London with Kids: A 4-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary to Discover the Best of the City

London is one of the most fascinating cities in the world, a true cultural melting pot where past and present blend in a somewhat harmonious way. With a history going back more than two thousand years, the British capital has witnessed great empires, revolutions and also events that shaped modern civilisation.

Today, London is a vibrant metropolis, full of iconic monuments, world-class museums, lush parks and an unparalleled cultural mix. Moreover, it is a city with countless attractions designed to entertain children of all ages.

During the summer we visited this globally-known city trying to set up an itinerary that was family-friendly, not too tiring, but at the same time allowed us to see some of the most iconic monuments and places.
If you’re planning a trip to London with children, this 4-day itinerary was designed to balance fun, culture and leisure time. And we can say from our own experience that it worked.

London’s climate is well known for its instability, and rain is part of the city’s identity and that of the entire United Kingdom. It is practically inevitable to visit London without experiencing this characteristic trait.

During our visit in August we experienced London’s chill and at least one day of heavy rain. However, as soon as the sun appears the terraces fill with life, attracting both Londoners and tourists, while the city’s vast parks turn into real havens of leisure and socialising with picnic-blankets scattered everywhere.

If you opt to visit in winter, you may be lucky enough to witness a rare spectacle of snow covering London with a white blanket.

If budget is more your concern, the autumn and winter months are the most economical options. The exception is December because of the Christmas preparations and New Year’s celebrations.

In the map below are marked the places visited and referred to throughout this article.

We chose a morning flight so that on the first day, after check-in, we could still enjoy a stroll through the city. We opted for accommodation near a central tube and rail station. We chose Paddington so that we could still visit another city outside London

Morning:

Arrival in London and check-in at the hotel in Paddington. After lunch at one of the many street-food vans near the little canal, we wandered through this area, known as a small Venice within London. The narrow canals have some very characteristic boats that also double as restaurants. Eating on the street is very common in London as we saw in the gardens and squares.
There are also many cafés and restaurants selling food intended to be consumed outdoors.
We also visited the Paddington Bear statue located at the station of the same name.

Afternoon:

Already outside the station and heading towards Hyde Park we passed by a building with a completely extravagant animated clock. It is worth stopping to appreciate it.

Hyde Park, one of London’s biggest and most beautiful parks. We walked along the Serpentine lake making a stop at the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fountain. Here many children used the fountain for play.

After catching the tube at the end of the garden we visited the imposing Piccadilly Circus. Piccadilly Circus is much more than just a busy junction in the heart of London — it is a true icon of the city. Known for its vast illuminated panels and the iconic Eros Fountain, this square is compared to Times Square in New York. Here you’ll also find numerous theatres, shops and restaurants.

Morning:

The day was dedicated to museums. However, travelling with a child we decided we couldn’t visit many, since one spends a lot of time in each museum and some don’t excite a child. We visited the Natural History Museum, one of London’s most impressive and fascinating museums. It features grand architecture in its building and a vast collection of specimens that tell the natural history of our planet. One of the halls features huge skeletons of whales and dinosaurs.

Afternoon:

The museum visit lasted all morning and included lunch at its restaurant. After the museum we visited Buckingham Palace. This is the official residence of the British monarch’s family and is located in the heart of the city.

Nearby the palace we walked through St. James’s Park, where we encountered many squirrels. We continued towards the Royal Horse Guards where the mounted royal guard horses are located. Here the highlight and most characteristic moment is the changing of the guard.

Moving towards Westminster Palace, we also passed the Prime Minister’s official residence on Downing Street. We viewed the façade of Westminster Abbey and the Big Ben.

Many of these locations are not easily visitable, due to reduced hours or because they require booking, so we only toured them from the outside.

The day ended on the other side of the Thames, with a view of Westminster Palace. This location is at the end of the bridge, on its right-hand side. It is one of the places that allows you to take excellent photos without too many people.

Morning:

This morning was dedicated to exploring iconic brand stores that bring joy and curiosity to kids and adults.
Near Piccadilly Circus you’ll find the M&M’s London store. Multi-floored and dedicated entirely to delicious M&Ms. In the store opposite you’ll find the Lego Store where, also over several floors, you discover the whole Lego universe.

Then, since it was quite nearby, we visited Chinatown. This is a district marked by red ornate arches and colourful lanterns full of Asian restaurants.

Afterwards we visited the curious Outernet London. Located near Tottenham Court Road it’s a space distinguished by impressive giant LED screens on walls and ceiling. It displays artistic as well as advertising content and is free to enter.

Afternoon:

In the afternoon we returned by the Thames and visited the Tower of London, from where you can also observe Tower Bridge. Both the Tower and the bridge could have been toured inside, but after such a packed morning, it would have been too tiring for the little one. So we opted for a small walk around the walls and along the river.

The Tower of London is a fortress built in the 11th century by William the Conqueror. Over the centuries it has served as a royal palace, prison and home of the Crown Jewels.

Tower Bridge is one of the world’s best-known bridges. It has a very distinctive design and is an impressive bascule bridge over the River Thames. It was inaugurated in 1894 and is still much used for crossing from one bank of the river to the other.

Morning:

On the final day in London we fled the most traditional tourist destinations and visited the most iconic buildings in central London. First we went up to the 36th floor of the Sky Garden where we enjoyed an excellent breakfast. The top floor of this building features a tropical garden and an incredible panoramic view across the whole city.

The space consists of a tropical garden, restaurant and an outdoor terrace. Although free entrance, it must be booked in advance.

Nearby we ascended to another rooftop garden. The Garden at 120 is also a garden atop a building with views of the River Thames.

Then, already near lunchtime, we visited one of London’s many traditional markets.

The Borough Market is enormous and is a highly charismatic place. Located under several railway lines it has a huge variety of fresh produce and dishes from around the world. You can find stalls full of cheese or artisan bread, but also a huge variety of street food like gourmet burgers and fresh oysters.

This itinerary guaranteed us a balanced trip between culture, fun and family time. Some tips and information that may be useful:

✔ Transport: London’s Tube and buses have a very efficient system and are easy to understand. Use the double-deck buses for shorter journeys and to enjoy the view.

✔ Tickets: For free and paid attractions, reserve or buy tickets online ahead of time to avoid queues. In London almost everything offers an online booking option.

✔ Meals: It was not difficult at all to find meals for all tastes. In London there are many fast-food and healthy food options.
✔ Weather: The weather in London may be unpredictable, so always take a waterproof jacket and warmer clothes.
✔ Currency: British pound sterling. You no longer need to exchange for pounds. All places have contactless payment system. Even street performers accept contactless payments. Use a credit card with no fees, such as Revolut.
✔ Visa: After Brexit, European citizens can no longer visit England with just a citizen card. A passport is required for tourist stays. From 2 April 2025 an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), valid for 2 years after issue, will also be required.

The location of your accommodation in a city like London is very important for your visit. In our selection we prioritised accommodation near a Tube and train station. Moreover, we looked for a location not too far from the centre.

It’s worth knowing when searching for your lodging that the closer you are to more central neighbourhoods, the more expensive the accommodation. Westminster, South Bank or Covent Garden are very central areas.
Our hotel was the Novotel London Paddington near Paddington central station. It is in a rather calm development, with restaurants and many offices. Nearby we found the canals that make this area rather beautiful. The hotel also features an indoor pool and fitness centre.

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