Ready-made plans
Ready-made plan

6 days in London for families

Marble Arch and Hyde Park 5 nights

I built this for families who want the London classics without wearing the kids out. Palaces, dinosaurs, the Crown Jewels and a whole day at the Harry Potter studios, with halal food close to the hotel every night.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour, The Making of Harry PotterDinosaurs at the Natural History MuseumThe Crown Jewels at the Tower of LondonBest in May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
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Hotels, 5 nightsShown for your dates when you make it yours
Prices are checked when you open the plan, a month ahead. They are never saved in it.

Day 1 Arrive and Hyde Park

  1. 13:30Land at London Heathrow, transfer to Marble ArchBook a car with child seats in advance if your children are small, or take the Elizabeth line if you travel light.Heathrow Airport · about 1 hr · 70 to 110 GBP per car, or about 13 GBP per adult by train
  2. 15:00Check in and restAsk for a family room or interconnecting rooms, London rooms are small.Marble Arch · about 1 hr 30 min · FreeArrive by car
  3. 16:30Hyde Park and the SerpentineWalk across the park to the Serpentine lake to see the swans. In summer you can hire pedal boats.Hyde Park · about 1 hr 30 min · free, pedal boats about 15 GBP per adultWalk, 15 min
  4. 18:30Dinner at Ranoush Juice, Edgware RoadA famous Lebanese shawarma and juice bar open late, quick and easy after a long travel day.Edgware Road · about 45 min · 10 to 18 GBP · Order: Chicken shawarma and a fresh mixed fruit cocktailWalk, 15 min

Tip: London weather changes fast even in summer, keep a light jacket and a small umbrella in your day bag.

Day 2 Royal London and the London Eye

  1. 10:15Buckingham Palace and the Changing of the GuardStand at the railings or on the Victoria Memorial steps to see the band and the guards in red tunics and bearskin hats.Westminster · about 1 hr 30 min · Free
  2. 11:45St James's ParkA pretty lake park with ducks, squirrels and the famous pelicans. Walk east along the lake towards Horse Guards.Westminster · about 45 min · FreeWalk, 5 min
  3. 13:00Lunch at Dishoom Covent GardenA much loved Bombay style cafe. Queues form at peak times, so arrive right at 13:00 or join the online queue.Covent Garden · about 1 hr 15 min · 25 to 40 GBP · Order: Chicken ruby curry with garlic naan, and the house black daalWalk or taxi, 20 min
  4. 14:30Rest at the hotelBack for a nap before the evening river views.Marble Arch · about 1 hr 45 min · FreeTaxi, 20 min
  5. 16:30London EyeA slow 30 minute turn in a glass pod with views over Big Ben and the whole city. Book a timed slot online.South Bank · about 1 hr · 35 to 45 GBP per adult, children lessTaxi, 25 min
  6. 17:45Big Ben and Westminster BridgeWalk across the bridge for the classic family photo with Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.Westminster · about 30 min · FreeWalk, 10 min
  7. 19:00Dinner at The Golden HindA fish and chip shop running since 1914, friendly and great with children. Fish is a safe choice for halal diners.Marylebone · about 1 hr · 15 to 25 GBP · Order: Cod and chips with mushy peasTaxi, 20 min

Tip: Buckingham Palace is busy, so keep children close and phones out of reach of the kerb.

Day 3 Museums and Kensington

  1. 10:00Natural History MuseumHead straight to the dinosaur gallery and the blue whale in Hintze Hall. Free, but book a free timed entry online.South Kensington · about 2 hrs 15 min · Free
  2. 12:45Lunch at HarrodsThe famous department store has a food hall and many restaurants under one roof, easy for picky eaters.Knightsbridge · about 1 hr 15 min · 25 to 50 GBP · Order: Choose from the Dining Hall counters, from grills to pasta and sushiWalk, 15 min
  3. 14:15Science MuseumRockets, engines and space capsules, plus the paid Wonderlab with live shows that kids love.South Kensington · about 1 hr 45 min · free, Wonderlab about 15 to 20 GBP per personWalk, 15 min
  4. 16:15Diana Memorial PlaygroundA huge pirate ship playground in Kensington Gardens, for children up to 12 with their adults.Kensington Gardens · about 1 hr 15 min · FreeTaxi, 10 min
  5. 18:30Dinner at Maroush, Edgware RoadA London Lebanese institution for decades, with generous mezze and grills.Edgware Road · about 1 hr 15 min · 30 to 50 GBP · Order: Mixed mezze and a mixed grillTaxi, 15 min

Tip: Book free time slots for the Natural History Museum online the night before, it saves a long queue in summer.

Day 4 Tower of London and the City

  1. 09:30Tower of London and the Crown JewelsSee the Crown Jewels first, then join a free Yeoman Warder tour. Kids love the ravens and the armour.Tower Hill · about 2 hrs 30 min · 35 to 40 GBP per adult, children less
  2. 12:15Walk across Tower BridgeCross the bridge on foot for river views. The glass floor walkway at the top is a paid extra.Tower Bridge · about 30 min · free, glass floor exhibition about 13 GBP per adultWalk, 5 min
  3. 13:00Lunch at Borough MarketLondon's oldest food market. Look for the halal signs on the grill stalls, and there is plenty of falafel, fish and sweets.London Bridge · about 1 hr 15 min · 12 to 20 GBP · Order: Falafel wrap or a grilled halal burger, then a custard doughnutWalk along the river, 15 min
  4. 15:00Sky GardenA free indoor garden at the top of the Walkie Talkie tower with a big view over the river. Book a free slot online.City of London · about 1 hr · free with a booked slotWalk, 15 min
  5. 16:30Rest at the hotelHead back for a break before an early dinner.Marble Arch · about 1 hr 45 min · FreeCentral line from Bank to Marble Arch, 20 min
  6. 18:30Dinner on Edgware RoadThe street right by your hotel is lined with Lebanese, Syrian, Iraqi and Persian restaurants and juice bars, pick whatever smells best.Edgware Road · about 1 hr 15 min · 15 to 35 GBP · Order: Lamb kebabs, fattoush and fresh breadWalk, 5 min

Tip: Use one contactless card per adult on the Tube, daily fares are capped automatically so you never overpay.

