The Best Hotels in London for Families

About Santorini Dave

Santorini Dave was started in 2011 when I posted a short guide to visiting Santorini with kids. Now, my site publishes regularly updated guides to Santorini, Naxos, Paros, Mykonos, Crete, Athens, and all of Greece.

Questions? Email me at dave@santorinidave.com.

1. London Hotel for Family of 5

   Hi Dave,

   We’re planning our first family trip to London this summer and will be traveling with our three kids (ages 8–14). Your London neighborhood guide has been incredibly helpful, but I had a couple of quick questions as we narrow things down.
   • What areas of London are best for families who want walkability, easy Tube access, and a calmer vibe at night?
   • Are there specific family-friendly hotels you recommend that offer larger rooms or connecting rooms?
   • How many days do you think is ideal for London with kids without feeling rushed or exhausted? (We’re also going to Scotland but flexible with dates.)

   Thanks so much — your advice has already made planning this trip much less overwhelming.

   Best, Cheryl

   1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      Hi Cheryl,

      I have spent a lot of time there with my own boys, and while it is one of the best cities in the world for a family vacation, the logistics can be a bit tricky if you do not plan ahead. Since you are a family of five, you have already hit the biggest hurdle: finding hotel rooms that fit everyone.

      Best Neighborhoods for Families
      For a first trip where you want walkability, easy transport, and a quieter atmosphere at night, I usually point people toward two specific areas:

      • South Kensington: This is often my top pick for families who want a calmer vibe. It is known as the “Museum Quarter” because you are right next to the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum. Both are free and incredible for kids. It is an upscale, residential-feeling area with wide sidewalks and easy access to the Tube (South Kensington and Gloucester Road stations). You are also a short walk from Hyde Park, which is perfect when the kids need to run around.

      • South Bank: This area is much more “touristy” during the day, but it is fantastic for walkability because the riverfront is mostly pedestrianized. You can walk from the London Eye all the way to Borough Market without worrying about traffic. It stays lively but feels safe and open. If you stay a block or two back from the river, it gets much quieter at night.

      • Marylebone: If you want something that feels like a “village” in the middle of a massive city, Marylebone is wonderful. It is very walkable, has great cafes, and is right next to Regent’s Park. It is generally quieter than the West End but still very central.

      Recommended Hotels for a Family of Five
      London hotels are notorious for having small rooms. A “family room” in London often just means a double bed and a pull-out sofa. For five people, you almost always need a suite, an apartment-style hotel, or two connecting rooms. Connecting rooms are actually quite rare and expensive in London, so I usually recommend looking for “Serviced Apartments” or residences within hotels.

      • Taj 51 Buckingham Gate Suites and Residences: This is the gold standard for luxury. These are 1, 2, or 3-bedroom residences with fully equipped kitchens and washer/dryers. Having a laundry machine in the room is a total lifesaver for families. It is steps from Buckingham Palace and feels like a luxury apartment with 5-star service.
      • 15 Basil Street: These are excellent apartments in Knightsbridge. Their two-bedroom units can sleep a family of four, but they have three-bedroom apartments that are perfect for a family of five or six. It is a great way to have everyone in one unit with plenty of space.
      • Grand Plaza Serviced Apartments: This is a solid midrange option near Notting Hill and Notting Hill Gate station. They have family apartments specifically designed to sleep five or six people. All have small kitchenettes which helps save money on breakfasts and snacks.
      • Park Plaza Westminster Bridge: This is one of the most popular family hotels in the city because the location is unbeatable, directly opposite Big Ben and the London Eye. They have huge Studio Rooms and Suites. For a family of five, you would likely need to look at their larger suite options. It also has a great indoor pool which is always a hit with kids.

      How Many Days?
      For a first trip with kids aged 8 to 14, I think 5 to 7 days is the sweet spot for London.

      London is massive and can be exhausting if you try to do too much. With five or six days, you can do one “big” thing in the morning (like the Tower of London or a museum), have a late lunch, and then spend the afternoon doing something lower-key like a park visit or a boat ride on the Thames. This pace keeps everyone from getting “museumed out” before you even head to Scotland. If you have fewer than four days, you will likely leave feeling like you missed the soul of the city.

      Important Transport Tips for Kids
      The way you pay for the Tube depends entirely on the age of your children. This is the part that trips up most families.

