Welcome to an easy-to-follow, family-friendly Europe itinerary linking four classic cities by fast trains. You’ll begin in London—ever-changing yet storied—before hopping to Brussels for chocolate-laced streets and the spellbinding Grand Place. Then it’s back to England’s golden-stone university towns, Oxford and Cambridge, for college quads, libraries, and gentle river punts.

Expect a mix of must-see icons and local gems: Westminster and the Tower of London, waffles and Mini-Europe in Brussels, and intimate walking tours led by university alumni in Oxford and Cambridge. Many museums in London are free, making it budget-friendly to balance splurges like the London Eye or Warner Bros. Studio Tour.

Trains make this trip smooth and scenic—Eurostar between London and Brussels, and frequent rail lines across England. Carry passports for the UK–Belgium border, arrive 60–90 minutes early for Eurostar, and use contactless/Oyster in London to cap transport costs. Pack layers, comfy shoes, and your curiosity.

London

London’s story spans Roman walls, royal coronations, and rock concerts—often on the same block. Its neighborhoods feel like villages: South Bank for river views, Covent Garden for street performers, Shoreditch for murals and markets. Families love the mix of free museums, parks, and big-ticket thrills.

• Top sights: Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, British Museum, Borough Market, South Bank, Camden.
• Why it’s great for families: Wide sidewalks, playgrounds in royal parks, interactive museums, and iconic experiences like the London Eye.
• Where to stay (affiliate links):
  • Mid-range with a pool: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London (steps from the London Eye).
  • Value and location: Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras.
  • Great for families: Premier Inn London County Hall (by the river).
  • Hostel pick: YHA London St Pancras or YHA London Central.
  • Splurge classic: The Savoy.
  • Browse more: VRBO London | Hotels.com London

Getting here: Book flights into London with Trip.com. For UK and European rail, use Omio to compare times and prices.

Brussels

Brussels layers medieval guildhalls with comic murals and art nouveau curves. The Grand Place dazzles by day and glows at night, while the scent of fresh gaufres (waffles) drifts through cobblestone lanes. It’s a capital of chocolate—and quirky surprises.

• Top sights: Grand Place, Galeries Royales, Manneken Pis, Atomium, Mini-Europe, Parc du Cinquantenaire, Magritte Museum.
• Taste this: Pralines at Pierre Marcolini, waffles at Maison Dandoy, frites at Fritland, seafood at Noordzee, hearty Belgian plates at Nüetnigenough.
• Where to stay (affiliate links):
  • Luxury near Grand Place: Hotel Amigo.
  • Reliable mid-range: Novotel Brussels City Centre.
  • Family/budget favorite: MEININGER Hotel Brussels City Center.
  • Browse more: VRBO Brussels | Hotels.com Brussels

Getting there: Eurostar trains between London and Brussels take ~2:05. Compare and book with Omio. Arrive 60–90 minutes early at London St Pancras and have passports ready.

Oxford

Oxford is a city of honeyed stone, spires, and stories—C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien once debated in its pubs. Colleges orbit ancient libraries and hedged quads, while the River Cherwell calls for a leisurely punt.

• Top sights: Bodleian Library, Radcliffe Camera, Christ Church, New College, Covered Market, Ashmolean Museum.
• Eat & drink: Vaults & Garden (local-sourced brunch), The Handle Bar Cafe & Kitchen, The Turf Tavern (historic pub), The Folly (riverside), Ben’s Cookies for a sweet fix.
• Where to stay (affiliate links): Browse options on VRBO Oxford and Hotels.com Oxford.

Cambridge

Graceful bridges, kingly chapels, and bicycle bells—Cambridge blends scholarly calm with green lawns that tumble to the River Cam. Alumni discoveries include DNA’s double helix and the poetry of Byron; today, it’s a perfect place to stroll and punt.

• Top sights: King’s College Chapel, the Backs, Trinity Great Court, Fitzwilliam Museum, Market Square, Kettle’s Yard.
• Eat & drink: Fitzbillies (legendary Chelsea buns), Aromi (Sicilian slices), The Eagle (RAF and DNA history), The Cambridge Chop House, Bould Brothers Coffee.
• Where to stay (affiliate links): Browse options on VRBO Cambridge and Hotels.com Cambridge.