Day 5 Harry Potter studio day

  1. 09:00Train from Euston to the Warner Bros. Studio TourTake a train from Euston to Watford Junction, then the studio shuttle bus. Your tour ticket must be booked weeks ahead for a set time.Euston to Leavesden · about 1 hr 15 min · 15 to 25 GBP per adult return, shuttle about 3 GBP
  2. 10:30Warner Bros. Studio Tour, The Making of Harry PotterWalk through the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, the Hogwarts Express platform and the giant Hogwarts model. Plan on 4 hours.Leavesden · about 4 hrs · 55 to 65 GBP per adult, children lessShuttle bus from Watford Junction, 15 min
  3. 12:45Lunch at the Studio Food HallHalfway through the tour, take a break here before the Backlot, where you can try Butterbeer.Leavesden · about 45 min · 15 to 25 GBP · Order: A hot meal or sandwich, and a Butterbeer at the Backlot CafeInside the studio
  4. 15:00Back to central LondonShuttle to Watford Junction, then a fast train to Euston.Leavesden to Euston · about 1 hr 15 min · included in your return ticketShuttle bus and train
  5. 18:00Early dinner at Dishoom King's CrossIn a huge old railway warehouse by Granary Square, a 10 minute walk from Euston. Then pop into King's Cross station to see Platform 9 3/4.King's Cross · about 1 hr 15 min · 25 to 40 GBP · Order: Chicken biryani and okra friesWalk, 15 min

Tip: Bring your printed or phone tour ticket and arrive 20 minutes before your slot, late arrivals may not be let in.

Day 6 Toy shops and home

  1. 10:00Hamleys, Regent StreetSeven floors of toys with staff doing demos on every level. Set a budget before you go in.Regent Street · about 1 hr 15 min · free to browse
  2. 11:30M&M's London and Trafalgar SquareFour floors of colourful chocolate at M&M's, then a short walk to the lions and fountains of Trafalgar Square.Leicester Square · about 1 hr · free to browseWalk, 15 min
  3. 12:45Afternoon tea at Fortnum and MasonA proper English afternoon tea in the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon, a lovely last treat. Book ahead and ask for no pork or meat options.Piccadilly · about 1 hr 15 min · 75 to 95 GBP per adult, children's tea less · Order: Finger sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and jam, and cakesWalk, 15 min
  4. 14:15Back to the hotel to collect bagsLeave the bags with the concierge at check out in the morning.Marble Arch · about 30 min · FreeTaxi, 15 min
  5. 15:00Transfer to London HeathrowAllow a full hour by road on weekday afternoons, traffic on the A4 can be slow.Heathrow Airport · about 1 hr · 70 to 110 GBP per carCar, 60 min

Tip: The UK no longer refunds VAT to tourists on shopping, so compare prices with home before big buys.

Where to stay

London, Marble Arch and Hyde Park · nights 1 to 6Next to Hyde Park, Oxford Street and the halal restaurants of Edgware Road, with the Central and Elizabeth lines close by.
  • The Landmark London luxury · about 500 to 850 GBP a night Big rooms for London, a pool and a grand glass atrium, long popular with Gulf families.
  • Hilton London Metropole mid · about 220 to 350 GBP a night Family rooms and a pool, right at the top of Edgware Road.
  • Thistle Marble Arch budget · about 160 to 260 GBP a night Steps from Marble Arch station and Oxford Street, fair value for the location.

Hotel prices are typical. Make it yours to see today's prices for your dates.

What to eat

  • Mezze and mixed grill at Maroush, Edgware Road The Lebanese restaurant Gulf families have trusted in London for decades.
  • Chicken shawarma and fresh juice at Ranoush Juice, Edgware Road A quick, cheap, late night favourite near your hotel.
  • Fish and chips at The Golden Hind, Marylebone Britain's national dish from a shop running since 1914.
  • Chicken ruby curry and black daal at Dishoom Covent Garden Bombay cafe cooking that London queues for.
  • Afternoon tea with scones and clotted cream at Fortnum and Mason, Piccadilly The most English treat there is, in a grand old store.
  • Falafel and custard doughnuts at Borough Market, London Bridge A buzzing food market where everyone finds something.

London summer evenings stay light until after 21:00, so families stroll Hyde Park and Edgware Road late. Edgware Road cafes and juice bars stay open past midnight.

Why it is planned this way

  • I put you at Marble Arch so halal dinners on Edgware Road are always a short walk away.
  • I sent you to the dinosaurs first at the Natural History Museum, that gallery queue builds from 11:00.
  • I gave the Harry Potter studio its own day, you need about four hours inside and tickets are timed.
  • I kept dinners early, around 18:30, so the kids are not out too late.

Other plans for London

Opening times and prices change. Tomo checks them again for your dates when you make the plan yours.

Your dates, your hotel, your pace