      • Adults: Do not bother with Oyster cards or paper tickets. Just use a contactless credit card or your phone (Apple Pay/Google Pay) at the yellow readers. It is the cheapest and easiest way to travel.

      • The 8 and 10-year-olds: Children under 11 travel for FREE on the Tube and buses as long as they are with a paying adult. You just use the wide luggage gates at the stations and all walk through together.

      • The 14-year-old: This is the tricky one. For kids aged 11 to 15, you should buy a physical plastic Oyster card (cost is £7). Once you have it, take the card and your 14-year-old to a staff member at any Tube station. Ask them to apply the “Young Visitor Discount.” This gives your teen 50% off adult fares for 14 days. You cannot do this with a phone or a contactless card; it must be a physical Oyster card.

      A Quick Note on Dining
      London is very family-friendly, but I highly recommend booking your dinner tables in advance, especially in the summer. If you are looking for deals, chains like Gordon Ramsay Street Pizza or Heddon Street Kitchen often have “Kids Eat Free” promotions for children under 8 or 10. Also, keep in mind that most pubs require anyone under 18 to leave by 9:00 PM, so plan for earlier dinners if you want the pub experience.

2. Kensington or Southbank

   Wow, this is so informative. I have booked 4 nights at the Park Plaza County Hall it is just myself and 7-year-old daughter. I am just considering changing to the Holiday Inn Kensington. I have not been to London in a while and we have planned a few things such as the National History Museum and the Science Museum and in addition to this we have booked the show Matilda. As it is just the two of us I want somewhere that has easy transportation links and lots of nice places to eat at the end of a busy day. Would you recommend sticking with the Park Plaza or change to Kensington?

   Thanks

   1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      I like Kensington for dining, shopping, access to Hyde Park and several great museums (the Natural History Museum is one of my favorites in London). But for most everything else Southbank is a better choice. It’s central with many of London’s top attractions within walking distance, along with a wider range of places to eat.

3. London During Easter

   Hello! Loved reading all these tips. I’ve taken notes and just have a few questions for you. We’re planning our London trip April 18 to 25. Will be myself, my husband and our 12 year old daughter. We’ve gotten several recommendations to stay at The Royal Garden Hotel. Would you recommend or do you have a more favored choice? Also, we are visiting over the Easter holiday. How will this impact sightseeing and what is closed/open? Thanks so much!

   1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      I think the Royal Garden Hotel is a very good choice. It’s centrally located, right on the western edge of Hyde Park – one of London’s biggest green spaces – and it’s right near several big attractions. Nearby is Kensington Palace (where Prince William and Prince Harry live) with its beautiful gardens. A short walk away there are three museums, two of which are particularly great for kids – the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum (very hands-on and interactive), plus the superb Victoria & Albert Museum – the world’s largest museum of applied arts and design. If you enjoy sightseeing on foot, you can walk from the hotel to the likes of Covent Garden in central London/West End, Oxford Street with its shopping, Buckingham Palace, etc. Alternatively, there are a couple of handy London Underground stops not far from the Royal Garden, so you’re just a short hop by public transport from the city’s main attractions.

      The hotel itself is very comfortable – as you’d expect from a 5-star place. Spacious rooms (try and get a Garden Room overlooking Hyde Park), good on-site dining: Chinese food at Min Jiang, award-winning afternoon tea and seasonal cuisine at the Park Terrace, good service. Numerous other restaurants nearby also.

      Travelling over Easter shouldn’t affect sightseeing a great deal; some museums close on Good Friday, but that’s in March, and you will have missed it. In fact, some museums, such as the Victoria & Albert Museum, hold special kids’ events over Easter, since the museums get an influx of visitors during the school holidays. The biggest impact of Easter is that museums and other attractions will be a bit busier than usual, since your visit will coincide with the school holidays. Pretty much all places should be open on Easter Monday.

4. Cheap London Hotel in December

   HI, can you recommend a 3 star or budget hotel near attractions in December for a family of 5 (3 adults and kids ages 12, 9, and 6)? We will travelling from Paris via Eurostar train.

