Hi there. Last summer I took our teenage daughter to London. Five days, simple plan, big memories. If you’re thinking about a parent-kid trip, here’s what worked for us and what I’d do again.
Before you go
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Plan together. A few weeks out we sat with cocoa, scrolled maps, and made a short list. She wanted Shakespeare, so the Globe went to the top. We added a day trip to Stratford-upon-Avon for his birthplace and the church where he’s buried.
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Pack for mood swings. London weather changes its mind. Summer needs a light jacket, an umbrella, and shoes you can walk in all day. In winter think layers and a scarf.
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Mind your manners. Please and thank you go a long way. People queue. Join the line and wait your turn. Easy way to be a good guest.
How we planned the five days
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Pick a few anchors. We circled Buckingham Palace, the British Museum, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, and the Globe. The rest fit around those.
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Leave space for surprises. We found a small bookstore in Notting Hill by accident and lost an hour in the best way.
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Book the high-demand stuff. Reserve time slots for the British Museum. Buy tickets ahead for Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London. It saved us a lot of standing around.
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What we loved
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Tower of London. History you can feel and the Crown Jewels, which landed better than I expected.
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British Museum. A walk through time. The mummies were a hit.
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Westminster Abbey. Far richer than photos suggest.
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Globe Theatre. Worth it even if you’re not deep into Shakespeare. Standing yard tickets are fun if your crew is up for it.
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Camden Market. We wandered, snacked, shopped, repeated.
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A quiet corner. That Notting Hill bookstore became our reset button when we needed a breather.
If you have younger kids
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Natural History Museum. Dinosaurs that actually impress.
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London Zoo. Not strictly “historic,” but it’s the world’s oldest scientific zoo and a great change of pace.
If you have teens
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British Museum. Give them the map and let them lead.
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Westminster Abbey. Short guided tour pays off.
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Camden Market. Freedom to roam with a meet-up time works well.
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Warner Bros. Studio Tour. If they love Harry Potter, this one lands every time.
Small tips that helped
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Start early, break mid-day, go back out in the late afternoon.
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Keep a running list of “if we have time” spots so you can pivot fast.
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Snack often. Croissants on a bench beat waiting in a hangry line.
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When you miss a train, treat it like part of the story and find another route.
Final thought
Trips like this are built on little moments. Mispronouncing a street name and laughing about it. Sharing a pastry while you rest your feet. Watching your kid see something for the first time. They add up.
If you’ve done a parent-kid trip that worked, I’d love to hear what you learned and what you’d repeat.
