Dinosaurs, Crown Jewels, wizards and royal parks for the whole family
Five well-paced days that pair London's big-ticket history with green space where kids can burn off energy. Each day stays in one area, mixes a headline sight with a park or playground, and ends with an early, family-friendly dinner. Your last morning is spent at Kew Gardens, conveniently close to Heathrow.
From
YOU
To
LON
Weather
London is mild all year: summer averages 20-25C with long evenings, winter 3-9C with short days, and showers can arrive in any season, so pack light waterproofs. The best time for families is late May to June or September, when parks are lush, days are long and crowds are lighter than in the August school holidays.
Arriving
From Heathrow, the Elizabeth line reaches Paddington in about 30 minutes and central stations such as Tottenham Court Road in 40 (about 13 GBP per adult); the Piccadilly line is cheaper at about 5.60 GBP but takes 50-60 minutes. Children under 11 travel free with a paying adult on TfL services. The Heathrow Express is 15 minutes to Paddington (about 25 GBP single, cheaper if booked ahead). A black cab costs 70-100 GBP. From Gatwick, the Gatwick Express or Thameslink to Victoria or London Bridge takes about 30-45 minutes (around 20 GBP).
Money & power
Pound sterling (GBP). Plugs: Type G (three rectangular pins), 230V. Most phone and laptop chargers handle 230V; you only need a plug adapter..
Trip checklist
The four things worth sorting before you fly. Tick them off as you go.
Book your stay in South Kensington
Central, walkable and the best base for this itinerary. Free cancellation on most rooms.
Check hotel pricesReserve the must-book experiences
2 of your picks regularly sell out — secure your time slots early.
See tours & ticketsGet a United Kingdom eSIM
Land with data for maps, rides and translations — about 5 GB fits this trip.
Get eSIMCover the trip with travel insurance
Medical, lost bags and delays covered — it takes a couple of minutes.
Get insuranceDay by day
Each day is grouped by neighbourhood so you spend time exploring, not commuting.
St James's, Westminster and South Bank
Morning
Stroll St James's Park to Buckingham Palace
After dropping your bags, walk the lake path in St James's Park. The resident pelicans are fed near Duck Island at around 2:30pm, but they are easy to spot all day. Continue to Buckingham Palace; Changing the Guard starts at 11am on scheduled days, so check the Household Division calendar and arrive by 10:30am for a spot by the Victoria Memorial.
Afternoon
London Eye flight over Westminster
Walk past Big Ben and Parliament, then cross Westminster Bridge for a 30-minute rotation on the London Eye. Clear afternoons give views as far as Windsor. A timed online ticket avoids the longest queues, which is worth it with jet-lagged kids.
Evening
South Bank riverside wander
Stroll east along the Queen's Walk past street performers, the Jubilee Gardens playground and the skateboarders at the Southbank Centre undercroft. Eat early and get to bed to reset body clocks.
South Kensington and Kensington Gardens
Morning
Natural History Museum at opening
Arrive for the 10am opening to see the blue whale skeleton in Hintze Hall and the Dinosaurs gallery with its roaring animatronic T. rex before the school groups arrive. Entry is free, but booking a free timed slot online guarantees entry in busy periods. Use the quieter Exhibition Road entrance.
Afternoon
Diana Memorial Playground and Kensington Gardens
Walk 20 minutes north through Kensington Gardens to the Diana Memorial Playground, built around a giant wooden pirate ship and inspired by Peter Pan (for children up to 12). Afterwards, find the Peter Pan statue by the Long Water and look out for squirrels and parakeets.
Evening
Science Museum and Wonderlab
On your way back, stop at the Science Museum, which is open until 6pm, to see the Apollo 10 capsule. Older kids will love the hands-on Wonderlab gallery (ticketed), with its live science shows and giant friction slides.
Tower Hill and Greenwich
Morning
Tower of London and the Crown Jewels
Arrive for opening (9am Tuesday to Saturday, 10am Sunday and Monday) and head straight to the Crown Jewels before queues build. Then join a free Yeoman Warder tour from the main entrance; the Beefeaters' stories of executions and escapes hold kids spellbound. Don't miss the ravens and the White Tower's armour.
