of course, if you want to read the original Paddington books, you can get them HERE.
Dodsworth in London
- By Tim Egan
- CLICK TO BUY on Amazon
Tag along on an exciting adventure with Dodsworth and Duck as they explore the city of London. There is a case of mistaken identity, a lost duck, a hot air balloon, and so much more! Classic and sweet, this book is one to read.
Madeline in London
- By Ludwig Bemelmans
- CLICK TO BUY on Amazon
I just adore the Madeline book series and have such great memories of reading the books with my kids. Madeline in London embarks on a new adventure to London to “see the Queen”. The delightful book provides an introduction to the city to early readers and listeners.
Maisy Goes to London
- By Lucy Cousins
- CLICK TO BUY on Amazon
Part of the beloved Maisy book series, Maisy Goes to London showcases famous spots around the city. Maisy explores the city on a double-decker tour bus, a water taxi, and an underground train. Share in the fun with this delightful book!
The Queen’s Hat
- By Steve Antony
- CLICK TO BUY on Amazon
Join this charming and exciting adventure through London in a chase for the Queen’s hat. Famed author Steve Anthony has created magic yet again with this delightful and silly book. Adventures aside, this book also serves as a guide to the city’s popular landmarks.
3 Go to London
Katie in London
- By James Mayhew
- CLICK TO BUY on Amazon
Katie in London serves as the perfect introduction to London for children of all ages. Katie, along with her brother Jack, embark on an adventure through the city with the Trafalgar Square lion. The illustrations capture the spirit and historic feel of the beloved city.
Beatrice and the London Bus
- By Francesca Lombardo
- CLICK TO BUY on Amazon
Beatrice loves buses. She loves London buses, so much that she dreams of being a bus driver. However, being a very small girl who can’t drive yet, it may be a while for that wish to come true. That is until she meets a talking London Bus, one she thinks she has magicked to life. Follow their adventures as they meet talking buildings, mischievous characters and solve a few problems (after causing quite a few of them) throughout the city. It’s a fun way to learn about the landmarks, with a little magic by your side.
More Great London Books for Kids
- Welcome to London By Marcos Farina
- My First London Alphabet By Marion Billet
- Winnie-the-Pooh Goes to London By Jane Riordan and Mark Burgess
- Jane Foster’s London By Jane Foster
- Mr. Men in London By Roger Hargreaves
- Look Inside London By Jonathan Melmoth
- Parrots Don’t Live In The City! By Lucy Reynolds & Jenna Herman
- London Calls! By Gabby Dawnay and Alex Barrow
- Rabs and Ted and Big Ben: Our Adventure in London By Ms. Sally Bennett
- Molly Goes to London (Molly and the Magic Suitcase series) By Chris Oler and Amy Houston Oler
- Where is the Tower of London? (Where is series) By Janet B. Pascal
- The Tower Bridge Cat By Tee Dobinson
- The Royal Rabbits By Santa Montefiore
- Charlie and Lola: We Completely Must Go to London By Lauren Child
- Hyde Park Squirrels By Nick Croydon
- Coming to England: An Inspiring True Story Celebrating the Windrush Generation By Floella Benjamin and Diane Ewen
- Pussy cat, pussy cat, where have you been? I’ve been to London to visit the Queen By Russell Punter
Children’s Books about the Queen of England
- The Queen and Mrs. Brown: A Day for Dinosaurs By James Francis Wilkins
- The Queen’s Wardrobe: A Celebration of the Life of Queen Elizabeth II By Kate Hindley and Julia Golding
- My name is Victoria By Lucy Worsley
- The Queen’s Hat By Steve Antony
- The Queen’s Handbag By Steve Antony
- The Queen’s Present By Steve Antony
- The Queen’s Lift-Off By Steve Antony
London Books for Young Readers
- Brick Lane By Monica Ali
- Matilda By Roald Dahl
- Mary Poppins By P. L. Travers
- Tower of the Five Order: The Shakespeare Mysteries By Deron R. Hicks
- Harry Potter Series By JK Rowlings
- The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles) By Rick Riordan
- The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency: The Case of the Missing Moonstone by Jordan Stratford and Kelly Murphy
- Rivers of London By Ben Aaronovitch
- A Sally Lockhart Mystery 1: The Ruby in the Smoke By Phillip Pullman
- The London Eye Mystery By Siobhan Dowd
- The Time Travelers By Linda Buckley-Archer
- London Belongs to Us By Sarra Manning
- The Big Ben Mystery By Carole Marsh
- Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes By Judith Conaway
- Hollow City by Ransom Riggs (Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children series) By Ransom Riggs
- The Courageous Corgi By Lea Herrick
- Neverwhere By Neil Gaiman
- Goodnight Mister Tom By Michelle Magorian
- Spectacular Vernacular: London’s 100 Most Extraordinary Buildings By David Long
Unique Travel Guidebooks For Discovering London with Kids
Here’s a few of my favorite London guidebooks for parents and kids to use together to plan their next family trip to London.
