London is one of those cities that feels familiar before you even arrive. From Big Ben and Buckingham Palace to red double-decker buses, black cabs, Harry Potter and even the Monopoly board, there are landmarks and names that children already recognise.

For Australian families, it also makes a particularly easy introduction to Europe. There’s no language barrier, public transport is straightforward and you can keep those first few days relatively flexible while everyone adjusts to the time difference.

We’ve visited London more than once, stayed in different parts of the city and experienced it at different stages of a wider European trip. This is how I’d spend four days in London with kids — with the option to add a fifth day if you want more time for London’s big family attractions.

London at a Glance

Contents

1. Our 4 Day London Family Itinerary

2. Day 1 – Westminster & Royal London

3. Day 2 – Tower of London & the Thames

4. Day 3 – Classic Central London

5. Day 4 – Pick Your Own London Adventure

6. Where to Stay in London

7. Getting Around London with Kids

8. Our Most Memorable Places to Eat in London

9. Is 4 Days Enough in London?

Our 4 Day London Family Itinerary

Our 4-Day London Itinerary

Day 1 – Westminster & Royal London

Begin with Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Big Ben is actually the name of the enormous bell inside the tower, the tower itself is officially called Elizabeth Tower. It forms part of the Palace of Westminster, better known as the Houses of Parliament, where the UK Parliament meets. It’s one of those London landmarks that feels instantly familiar when you finally see it in person.

Just beside Parliament is Westminster Abbey, the huge Gothic church that has been at the centre of British royal history for centuries. Almost every British monarch since William the Conqueror has been crowned here, and it has also hosted royal weddings, funerals and major national events.

From Westminster, cross the river to the London Eye. The giant observation wheel takes around 30 minutes to complete a full rotation, with enclosed glass capsules giving you panoramic views across the city.

Make your way back toward St James’s Park, one of London’s Royal Parks, and walk through it toward Buckingham Palace, the monarch’s official London residence.

For part of the year, usually during the summer opening period, visitors can also book tickets to tour the State Rooms inside Buckingham Palace. If this is something you want to do, check the Royal Collection Trust website before your trip, as opening dates and access vary from year to year and tickets are best booked in advance.

If the timing works, try to see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. This is the traditional ceremony where one group of soldiers guarding the palace formally hands responsibility over to the next. The guards appear in their famous red tunics and tall bearskin hats, often accompanied by a military band.

This works particularly well as a first day in London because the major sights are concentrated in one area. You can see a lot without spending the day travelling across the city, and it’s easy to slow the pace down if everyone is tired after the flight from Australia.

Key stops: Big Ben & Houses of Parliament · Westminster Abbey · London Eye · St James’s Park · Buckingham Palace · Changing of the Guard

Day 2 – Tower of London & the Thames

Make the Tower of London the main attraction for the morning. This nearly 1,000-year-old fortress has been a royal palace, prison, armoury and treasury, and it’s one of the best places in London to bring British history to life for kids.

One of the biggest reasons to visit is the Crown Jewels, which include the ceremonial crowns, sceptres and other royal regalia used at coronations and major state occasions.

From there, walk across Tower Bridge, one of London’s most recognisable landmarks. It’s often confused with London Bridge, but Tower Bridge is the dramatic Victorian bridge with the two towers. You can simply walk across at street level, or buy tickets to visit the upper walkways and glass floor for views over the Thames.

Continue west along the river toward London Bridge. London Bridge itself is much simpler than Tower Bridge, but crossing or passing it gives you another good view along the Thames and brings you close to Borough Market.

Stop at Borough Market for lunch or a wander. It’s one of London’s best-known food markets, with everything from bakery stalls and fresh produce to street food and sweet treats, so it works especially well for families when everyone wants

something different.

Finish the day on the water with the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers. It’s part of London’s public transport network, but with kids it feels more like an attraction and it gives you a completely different view of the city from the river.

Key stops: Tower of London · Crown Jewels · Tower Bridge · London Bridge · Borough Market · Uber Boat by Thames Clippers

Day 3 – Classic Central London

Use Day 3 to explore some of London’s best-known central neighbourhoods, mixing iconic city sights with a bit of shopping and people-watching.

Start at Harrods in Knightsbridge. Even if you are not planning a major shopping stop, it is worth visiting because it is one of London’s most famous department stores. The grand food halls, luxury displays and beautifully styled interiors make it feel like an attraction in its own right, and it can be a fun stop with kids simply to look around.

From there, head into the West End for a very different side of London. Piccadilly Circus is one of the city’s most recognisable junctions, known for its huge illuminated screens, constant energy and central location. It is one of those places that feels busy, bright and unmistakably “London,” and it works well as a quick stop while moving through this part of the city.

A short walk away is Trafalgar Square, home to Nelson’s Column and the famous bronze lions. From there, continue on to Leicester Square, one of the main entertainment hubs of the West End.

Key stops: Harrods · Piccadilly Circus · Leicester Square · Trafalgar Square

Day 4 – Pick Your Own London Adventure

By Day 4, you’ll already have covered many of London’s biggest sights, so use this day to choose the experience that best suits your family.