Day 1: London arrival, South Bank icons, and the London Eye

Afternoon: Arrive in London and check in. Stretch your legs with a South Bank walk past the Thames, street performers, and views of Big Ben. Grab a first taste of London at Borough Market—try Kappacasein’s grilled cheese toastie, fish at Scott’s stall, or Ethiopian bowls at Ethiopian Flavours.

Evening: Ride the skyline at sunset with The London Eye Entry Ticket.

Afterward, family-friendly dinner near the river: Fish & chips at The Mayfair Chippy (Southbank kiosk) or pizzas at Pizza Pilgrims Waterloo.

Day 2: Royal Westminster, St James’s Park, West End night

Morning: Explore royal London on the Guided Tour of London Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham.

Walk through St James’s Park to the Buckingham Palace gates. Snack stop: coffee and pastries at Monmouth Covent Garden.

Afternoon: Choose a free museum: the British Museum (Egyptian mummies) or the Natural History Museum (dinosaurs), both excellent for kids. Late lunch at Dishoom Covent Garden (order the bacon naan or house black daal).

Evening: West End show night (matinee for younger kids works well). Pre- or post-theatre, try Flat Iron for affordable steak or Bao for fluffy Taiwanese buns near Soho.

Day 3: Harry Potter day + riverfront bites

Day tour: Go behind the scenes on the Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Transport from London—sets, costumes, Butterbeer, and the Hogwarts Express.

Expect 6–7 hours door-to-door with the included coach.

Evening: Back in town, head to the South Bank for casual dinner at Wahaca Southbank (Mexican street food) or Giraffe (kids’ menu). Nighttime photos of Parliament and Big Ben are a hit.

Day 4: Classic London highlights by Hop-On Hop-Off

Morning: Use Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour to cover big distances with kids.

Hop off at the Tower of London to see the ravens and ramparts; walk across Tower Bridge for views.

Afternoon: Lunch at Borough Market or Flat Iron Square. Take the included Thames cruise segment to Westminster; stroll Covent Garden’s street shows and toy shops.

Evening: Optional splurge: London Dinner Cruise on the Thames for music, city lights, and easy seating for families.

Alternatively, explore Chinatown’s bakeries and dumpling houses.

Day 5: Morning Eurostar to Brussels, Grand Place, and hop-on bus

Morning (travel): Eurostar London St Pancras → Brussels Midi (~2:05). Typical advance fares £60–£120 per adult each way; kids discounted. Compare departures on Omio. Check into your hotel and drop bags.

Afternoon: Walk the Galeries Royales to the dazzling Grand Place—best first impression of Brussels. Try waffles at Maison Dandoy or peckish bites at Peck 47. Hunt for the small but famous Manneken Pis nearby.

Evening: Get your bearings with the Brussels Tootbus Discovery Hop On Hop Off Bus (flexible stops; easy with kids).

Dinner near Sainte-Catherine: seafood at Noordzee (stand-up fun) or simple moules-frites at Chez Léon.

Day 6: Brussels chocolate day, Mini-Europe, Atomium lights

Morning: Make treats on the 2.5h Belgian Chocolate Pralines Workshop—craft 30+ chocolates to take home.

Snack on your handiwork; browse chocolate houses like Pierre Marcolini and Neuhaus.

Afternoon: Head to the Atomium/Heysel area for Mini-Europe Entry Ticket—kids love the moving trains and erupting Vesuvius.

Grab frites and lemonade on-site for a quick, fun lunch.

Evening: Watch the Atomium’s LEDs twinkle after dark, then return to the center for dinner at Fin de Siècle (hearty Belgian fare; arrive early) or Nüetnigenough (reservations advised). Hot chocolate nightcap from Elisabeth or Galler for the kids.

