London is a city of layers: Roman origins, Tudor drama, industrial might, and a creative pulse that never sits still. You’ll see royal palaces beside glass towers, world-class museums with free entry, and neighborhoods that feel like mini-villages—each with its own cafés, shops, and stories.

For families, London is a wonderland: dinosaur skeletons, interactive science galleries, riverboats, parks with pelicans, and, of course, Harry Potter film sets. Food spans classic fish-and-chips to fragrant curries, handmade pasta, and baked treats that power a full day of exploring.

Practical notes: contactless cards and mobile pay work on public transport (daily fare caps keep costs reasonable). Many top museums are free. Weather is changeable—pack layers and a light rain jacket. Book popular attractions and restaurants in advance, especially on weekends and school holidays.

London

Britain’s capital is a greatest-hits album of sights: Big Ben, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s, and the British Museum. Yet the magic often happens between the icons—at a neighborhood market, a cozy bookshop, or a café where the barista knows your name by day three.

• Top family sights: Natural History Museum (dinosaurs), Science Museum (hands-on), Tower of London (Crown Jewels), Warner Bros. Studio Tour.
• Foodie moments: Borough Market (Kappacasein grilled cheese, Bread Ahead doughnuts), Dishoom (family-friendly Indian), Padella (silky pasta), Poppies (fish & chips).
• Book & stationery gems: Daunt Books (Marylebone), Foyles (Charing Cross Rd), Hatchards (Piccadilly), London Review Bookshop (Bloomsbury); Choosing Keeping (Covent Garden), Present & Correct (Islington), L. Cornelissen & Son (Bloomsbury), London Graphic Centre (Covent Garden), Smythson (Bond Street).

Where to stay (family-friendly picks across budgets):

• Great-value, central: Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras (small rooms, smart design, easy transport for day trips).
• Mid-range with a pool: Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London (steps from the London Eye and South Bank).
• Reliable and roomy for families: Premier Inn London County Hall (quiet, unbeatable location by the river).
• Hostel with privates: YHA London Central or YHA London St Pancras (excellent for budget-conscious families).
• Classic splurge: The Savoy (an institution for special occasions).

Browse more stays: VRBO London | Hotels.com London

Getting to London: For flights within or to/from Europe, compare on Omio (flights). For trains in Europe (including Eurostar), use Omio (trains), and for buses Omio (buses). Flying long-haul from outside Europe? Check Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. From Heathrow, the Elizabeth line (~35–40 min; ~£13–14) and Piccadilly line (~50–55 min; ~£6–7) are great-value; Heathrow Express is fastest (~15 min) but pricier.

Day 1: South Bank Welcome + London Eye Sunset

Afternoon (arrival): Drop bags and take an easy South Bank stroll from Westminster Bridge toward Waterloo. Kids can run along the riverside while you orient yourselves with skyline views—Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and the London Eye.

Evening: Ride the London Eye near golden hour for a dramatic first look at the city. Book the The London Eye Entry Ticket in advance to secure your preferred time.

Post-ride, grab dinner nearby: Pizza Pilgrims (kid-pleasing sourdough pies), or Honest Burgers (great British beef or plant-based patties and rosemary fries). For a sweet finish, gelato from Scoop on Covent Garden’s short walk away.

Day 2: Classic Sights by Hop-On Hop-Off, Royal Pageantry, and Bookshop Browsing

Morning: Get the lay of the land with the Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour—it’s ideal for families to rest between stops and listen to commentary.

Hop off near Buckingham Palace; if timing aligns, catch the Changing of the Guard (check schedules). Coffee and pastries at Ole & Steen in Victoria are a reliable, kid-friendly pit stop.

Afternoon: Explore Westminster Abbey’s soaring nave and tombs of poets and scientists (great for older kids’ curiosity). Walk St James’s Park (pelicans!) toward Piccadilly. Book lover time: browse historic Hatchards (est. 1797) and then Foyles for a massive children’s and YA section.

Evening: Dinner at Dishoom (Kensington or Covent Garden)—order House Black Daal, chicken tikka, and fluffy naan; they handle kids brilliantly. If energy allows, a family-friendly West End show such as The Lion King or Matilda makes a memorable capstone.

Day 3: Tower of London Early Access, Tower Bridge, and Borough Market

Morning: Beat the crowds with VIP Early Access: Opening Ceremony Tower of London & Bridge Entry.

Meet Beefeaters, see the Crown Jewels sparkle, and cross Tower Bridge’s glass-floor walkway for goosebump views.

Afternoon: Eat your way through Borough Market: try Kappacasein’s famed toasties, Padella’s pappardelle with beef shin ragu (go early and join the virtual queue), Bread Ahead doughnuts, and Neal’s Yard Dairy samples. Coffee at Monmouth is a London rite of passage.

Evening: Golden-hour photos at St Katharine Docks, then family-friendly dinner at Emilia’s Crafted Pasta (handmade, comforting). If the kids have gas left in the tank, a stroll to the free Sky Garden (book slots ahead) is a spectacular night view.

Day 4: Museum Day in South Kensington + Hyde Park Play

Morning: Natural History Museum (dinosaurs, blue whale) followed by the hands-on Wonderlab and flight simulators at the Science Museum. Quick coffee and buns at Gail’s on Gloucester Road or hot chocolate at Knoops.

Afternoon: V&A’s cast courts and fashion galleries appeal to art lovers and older kids. Picnic or pedal boats in Hyde Park; the Diana Memorial Playground near Kensington Palace is a winner for younger children.

