Day 113: London with a Baby: Oyster Card, Museum & Tea

Our first day in London with a baby included Oyster cards, British Museum wonders, and cozy afternoon tea. Tips, reflections, and toddler travel insights.

Main Journey
Events
Tips for Traveling with a Baby
Local Travel Tips
Travel Reflections

Main Journey

We had barely slept after arriving in London in the early hours of the morning, but there was no time to waste. With only 6 nights and 7 days in the UK, we jumped right into the heart of our London journey.

We overslept by an hour past our alarm. The lost time added to our sense of urgency—we didn’t want to waste a single day in this iconic city.

Getting Around: Oyster Cards & Travelcards

First up, we got our Oyster Cards—London’s essential rechargeable transport cards. The name made us smile; only in the UK would a transport card be named after shellfish.

We picked ours up easily at the nearest underground station via an automated machine. Just press “Get New Cards,” top it up, and you’re good to go. The £5 deposit (about ₩7,300) can be refunded when you leave London—but only if you stay within the city zones.

Since Sweetie travels free on public transport, we only needed two Oyster cards for ourselves.

Then we headed to Liverpool Street Station, where we needed to create Travelcards and accompanying photocard IDs. These are key to using the famous 2for1 offers around London—buy one ticket, get one free at many major attractions. We needed passports and passport-size photos for the process.

After sorting out all our transport passes, it was finally time to begin exploring the city.

The British Museum

We chose the British Museum as our first major stop in London. Getting off at Tottenham Court Road station, we walked past the towering Centre Point Tower, a 1966 building designed by George Marsh. Just seeing the red double-decker buses made us feel like we were truly in London.

Before going into the museum, we crossed the street to Tea and Tattle, a cozy spot for afternoon tea. It was fully booked for the time we wanted, so we made a reservation for later in the day.

Then finally—the British Museum.

By the time we returned, a line had formed, but thankfully, families with babies were allowed to use a fast-track entrance.

Like many UK national museums, entry is free, though the crowds come as part of the deal.

Once inside, we stepped into the Queen Elizabeth II Great Court, a breathtaking glass-roofed atrium designed by Norman Foster. Originally an open-air courtyard, it was transformed into an enclosed space in 2000. This was one architectural site I had been looking forward to seeing for years.

With Korean audio guides in hand, we started exploring.

Though we’d seen countless Egyptian artifacts, the ones here were so well-preserved, they rivaled what we saw in Cairo. The Assyrian exhibits were especially memorable—these are cultures we rarely get to see up close. The detail on the ancient Greek sculptures and wine jars was jaw-dropping. The Parthenon Gallery left us stunned—not just by the art, but by the historical irony.

“Preserved” artifacts from around the world, collected—or, let’s be honest, taken—during the colonial era, filled the museum. Columns, statues, even entire friezes were on display as if they belonged here.

The highlight? Seeing fragments from the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. To witness even its remains was a privilege.

We also admired a striking sculpture of a dog that looked more detailed than real life and some incredible Mesopotamian relics over 5,000 years old. Sweetie especially liked the Moai statue from Easter Island—we’ll be seeing more of those when we visit South America next year!

As we exited, we passed the gift shop where the souvenir-quality Egyptian replicas honestly looked better than the real ones we’d seen in Egypt. What a strange feeling.

Tea and Tattle

We returned to Tea and Tattle just five minutes before our reservation.

The traditional set menu came with two teas, two sandwiches, two scones with vanilla cream and raspberry jam, and two slices of cake. Sweetie had juice while we enjoyed our tea.

While waiting, the staff handed Sweetie some colored pencils and paper. She’s come a long way since we started this journey—now she can distinguish colors better and stays inside the lines. So focused, she didn’t even notice a little drip of snot from her nose—poor girl caught a bit of a cold on the way here.

We ended the afternoon full and happy.

Central Saint Giles

Before heading to the river for London’s night views, we made a quick detour to see Central Saint Giles, a project by Renzo Piano (who also designed the KT building in Seoul’s Cheongjin-dong). The color-block facade and reflective glass made for a striking contrast. It was a moment of architectural joy in the middle of a packed day.

Events

Purchased Oyster Cards and Travelcards
Visited Liverpool Street Station to register for 2for1 program
Explored the British Museum
Reserved and enjoyed tea at Tea and Tattle
Spotted Central Saint Giles by Renzo Piano

Tips for Traveling with a Baby

Oyster Cards are a must, but not for toddlers: Children under five ride free on London transport, so only the adults need cards.
Carry ID and photos for Travelcards: If you’re planning to use the 2for1 deals, you’ll need photocard IDs. Bring extras just in case.
Use baby to your advantage at museums: Many popular spots like the British Museum allow fast-track entry for families with little ones.
Bring quiet activities for tea shops: Color pencils at Tea and Tattle kept Sweetie happily occupied. Great for peaceful adult conversation time.
Watch for sudden illnesses: Sweetie caught a light cold after the long journey. Always pack basic meds and tissues when traveling with toddlers.

Local Travel Tips

British Museum: Entry is free, but it gets crowded. Arrive early or use family fast-track lines.
Liverpool Street Station: Great place to sort out your transport passes and access the National Rail system.
Tea and Tattle: Reservations highly recommended. The space is tiny but incredibly charming.
Central Saint Giles: For architecture lovers, it’s worth a quick visit near Tottenham Court Road.
Travelcards + 2for1: Save a ton at London’s top sights. Just make sure to print your vouchers and bring passport photos.

Travel Reflections

We started this day half-asleep and short on energy, but London woke us up with its charm. The city doesn’t ease you in—it pulls you forward, full of history, movement, and the occasional drizzle.

Watching Sweetie grow even through the tiniest moments—coloring more precisely, walking longer distances, trying new foods—is one of the most rewarding parts of this world journey. She isn’t just traveling with us; she’s becoming someone new with every step.

And London? It’s as complex and imperial as its museum collections—but it’s also cozy, heartfelt, and surprisingly warm… even in the rain.