   1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      Since you’re traveling with kids aged 12, 9 and 6, I’d recommend staying either in the Covent Garden/Leicester Square area or in Southbank. The two are a short walk apart and are both centrally located, with many of the major attractions right nearby. There are not that many 3-star/budget hotels in the most popular/expensive parts of London, but you do have some options: I’ve listed one below each neighborhood.

      Covent Garden/Leicester Square is part of the West End, which is the most popular area for visitors. There are numerous restaurants here for any budget, several cinemas and theatres (if you want to catch a musical or a show), it’s easy and fun to walk around, and it has excellent transport connections to other parts of London and other attractions. It’s an easy walk from attractions such as the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the London Transport Museum (which is geared towards kids), plus the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery, and within walking distance from the London Eye and Buckingham Palace.

      Travelodge Covent Garden – comfortable chain hotel right in the heart of Covent Garden, near attractions, family rooms available.

      Southbank is south across the river from the West End, and while it’s slightly less convenient for public transport and has fewer dining options, the London Eye, Tate Modern, the London Dungeon and London Aquarium are right on your doorstep and you can catch a river bus to the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the Shard and other attractions along the river.

      Premier Inn County Hall – a block from the pedestrian promenade along the river, right near the attractions, inexpensive hotel chain, free breakfast for kids, family rooms.

      Another family-friendly neighborhood is South Kensington, where you have three excellent museums next to each other: the Natural History Museum, Science Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum, the first two geared especially towards kids. Hyde Park – London’s largest – is an easy walk away. Kensington is a short ride on the Underground from central London.

      Holiday Inn, Kensington – part of a chain with family rooms, affordable option near Hyde Park and an easy walk from the museum.

      Since you’ll be arriving on the Eurostar, you’ll be getting into St Pancras train station. Kings Cross station is also a major London Underground hub and you can easily catch the Underground to each of the above neighborhoods.

5. London Hotel for Family of 4

   We are traveling to London for 4 nights in late March. We have 2 boys ages 12 and 9. I booked a one bedroom suite at the Park Plaza Westminister Bridge London. It includes breakfast. Do you have any thoughts about this hotel? I also looked at Marriott County Hall, but it was $200 more per night. Thanks!

   1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      The Park Plaza Westminster Bridge is an excellent hotel and one of our favorites for families. The location is good for sightseeing – it’s right across Westminster Bridge from the Houses of Parliament, and is about two minutes’ walk away from the embankment and its various attractions – the London Eye, London Dungeon, Sea Life Aquarium and more – ideal for families with kids. Other attractions are within easy walking distance. The hotel has a full range of facilities, including a pool, several restaurants, spa, and room service, plus check-in for kids and various kid-friendly activities. The Marriott County Hall is located nearby and also has a pool and spa, as well as two excellent restaurants, but it isn’t any more child-friendly, and you have to pay separately for breakfast. So all things considered, I don’t think it’s worth your while to spend $200 more per night on the Marriott; the Park Plaza is a very good choice.

6. Best Hilton Hotel in London

   Hi David:

   We are a family of 4, with 2 girls 7 and 9. We have 4 days and 3 nights in London in mid-August. We also have a lot of Hilton points, that would cover those 3 nights. Do you have any thoughts among these Hilton hotels (all are available at the moment for our exact dates):

   Hilton London Euston
   Hilton London Paddington
   Hilton London Hyde Park
   Hilton London Metropole
   The Trafalgar
   The Waldorf Hilton, London

   Jaclyn

   1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      All of the London Hilton hotels have their advantages and disadvantages.

      Hilton London Euston
      Pros: Great public transport connections, near three main train stations (London Euston, St Pancras, and London King’s Cross – in case you’re thinking of travelling outside London). A short walk from the British Museum – the UK’s top museum and a must-see. Numerous restaurants nearby.
      Cons: The location is on a busy street, so can be a bit noisy. Not really within easy walking distance of other main attractions.

