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Take your family on a perfect half-term outing in London

From festivals to inspire little imaginations to dino-themed mini golf, there’s loads of off-peak family fun to be had in London over the school holiday
by Time Out in association with Transport for London
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Need some ideas for entertaining the little ones during half-term? We’ve selected a bunch of exciting, hands-on activities – many of which are free. You can get to them all during off-peak hours (that’s during the day, evenings and weekends), which means you’ll be saving on travel too. For grown-ups, Transport for London’s off-peak fares start at just £1.50 for a single adult pay as you go fare. All kids under 11 can travel free at any time on buses and trams. Up to four kids under 11 can travel free at any time on Tube, DLR, London Overground, and TfL Rail services when accompanied by an adult.

Remember to check TfL Journey Planner before you travel.

1. Pet a capybara (aka the world’s biggest rodent) at Hobbledown Heath

  • Things to do
  • Events & Festivals
Pet a capybara (aka the world’s biggest rodent) at Hobbledown Heath
Pet a capybara (aka the world’s biggest rodent) at Hobbledown Heath
Photograph: George Smith and Andrzej Lukowski for Time Out

What is it? A chance to stroke a capybara – the world’s biggest rodent.

Where is it? Hobbledown Heath, Hounslow.

Why go? The capybara has been knocking around for something like nine million years. What have they been up to all this while? Just sort of hanging out really, grazing away on the vegetation of Latin America. Now Hobbledown Heath is the first place in London to offer a feed-the-capybaras experience. There are five capybaras in the venue’s petting zoo, which you can scratch and feed vegetables. 

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2. Tuck into the Science Museum’s first ever afternoon tea

  • Eating
Tuck into the Science Museum’s first ever afternoon tea
Tuck into the Science Museum’s first ever afternoon tea
Photograph: Science Museum

What is it? Showing that it’s never too late to teach an old, er, museum new tricks, the venerable Science Museum is launching its first ever afternoon tea, just in time for half-term.

Where is it? Science Museum. 

Why go? Well on the basic level because afternoon teas are yummy, but the Science Museum being the Science Museum it has a few tricks up its sleeve. There is science-based fun literally on the menu, with snacktivities including cupcakes with a ‘blood’ syringe and a test tube rack filled with various sweets like fizzy sherbet, chocolate popping candy, crushed coloured moon rocks and edible soil.  Because what kid doesn’t want to eat mud?

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Get there for less!

Get there for less!

Get there for less!
Get there for less!
© Transport for London

TfL’s off-peak pay as you go fares mean that you’ll save more pennies this half-term. Off-peak fares apply on all Tube, DLR, London Overground and TfL Rail services. You can tap into the wonderful world of off-peak every weekday before 6.30am, between 9.30am and 3.59pm, and after 7pm. Off-peak fares also apply all day at weekends and on public holidays. Always touch in and out with the same card or device to pay the right fare. Touch in only on buses and trams. To check a fare, visit TfL’s single fare finder.

Kids travel free!
All kids under 11 can travel free at any time on buses and trams. Up to four kids under 11 can travel free at any time on Tube, DLR, London Overground and TfL Rail services when accompanied by an adult. An adult is anyone 16 and over using an adult rate ticket (but not a Group Day Travelcard), pay as you go or travel concession.

Travel in Zones 2-6 for £1.50
Fare shown is for an adult off-peak pay as you go journey not going via Zone 1 on Tube, DLR and most London Overground services.

Travel into Zone 1 from £2.40
Fare shown is for an adult off-peak pay as you go journey from Zone 2 into Zone 1.

Travel by bus and tram for £1.50
TfL’s Hopper fare lets you make unlimited bus and tram journeys within one hour of first touching in for just £1.50.

Your key to London adventures

Your key to London adventures
Your key to London adventures
© Transport for London

The Cultural TfL Map is your key to finding more of London's family friendly hidden gems. This interactive map reveals more than 500 Time Out-recommended museums, galleries, street art and more, all within a short walk or bus ride of each station. Many of these experiences are free!

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Discover more of the wonderful world of off-peak

Discover more of the wonderful world of off-peak
Discover more of the wonderful world of off-peak
© Transport for London

We know that affordable, convenient public transport is the key to accessing the best that London has to offer – and thanks to TfL’s affordable off-peak fares and other discounts across the network, the possibilities for adventure are wider than ever. Here, you'll find plenty more unexpected and exciting off-peak outings.

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