London is a wonderful city to discover with family with many activities to do! London’s museums are superb, with many activities for children and teenagers. So, to not miss anything, here is the essential information you need to know for visiting London in 3, 4 or 5 days.
The 15 best things to do in London with family
Let’s start with the best things to do for a family trip to London. What to visit and what to see in London?
1. See Big Ben and the Westminster Palace
One cannot visit London without seeing Big Ben and Westminster Palace! The Palace of Westminster hosts the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It is not always open to visitors and can only be visited a few weeks a year.
2. Visit Westminster Abbey in London
A stone’s throw away from the palace and Big Ben, you can visit Westminster Abbey. This abbey is magnificent: it is the most beautiful religious building in London! Plan 1h30 for this visit by booking tickets in advance to avoid the queue at the ticket office. Children’s tickets are half-price, and a special offer is for two adults with two children.
3. Ride on the famous London ferris wheel: the London Eye
Observe London from the London Eye! This is a fun activity to do in London with a family. To get to the wheel, you can buy the tickets in advance or the skip-the-line tickets (more expensive). If you go to London in winter, there are little to no queues, so buying the tickets in advance is enough to save time. Entry is free for children aged 0 to 2, and rates are reduced for those under 15.
4. Visit the British Museum in London
The British Museum visit is free! Before you go, you only need to book tickets on the museum’s official website. And that’s it! Think of doing it at least a week in advance to have the desired date. You can thus enjoy its collections with your family for free. The sections dedicated to the Vikings, Egypt, and China are superb. A lovely family visit in London!
5. See the Tower Bridge in London
The Tower Bridge is the most beautiful bridge in London. You can see it from a distance, walk on it (free), or even climb its towers (paid). If you decide to go up, a surprise awaits you: a glass floor on a walkway that connects the two towers! A unique experience to live together if you’re not afraid of heights.
6. Visit the Natural History Museum in London
Discover the magnificent collection of skeletons, fossils, and plants of the Natural History Museum of London! It’s a great outing in London for families. You will be able to see life-sized dinosaur skeleton reconstructions! Entrance is free, but you must reserve tickets in advance on the museum’s website.
7. Visit the Tower of London
The Tower of London is right next to Tower Bridge. This medieval fortress houses the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. A city within a city! The entries are limited. Prefer a morning visit to avoid crowds, or book tickets in advance.
8. Stroll in Hyde Park
Take advantage of this large green space for a relaxing break! You can see lots of squirrels and ducks. If you’re visiting London with family, it’s a great place to discover with children throughout the year.
9. Visit the Harry Potter studios in London
Walk through the world of the Harry Potter saga with your family! The Harry Potter studios are located 30 km from London. You can get there by train from Euston station in 20 minutes, or by shuttle. Find more information on the studios’ website or a booking platform with tickets including transfer.
10. A tour at Borough Market
The Borough Market is a historic central market in London. It is even one of the largest markets in the world. The retail market is open Thursdays (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Fridays (12 p.m. to 6 p.m.) and Saturdays (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.). It’s a great place in London for lunch. It is a few minute’s walk from London Bridge.
11. See The Lion King musical
What to do in London in the evening with children? Of course, the famous Lion King musical is among the most noteworthy activities! Find the program and tickets on the official website.
12. Enjoy a beautiful view of London from the Sky Garden
The Sky Garden is located in one of the skyscrapers of the City. You can even dine on-site with a superb view! Before you go there, make a reservation on the Sky Garden site.
13. Watch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace
The classic! The changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace takes place from 10:45 a.m., but only on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. The changing of the guard lasts 45 minutes.
14. Visit the Tate Modern, the museum of modern and contemporary art
If you are visiting London with teenagers, they might like this visit. The Tate Modern is the most visited modern art museum in the world. So, if you appreciate modern art, it’s a great outing to plan for your family trip to London.
14. Visit the London Aquarium
This visit could interest children. The London Aquarium is impressive. It hosts more than 500 aquatic species, owning one of Europe’s biggest collections of marine specimens. Find out more information about the visit on Sea Life London’s website.
15. Visit Madame Tussauds Museum in London
Would you like to have a photo with the royal family? It’s possible at Madame Tussauds Museum in London! In this world-renowned wax museum, you will find many celebrities and Marvel heroes! The detail of the statues is impressive. You can buy tickets here. A good time awaits you!
Itinerary to visit London in 3, 4 or 5 days
Now that we’ve seen the 15 best things to do in London with the family, here are some itinerary ideas to visit London in 3, 4, or 5 days. Let’s go!
3 days in London with the family
If you’re going to spend 3 days in London, here’s how you can organize them.
Day 1
It’s the arrival day in London. You can start by seeing Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament with an optional visit to the Abbey. In the evening, you can go to the London Eye to admire a magnificent view of London. Buying tickets in advance will save you time on-site.
Day 2
For this whole day in London, you can visit the Tate Modern art museum, then go to Borough Market for lunch. A 20-minute walk away is the Tower of London, which you can get to by crossing the Tower Bridge. It’s the perfect occasion to walk on the glass floor of the bridge’s walkway!
Day 3
For this 3rd day in London, you can visit the London Harry Potter Studios (plan 5-6 hours for this tour). Otherwise, you can take the opportunity to visit the London Aquarium or Madame Tussauds Museum and end the day with the musical The Lion King.
4 days in London with the family
You can take the above itinerary and add another day of visit.
Day 4
You can visit the Tower of London, with the afternoon visit to the Sky Garden and its beautiful city view. For the Tower of London, arriving at opening time or reserving tickets in advance is best.
5 days in London with the family
You can take the above itinerary and add another day of visit.
Day 5
For this last day in London, you can visit the London Natural History Museum and then walk in Hyde Park.
London is an ideal destination for a family trip. You will be able to practice your English, visit the most beautiful monuments of the United Kingdom, and learn more about the history of the British Crown.