Harry Potter — Choose the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London for a full Harry Potter day with original sets, costumes and props. It’s outside central London, so allow most of the day. Alternatively, stay in the city and visit filming locations and themed stops.

South Kensington Museums — The Natural History Museum and Science Museum are right near each other and both work brilliantly with kids. The Natural History Museum is stronger for dinosaurs and animals; the Science Museum is more interactive and hands-on.

Kensington Gardens — A good slower-paced option. Visit the Princess Diana Memorial Playground, wander through the gardens and around the Serpentine, and use it as a break from museums and heavy sightseeing.

London Transport Museum — In Covent Garden, this is a great option for kids who love buses, trains and the Tube. It has historic vehicles and interactive displays and is much more family-friendly than a traditional museum.

West End Theatre — Build the afternoon or evening around a family show such as The Lion King. I’d keep the rest of the day fairly light so the theatre feels like the main event rather than something squeezed in at the end.

Greenwich — Head to the Royal Observatory, stand on the Prime Meridian, explore Greenwich Park and enjoy the views back toward central London. This is a good choice if you want something that feels a little different from the busier central sights.

Where to Stay in London

Where you stay in London can make a surprisingly big difference to how easy your trip feels.

We’ve stayed in both Paddington and St Pancras/Euston, and while we liked both, they suited very different trips.

Paddington · Best for Heathrow Access

We stayed at the Novotel London Paddington and found it particularly convenient when travelling to or from Heathrow. Paddington is the London terminus for the Heathrow Express, making airport transfers very straightforward.

For sightseeing, though, we found ourselves making more connections than we did when staying around St Pancras/Euston.

St Pancras/Euston · Best for Sightseeing & Onward Rail Travel

On another trip, we stayed at the Pullman London St Pancras, close to St Pancras, King’s Cross and Euston.

For the sightseeing we were doing, we found this area easier for getting around London. It is also an excellent base if London is part of a longer trip, with Eurostar services from St Pancras and trains from Euston towards destinations including Liverpool and Manchester.

Which Would We Choose?

For sightseeing convenience, we preferred St Pancras/Euston.

For Heathrow convenience, Paddington wins.

Planning where to stay in London? Read our guide to the best areas and train stations for easy London travel, including Heathrow, Gatwick and onward rail connections.

Getting Around London with Kids

London is easy to navigate, but the cost varies enormously depending on how you travel.

Paying for transport: Contactless cards and Oyster cards are the easiest options for most visitors, with discounted or free travel available for some children depending on age.

Our Most Memorable Places to Eat in London

London can be as casual or as extravagant as you want it to be. We’ve grabbed quick breakfasts from Pret when we wanted to keep sightseeing, enjoyed a traditional Sunday roast in a London pub, and also had two of our most memorable fine-dining experiences in the city.

Pret a Manger · Our Go-To for Breakfast or Lunch

Pret a Manger became our favourite option when we needed a quick breakfast or lunch, particularly around the train stations.

It was easy to grab something and keep moving rather than losing an hour of sightseeing to a sit-down meal and with children, sometimes that is exactly what you need.

Sunday Roast · A Classic London Pub Experience

If you’re in London on a Sunday, a traditional Sunday roast is worth fitting in.

We had ours at The Sherlock Holmes, but you’ll find Sunday roasts on the menu at pubs all over London. It’s an easy way to add a classic British food experience to the trip without needing to plan around a special restaurant booking.

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal · Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park

At the complete opposite end of the spectrum, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at the Mandarin Oriental was spectacular.

The restaurant takes inspiration from historic British dishes, but there is plenty of theatre to the experience too. Even the starters can be deceptive, what looks like a piece of fruit is actually a smooth pâté. The famous liquid-nitrogen ice cream is particularly fun to watch, while the Tipsy Cake with spit-roasted pineapple remains one of my favourite desserts I have ever eaten.

This isn't necessarily somewhere we'd take a young child, but I could absolutely imagine returning with an older child or teenager who enjoys food and would appreciate the experience.

Restaurant Gordon Ramsay · Royal Hospital Road

We have also eaten at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay on Royal Hospital Road, and it was another exceptional London dining experience.

This one sits much more firmly in the special-occasion fine-dining category. It's probably not a restaurant we'd choose with children, but if you're travelling as adults, have childcare, or simply want to add an extraordinary meal to a London trip, it's worth knowing about.

For us, London food hasn't just been about finding convenient family meals. Some of our favourite memories of the city have been around the table too.

Is 4 Days Enough in London?

For a first family visit, I think four days is a really good amount of time.

It gives you enough time to see London’s most famous sights without turning every day into an exhausting checklist.

You won’t see everything — but you don’t need to.

London is the kind of city you can return to at a different age, with different interests, and have a completely different trip.

If you can stretch the stay to five days, even better. Rather than adding another enormous sightseeing list, choose a second option from the Pick Your Own Adventure day and give yourself the luxury of doing it properly.

For us, the best London itinerary isn’t the one that squeezes in the greatest number of attractions. It’s the one that combines the big London icons with enough time to actually enjoy being there.

Planning a longer Europe trip? See our 21-day Europe family itinerary for how we combined London with more of Europe.