      Hilton London Paddington
      Pros: Near the main London Paddington train station, handy if you’re flying to/from Heathrow Airport as there’s an express train service to Paddington. A short walk from the north edge of Hyde Park – London’s biggest central green space and a good place to go with kids on a summer’s day. Close to Kensington Palace (where Prince William and Kate Middleton live) and Kensington Gardens, and a 15-20 minute walk from Madame Tussaud’s, the Sherlock Holmes Museum for fans of the detective, and Regent’s Park. The Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park stages outdoor concerts and stage performances in the summer, the London Zoo is in the north part of the park, and if Regent’s Canal Water Bus does scenic canal boat rides between Little Venice (a short walk from the hotel) and Camden Lock (near the north edge of Regent’s Park), along Regent’s Canal, stopping inside the zoo and bypassing the queues. The three excellent museums in South Kensington – Natural History Museum, Science Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum – are also within walking distance from the hotel – around 30 minutes through Hyde Park. The first two are particularly well-geared towards kids, with lots of hands-on displays, and the V&A is great for applied arts and fashion through the ages. Good transport connections to other London attractions.
      Cons: The location is a bit noisy. Not a huge variety of dining options nearby.

      Hilton London Hyde Park
      Pros: Good, (quieter that the other Hiltons) location next to the northwest corner of Hyde Park. Very close to Kensington Gardens and Palace, convenient for visiting the three top museums in South Kensington, as well as Madame Tussaud’s, Sherlock Holmes Museum and Regent’s Park. Near a tube station – good connections for Oxford Street (shopping) and central London in general.
      Cons: Further away from Regent’s Park, London Zoo and Madame Tussaud’s than Hilton London Paddington (by about 10 minutes). Few dining options nearby.

      Hilton London Metropole
      Pros: Good location on the edge of Little Venice, about halfway between Hilton London Paddington and Regent’s Park. Particularly convenient for Regent’s Park, London Zoo and Madame Tussaud’s, near Hyde Park (around 15 minute walk), good transport connections to central London and other sights. Some nice canal-side restaurants nearby.
      Cons: Overlooks a major road, so a noisier location than the other Hiltons. Some recent guests feel that the hotel could use a revamp. A longer walk from the South Kensington Museums.

      The Trafalgar St James
      Pros: Super-central location on the edge of Trafalgar Square – the best of the six Hiltons. Right near the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery and Leicester Square and its cinemas, easy walking distance from Covent Garden with its shops, restaurants and the entertaining London Transport Museum with lots of hands-on exhibits for kids, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Cathedral. An easy walk from Westminster pier, in case you’re interested in taking a cruise along the Thames. Boat rides are a great way to see most of London’s main attractions (St Paul’s Cathedral, the Monument, the Shard, Tower of London, the London Eye, Tate Modern, Tower Bridge) and a good way of getting around, since they stop at all the major sights. In summer, there are also boats south to Kew Gardens and Hampton Court, the former palace of Henry VIII. An easy walk from the London Eye, Sea Life Aquarium and the London Dungeon. One of the best locations in London for dining out (Chinese restaurants in Chinatown, traditional pubs and family-friendly trendy places in Covent Garden). In the heart of Theatreland – ideal for going to see a play or a musical at one of the nearby theatres. Good transport connections to all major attractions.
      Cons: Renovations were ongoing a week ago, but may be finished by the time you arrive. Worth asking for a room on a higher floor.

      The Waldorf Hilton
      Pros: Very central location on the eastern edge of Covent Garden. Also very convenient for attractions such as Leicester Square, National Gallery, London Transport Museum. A bit further away from Buckingham Palace, Westminster Cathedral, and Westminster pier (about a 10 minute walk). Also excellent transport connections. Well-located for numerous dining options. Great for attending shows and musicals.
      Cons: Location slightly less convenient than that of The Trafalgar. Some guests have complained about on-site dining, but there are plenty of other restaurants right on the doorstep.

      Hope this helps!

7. London with 2 Young Girls

   Hi David,

   Once again turning to your fantastic blog for advice!

   We’re struggling with spending 4 or 5 nights in London with our 4 and 9 year old daughters with an additional night in Windsor to spend a day in Legoland.

   Would you advise the extra night in London? Coming from rural Scotland we’re concerned the children may find it exhausting but hoped the extra day would allow a more relaxed pace?

   Any advice on how long is required to see a decent amount of London’s top hits would be great.

   Many thanks

   Iona

   1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      I suggest giving yourselves an extra night in London if you can, and I think that 5 nights rather than 4 would let you explore the city at a more relaxed pace. You can certainly see a decent amount of London’s greatest hits in 4-5 days and I’m sure your girls will enjoy the extra day at Legoland Windsor.

