Back in 2011 I wrote a blog post about the great fun that kids were having playing in the fountains at Somerset House. (Mind you, I think with the summer open air film series these ones are temporarily out of action). It was popular and the present hot weather has increased the need for cooling strategies for small people.
Maybe the architects took note (or have spent a lot of time in Italy where every square has some sort of water feature) but it seems that a load of new fountains have sprung up in London where kids can cool off from the City heat and have fun getting wet. And this is one activity in London that is absolutely free.
Yesterday, I was strolling through Leicester Square and found some delighted children splashing around in the fountains that surround the statue of William Shakespeare. And whilst the construction works have taken away the wonderful gelateria that used to be there you can still pop into M&M World which is nearby. Not to mention all the cinemas.
Over near Kings Cross there is an impressive array of fountains on the large forecourt of Central Saint Martin’s campus. There are even chairs for parents to use while their kids splash around. And you could combine a visit here with a walk along the canal (the Canal Boat Museum is nearby) and to the wonderful Skip Garden.
On the South Bank – just outside the Festival Hall – there are some fountains. The underground skate park with all its graffiti is pretty interesting to the teens too. And right now there is the Festival of Love with a fabulous huge sand pit, deck chairs and food stalls as well as other attractions such as the “Family” love free big red slide. Look out too for Groove on down the road (a show based on the Wizard of Oz) at The Queen Elizabeth Hall running from 5th to 26th August: southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/groove-on-down-the-road-83590
For those with some money to spend the Wonderground (the walkways and shady seating are free) offers some interest – there’s a traditional carousel and we had a go on the shooting range (£4 for three shots) although we were too scared to ride the terrifyingly high Starflyer (£7.50 a go or £26 for four people). While some of the shows here (e.g. Limbo and Burlesque) are not for kids there are some shows that might appeal – for example the Monski Mouse Baby Dance for under 5s (until 7th September). southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/monski-mouses-baby-disco-danc-83041
Further East, but still on the river and with some great views of Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and City Hall, there are fountains at More London. The pirate ship sculpture in Hayes Galleria is worth checking out too. For those with cash there’s also HMS Belfast near here and, if it’s raining, there’s the wonderful Unicorn children’s theatre at Tooley Street www.unicorntheatre.com.
Obviously, you can visit the Diana Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park although they don’t like you do to more than sit on the side and refresh your feet there. So it might be more fun to pop into the pirate themed playground in Kensington Gardens if you need that royal connection.
There are also fountains outside the Royal Academy in Piccadilly but I’m not sure how relaxed they are there about kids playing in them. And coming back through Heathrow’s Terminal 5 recently I noticed some impressive dancing fountains there – ideal if your flight gets delayed.
Happy splashing!
