London Museum Docklands, The Galleries

Such a family friendly spot! We visited the London Docklands Museum in Canary Wharf, and it was such a great find for our family. It’s not easy to find a place that both my 8-month-old and 5-year-old can enjoy, but the Mudlarks children’s play area was perfect for both of them. Entry to the museum itself is free, but Mudlarks requires a timed ticket (purchased at the gift shop) for a 45-minute session, which ended up being just the right amount of time for my kids. I also really appreciated the café area just outside the play space. You can grab snacks or bring your own. There’s even a small nursing area nearby, which was a thoughtful touch. There’s also an area for plenty of stroller parking. We actually visited 3–4 times during our stay in Canary Wharf! The building itself is impressive and full of history, and it’s a fantastic way to introduce kids to the local story of London and the docks in an engaging, immersive way. There are also fun children’s activities like a scavenger hunt. Definitely ask about it when you arrive. I especially enjoyed the street- and alley-style exhibits, and there were interactive elements like hands-on demonstrations about maritime materials. There was also a live enactment I was excited to see, though my kids were ready to move on. One thing to note: while I appreciate the museum’s honest representation of history, some of the subject matter may feel a bit heavy for younger children. Overall, it’s a fantastic family-friendly spot, especially if your kids love boats, pirates, and hands-on exploration. My son kept saying, “I want to go to the boat museum!” which says it all.

Great museum if you have an hour or two before the flight from LCY (20 min from the airport door to door via DLR). Particularly zooms into history of slavery and London docks development to fuel Britain's economy in the past. It's worth visiting especially with kids or if history is a subject of one's interest. Museum visit is free.

A fantastic museum with free entry! The venue is incredibly spacious and fully accessible for everyone. The exhibition content is exceptionally rich and comprehensive, covering a lot of fascinating history. I highly recommend this museum not just for tourists, but especially for local residents who want to gain a deeper understanding of the area. Truly worth a visit!