      Since London is quite a change from rural Scotland, I would suggest staying in one of the quieter neighbourhoods so that your children don’t feel too overwhelmed. South Kensington is probably the best choice, as it’s right near two excellent museums for kids, and a short walk from Hyde Park – central London’s vast green space with lakes that can give your girls some respite from London’s hustle and bustle. Family-friendly hotels in South Kensington include the Crowne Plaza and the Radisson Blu Vanderbilt; the Crowne Plaza is a bit pricier but if you dine at their restaurant, kids under 12 eat free from their children’s menu. There’s also the excellent Ampersand Hotel; their rooms, studios and suites accommodate extra beds for kids; they also have a children’s menu and offer family discounts at their restaurant. A cheaper accommodation option is the Premier Inn that a couple of minutes’ walk from Earl’s Court underground station; they also have family rooms, and they’re just a few minutes’ extra walk from the museums and Hyde Park.

      Here are some ideas as to what you can see and do during five days in London:

      Day 1: Go to the excellent Natural History Museum and the Science Museum, both in South Kensington and next to each other. They’re both very popular with families; visit on a weekday if you can as they tend to be busy on weekends. There are plenty of interactive hands-on displays at the Science Museum for kids of all ages, while the Natural History Museum has a particularly good dinosaur room and impressive wildlife displays. There are restaurants nearby. Hyde Park is 10-15 minute walk away; there are plenty of trails for walking, while the Princess Diana memorial playground is fun for kids.

      Days 2 & 3: Take a boat tour along the Thames; the boats have enclosed seating, so this is something you can do even if it’s raining, and it’s a good way of seeing London’s attractions. City Cruises head east along the Thames from the Westminster pier in central London, and you pass the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, the London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Tate Modern, the Shard and more. The boats stop at several piers along the way, so you can choose to disembark at the places you want to explore in more detail. One worthwhile stop is the London Eye – you get a great view of London from above, even if it’s cloudy (book online for cheaper prices). A five-minute walk along the embankment is the Sea Life Aquarium which is good for rainy days and really popular with children. It’s really well-designed, with fish and sea creatures from many different habitats. There are inexpensive restaurants nearby. If you’re into art, it’s well worth stopping at the Tate Modern: the UK’s biggest contemporary art gallery has hands-on games for kids and children get a chance to work on their own artistic masterpieces. Further along the river is the Tower of London – the royal fortress that’s the home of the Crown Jewels. They put a lot of thought into family visits: there’s the Time Explorer app for kids that you can download, there are guides for kids and plenty of hidden spaces to explore in the towers. Right next door is London’s iconic Tower Bridge, with its twin towers and a glass-bottomed walkway high above river, which is fun for those not afraid of heights. Then one stop further along the river is London Bridge, where you can go up to the viewing platform on the 72nd floor of the Shard, London’s tallest skyscraper. That’s particularly worthwhile if the weather is nice, since you don’t get views like that anywhere else in London; book online for discounts. Nearby Borough Market has some excellent food stalls. Trying to see all of the above is too much in one day, but you can choose 2-3 places that you’re particularly keen to see and visit them over two days.

      Day 4: Visit Buckingham Palace in the morning; they have the Changing of the Guard every day during the peak summer months and every other day the rest of the year (check online which day it’ll be) at 11.30am. There’s marching and music and it’s fun for kids; it’s a good idea to get there there at least half an hour before it starts to get a good place to see the action. From the Green Park underground station you can catch the tube up to the Baker Street stop, and visit Madame Tussaud’s, where you can have your photos taken with the wax figures of the Royal Family, Hollywood stars, famous musicians and more – but might be more fun for your older child than the younger. Madame Tussaud’s is at the south end of the large, tranquil Regent’s Park; you can walk across the park to London Zoo, with its numerous exotic animals and fun activities for kids. Alternatively, you can skip Madame Tussaud’s and take the underground directly to Camden Town, which is the closest stop to the zoo.