Horrible Histories: London
- By Terry Deary
- CLICK TO BUY on Amazon
Dig into the gruesome, gross and bewildering parts of London history that have fascinated generations and caused them to plan a trip to London. If you have kids who don’t love history, this is the book for them. Terry Deary brings a hilarious voice to history that will keep your kids engaged and wanting to make that trek across the pond with you.
NOT FOR PARENTS GREAT BRITAIN: EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW (LONELY PLANET KIDS)
- By Lonely Planet and Klay Lamprell
- CLICK TO BUY on Amazon
Filled with countless facts and interesting tidbits of information, this guide book will inspire any curious traveler. Described as the “real, inside story”, this fact-based guide book includes stories about kings and queens and famous spies. Whether a trip to Great Britain is in the works or not, this book is a tremendous resource on one of the worlds most famous countries.
Family Guide London (Eyewitness Travel Family Guide)
- By DK Travel
- CLICK TO BUY on Amazon
A great guide for the entire family, the Eyewitness Travel Family Guide focuses on the kids. The book provides age specific activities, local restaurants, and places to blow off steam around specific hubs (i.e. the London Eye). The family guide book also includes activities for rainy days and games for travel days.
Fodor’s Around London with Kids
- By Fodor’s Travel Guides
- CLICK TO BUY on Amazon
Fodor’s London guide is perfect for local families and visitors alike. The guide features 68 family friendly activities found in and around London. There are activity-based tips, suggestions for local eateries, and games to keep the kids entertained during travel.
LONDON CITY TRAILS- LONELY PLANET
- By Lonely Planet Kids and Moira Butterfield
- CLICK TO BUY on Amazon
Looking for the off-the-beaten-path guide book to London? London City Trails by Lonely Planet is definitely for you. This guide book promises to take you away from the typical tourist attractions and onto the city streets. Discover the city’s best kept secrets and interesting tales galore. Recommended reading age is 8 +
Pop-Up London (Lonely Planet)
- By Lonely Planet Kids and Andy Mansfield
- CLICK TO BUY on Amazon
Pop-Up London by Lonely Planet serves as a beginners guide to the city across the pond. This book features gorgeous pop-up illustrations of the city’s most famous landmarks including Buckingham Palace and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Perfect to line a nursery shelf or inspire the youngest explorers.
MOON LONDON WALKS
- By Moon Travel
- CLICK TO BUY on Amazon
While not strictly for kids, this walking guide book to London provides something different for families. Any guidebook that gets us out walking to explore the sights is a good one in my mind, no matter how much my youngest complains. Walking guides provide a suggested path to follow, but veering off course is never frowned upon. Use each walk as a guide to your next adventure when in London with kids.
i-SPY London: Spy it! Score it!
- By Collins Michelin
- CLICK TO BUY on Amazon
Skip the mega guide with no photos or fun, and hand your kids the I-Spy London guide book that brings facts, photos and fantastic spots to your and your children in small, digestible chunks.
Best of all, this book can be used as a game, allowing your kids to collect points throughout their wanderings. Just make sure you have a prize ready at the end!
Mission London
- By Catherine Aragon
- CLICK TO BUY on Amazon
Similar to I-Spy, Mission London is a scavenger hunt around the city, which is easy to build your trip around. Your kids can collect points for each stop you make and item they find on the list.
Pin it and Start Planning Your Trip to London
London Destination Guide
Best London Hotels with Kids
- New Road Hotel: Stylish hotel with yoga room, bike rentals, and free Wi-Fi. Within walking distance of many city landmarks.
- The Tower Hotel: Situated in the center of the city, The Tower Hotel is great for visitors. Onsite parking available, free Wi-Fi, and fitness center.
- The Resident Kensington: Located right by Kensington Garden square, this charming hotel boasts free Wi-Fi, laundry service, and in-room breakfasts.
- The Clermont London, Charing Cross: Victorian hotel within walking distance to Trafalgar Square, with free Wi-Fi and air conditioning.
- Dukes London: Family and pet-friendly hotel with babysitting services and laundry available (additional fee)
Looking for more hotels in London? Search for great hotel deals on the interactive map below.
These are wonderful books that will surely prepare kids for a fun and learning-full trip to London!