Planning a family trip to London can feel overwhelming because there is so much to see and do. We spent six days exploring London with our two teenage daughters and filled our itinerary with royal landmarks, museums, Harry Potter, football, shopping and plenty of great food.
Our trip gave us a wonderful mix of London’s most famous attractions and experiences that matched our family’s interests. Here is everything we did, where we stayed and the tours and experiences I recommend booking before your trip.
Where We Stayed in London
We stayed at The Stratford, Autograph Collection. Although Stratford is outside the traditional center of London, its excellent transportation connections made it easy for us to reach the city’s major attractions.
The hotel was also close to Westfield Stratford City and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Having shopping, restaurants and transportation nearby was especially convenient when traveling with teenagers.
Check rates at The Stratford on Expedia
When choosing a London hotel, look beyond the distance shown on a map. A hotel near a well-connected Underground or train station can be more convenient than a centrally located hotel that requires multiple transfers.
Westminster Abbey
One of our first major attractions was Westminster Abbey. Walking through the Abbey brought British history to life in a way that photographs simply cannot.
Westminster Abbey has been the setting for coronations, royal weddings and the burials of monarchs, writers, scientists and other important historical figures. There is an incredible amount to see inside, so allow enough time to appreciate the details.
Tickets can sell out during busy travel periods, so this is one attraction I recommend reserving before leaving home.
Book Westminster Abbey tickets or a guided tour
Read our complete Westminster Abbey visitor guide
Check hotel rates near Westminster Abbey
Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament
After Westminster Abbey, we explored the surrounding Westminster area and saw Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
This is one of the best areas for first-time visitors because several of London’s most recognizable landmarks are located close together. It is also a wonderful place to take family photographs and walk along the Thames.
You can easily combine Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the Churchill War Rooms during the same part of your itinerary.
Book House of Parliament tickets or guided tour
Churchill War Rooms
The Churchill War Rooms provided a completely different look at London’s history.
The underground rooms served as Britain’s wartime command center during World War II. Many of the rooms have been preserved much as they appeared during the war.
This was a particularly worthwhile stop because it felt immersive rather than simply being a collection of objects behind glass. It helped us understand what life and decision-making were like beneath the streets of London during the war.
Reserve Churchill War Rooms tickets
Buckingham Palace
No first family trip to London would feel complete without seeing Buckingham Palace.
We booked tickets to tour the State Rooms, which are only open to visitors during certain times of the year. Touring the palace gave us the opportunity to see the ceremonial rooms used for royal receptions and official events.
Even when the State Rooms are not open, Buckingham Palace is worth visiting for its famous exterior, the Victoria Memorial and nearby St. James’s Park.
Check the palace schedule carefully because opening dates and ticket availability can change.
Find Buckingham Palace tickets and tours
Read our Buckingham Palace visitor guide
Check Hotels near Buckingham Palace
The Tower of London
The Tower of London was one of the biggest highlights of our trip.
Between the Crown Jewels, the White Tower, the ravens and centuries of dramatic history, there is enough here to fill several hours.
We recommend arriving early, especially during the busy summer months. Seeing the Crown Jewels before the largest crowds arrive can make the entire visit easier.
A guided tour can also help families understand the stories behind the fortress instead of simply walking through the different buildings.
Book Tower of London tickets or a guided tour
Read our complete Tower of London visitor guide
Find Hotels near the Tower of London
Tower Bridge
After visiting the Tower of London, we spent time along the riverfront and enjoyed some of the city’s best views of Tower Bridge.
Tower Bridge is often confused with London Bridge, but Tower Bridge is the famous bridge most visitors recognize from photographs. The area around the Tower of London and Tower Bridge is especially beautiful and deserves time in your itinerary.
You can also purchase tickets to explore the bridge’s walkways and exhibition.
Find Tower Bridge tickets and tours
Our Thames River Cruise
We took a Thames river cruise from Westminster toward Greenwich, which gave us a relaxing break from walking and a completely different perspective on London.
From the river, we could see many of the city’s famous landmarks without navigating traffic or the Underground.
A Thames cruise is an especially good addition to a family itinerary because everyone gets time to sit down while continuing to sightsee. It also provides some wonderful views and photo opportunities along the river.
Compare London Thames river cruises
St. Paul’s Cathedral
St. Paul’s Cathedral was another unforgettable London landmark.
Its enormous dome dominates the surrounding skyline and the interior is even more impressive in person. Visitors can explore the cathedral floor, the crypt and the dome galleries.
Allow enough time to appreciate the interior rather than treating St. Paul’s as a quick photo stop. Families should also review the stair requirements before deciding how far up the dome to climb.
Find St. Paul’s Cathedral tickets and tours
The British Museum
The British Museum is enormous, so we did not try to see everything. That is probably the best approach for most families.
Choose the collections your family is most interested in, see the major highlights and leave before museum fatigue sets in.
General admission is free, although special exhibitions may require tickets. A guided highlights tour can be helpful if you have limited time or want more information about the museum’s best-known pieces.
Explore British Museum guided tours
The National Gallery and Trafalgar Square
We also visited the National Gallery, which sits directly on Trafalgar Square.
It is another excellent free London attraction and its central location makes it easy to add to a day spent around Westminster, Covent Garden, Soho or Leicester Square.
You do not need to be an art expert to enjoy the National Gallery. We focused on the works and artists that interested us rather than attempting to visit every room.
The London Eye
The London Eye is one of the most recognizable modern attractions in London.
Its location across the Thames from Big Ben makes it easy to combine with sightseeing around Westminster. On a clear day, the observation wheel provides incredible views across the city.
Reservations can help reduce your wait during a busy trip. Check the different ticket options carefully because some include fast-track entry or combinations with other London attractions.
