Planning a short October half term break that won’t leave everyone exhausted? Greenwich and Blackheath offer the perfect combination. There is enough to keep curious minds busy without the overwhelming pace that can turn family trips into endurance tests.
This corner of London provides something increasingly rare. Space to breathe alongside genuine attractions, walkable distances between activities, and the kind of relaxed atmosphere where parents can actually enjoy themselves too.
Here’s how to make the most of 48 hours with The Clarendon Hotel as your comfortable home base.
Day 1: Wide Open Spaces and Historic Discoveries
Morning: Blackheath Common – The Perfect Start
Begin your family adventure with something brilliantly simple – letting the children loose on Blackheath Common. This vast expanse of ancient heathland provides exactly what families need after the journey – space for kids to run off travel energy while adults remember what fresh air actually feels like.
Grab takeaway coffee from one of Blackheath village’s independent cafes and watch as your children discover the joy of proper outdoor space. If you’re arriving on a Sunday, the Blackheath Farmers Market adds an extra dimension to your morning. With local producers offering everything from artisan bread to unusual cheeses that might just tempt adventurous young palates.
Late Morning: Greenwich Park and the Prime Meridian
From The Clarendon, Greenwich Park lies just a pleasant walk away through Blackheath village. The approach through the park’s rose gardens builds anticipation beautifully, leading up to the Royal Observatory where geography lessons suddenly become real.
Standing astride the Prime Meridian line creates one of those magical family moments where children genuinely grasp they’re standing between eastern and western hemispheres. The panoramic London views from the observatory hill provide the perfect backdrop for family photos. You will get that sense of achievement that comes from a proper climb.
Lunch: Greenwich Market Discovery
The walk down through Greenwich Park into the historic town centre works up proper appetites, perfectly timed for Greenwich Market’s diverse food offerings. This isn’t your typical tourist food court. The market provides authentic family-friendly options from loaded fries that please teenagers to dumplings that introduce younger palates to new flavours.
The relaxed atmosphere means families can take their time choosing, eating, and watching the world go by – essential when traveling with children whose energy levels fluctuate unpredictably.
Afternoon: All Aboard the Cutty Sark
The magnificent Cutty Sark offers hands-on history that works for all ages. Younger children love exploring below deck and trying the ship’s wheel, while older kids and adults appreciate the beautiful engineering and stories of tea races across dangerous oceans.
The experience combines education with genuine excitement – always the winning formula for family attractions. Plus, the beautiful views from beneath the copper hull provide those Instagram-worthy moments that prove you’re making memories.
Evening: Comfortable Return
By evening, everyone’s ready for familiar surroundings rather than more exploring. Head back to The Clarendon for dinner in our Meridian Restaurant, where seasonal menus cater to both adventurous and cautious eaters. Alternatively, Greenwich’s abundance of family-friendly pubs and pizzerias means you can grab an early meal before returning to the comfort of your room.
Day 2: Space Exploration and Sky-High Adventures
Morning: Planetarium Magic
After a proper breakfast at The Clarendon – the kind where everyone gets what they want without negotiation – walk into Greenwich for a morning planetarium show at the Peter Harrison Planetarium. The live presenter-led sessions strike that perfect balance between educational and entertaining, engaging curious children while giving tired parents a comfortable seat in a darkened room!
Space exploration becomes accessible and exciting when presented by enthusiastic experts who understand their audience includes both eight-year-olds and their occasionally sceptical parents.
Late Morning: Maritime Museum Exploration
The National Maritime Museum sits conveniently next door, offering free entry to galleries designed with families in mind. The AHOY! play zone captivates younger children with hands-on maritime activities, while older kids gravitate toward ship simulators and interactive displays about life at sea.
The museum’s scale means families can explore at their own pace, spending longer in areas that capture particular interest without feeling rushed through others. It’s educational tourism at its most relaxed.
Lunch: Proper Pub Food
Refuel at one of Greenwich’s welcoming establishments like Davy’s Wine Vaults or the Old Brewery, both offering that perfect combination of grown-up atmosphere with genuine family friendliness. The relaxed environment means parents can enjoy a proper meal while children feel comfortable being themselves.
Afternoon: The O2 Adventure
If energy levels remain high, The O2 sits just one train stop away, offering entertainment options for different age groups. Teenagers and tweens love the outlet shopping opportunities. While the IFS Cloud Cable Car provides that final wow-factor moment. Spectacular views across London that make everyone feel they’ve properly seen the capital.
The variety means families can choose their level of adventure based on how everyone’s feeling, rather than being locked into fixed plans.
Evening: Perfect Ending
Then return to The Clarendon for your final evening. The Chart Bar offers the perfect setting for reflecting on your discoveries. Hot chocolate for the children, perhaps something stronger for the adults. With the satisfying feeling of having explored extensively without ever needing to battle London’s Tube system.
Why The Clarendon Works for Families
With genuine family-sized rooms, breakfast included, and Blackheath Common literally outside the door, The Clarendon provides exactly what family breaks require – comfortable space to spread out, convenient location without tourist chaos, and the flexibility to move at your own pace.
The hotel’s position means you can walk to Greenwich in 10-15 minutes when energy’s high. Or you can take the train when little legs need a break. Central London remains just 15 minutes away when you want classic tourist experiences, but you’re never trapped in the intensity.
Most importantly, our team understands family rhythms. Early breakfasts, late checkouts when needed, and recommendations tailored to your children’s ages and interests.
Ready to create your own Greenwich adventure? Book your family stay. Discover why some of the best London experiences happen when you have the right base to return to each evening.