Visiting a busy city like London with an autistic child can feel overwhelming, but with the right preparation, it can become a rewarding and joyful experience. This guide walks you through real-life, sensory-friendly activities in London, with helpful tips for creating a calm, inclusive day out for your neurodiverse family.
Sensory-Friendly Activities in London: The Jellycat Fish & Chips Experience at Selfridges
One of the most joyful and unique sensory-friendly activities in London is the Jellycat Fish & Chips Immersive Experience inside Selfridges. This British themed role-play experience really brings Jellycat’s quirky plush characters to life.
While the space can get busy, especially during peak times, the experience still holds a strong appeal for many autistic children — particularly those with a special interest in soft toys, thanks to its tactile, playful setup and structured format.
The entire experience is themed like a traditional fish and chip shop — but with a fun twist. Children (adults are welcome too) enter a charming seaside-inspired set where they “order” their plush toy meal and choose toppings:
🧂 Meet Salty Steve, who sprinkles imaginary salt
🍶 Vinny Vinegar adds the final flourish
🧻 Your plushy order is wrapped in Jellycat chip paper and popped into a takeaway bag, complete with a limited-edition pin and stickers.
The 10-minute session is gentle, structured, and sensory-safe — no loud noises or flashing lights.
We visited at 2pm, which felt manageable in terms of crowds. If your child prefers quieter moments, consider booking an evening slot. The experience runs until 10pm.
🎟️ How to book:
Tickets are released 7 days in advance at 10am
New slots open every 10 minutes thereafter
A standby queue is available (queue length varies)
No strict group size limit, but smaller groups feel calmer
🌟 Top Tip: Evening appointments are often quieter — perfect for a more peaceful experience.
This immersive Jellycat moment ticks so many boxes: it’s tactile, playful, visually engaging, and well-paced. A firm favourite in our sensory-friendly London itinerary.
If you are bringing your sensory-sensitive children, I would recommend eating before/after visiting the Selfridges store as my daughter found the smells, sounds and crowds in the Selfridges Food Hall extremely overwhelming.
Sensory-Friendly Activities in London: Visiting the Disney Store on Oxford Street
No sensory-friendly trip to London is complete without a stop at the Disney Store on Oxford Street. Filled with plushies, magical merchandise, and colourful displays, it’s a sensory haven for little Disney lovers (and Disney adults like myself of course too!)
✨ Magical tip: Arrive just before opening for a chance to be chosen to “unlock the magic.”
In a heart warming moment, one lucky visitor is invited to use a giant key to open the store, cheered on by cast members. You’ll even take home a special collectible key — completely free.
We did this last July (2024) and arrived at the store 20 minutes before opening, we were the only ones there so my daughter was selected to open up the store. It was her birthday too so it was the perfect way to start her birthday celebrations in London.
💡 If your child benefits from visual preparation, preview photos or walkthroughs of the store online before visiting. This can help them feel more in control and excited rather than overwhelmed. You can also find many videos on social media or YouTube of guests showing you around the store, which might be beneficial.
Essentials Kit: What to Pack for a Calm Day Out
What you pack can make or break your day. Here’s what went into our sensory-friendly London kit:
- 🎧 Noise-cancelling headphones / Loops
- 🧩 Fidget toys (we recently discovered the Flexifidget — an absolute lifesaver!)
- 🎒 Small backpack with chewy snacks, favourite cuddly toy of the moment, sunflower lanyard.
- 🧻 Toilet radar key for accessible bathrooms
- Handheld fan – this was a life saver for us when travelling on the tube and in warm, crowded stores as my daughter finds regulating her body heat challenging, leading to disregulation.
Every child is different, but having familiar items on hand helps them feel secure and calm during transitions.
Check out our sensory toy blog post – sharing some of our favourite sensory toys.
Immersive Calm: Outernet London
One of London’s most overlooked sensory-friendly gems is Outernet London — a free, immersive audio-visual experience near Tottenham Court Road.
Housed in massive digital galleries, Outernet features mesmerising floor-to-ceiling screens, soothing animations, and calming music that can feel deeply regulating for sensory seekers.
🕒 Shows rotate throughout the day and range from immersive art to nature scenes, meaning you can dip in and out as needed.
🎟️ Entry is free, and you’re welcome to stay for as long (or as little) as feels right. It’s indoors (under cover), quiet (at non-peak times of the day), and spacious — making it an ideal sensory pause point during a city day.
🌟 Top Tip: Mornings or weekday afternoons are usually less crowded. Noise levels remain low, but visuals can be intense for some children, so preview content if possible.
You can find the timetable of what is being screened on their website.
Other Sensory-Friendly Activities in London for Autistic Children
There are plenty of places in London that cater (or can be adapted) to sensory needs. These are especially good options if you want more structure or quieter environments:
Dim lighting, slow-moving exhibits, and underwater sounds make this a naturally soothing space.
🦖 Natural History Museum – Dawnosaurs Sessions
Free, early access to galleries before the public arrive. A brilliant way to experience a cultural highlight without sensory overload.
Offers activities with tactile elements, ear defenders, and quiet spaces. Call ahead to ask about accommodations.
Final Thoughts on Planning Sensory-Friendly Activities in London
Creating a sensory-friendly experience in a bustling city like London takes some planning — but the rewards are so worth it. Whether it’s plush-filled calm at Jellycat or a quiet moment beside a tank of jellyfish, there are countless ways to make the city more accessible and magical for neurodiverse families.
💡 Don’t forget to celebrate the small wins. You made it to the train. You navigated a crowded street. You found joy in a soft toy or a cinnamon bun break. That’s the magic.
Once you’ve braved London with a little preparation and a lot of love, the sky’s the limit. Maybe you’re now wondering whether your family could handle a bigger adventure — like Walt Disney World or even a Disney Cruise from the UK. If so, I’ve got you covered! Check out my blog posts below to help you decide what’s right for your family, with realistic advice from someone who truly gets the sensory struggles and triumphs:
With the right prep, even the biggest trips can become joyful, manageable, and full of lifelong memories. 💫
