A day out of London with children is about more than the destination. The travel has to work too: no long walks to a station with a pushchair, no missed connections, somewhere safe to sit, and a calm ride home when everyone is tired. That is where a private car with child seats helps most.
Here are the trips we recommend most to families, with the ages they suit best.
Our favourite family days out
| Day out | Each way by car | Best for ages | Why children love it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Tour London | About 1 hour | 6+ | Real film sets, costumes and props |
| Windsor Castle | About 1 hour | 5+ | A real castle, the guards and the Long Walk |
| Hampton Court | About 1 hour | 4+ | Tudor palace, the famous maze and huge gardens |
| Greenwich | About 40 minutes | All ages | The Cutty Sark, the park and the meridian line |
| Brighton | About 2 hours | All ages | The pier, the beach and the chalk cliffs |
| Leeds Castle | About 1½ hours | 3+ | A moated castle, a maze and play areas |
Journey times are typical from Central London and depend on traffic. Check each attraction's own website for opening days, age guidance and tickets.
Child car seats: what the law says
In the UK, children must normally use a child car seat until they are 12 years old or 135cm tall, whichever comes first. Licensed taxis and private hire vehicles have exemptions: if a suitable seat isn't available, a child under 3 may travel without one on a rear seat, and a child of 3 or over may use an adult seat belt on a rear seat. These exemptions are a fallback for when no seat is available. They are not the safe choice for a planned day out.
When you book a Mason & Green tour, choose a vehicle that offers child seats and tell us your children's ages. We will fit the right seats before we collect you. Infant, toddler and booster seats are available in our Comfort, MPV and van vehicles.
Tips for a calm day with children
- Pick one big thing. A castle and a lunch is a great day for under-tens. Two major sights is often one too many.
- Plan around nap time. A late-morning start lets younger children sleep in the car on the way there or back.
- Book tickets for a morning slot while everyone has energy, and keep the afternoon relaxed.
- Bring the pushchair. Tell us when you book so we send a vehicle with enough boot space.
- Car sickness? Ask for a front-facing seat by a window, and tell your driver. They can take gentler roads and stop when needed.
- Keep the return flexible. If the children are flagging, call your driver and head home early.
Is a private car worth it for a family?
For a family of four, a day out by train often means four tickets, taxis to and from the station and a long walk with a pushchair at each end. A private car is priced for the vehicle, so the cost is shared, and you go from your door to the attraction and back. Compare it on the tour page for the day you have in mind.
| Vehicle | Passengers | Price per vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| See the current prices for every vehicle on the tour page. | ||
Flying in with children? Read our guide to travelling with children through London airports, and see family transfers for airport pickups with child seats.
Questions we are often asked
Do you provide child seats?
Yes. Infant, toddler and booster seats are available in our Comfort, MPV and van vehicles. Choose the number and type of seat when you book, and we fit them before pickup.
Do children need a car seat in a private hire car?
UK law says children should use a child car seat until 12 years old or 135cm tall. Licensed private hire vehicles have limited exemptions when no seat is available, but for a planned day out we always recommend booking the right seats.
What is the best day trip from London with young children?
For under-fives, Greenwich or Hampton Court are short drives with lots of space to run around. For school-age children, Windsor Castle and the Studio Tour are the most popular.
Can we bring a pushchair?
Yes. Tell us when you book so we send a vehicle with enough room for the pushchair and any bags.
Can we stop for breaks?
Of course. Just tell your driver. Short breaks are part of the day, and on longer trips we plan a stop on the way.