      Day 5: Explore the Covent Garden/Leicester Square area. There are typically some mime artists and buskers around the covered market area in Covent Garden proper, and you can also visit the excellent London Transport Museum nearby, with vintage buses for kids to clamber on to and plenty of hands-on stuff. On a rainy day, you can take the kids to one of the multiplex cinemas around Leicester Square. A few minutes’ walk away is the excellent National Gallery if you’re interested in classic art, and they occasionally stage kids’ events. I’ve also taken friends’ kids to the National Portrait Gallery, next door to the National Gallery, which is essentially portraits of famous Brits; some of the portraits are really unusual and some kids really enjoy the experience. There are plenty of restaurants in the neighbourhood. It’s also worth taking the kids to see a musical – Aladdin or the Lion King should be suitable for your kids, given their ages. You can see what’s on at londontheatre.co.uk and there are matinee shows, which is handy for families with younger kids.

8. London Hotel with 2 Kids

   Hi Dave – Love your site! We will be in London for two days…We have two children, 5 and 8 years old. I’m looking at the Radisson Blu Vanderbilt as it offers family rooms and seems to be in a great area. My husband will be working one of the days, so it will be just me with the kids on a Friday. It looks like we can easily visit Hyde Park and the Natural History Museum from this hotel. Is this area easy to navigate on foot? Please let me know what you think about this hotel choice, or if there is another option that has fun destinations within walking distance. Many thanks!
   Kristie

   1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      The Radisson Blu Vanderbilt is a decent choice. The location is excellent, I agree; you can walk to the Natural History Museum from the hotel in less than 10 minutes, while Hyde Park is around 10-15 minutes’ walk away. Right next to the Natural History Museum there’s also the excellent science museum with lots of hands-on exhibits for kids of all ages. Both museums are free. The neighbourhood is easy to navigate on foot. Another good choice, a block west of the Radisson Blu, is the Crowne Plaza; it’s a little bit more pricey, but their family rooms are more spacious, they have a special kids’ menu and children under 12 eat for free at their restaurant when accompanied by a fully paying adult.

9. London for 8 Days with Older Children

   We are looking forward to our upcoming trip to London with our children, who are 15, 13, and 11. We will be there for eight days, and would like to take one or two day trips out of the city. We will definitely visit the Harry Potter Studio Tour. What other out of the city outing would you recommend. Also, we would like to take our kids to a show while we are there. Do you recommend that we buy tickets online beforehand or buy them there? Thanks for any recommendations! Patricia

   1. Santorini Dave The Hotel Expert

      There is plenty to do in London in eight days, and the Harry Potter Studio tour is very popular with teenagers. If you want to take your kids out to a show, you’re spoiled for choice: there are plenty of shows and musicals happening in London’s West End on any given day. You can check what’s going to be on during the time of your visit at londontheatre.co.uk and if you have your hearts set on a particularl show, it’s worth buying tickets online in advance. Otherwise, you can look for bargains when you’re in London by visiting the TKTS booth in Leicester Square.

      Below are some ideas for what you can do in London in seven days (since a visit to Harry Potter Studios is essentially a day trip. It’s around 20 miles north of London, so you need to take a train from London Euston to Watford Junction, and take a shuttle to the studios from there. Since it sounds like you’re Harry Potter fans, you might be interested in some sights in London as well: at London King’s Cross station, there’s the platform 9 34, the Tour for Muggles does entertaining walking tours of central London, taking in the sights from the Harry Potter movies, and a many different London tours for Harry Potter fans.

      Day 1: If it’s your first time in London, a good way to get a feel for London is to take a boat tour. City Cruises depart from the Westminster pier in central London, and on the way you get to see the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, the London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Tate Modern, the Shard and other attractions. Some of the boats go all the way east to Greenwich, and you can get off and visit different attractions along the way. For one day, I recommend going on the London Eye – you get a great view of London from above, even if it’s cloudy (book online for cheaper prices). Next to the London Eye is the London Dungeon, which is a fun, actor-led introduction to London’s gruesome history with special effects, creepy sets, and a ride at the end. Some teenagers really enjoy it, while others might think it’s a bit twee – it depends on your kids. You can then take the boat east to the Tate Modern if you’re into art: it’s the UK’s biggest contemporary art museum and it’s free entry, unless you wish to attend one of the special exhibitions. You can then take the boat one more stop to the Tower of London – a royal fortress that’s the home of Crown Jewels. It’s really well-geared towards family exploration: there are towers to climb, a museum with medieval weaponry and suits of armour, and you can sign up for a really worthwhile, entertaining tour with the Yeomen (Beefeaters) – the Tower’s guardians. Next door is Tower Bridge, with its twin towers and a glass-bottomed walkway high above river. Across the bridge is the H.M.S. Belfast, a former Royal Navy boat that you can climb aboard and explore. From Tower Bridge, it’s a 10-minute walk to London Bridge, where you can go up the Shard, London’s tallest skyscraper. It helps if the weather is nice, since you get amazing views of London from the viewing platform (book online for discounts). There is some excellent street food at Borough Market nearby. Or you can take the London underground to London Bridge and start at the Shard, and work your way backwards towards the London Eye. Since that’s a lot to see in one day, you may consider splitting this into two days’ worth of outings.