Day 7: Morning train to London, onward to Oxford

Morning (travel): Eurostar Brussels → London (~2:05), then Paddington → Oxford (~1 hour). Use Omio for both legs; through-fares often run £25–£45 London–Oxford, with family Railcards lowering costs.

Afternoon: Check in and stroll the Covered Market (since 1770s) for ice cream at iScream or a savory pie at Pieminister. Peek at the Radcliffe Camera and Bodleian exteriors.

Evening: Early pub supper in a historic hideaway: The Turf Tavern (fish pie, kids’ menu) or The Eagle and Child’s successor venues nearby. If energy allows, a twilight wander across the Sheldonian and Broad Street is atmospheric.

Day 8: Oxford colleges, punting, and literary legends

Morning: Join the Oxford University Walking Tour by Alumni™ for insider stories, from matriculation to exams, and film locations that inspired Hogwarts.

Brunch after at Vaults & Garden (local, sustainable, kid-friendly).

Afternoon: Drift along the Cherwell on a Private Oxford University Punting Tour—a calm highlight for all ages.

Visit the Ashmolean Museum (free) for mummies and musical instruments if you have time.

Evening: Literary fans can add the CS Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien Walking Tour.

Dinner at The Folly (riverside) or Gee’s (Victorian greenhouse; Mediterranean plates).

Day 9: Morning rail to Cambridge, alumni tour, and sunset punting

Morning (travel): Oxford → London Paddington (or Marylebone), Underground to King’s Cross, then King’s Cross → Cambridge. Total ~2.5–3 hours with one change; fares typically £25–£45. Book with Omio.

Afternoon: Meet a student guide on the Cambridge University Walking Tour by Alumni™—hear how the colleges work and see King’s Parade, Trinity, and Senate House.

Snack stop: Fitzbillies Chelsea buns or Bould Brothers for excellent espresso.

Evening: Glide past the Backs on a Shared Guided Punting Tour—golden-hour reflections are unforgettable.

Dinner at The Cambridge Chop House (British classics) or Aromi (Sicilian slices the kids will love).

Day 10: Cambridge museums, hop-on bus, and afternoon departure

Morning: If it’s open, step into King’s College Chapel for soaring fan vaulting; alternatively, visit the Fitzwilliam Museum (free). Then circle remaining highlights with the City Sightseeing Cambridge Hop-On Hop-Off Bus.

Quick lunch at The Punter (gastropub by the river).

Afternoon (travel): Train back to London King’s Cross (~50–75 minutes; book via Omio) and connect to your afternoon flight on Trip.com. If flying from Brussels or elsewhere in Europe, compare with Omio Flights too.

Practical Tips for a Mid-Range, Family-Friendly Trip

• Transport savings: In London, pay by contactless/Oyster; daily caps keep costs manageable. Consider Family & Friends Railcard for UK intercity discounts.
• Museum strategy: Free London museums help balance paid attractions. Time slots are recommended for the London Eye and Warner Bros. Studio.
• Food budgeting: Mix markets (Borough, Covent Garden’s Apple Market) and sit-down meals. In Brussels, grab picnic supplies at Carrefour Express or Delhaize for park lunches.
• Nightlife with kids: London Eye at dusk, Thames riverside walks, Grand Place light shows in Brussels, and early-evening ghost/history walks in Oxford/Cambridge (age-appropriate).

Estimated Intercity Travel Times & Costs (one-way, typical advance):

• London ↔ Brussels (Eurostar): ~2:05, ~£60–£120 adult. Book on Omio.
• London ↔ Oxford: ~1:00, ~£10–£30. Omio.
• Oxford → Cambridge (via London): ~2.5–3:00, ~£25–£45. Omio.
• Cambridge → London: ~0:50–1:15, ~£10–£25. Omio.

In ten days, you’ll collect a greatest-hits reel: crown jewels and choirs, chocolate and comic murals, river punts and city lights. With trains doing the heavy lifting and plenty of kid-friendly stops, this itinerary balances culture, comfort, and fun.

Expect to leave with full cameras, fuller bellies, and a new list of favorites—from a Chelsea bun in Cambridge to a sunset spin above the Thames.