Curator’s statement
I fortunately got to live in London for 4 years; it is where my husband and I started our family. London is very kid-friendly, from the pubs, to the parks, the amazing playgrounds, free museums and much much more. Even riding the tube or the double-decker red bus to get to places is fun for the kids! I'll take you through an ideal 4-day itinerary of what to do in London to keep the whole family happy!
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Day 1: Exploring London's Parks
Depending on where you are coming from, you may be a little jet-lagged. It's important to get as much outdoor time as possible, especially with kids, to get your body clock adjusted. Brits love their walks, and the perfect way to ease into your busy next few days is by heading to one of the wonderful parks London has to offer.
Regents Park is central to get to, has great playgrounds, paddle boats, the Queen Mary's Rose Garden, the London Zoo and more. Grab a bite at one of the cafes in the park to get some energy before exploring any of these great activities for the family!
Head up to Primrose Hill to get a gorgeous view of the city, and grab lunch at Greenberry Cafe, which has the best Chai Latte I've ever had. Walk around this neighborhood, which is very worthy of your Instagram. Chalcot Square is a perfect spot for little kids to play surrounded by beautiful pastel rowhouses. Bonus: Need to escape for a quick massage or manicure while Dad takes the kids to the park? Book one at Cowshed.
After a refresh at the hotel, head for a delicious Indian dinner in Soho at Dishoom, Gunpowder or Kricket. Indian is such a popular cuisine in London, and it has some of the best outside of the country itself.
Day 2: Sightseeing and Theater
Time to get your royal on today! Grab a brekkie sarnie (using Brit lingo here) at a local cafe or Pret and head through Green Park to Buckingham Palace. On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, the Changing of the Guard runs at 11am and is always fun to see the pomp and circumstance. Next up, make a booking to The Ivy for a more sophisticated British lunch. Big Ben and Westminster Abbey are just a 15-min walk from the restaurant. The best pictures of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament will be across the Westminster bridge. This is also where the London Eye is. Make sure to book tickets ahead of time if you want to skip the line!
Dinner and a show in Covent Garden is a perfect way to end this day! Flat Iron for delicious and quick steak frites, Pizza Pilgrims or Wagamama are great family-friendly restaurants. Check the listings for shows, but Lion King or Matilda are usually running and a good bet for kids.
Day 3: Notting Hill, Kensington Palace and Afternoon Tea
Head out to West London on your third day to check out Notting Hill Market and Kensington. Grab breakfast at Granger and Co or Farm Girl before strolling down Portobello Road. There are lots of market stalls the kids will love with small souvenirs and knick knacks, so they will be entertained too!
Next up, Kensington Palace and Gardens. Besides the palace and beautiful grounds, the kids will LOVE the Diana Memorial Playground. You could spend a couple of hours here. For dinosaur lovers, head down to the Natural History Museum just south of the park and stop for Jurassic Tea at the Ampersand Hotel across the street, a perfect way to get rest your legs and get your kids into a proper, but whimsical, tea.
Dinner at Churchill Arms or another cozy London pub!
Day 4: Exploring East London, Borough Market, St Paul's and Kings Cross
On your last day, it's time to go East! Considered the more hipster area of London, with cool graffiti and Spitalfields market, this is also the side of the town where Tower of London and Tower Bridge are. Book brunch at Duck and Waffle for amazing views of the city. Check out the crown jewels at Tower of London and walk across the iconic Tower Bridge. Continue west along the Thames River walk to London Bridge and grab a snack (or ten) at Borough Market, the best market in London (but it's no secret, keep the kids close, it can be very crowded). Next up is checking out the famous Globe Theater, then finally walk back across Millennium Bridge to see your last tourist spot: St. Pauls Cathedral.
For any Harry Potter fans, you'll have to head to Kings Cross to see the infamous Harry Potter Platform 9 3/4 (just don't try to actually run through the wall). Dinner at Caravan. Not your cup of tea? End with a bang at Chiltern Firehouse.
Need to know
There are so many other areas of London to explore, including Richmond, Victoria Park, Hampstead and plenty of day trips if you want to venture further out of the city. The Cotswolds and Brighton Beach are perfect day or long-weekend trips. Check out my next guide on side trips from London!
Travel Advisor
Kim Zwecker
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Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my itinerary, New Orleans 3-day Jazz Fest Itinerary. This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to London.