With the summer holidays in full swing, keeping children entertained can be a challenge. A recent poll found that many parents begin to struggle with keeping their children occupied just 10 days into the school break.
Whether families are planning days out, looking for ways to brighten rainy afternoons, or simply trying to beat boredom, having plenty of activities nearby can make all the difference. To help, Chapter analysed London’s boroughs by the number of cinemas, performing arts venues, mini golf courses, and bowling alleys, revealing the capital’s most entertaining destinations.
The rankings
| Rank | Borough | Performing arts venues | Cinemas | Mini golf venues | Bowling alleys | Final score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Westminster | 56 | 21 | 1 | 3 | 8.6 |
| 2 | Camden | 27 | 16 | 0 | 3 | 5.9 |
| 3 | Kingston upon Thames | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4.2 |
| 4 | Southwark | 19 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4.0 |
| 5 | Hounslow | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3.6 |
| 6 | Hackney | 6 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 3.5 |
| 6 | Hammersmith and Fulham | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3.5 |
| 8 | Bromley | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 3.4 |
| 8 | Enfield | 3 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 3.4 |
| 10 | Greenwich | 3 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3.0 |
Westminster tops the rankings, thanks largely to its high concentration of entertainment venues. The borough has more performing arts venues and cinemas than any other in London, while three bowling alleys and a mini golf venue further strengthen its appeal.
Camden ranks second, offering families a wide range of entertainment, from live performances to the latest blockbuster films, as well as three bowling alleys for those looking to fill a day out.
The analysis found that Westminster and Camden owe their leading positions primarily to their exceptional concentration of performing arts venues and cinemas.
Kingston upon Thames ranks third despite being smaller than many of London’s central boroughs. Its appeal lies in a well-balanced mix of indoor attractions, giving families a broad choice of activities closer to home.
Southwark, Hounslow, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Bromley, Enfield, and Greenwich complete the top 10. Hounslow performs particularly well for mini golf, while Enfield leads the category with four venues. The analysis also highlights Kingston upon Thames, Hounslow, and Enfield for their balanced mix of attractions, including mini golf and bowling, making them well suited to families with children of different ages and to rainy summer days.
Parents looking for family days out in London this summer can use these rankings to plan outings that combine cinema visits with live performances or indoor activities such as bowling and mini golf. With many families reporting that keeping children occupied becomes more challenging after the first week or so of the holidays, access to a wide range of attractions within a single borough can make planning easier and reduce the pressure of constantly coming up with new ideas.