Evening: Dinner at CERU (South Kensington) for bright, shareable Levantine plates, or Franco Manca for affordable sourdough pizza. Stroll Kensington High Street for an easy bedtime wind-down.

Day 5: Harry Potter Day

Morning–Afternoon: Take the Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Transport from London.

Walk the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, the Forbidden Forest, and learn film secrets; roundtrip coach keeps logistics painless. Eat at the Backlot Café (try the Butterbeer).

Evening: Covent Garden meander: watch buskers, pop into the Apple Market, and browse kid-pleasing shops. Dinner at Flat Iron (free salted caramel ice cream) or Homeslice (huge, foldable slices). Gelato at Venchi for dessert.

Day 6: Greenwich by Riverboat + Cable Car Views

Morning: Hop the Thames Clippers riverboat to Greenwich for a scenic commute. Tour Cutty Sark (tea clipper ship) and let kids pretend to captain the helm; then the Royal Observatory for the Prime Meridian line and planetarium shows.

Afternoon: Lunch at Goddards at Greenwich (classic pies, mash, and liquor; very affordable). Browse makers’ stalls at Greenwich Market—great for unique gifts. Coffee at Boulangerie Jade.

Evening: Ride the cable car over the Thames for twilight views of Canary Wharf and the O2. Dinner at the O2 (Pizza Pilgrims or Thunderbird Fried Chicken) before an easy Tube back.

Day 7: Windsor Day Trip (Castles and a Great Park Stroll)

Morning: Train to Windsor & Eton (35–60 minutes depending on route; compare times/prices on Omio (trains in Europe)). Explore Windsor Castle’s State Apartments and St George’s Chapel (check for closures when royal events occur).

Afternoon: Lunch at The Two Brewers (pub classics near the Long Walk). Cross the pedestrian bridge to Eton for antique shops and boutiques on the High Street. Kids can burn energy along the Thames towpath.

Evening: Back in London, casual dinner near your hotel or head to Chinatown for roast duck at Four Seasons or dumplings at BaoziInn. Bubble tea for the walk back.

Day 8: Shoreditch Street Art, Markets, and East London Eats

Morning: Coffee and a hearty breakfast at Ozone Coffee Roasters (Shoreditch). Self-guided street-art safari around Redchurch Street, Brick Lane, and Shoreditch High Street—colorful walls make for fantastic family photos.

Afternoon: Browse Spitalfields Market (indie fashion, design, and crafts). Snack at Beigel Bake on Brick Lane (salt beef on warm bagels) or pick-and-mix from the food stalls on weekend market days. Book lovers will adore Libreria’s curated, labyrinth-like shelves.

Evening: Dinner at Poppies Fish & Chips (crispy, classic) or Smokestak (barbecue and sides; order the brisket bun). Finish with gelato at Gelupo (Soho is a quick Tube ride away) if you want a sweet nightcap.

Day 9: Bookstores and Stationery Day (Marylebone, Bloomsbury, Covent Garden)

Morning: Daunt Books (Marylebone) for the oak galleries and travel sections; coffee at Monocle Café on Chiltern Street. If it’s Sunday, check Marylebone Farmers’ Market for British cheeses and brownies.

Afternoon: British Museum highlights (Rosetta Stone, Parthenon sculptures). Then stationery heaven: L. Cornelissen & Son (historic pigments and pens) and London Review Bookshop next door for new reads and cake at its café. Walk to Covent Garden for London Graphic Centre (art supplies) and Choosing Keeping (handpicked notebooks, inks, and Japanese papers).

Evening: On Piccadilly, step into Smythson for luxe journals, then back toward Soho for dinner: Bao (pillowy Taiwanese buns) or Bancone (fresh pasta with silky sauces). Night photos at the neon-lit Piccadilly Circus and Regent Street curve.

Day 10: Last Looks—Parks, Palaces, and Souvenirs

Morning: Easy start at St James’s Park and Buckingham Palace for farewell photos, or a canal-side walk in Little Venice if you’ve already done the royals. For younger kids, Hamleys toy store on Regent Street is a treat.

Afternoon (departure): Grab sandwiches from Pret or a local bakery for the journey. If flying or taking Eurostar, aim to depart your hotel about 3 hours (air) or 60–90 minutes (rail) before departure. For airport journeys, compare options and times on Omio (trains) or book flights via Omio (flights) or Trip.com.

Optional Add-Ons (swap into any open half-day)

• Photography hour at dawn on Westminster Bridge and along the Embankment for soft light and empty backdrops.
• Notting Hill wander (Portobello Road antiques and colorful terraces), then coffee at the original Farm Girl.
• Camden Market food crawl and a Regent’s Park climb up Primrose Hill for a skyline view.

Another great family activity if you want to swap a day:

Consider a guided royal-and-parliament morning with Guided Tour of London Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham if you prefer a structured experience:

You could swap this into Day 2 morning in place of the hop-on hop-off bus if guided storytelling appeals to your crew.

Budget tips for a 50/100 spend level: lean on free museums and parks, ride buses and Tube with contactless daily caps, book attractions off-peak, and balance sit-down meals with market bites and bakeries. Many family-friendly restaurants offer kids’ menus or generous portions to share.

Summary: In 10 days you’ll see London’s icons, wander bookshops and stationery troves, nibble through markets, and give the kids their Harry Potter dream day. With riverboats, parks, hands-on museums, and neighborhood flavor, this plan balances big sights and small delights—exactly how London is best experienced.