Mum from Birmingham tells how she goes to London for £9 and gets 241 attraction tickets

Many Birmingham families love the idea of ​​taking their children to London, but it can get expensive. That’s why we were keen to speak to Brummie blogger Lavania Oluban, as she regularly takes her son Arlo to the capital and has found cost-effective and stress-free ways to make it fun for them both.

She always travels there by train – you can get £9 each way tickets with London Northwestern Railway – and then uses her train ticket to get 241 and 3rd discount deals on big attractions. These include the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, Shrek Adventure and London Zoo.

You can take up to four children for just £1 each with a London Family Travelcard for unlimited off-peak Tube, bus and tram travel once you’re there. It means you can enjoy a fun day out in the capital without spending a fortune.

Read more: Things to do with kids in and around Birmingham – the ultimate guide

We chatted to Lavania about her top tips and favorite places to go on the Brummie Mummies podcast. Listen here

“My top tip, as someone who likes to do everything, is don’t!” said Lavania, who runs a blog called The Amazing Adventures of Me about her days with Arlo. “Try to try and do one or two things and give yourself enough time to really enjoy them. It’s only a couple of hours from Birmingham so you can go once every school holiday if you want and do something different every date.”

“The biggest thing for me is the cost, I think that’s the only thing that stops people from traveling to London, but it can be really reasonable. I avoid the commute times so we leave after 9am and park for free at one of the stations. near me such as Bournville or Northfield. Then we get home around 7pm and can be in bed by 10pm, normally Arlo nods and I read my book less money than driving and parking there.”

Brummie Mummies – our hub for parents on Facebook, Instagram, newsletter and podcast – are partnering with London Northwestern Railway on their Destination London campaign. Find out more and book your tickets via the London Northwestern Railway website or download the LNR app where you don’t have to pay booking fees.

Lavania added: “We love big attractions, museums and art galleries. My favorite is the Design Museum on Kensington High Street. A lot of people don’t realize it’s there. The exhibitions are rotating and it’s free to enter. It’s in Holland Park ., which is one of the most beautiful parks in London.

“Here you will find Kyoto Japanese Gardens, two large play areas and a sand pit. Kensington High Street has lovely bakeries where you can buy snacks to take to the park. This is probably one of my favorite places to explore.

“With a family travel card, you can hop on and off the London Underground. Go to Kings Cross to get your Harry Potter photo!”

The best places to take the kids in London

You can get discounted tickets to the following London attractions with an LNR train ticket. The offers range from 241 offers and the third discount:

London Zoo

There are more than 10,000 animals to discover at London Zoo and it’s located right in the heart of the capital in leafy Regent’s Park, making it an oasis of calm that’s very easy to access.

The tower of London

This fortress, palace and prison is home to the stunning Crown Jewels. Discover 1,000 years of history here, see the famous crows and take a tour learning the stories of betrayal and torture here.

Madame Tussauds

Meet over 150 lifelike figures of today’s biggest stars, including celebrities, royalty, Marvel superheroes and Star Wars characters. Watch an exclusive Marvel Universe 4D movie experience and witness some of the most iconic moments in movie history.

London Eye

Soar up to 135 meters into the sky for breathtaking views of Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, parks and more.

Battersea Park Children’s Zoo

Home to over 100 amazing animals from around the world, you’ll be able to see monkeys, lemurs, tropical birds and more. There’s also a play area with a real-life fire engine, helicopter and sensory sandpit, plus arts and crafts activities, talks with zookeepers and adventure trails.

Shrek Adventure

Prepare to be whisked away to Far Far Away in London’s only storytelling experience. The story begins with a 4D bus experience driven by Donkey before visiting Cinderella, Puss in Boots, Pinocchio and the Muffin Man in 12 themed live shows where you’ll collect the special ingredients needed to get home safely. Watch out for an ogre on the way!

London Dungeon

See, hear, feel and smell the characters of London’s ‘bad times’ as the likes of Guy Fawkes, Jack the Ripper and Sweeny Todd come to life before you in 19 live shows and two underground rides. Recover with a drink in the Victorian themed tavern afterwards!

Sea Life Aquarium in London

Travel through the Amazon rainforest, see sea turtles and Gentoo penguins and witness the UK’s largest jellyfish and coral reef display. There are over 5,000 creatures to discover here.

Other attractions offering discounts with LNR tickets include:

Legoland Windsor

Thorpe Park

Wembley Stadium Tour

Greenwich Museums

Kew Gardens

Tower Bridge

Chessington Adventure World

Kensington Palace

Westminster Abbey

London Transport Museum

London Hop on Hop Off Big Bus Tours

Florence Nightingale Museum

Cutty Sark

Harry Potter Walking / Bus Tour

Tour of the Royal Palace

Hampton Court Palace

Hobbledown Heath

London Bridge Experience and London Tombs

Monument to the Great Fire of London

Royal Greenwich Observatory

Stay up to date with things to do with kids this summer by signing up with us The Brummie Mummies newsletter and podcast for lots of fun day out ideas.