Planning a weekend in London with the kids? It’s a brilliant idea until you’re faced with crowded attractions, expensive transport, and hotel rooms that claim to be “family-friendly” but leave you playing Tetris with suitcases and spare pillows.
There’s got to be a better way, surely?
We believe that family travel should feel easy. It starts with a hotel room that fits everyone comfortably, and a location that gives you space to breathe as well as quick access to London’s best attractions. Welcome to The Clarendon in Blackheath!
Here’s how to spend a brilliant weekend making memories instead of managing logistics.
Friday Evening: Arrive, Unpack, Unwind
Check into your family room – and we mean properly spacious family rooms, not just squeezing a camp bed into the corner. Our triple and quad options, plus adjoining rooms for larger families, come with en suite bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, free WiFi, and most importantly, actual floor space!
Arrived by car? Our complimentary parking takes one worry off your list (available on a first come, first served basis). Coming by train? Blackheath Station’s just a short walk, and suddenly you’re here without the stress of navigating central London with tired children and heavy bags.
Once you’ve unpacked – properly unpacked, because you’ve got the space – step outside onto Blackheath Common. It’s like having a 200-acre back garden where the kids can run off travel energy while you remember what fresh air feels like. The London skyline stretches out in the distance, but it feels wonderfully far away.
For dinner, you’ve got choices. Blackheath village offers relaxed restaurants and properly family-friendly pubs, or you can stay put and enjoy our Meridian Restaurant’s seasonal menu. Because sometimes not having to venture out again is exactly what Friday night calls for!
Saturday: Science, Space And Ships
Start with breakfast at The Clarendon – a proper buffet-style spread where even the fussiest eaters find something they’ll eat. You’ll need the fuel for your Greenwich adventure which sits just one train stop away. Or alternatively, there’s the scenic route through Greenwich Park if legs are feeling energetic.
This UNESCO World Heritage site packs more family-friendly attractions into one area than anywhere else in London.
Morning discoveries:
The Royal Observatory puts you literally at the centre of world time. Kids love standing with one foot in each hemisphere on the Prime Meridian Line, while the Planetarium shows make space science accessible for all ages. The walk down through Greenwich Park often gets sidetracked by deer-spotting – not a bad problem to have.
Lunch break:
Greenwich Market solves the eternal family dining dilemma. From crepes to global street food, fresh bakes to child-friendly classics, everyone finds something they want rather than something they’ll tolerate.
Afternoon adventures:
The Cutty Sark brings maritime history to life as you explore this beautifully restored tea clipper. Afterwards, Greenwich Park’s playground provides the perfect energy outlet, while ice creams by the riverside offer that classic London moment without the tourist trap prices.
Evening wind-down:
Back at The Clarendon, whether you fancy dinner in our restaurant or drinks in the Chart Bar while the kids decompress, you’re home. A twilight stroll around Blackheath village makes a peaceful end to a busy day – if energy levels permit.
Sunday: Markets, Museums and Family Moments
For a slower Sunday, why not start your morning with Blackheath Farmers Market. Browse artisan bread, local produce, and sweet treats that might just become your picnic lunch. There’s something lovely about starting the day somewhere locals gather rather than tourist crowds.
Afterwards you can make your way to The National Maritime Museum which offers free entry and hands-on exhibits designed with younger visitors in mind. Interactive displays mean learning happens without feeling like work, and the scale means you won’t wear everyone out.
And if time allows, the Queen’s House provides art, architecture, and those quieter moments where you can actually appreciate what you’re seeing.
Why We’re Trusted by Families
After days exploring, nothing beats returning to a hotel that genuinely understands family needs. At The Clarendon, you’re not stumbling over each other in cramped quarters or queuing for bathroom time. Everyone gets proper beds, there’s space to spread out, and that blessed free WiFi keeps everyone happy while you plan tomorrow’s adventures or simply enjoy some downtime.
It’s amazing how much better a family holiday feels when your accommodation supports rather than stresses you. And that’s why families choose The Clarendon again and again. It’s not just the space – though that certainly helps. It’s the understanding that family travel has different rhythms.
Our team gets it because they’ve seen it all. They know which Greenwich attractions work best for which ages, where to find the nearest playground when energy levels are high, and how to make even the fussiest eaters feel welcome in our restaurant. And most importantly, families return because everyone – from toddlers to grandparents – feels genuinely welcome rather than merely tolerated.
Ready To Plan Your Family Weekend In London?
Whether you’re London first-timers or seasoned visitors looking for a better base, The Clarendon in Blackheath offers something increasingly rare – family accommodation that actually works for families.
Space to breathe. Easy access to attractions. And the kind of welcome that makes you want to return.