Afternoon
Uber Boat to Greenwich and Cutty Sark
Walk onto Tower Bridge for photos, then catch the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers from Tower Pier to Greenwich, a scenic 25-minute ride. Explore the Cutty Sark tea clipper, where you can walk underneath the hull.
Evening
Greenwich Park and the Royal Observatory
Climb the hill in Greenwich Park for one of London's best skyline views, then straddle the Prime Meridian line at the Royal Observatory (last entry around 4:30pm, so time this before dinner). Let the kids roll down the grassy slopes and visit the deer enclosure.
Leavesden, then Covent Garden
Morning
Warner Bros. Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter
Book a 9am to 10am entry so you can walk through the Great Hall, Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts Express platform before peak crowds. Allow 3.5 to 4 hours, and try the Butterbeer in the Backlot Café. Tickets sell out weeks ahead, especially in school holidays.
Afternoon
Covent Garden street performers
Head back to central London and catch the afternoon street performers on the West Piazza at Covent Garden. Then browse the Apple Market and Benjamin Pollock's Toyshop, a tiny shop full of paper theatres.
Evening
The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre
Have an early dinner, then see Disney's The Lion King. Its opening procession of life-size animal puppets through the stalls is unforgettable for all ages. Grand Circle seats offer good value with a clear view.
Kew and Richmond
Morning
Kew Gardens Treetop Walkway and Palm House
Arrive at the Victoria Gate for the 10am opening. Climb the 18-metre Treetop Walkway, explore the steamy Victorian Palm House, and let younger kids loose in the Children's Garden with its giant treehouse and trampolines. Pre-booked tickets are cheaper than buying at the gate.
Afternoon
Lunch and a Thames-side stroll in Kew Village
Have a relaxed lunch near Kew Gardens station, then take a short walk along the Thames towpath by Kew Bridge. This leaves plenty of slack before your flight.
Evening
Head to Heathrow
Collect your bags and travel to Heathrow; it is only about 30 minutes from Kew by taxi or minicab (around 35-45 GBP). Aim to arrive at the airport three hours before long-haul departures.
Where to stay
Chosen for your comfort budget and this itinerary's route.
South Kensington
Top pickElegant white-stucco streets beside Hyde Park and the big free museums, calm in the evening and very family-friendly.
Best for: Families who want the Natural History and Science Museums on the doorstep and green space for kids to run.
See hotels here
South Bank
A lively riverside promenade with street performers, the London Eye and views of Westminster, busy by day and safe at night.
Best for: First-timers who want to walk to the Eye, Westminster and riverboats, with easy Tube links.
See hotels here
Bloomsbury
Leafy Georgian garden squares around the British Museum, central yet quieter than the West End.
Best for: History lovers who want walkable access to the British Museum, Covent Garden and St Pancras.
See hotels here
South Kensington · Comfort
A two-minute walk from South Kensington station and the museum tunnel, with playful science-themed decor kids enjoy. Interconnecting and larger rooms suit a family of four.
Free cancellation on many rooms
South Bank · Comfort
Many rooms have kitchenettes, handy for kids' breakfasts and snacks, and it is a short walk to the London Eye and Westminster Bridge.
Free cancellation on many rooms
South Bank · Comfort
Big modern hotel opposite Big Ben with an indoor pool, a lifesaver for kids after a day of sightseeing or on a rainy afternoon.
Free cancellation on many rooms
Bloomsbury · Comfort
Quietly stylish and steps from the British Museum, with a garden terrace and easy reach of Covent Garden and King's Cross for Harry Potter fans.
Free cancellation on many rooms
Book ahead
Skip-the-line tickets and tours that genuinely improve the trip — the ones that sell out are flagged.
Walk through real sets including the Great Hall, Diagon Alley and Gringotts, with original props and costumes. Packages that include return coach transfers from central London remove all the logistics.
Timed entry to 1,000 years of royal history, with free Beefeater tours and the dazzling Crown Jewels. Booking ahead saves money and time at the gate.