      Day 3: Spend a day around the Covent Garden/Leicester Square area. There is usually some street theatre happening around the covered market area in Covent Garden proper, and it’s a fun neighbourhood to wander around, with plenty of shopping and eating options. If you want to take it easy, there are several cinemas as Leicester Square, and if you’re interested in art, the excellent National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery are both nearby. If you’re interested in history, the Churchill War Rooms is a museum in former British wartime headquarters and a fascinating glimpse of Britain during The Blitz. Just around the corner from there is Westminster Abbey, London’s (and possibly the UK’s) most stunning church – it’s where Prince William and Kate Middleton got married and where most of England’s kings and queens are buried. If you visit, go at opening time, since it’s hugely popular. Finally, if you want to do see something few people (including Londoners) ever get to see, there are the popular Hidden London tours run by the London Transport Museum that take you down into the disused tunnels that were once part of the London Underground; some remain unchanged since WWII. You have to book weeks ahead for these.

      There are plenty of places to eat in the neighbourhood and Covent Garden/Leicester Square is right in the heart of West End, in case you want to catch a show that day at one of the many theatres in the neighbourhood.

      Day 4: Head to Buckingham Palace in the morning; every other day there’s the Changing of the Guard (check online which day it’ll be) at 11.30am. There’s marching and music and it’s a fun spectacle, so get there at least half an hour before to get a good viewing spot. From there you could also catch the tube to Russell Square and visit the British Museum with its incredible collection of treasures from around the world, or head up to Madame Tussaud’s and your pictures taken with the Royal Family, movie stars, famous musicians and other wax figures.

      Day 5: Head to South Kensington and visit the excellent Natural History Museum and the Science Museum. They are next door to each other in South Kensington (near the tube station). The Natural History Museum is geared towards visitors of all ages and has an excellent dinosaur room, among other things, while the Science Museum has lots of interactive displays, also for visitors of all ages. Across the street is the superb Victoria & Albert Museum – the world’s largest art and design museum, with superb displays – fashions through the ages, treasures from the Far East, and much more – this can be interesting for teenagers of all ages. Try to go on a weekday to avoid crowds. There are restaurants nearby, as is the famous Harrods department store – fun to browse, even if you’re not planning on shopping, and with and excellent gourmet food hall.

      Day 6: Do a day trip to Windsor Castle, the Queen’s official home. You can combine that with a visit to Legoland Windsor, which is popular with kids, teenagers and Lego-lovers of all ages. It’s a short train ride from London Paddington to Windsor Central Station.

      Day 7: Particularly if the weather is good, you can do a day trip to Kew Gardens, London’s biggest botanical gardens. It’s a vast, tranquil space with lots of trails and a canopy walk – but that rather depends on whether you’re into flowers and walking. You’ll need to take a train from London Waterloo to Kew. You can combine that with a visit to Hampton Court Palace, the palace of England’s most notorious king: Henry VIII (or just visit Hampton Court instead of Kew) – it’s a really grand palace, with lots of rooms to explore, plus a garden maze and more. It’s possible to take a bus between Kew and Hampton Court and Hampton Court is reachable from central London by train.

      An alternative for Day 7: Take the boat from Westminster pier all the way to Greenwich and visit the Cutty Sark, Britain’s last surviving tea clipper. You can climb on board and there are some hands-on exhibits. It’s a nice part of London to walk around; you can walk up to the Royal Observatory to have a look at the telescopes and to stand with your feet in two different hemispheres – on either side of the Greenwich Meridian Line! The Royal Naval College by the river is a good place to wander around, too.