Check London Eye tickets and availability
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
The Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter was one of the experiences our family was most excited about.
The tour includes original sets, costumes, props and behind-the-scenes details from the Harry Potter films. Even after spending several hours inside, there was always something new to see.
The studio is located outside central London, so transportation needs to be part of your planning. Tickets often sell out well in advance.
If regular admission tickets are unavailable or you prefer easier transportation, look for a package that includes admission and round-trip transportation from central London.
Check Harry Potter Studio Tour tickets and transportation
Read our Harry Potter Studio Tour family guide
King’s Cross and Platform 9¾
Harry Potter fans may also want to visit King’s Cross Station for the Platform 9¾ photo opportunity and shop.
Expect a line during busy times. If the photograph is important to your family, try visiting earlier in the day.
King’s Cross can also be combined with the British Library, Coal Drops Yard or a walk along Regent’s Canal.
Arsenal Stadium Tour
Our London itinerary was not limited to royal landmarks and museums. We also toured Emirates Stadium, home of Arsenal Football Club.
Even family members who are not devoted football fans can appreciate seeing areas of the stadium that are normally off-limits on match days.
This added variety to our trip and gave us an experience that felt completely different from the traditional attractions in central London.
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is filled with shops, restaurants and street entertainment. It was a fun area to explore without having to follow a strict schedule.
This is a great place to leave open time for shopping, eating and wandering. It also works well as a starting point for exploring Leicester Square, Chinatown and Soho.
Soho and the West End
Some of our favorite time in London came from exploring neighborhoods rather than checking off another major attraction.
We spent time around Soho, Leicester Square, Chinatown, Carnaby Street, Regent Street and Piccadilly Circus.
These areas are lively in the evening and work particularly well for families with teenagers who enjoy shopping, restaurants and people-watching.
Because you do not need timed tickets, these neighborhoods are also useful for filling open spaces between scheduled attractions.
Shopping at Harrods
We made time for Harrods in Knightsbridge, which is an experience even if you are only browsing.
The famous Food Halls are worth visiting and the store is filled with luxury fashion, home goods, gifts and food from around the world.
We purchased chocolates and treats from Harrods and enjoyed exploring the different departments.
The Knightsbridge area can easily be paired with nearby museums or afternoon tea.
Shopping Around London
We also spent time shopping along Regent Street, around Carnaby Street and at Westfield Stratford City near our hotel.
Leaving some unplanned shopping time helped balance our schedule for our teenage daughters. It also gave us a break from constantly moving between historical attractions.
Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason
One of our classic London experiences was afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason.
The elegant setting and traditional service made it feel like more than an ordinary meal. It was a memorable way to enjoy tea, finger sandwiches, scones and desserts while experiencing a beloved British tradition.
Reservations are recommended, particularly during summer and on weekends.
If Fortnum & Mason is unavailable, London has afternoon tea experiences ranging from traditional luxury hotels to creative themed teas.
What We Ate in London
Food became one of the most enjoyable parts of our family trip.
We mixed traditional British dishes with easy options our teenagers would enjoy. That balance kept every meal from turning into a complicated event.
Some of our most memorable stops included:
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The Mayfair Chippy for fish and chips
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Blacklock Soho for Sunday roast
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Mother Mash for bangers and mash
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The Devonshire for its wonderful pub atmosphere and sticky toffee pudding
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Fortnum & Mason for afternoon tea
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Humble Crumble for a warm British dessert
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EL&N for its colorful café setting and desserts
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Harrods Food Halls for chocolates and treats
Our meal at The Devonshire was one of our favorite dining experiences. The pub has a wonderful atmosphere and its sticky toffee pudding was a memorable ending to the meal.
See what our teenagers loved eating in London
Tips for Visiting London with Teenagers
Do Not Schedule Every Minute
Timed reservations are useful for major attractions, but teenagers also need room for shopping, snacks and unexpected stops.
Leaving a little open space in our schedule made the trip feel more enjoyable and less like we were racing from one reservation to another.
Group Attractions by Area
London is a large city. Pairing nearby attractions saves time and reduces unnecessary travel.
Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and the Churchill War Rooms fit naturally together. The Tower of London and Tower Bridge are another easy pairing.
Mix History with Different Interests
Our itinerary worked because it included palaces and museums along with Harry Potter, football, shopping and memorable food.
Think about what each family member enjoys and try to include something for everyone.
Book the Hardest Reservations First
The Harry Potter Studio Tour, Buckingham Palace State Rooms, popular afternoon teas and certain restaurants can fill up early.
Reserve those experiences first and build the rest of your itinerary around them.
Expect to Walk
Even when using the Underground, sightseeing in London involves a great deal of walking.
Comfortable shoes and a practical day bag matter more than trying to create the perfect outfit for every photograph.
See our all-season London packing essentials
Was Six Days in London Enough?
Six days gave us time to see many of London’s most famous landmarks while adding experiences that matched our family’s interests.
We still did not see everything and that is part of London’s appeal. There will always be another neighborhood, museum, restaurant or historical site waiting for a future trip.
For a first visit, our advice is to choose a few must-do experiences, group your sightseeing by area and leave enough flexibility to enjoy the city between reservations.
London is not just a collection of famous landmarks. The walks, meals, shops and small discoveries between those landmarks became an important part of our family trip too.
Start Planning Your London Family Vacation
London gave our family an incredible combination of history, entertainment, food, shopping and experiences our teenagers genuinely enjoyed.
Whether your family is interested in royal landmarks, Harry Potter, museums, football or simply exploring one of the world’s most exciting cities, London makes it possible to create an itinerary with something for everyone.
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