Advice for long weekend in London

[Slitherout]

Taking DH and DD(14) to London for 3 nights as a (belated) surprise for DH's birthday at the start of half term and haven't been for years so really need some tips for what to do please!

We're staying near Monument underground station but would like to avoid using the tube if possible, intending to use buses instead (DD has mild SEN which mean she can use stairs if there's not a stupid amount and they're not ridiculously busy but can't use escalators). So I'm thinking of things to do roughly around there.

DH loves horror inc Jack the Ripper so planning to get tickets to a tour around Whitechapel - would Sat night be ok or would it be madly busy? Also, would we make it into the Science Museum on the Monday or would the queues be huge?

Don't want to do the 'big' attractions like London Eye, Madame Tussauds etc as none of us are that bothered but planning to get the thames clipper to westminster pier and walk around Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament, Hyde park etc.

Any other ideas for anything to do in the area for DH who likes horror/film/interesting walks/nerdy stuff/food and DD who loves chemistry/biology/sweets/harry potter (I'm up for anything as long as I can take lots of photos and drag them into cake shops)? If the weather's nice we can wander and see what grabs us but worried if it's pouring down all the time

If half term get to the Science Museum either first thing or towards the end of the day when the smaller kids are tired out and have been taken home! Go to the Wonderlab on the third floor, you have to pay to get in but plan to spend a couple of hours and it is worth it. There are regular ‘shows’ where explainers do experiments. We went on Friday and saw flash bang whollop and rockets.

If your daughter is okay with slightly enclosed spaces you could climb the Monument or St Paul’s to get a great view across the city. If enclosed spaces are not her thing go to the roof of the shopping centre at One New Change, beside St Paul’s, and get another view across the city.

Get the clipper down to Greenwich and see the Cutty Sark and walk up the park to the observatory if the weather is nice. People miss out Canary Wharf, but it is interesting to walk around at the weekend. Another museum, the museum of the Docklands, and interesting modern architecture. Try the new cross rail station at Canarey Wharf, there are gardens on the top level and Giant Robot for street food.

Monument Station is a very short distance from Leadenhall Market. It's a covered Victorian market with selection of stalls and shops and features in several Potter films. It's used for Diagon Alley and you can recognise the blue door of the opticians in Bull's Head Passage as the entrance to The Leaky Cauldron.
If you're in the Soho area at all, definitely take a trip to the House of MinaLima. the designers behind the movie artworks of Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts are showcasing their magical designs in a free exhibition. Try to do this as early in the day as possible to avoid it being too busy, as it involves climbing a few narrow(but not very long) flights of stairs and so you may want to take your time. It's worth it though. To make a trip to Soho even more worthwhile, I'd recommend a visit to Chin Chin Desert Labs. Their epic array of treats include ice cream made in front of you with liquid nitrogen!

Queues for the Science Museum are worst around midday. 3pm is a good time to get there, and that includes weekends.