3 Best Sights in England

A treat for all but designed specifically for children under age 14, this East London outpost of the Victoria & Albert Museum houses one of the world's biggest toy collections. The iron, glass, and brown-brick building—an architectural joy in itself—was transported here from South Kensington in 1868 and reopened July 2023 following an extensive five-year renovation project. The collection of more than 2,000 objects is organized into three galleries: Play, Imagine, and Design, all offering plenty of interactive experiences, including an amphitheater-style stage, a free-play construction area, and a working design studio. Fun new acquisitions include a skateboard belonging to 13-year-old 2020 Olympic medalist Sky Brown. The shop is a good spot to pick up original toys.

Housed in the old flower market at the southeast corner of Covent Garden, this intriguing transport museum is filled with highly impressive trains, buses, posters, and photograph collections. As you watch the crowds drive a Tube train simulation and gawk at the Victorian steam locomotives and horse-drawn trams (and the piles of detritus that remained behind), it's unclear who's enjoying it more: the children or the adults. Best of all, the kid-friendly museum (under-18s admitted free, and there's a play area) has a multilevel approach to education, including clear information for the youngest visitors and transit aficionados alike. Food and drink are available at the Upper Deck Canteen café, and the shop has good options for gifts. Tickets are valid for unlimited entry for 12 months.

A touristy attraction aimed at kids interprets the author's 23 tales with three-dimensional scenes of Peter Rabbit, costumed characters, and more. Basic tickets are for the attraction, but you can add on a show or a tea party for an additional cost. You can also visit Potter's former home at Hill Top, in Near Sawrey near Hawkshead.