London’s story stretches back to Roman Londinium, but it’s also the city of double-decker buses, royal pageantry, and neighborhoods that feel like villages. This 7-day London itinerary showcases the big hitters—Westminster, the Tower, and world-class museums—alongside markets, parks, and local cafés that make the city so livable for families.

Food is a highlight: graze at Borough Market, share a table at Dishoom, and hunt down the best sourdough pizza. Shopping is plentiful and playful—from Liberty’s timber-framed halls to Hamleys’ multi-floor toy wonderland—while parks and playgrounds give kids space to be kids.

Practical notes: most national museums are free, contactless cards cap daily/weekly Tube fares, and trains run frequently from airports into central London. Book timed tickets for popular sights and the Sky Garden where possible; keep an eye on rail/tube service updates. With this plan, you’ll balance landmark London with easy-going days that fit a mid-range budget.

London

London rewards curiosity. Wander grand squares in Westminster, duck into City of London courtyards older than Shakespeare, then picnic in regal parks. For families, the density of world-class museums, playgrounds, and markets keeps energy high and transit time low.

• Top sights: Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral, British Museum, Natural History Museum, V&A.
• Local flavor: Borough Market cheese toasties, Shoreditch street art, Greenwich’s maritime heritage and hilltop views, a stroll along the South Bank at sunset.
• Fun facts: Ravens still guard the Tower (by royal decree). The Prime Meridian runs through Greenwich. London’s “square mile” is a separate historic city.

Where to stay (family and budget-friendly picks):

• Premier Inn London County Hall — Spacious family rooms, unbeatable South Bank location beside the London Eye; excellent value.
• Point A Hotel London Kings Cross – St Pancras — Clean, modern, wallet-friendly; easy Eurostar access and handy for multiple Tube lines.
• YHA London Central — Private family rooms and budget rates near Oxford Circus.
• YHA London St Pancras — Across from the British Library; great for rail arrivals and families.
• Novotel London Tower Bridge — Family-focused brand near the Tower; kids love the breakfast and chill spaces.
• Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London — Pool, family studios, and postcard views near Big Ben.
• The Savoy — If you’re splurging, this is the grand London experience on the Strand.
• Browse more stays: VRBO London apartments or Hotels.com London hotels.

Getting there and around (with estimated times and costs):

• Flights (Europe): Compare fares on Omio (many nonstop options into Heathrow, Gatwick, City). Short-haul flights often run €50–€200 each way.
• Flights (long-haul): Search worldwide on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: NYC–London ~7h; LAX–London ~10–11h.
• Trains (Europe): Eurostar to St Pancras: Paris ~2h20, Brussels ~2h, Amsterdam ~4h; from ~€60–€150 each way. Check times on Omio Trains.
• Airports to central London: Heathrow: Elizabeth Line ~30–35 min (~£12), Tube ~50–60 min (~£6), Heathrow Express ~15 min (~£25). Gatwick: Thameslink ~30–35 min to London Bridge (~£12–£13). Stansted Express ~47 min to Liverpool Street. Contactless/Oyster fares have daily/weekly caps.

Day 1: South Bank Welcome, Big Ben Views, and Easy Eats

Afternoon (arrival): Land, drop bags, and stretch your legs along the South Bank (great for strollers). Let kids burn energy in Jubilee Gardens, then amble past street performers toward Big Ben and Westminster Bridge.

Evening: Family-friendly dinner on the river: try Pizza Pilgrims (Neapolitan pies), Wahaca Southbank (tacos; kids’ menu), or Honest Burgers (gluten-free buns, rosemary fries). Grab gelato at Gelatorino and watch the Thames shimmer at dusk. Early night to beat jet lag.

Day 2: Royal London, Westminster, and a West End Show

Morning: Coffee and pastries at Ole & Steen (St James’s). See the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace (check schedule; not daily in winter), then stroll St James’s Park where pelicans have lived since the 1600s.

Afternoon: Dive into London’s seat of ceremony with a guided tour that covers the essentials and gets you inside the Abbey: Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Buckingham Guided Tour of London.

If you go self-guided, the Churchill War Rooms are an excellent alternative for older kids.

Evening: Pre-theatre dinner in Covent Garden: Dishoom (Bombay comfort food; kids love the naan rolls), Flat Iron (steak that won’t break the bank), or Homeslice (massive 20-inch pizzas to share). Catch a family-friendly show like The Lion King or Matilda; grab soft-serve at Udderlicious afterward.

