Sightseeing in London with kids {London Duck Tours}

With the weather getting warmer it is lovely to get out and about again. It doesn’t feel like we did much over the winter months, except for attend endless children’s parties. So with the warmer weather and longer days – thank you Spring! – we’ve booked plenty of activities to get outside.

Today we hopped on the tube into London for the London Duck Tour. When we were in London a few weeks ago for The Art of the Brick we saw plenty of the distinctive yellow Duck Tour vehicles out and about so I was really happy we were able to surprise the children with a trip on one today!

London Duck Tours advertise themselves as super sightseeing tours with a river splash down. Oh yes, this was not going to be an ordinary adventure. If you haven’t heard of the Duck Tours before they are a rather distinctive looking amphibious vehicle because as well as sightseeing by road they also take you on the River Thames!

I love learning about London and the London Duck Tour is a great alternative to anything else you will find. The vehicles originated during the Second World War and were used extensively in Allied invasions. In case you’re wondering how they got their name, it derives from DUKW

D = First year of production code “D” is for 1942
U = Body style “U” utility truck (amphibious)
K = Front wheel drive
W = Two rear driving wheels (tandem axle)

The name is is pretty apt as they go through the streets of Westminster then around the back of MI6 and into the River. This was probably our favourite part of the trip although it felt very strange to be heading into the Thames. I love seeing the sights of London and we pretty much ticked them all off today – Westminster Bridge, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Parliament Square, Westminster Abbey, Horse Guards Parade, Trafalgar Square, Pall Mall, St James’ Palace, Green Park, Wellington Arch, Buckingham Palace, the Jewel Tower, MI5, Tate Britain and over Vauxhall Bridge to MI6. Then when we were on the river we saw some of these buildings again, as well as Lambeth Palace.

We had a lovely tour guide who kept pointing out all the sights, and some of the lesser known ones too. It’s a really great way to learn more about London and we would recommend it to anyone. It was lovely to be in the sunshine as London looks particularly beautiful in the sun. Find out more about London Duck Tours and book tickets on their website.