One Aldwych

A playzone of little trains, boats and a cable car your kid gets to drive, made for under-fives.

Bombay cafe in Covent Garden with an all-day kids' menu of smaller dishes with very little spice.

Fresh pasta in a small Covent Garden room with no highchairs, suited to kids old enough for an ordinary chair.

A nautical ship to climb, a double slide and talking tubes, all fenced, and it suits toddlers up to about 11.

South Bank observation wheel with slow enclosed pods for spotting landmarks over the river.

Family rooms with pull-out beds, and the river walk starts at the door with the London Eye just along it.