Day 3: Tower of London, Borough Market, and Greenwich by River

Morning: Arrive early at the fortress where British history gets wonderfully gory and glittering: Tower of London and Crown Jewels Exhibition Ticket.

Join a Yeoman Warder tour for tales and raven lore; walk across Tower Bridge for panoramas.

Afternoon: Lunch at Borough Market: try Kappacasein’s molten cheese toastie, Northfield Farm burgers, Padella’s hand-rolled pappardelle, and Bread Ahead doughnuts. Ride a Thames riverboat east to Greenwich; explore the Cutty Sark, run around Greenwich Park, and straddle the Prime Meridian if time allows.

Evening: Dine in Greenwich: Goddards (traditional pie & mash), Sticks’n’Sushi (crowd-pleasing platters), or Bianco43 (Neapolitan pizza). Return via boat for sparkling skyline views.

Day 4: Museum Day in South Kensington + Hyde Park + Thames Dinner Cruise

Morning: Start at the Natural History Museum (dinosaurs and the blue whale wow kids), then pop next door to the hands-on Science Museum. Coffee and buns at Brompton Food Market or a late brunch at Ceru (colorful Levantine plates).

Afternoon: Choose the V&A’s fashion and design galleries or head into Hyde Park—feed the swans at the Serpentine or let kids loose at the Diana Memorial Playground (pirate ship!). If energy runs high, stop by Kensington Palace gardens.

Evening: Celebrate with a river evening out: London Dinner Cruise on the Thames River.

Prefer to keep it casual? Book free Sky Garden tickets in advance for sunset views, then grab Bao buns in Soho.

Day 5: Harry Potter Day + Soho Treats

Morning: Head to the wizarding world with transport included: Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Transport from London.

Walk the Great Hall, board the Hogwarts Express, and try butterbeer. Plan 6–7 hours door-to-door.

Afternoon: Back in town, stop by Leadenhall Market (a filming location) or pop into the House of MinaLima for graphic art from the films. Coffee at Monmouth (Covent Garden) or WatchHouse (City).

Evening: Dinner in Soho: Homeslice (giant pizzas), Hoppers (Sri Lankan dosas and short eats), or Mildreds (vegetarian crowd-pleaser). Finish with gelato at Gelupo.

Day 6: Markets, Canals, and the Zoo

Morning: If it’s Saturday, browse Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill; if Sunday, go to Columbia Road Flower Market. Brunch at Farm Girl (Notting Hill) or Granger & Co. (ricotta hotcakes are a hit). Snap the pastel terraces and famous bookshops.

Afternoon: Head to Camden Market for street food and vintage finds, then walk the Regent’s Canal to Primrose Hill or Little Venice. Families can spend a couple of hours at ZSL London Zoo (immersion exhibits and a great playground).

Evening: Explore Shoreditch and Spitalfields: see bold street art, then eat near Liverpool Street—Padella (fresh pasta), Eataly London City (easy with kids, lots of choice), or Dishoom Shoreditch (order the gunpowder potatoes and kids’ naan rolls).

Day 7: Hop-On Highlights, Last-Minute Shopping, and Departure

Morning: Sweep up any remaining landmarks without tiring little legs on a hop-on route: Big Bus London Hop-On Hop-Off Tour.

It’s ideal for final photos and flexible goodbyes to the skyline.

Afternoon (pre-departure): Grab an easy lunch at Mercato Metropolitano (Elephant & Castle) or Seven Dials Market. Quick souvenir dash: Hamleys for toys, Liberty for design-forward British gifts, or Carnaby Street for fashion. Collect bags and allow generous time for airport travel.

Evening: Fly home with happy, tired kids and a camera roll full of London moments.

Foodie extras (if you have more time): Franco Manca (sourdough pizza), Borough’s Brindisa chorizo rolls, The Cheese Bar in Camden (grilled cheeses), and Tayyabs in Whitechapel (Punjabi classics; book ahead).

Unique kid-approved ideas: The Postal Museum’s Mail Rail ride, Battersea Power Station’s Lift 109 (glass elevator up a historic chimney), and the IFS Cloud Cable Car over the Thames.

Budget tips: Use contactless for daily/weekly caps; travel off-peak when possible; many museums are free; family rooms at chains like Premier Inn and Novotel are excellent value. Book major attractions and popular restaurants early.

With a week in London, you’ll cover the icons, eat brilliantly, and still savor neighborhood rhythms—exactly the balance that makes family travel memorable. Come for the Tower and Westminster; stay for markets, parks, and the easy smiles that follow great meals and great stories.