A 30-minute rotation with 360-degree views over Parliament and the Thames, perfect for orienting the family on day one. Timed tickets reduce queuing.
London's most family-friendly musical, featuring stunning puppetry and live percussion at the Lyceum Theatre. Weekend and holiday performances fill up weeks ahead.
Your ticket covers the UNESCO-listed botanic gardens, the Treetop Walkway, the Victorian glasshouses and the Children's Garden. It is an easy final stop on the way to Heathrow.
Planning several sights?
One Go City pass covers many of London's top attractions and tours. If you're visiting three or more paid sights, it often costs less than buying tickets one by one.
Travel essentials
A UK eSIM avoids roaming fees and keeps Citymapper, Google Maps, Uber and e-tickets running all day; 5GB per phone easily covers 5 days of navigation and photos.
UK healthcare is excellent but non-residents may be charged for hospital treatment, and A&E waits can be long, so private medical cover matters with kids. Insurance also protects against phone theft, prepaid non-refundable tickets like the Studio Tour, and flight disruption at busy Heathrow.
Honest numbers
Estimated total · 4 travelers · 5 days
£3,530
Per person / day
£177
accommodation
2 rooms x 4 nights x about £230 average comfort rate
£1,840
52%
food
About £130/day for 4: café breakfasts, pub or casual lunches, one nicer family dinner
£650
18%
activities
Tower of London, London Eye, Kew Gardens or ZSL Zoo, Warner Bros Studio Tour; big museums free
£600
17%
transport
2 adults on contactless daily cap, kids under 11 free, Elizabeth line Heathrow return, one Uber Boat trip
£180
5%
connectivity & insurance
2 eSIMs at about £12 each plus family travel insurance about £85
£110
3%
extras
Souvenirs, snacks, ice creams, playground cafés
£150
4%
Smart saving
Build days around London's free museums (Natural History, Science, British Museum, V&A) and book paid attractions online in advance, where Tower of London and London Eye tickets are noticeably cheaper than at the gate.
Good to know
Estimates exclude flights. Hotel prices move with demand — booking 4–8 weeks ahead usually gets the best rates in central areas.
Local know-how
Tap contactless, skip the Oyster
Adults can tap a contactless card or phone on Tube, bus and Elizabeth line, with daily fares capped automatically (use the same card each time). Children under 11 travel free with a paying adult; 11-15s need a Zip Oyster photocard applied for before travel.
Use buses for sightseeing
A £1.75 bus fare with unlimited transfers within an hour makes routes like the 9 or 15 cheap top-deck sightseeing tours. Kids love the front seats upstairs.
Book the big-ticket items early
Warner Bros Studio Tour sells out weeks ahead, especially in school holidays, and timed Tower of London and London Eye slots are cheaper online. Natural History Museum is free but book a free timed entry in peak periods.
Best season and typical weather
Late May to June and September offer mild 17-23°C days and long evenings with fewer crowds than July-August. Winter is 3-9°C and dark by 4pm; rain showers are possible any month, so plan a museum backup.
Cards everywhere, tipping is modest
Contactless is accepted almost universally, even for small amounts. Restaurants often add a 12.5% service charge; check the bill before tipping, and no tip is expected in pubs when ordering at the bar.
Watch phones on busy streets
Phone snatching by cyclists and scooter riders is common around Oxford Street, Westminster and the South Bank. Keep phones away from the kerb and agree a meeting point with kids in crowded spots.
Stand right on escalators
On Tube escalators stand on the right and walk on the left. Avoid the Tube with buggies between 8-9:30am and 5-6:30pm, and check the TfL step-free map for lift stations.
Download the Citymapper app
Citymapper gives live Tube and bus times, step-free routes and disruption alerts, far better than paper maps. Free Wi-Fi exists in most stations but not in tunnels.
Pack this
Prices for the best-located rooms rise as dates fill up. Lock in your stay now — most rooms can be cancelled for free.
PlanVoya may earn a commission when you book through links on this page, at no extra cost to you (how this works). Prices are estimates — always confirm details with the provider.
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