London itinerary

[Anonymous]

We're planning our London itinerary for 4.5 days in London with our 7 and 9 year old and having difficulty narrowing down the itinerary. I'm looking for suggestions from those who have been there with kids of similar ages. What did your family enjoy most in the London area? What would you skip if you could do it again? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

If your kids are into Harry Potter, go to the Warner brothers studio and get tix well in advance of your trip! We took DD when she was 8, and she loved it.

[Anonymous]

What time of year? Where are you staying (neighborhood)?

[Anonymous]

Tower of London,
Cruise on Thames
Buckingham Palace, St James Park

[Anonymous]

What time of year? Boys or girls or both? What do they like ?

[Anonymous]

I always recommended the Tower of London as the attraction not to miss. With kids that age, you can give many of the other big ones a pass, like parliament and Big Ben. You can visit the horse parade grounds in lieu of the changing of the guard. I would set aside time for the kids to do London things that are not sightseeing necessarily - visiting the toy dept and food halls at harrods in Knightsbridge, walking through the princess Diana memorial fountain and playing at her playground in Kensington gardens, picking up food from m&s /waitrose/sainsbury/tesco and having a picnic in the park, walking around covent garden, attending a musical, eating at borough market, etc.

Battersea park has a cool ropes course for kids if they need more vigorous activity. Sadly, kidzania is closed - that was perfect for kids your age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always recommended the Tower of London as the attraction not to miss. With kids that age, you can give many of the other big ones a pass, like parliament and Big Ben. You can visit the horse parade grounds in lieu of the changing of the guard. I would set aside time for the kids to do London things that are not sightseeing necessarily - visiting the toy dept and food halls at harrods in Knightsbridge, walking through the princess Diana memorial fountain and playing at her playground in Kensington gardens, picking up food from m&s /waitrose/sainsbury/tesco and having a picnic in the park, walking around covent garden, attending a musical, eating at borough market, etc.

Battersea park has a cool ropes course for kids if they need more vigorous activity. Sadly, kidzania is closed - that was perfect for kids your age.

Agree with Tower of London, especially if you won't see any other castles on your trip. And do the Crown Jewels.

Harrods is cool but the toy department wasn't that unique 20 years ago compared to 30 years ago. It was going mass market then.

Princess Diana was a Boomer/Gen X phenomenon. Not sure that her statue is a big draw for today's littles.

I like the Pret a Manger chain for having Panera-type meals (but better). They have sandwiches, salads, kid beverages, etc. and they are all over.

If your kids are interested in archaeology, Egyptology, classical Greece, etc. I would go to the British Museum to see the Elgin Marbles, Rosetta Stone, pagan gold hoards, etc.

We usually plan no more than two attractions per day. An AM one and a PM one.

You might find a suitable walking tour from Londonwalks. They are highly reputable. Kids under 8 are free.

https://www.walks.com/

[Anonymous]

taking the tube is super easy - use it.

[Anonymous]

Strongly recommend context tour of British museum. They offer tours targeted to children. Lawrence is AMAZING! My kids literally did not want to leave even after 4 hrs
Also, see Matilda- perfect for that age. Get the west end music ahead of time so they are familiar with it. Show is charming (Kate Ainsley narrates audiobook - brilliant).

[Anonymous]

Churchill War Rooms was amazing. When we took my kids, they were on a bit faster pace than us parents, but they enjoyed it.

We also did a day trip to Windsor Castle and Stone Henge, which was a hit.

If your kids like shows, the West End is a good spot to visit.

If you’re going to use the tube for transportation, kids are half price with an Oyster card.

[Anonymous]

Tower of London.

Kew Gardens and Hampton Court Palace both have insanely nice play areas.

[Anonymous]

Hamleys is a fantastic toy store and well worth a visit for kids those ages. Agree about the tower and the war rooms if your kids are into history. We just went with 10 & 12yos who were fascinated with both.
With season and neighborhood info we can narrow down a lot of other ideas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always recommended the Tower of London as the attraction not to miss. With kids that age, you can give many of the other big ones a pass, like parliament and Big Ben. You can visit the horse parade grounds in lieu of the changing of the guard. I would set aside time for the kids to do London things that are not sightseeing necessarily - visiting the toy dept and food halls at harrods in Knightsbridge, walking through the princess Diana memorial fountain and playing at her playground in Kensington gardens, picking up food from m&s /waitrose/sainsbury/tesco and having a picnic in the park, walking around covent garden, attending a musical, eating at borough market, etc.

Battersea park has a cool ropes course for kids if they need more vigorous activity. Sadly, kidzania is closed - that was perfect for kids your age.

Agree with Tower of London, especially if you won't see any other castles on your trip. And do the Crown Jewels.

Harrods is cool but the toy department wasn't that unique 20 years ago compared to 30 years ago. It was going mass market then.

Princess Diana was a Boomer/Gen X phenomenon. Not sure that her statue is a big draw for today's littles.

I like the Pret a Manger chain for having Panera-type meals (but better). They have sandwiches, salads, kid beverages, etc. and they are all over.

If your kids are interested in archaeology, Egyptology, classical Greece, etc. I would go to the British Museum to see the Elgin Marbles, Rosetta Stone, pagan gold hoards, etc.

We usually plan no more than two attractions per day. An AM one and a PM one.

You might find a suitable walking tour from Londonwalks. They are highly reputable. Kids under 8 are free.

https://www.walks.com/

You youngin’s with your obsession over generational differences…

Last Diana has an amazing children’s park named in her honor that you absolutely must take kids too in Hyde Park. It has nothing to do with being a ‘boomer or X icon.’

Also Churchill War Rooms. Tea at Orangery (if budget allows). Not sure I would do full potter tour - it’s more of a dream kill for those ages but would show them 9 1/2 platform instead at kings cross.

Changing of the guard if you are there over weekend. British museum for some ruffage. A show in Covent Garden. Lots and lots of gelato breaks!

I love Samuel Johnson’s line: when you are tired of London, you’re tired of life!’ Bon voyage!

[Anonymous]

Ah spell check - Lady Diana of course…

[Anonymous]

Skip the hop on/off bus. Take the tube and the city buses. Much cheaper and faster.