London sights with kids

[teaandbiscuitsforme]

We have one day to do the main London sights - what is the best plan of action/route? Kids are 6 and 8, never been to London before.

We're staying around Angel. Thinking we want to see the changing of the guard.

I've seen recommendations for the hop on hop off. Happy to do that if it's worth it but don't want to spend the day standing at bus stops waiting for the bus when we could be in the move to the next place. However I do think it would give the kids a chance to sit for a bit!

We don't need to go to NHM/science museum etc nor include the parks. Can do those on other days.

DS is 6 and wants to go on the eye because he thinks it's a ferris wheel! Is it worth the cost? Could use Tesco vouchers to pay if it is. Can't get into the Sky Garden because it's fully booked.

Not trying to do it on a tight budget so happy to pay for some things for a memorable day for the kids.

Any suggestions?!

Do the hop on/off tour but don’t get off it first time round to make sure you have seen all the best bits - if there’s anything in particular on the route you want to get off and see/do then you can pick this up on the second time around. However with only a day in hand and needing to eat etc I think you’d struggle to go into more than one attraction anyway.

And yes London eye totally worth it - he’ll be disappointed by the speed of travel though 🤣

I am anticipating this!!

We won't necessarily stop for a proper lunch, happy to make sandwiches and eat on the go a little bit.

Do you think hop on hop off to the changing of the guard and then the London eye is about all we'd manage? Wondered about finishing it off with a boat trip before we head back to the hotel.

Our six year old really enjoyed Tower Bridge and then a boat trip down to the Palace of Westminster

What sights do they want to see?

We're going with my 9 year old niece for May Day weekend and she wants to see Buckingham Palace and Big Ben but not interested in Westminster Abbey or St Paul's cathedral. Or the Tower of London which was a surprise. She is interested in skyscrapers however.

We're having breakfast at the Sky Garden (which may be an option?). Have a look at Tower Bridge then number 15 bus to Trafalgar Square and walk to a Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guard. Afterwards we'll walk past Big Ben and Parliament to the South Bank then on to the Tate Modern. Finally a very early dinner of bar food in the OXO Tower. I fancy the idea of getting a boat back but she's not keen.

How about going on the Thames clipper, a great way to see the city?

I'd personally avoid the hop on/hop offs because you'll just spend forever sitting in traffic. The boat is a great shout; my DS (3.5) loves it and he loves getting the tube.

If they want to see the main sights and changing of the guard then I'd start the day at Buckingham palace. Get some good views and photos before the crowds build up then find a decent spot to watch from.

After changing of the guard walk up the mall to Trafalgar Square then along Whitehall(passing Downing Street) to Big Ben. If you're going to eat on the run or have a picnic this is probably a good place for it - on the green opposite Big Ben.

Next I'd cross Westminster bridge and go on the London eye and then take a boat up the Thames to the tower. You'll see cleopatras needle, St Paul's, Tate modern, the globe theatre, hms Belfast and tower bridge plus much more.

You'll get brilliant views of the tower from Tower Hill and then can hop straight on the tube. I'd probably get the tube over to Leicester Square which has some amazing film character statues plus the Lego store and M & M world and then just a couple of minutes walk away is Piccadilly Circus.

Do you think hop on hop off to the changing of the guard and then the London eye is about all we'd manage?

Don't waste your money on a hop on/off bus for that. Its walking distance.

Thank you all!!

My niece thought the best bit of London was the M&M shop in Leicester Square 🤷🏼‍♀️