I’m lost as to what to do in London. Any suggestions?

[theferry]

I’m visiting London in July with DDs (14&17) and DH for 5 nights I’m a bit lost as to what to do (ie should be a priority). We’re staying at the Doubletree in Kensington. Happy to use the tube. I’ve been to London, but only for work so haven’t seen very much of it. DDs haven’t been there. DD1 loves the hustle and bustle of big cities. DD2 doesn’t like crowds so any suggestions of things that would give her a bit of respite from the crowds (or strategies for avoiding crowds) would be welcome.

What I know we’ll want to do

• tower of London
• skygarden
• covent garden
• V & A
• we have tickets for a show
• some cool coffee shops

what we don’t want:

• boat rides
• London Eye

I know it could be boiling in July? (No choice on the dates due to my work). I do not cope well with the heat so I don’t want tons of walking around.

If the weather is nice you could take an open top bus trip, ideally a hop on hop off one.

You're then on top of the bus and can see how busy the various attractions are. You can then jump off the bus if the area/attraction looks right for you!

If any of you are into scifi/fantasy, Forbidden Planet for books, graphic novels and merchandise, in Shaftesbury Avenue.

I don't know if it's been mentioned, but a reminder that London buses do not take cash. See Keeping London moving - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk) for ways to pay, and planning journeys.

We did the Houses of Parliament tour DS17 and DD19 both really enjoyed it.

@Decoart that’s something DH wants to do. Was it busy?

It wasn't too bad as it is timed tickets. We did the self guided tour which was actually OK. It was DD 19 who wanted to do it. DH was a bit meh, but really enjoyed it.
Tours aren't on every weekend so would check dates.

You can make a request via your MP's office for a free guided tour of Parliament - it's brilliant and very informative. I think there's quite a lengthy waiting list so depends on when you're visiting London.

I went about 10 years ago - took my sister, a friend, and a visiting American friend.

Inside UK Parliament free guided tours - UK Parliament

I live in London and have been to borough market maybe 10x, without fail it is absolutely heaving and I deeply regret every time I go!

I go to Borough with my children all the time and we all love it!

I can’t see if anyone has mentioned the Ceremony of the Keys. Tickets are very limited and ones for July will be available the first working day of June.

For coffee/pastries we love Arome near Covent Garden

https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/whats-on/ceremony-of-the-keys/

There is also a mixed pond which he could go in with you.
Highgate Cemetery (west side) is a good option. Book a tour and they might take you in the catacombs.

If you're there on a Saturday, I like Broadway Market in Hackney. Much more real London than many others which get so so crowded.

Really don't go to Colombia Rd Market with someone who doesn't like crowds. It can be terrifying.

Broadway market is incredibly crowded on a Saturday!

You can also have to spend ages queuing to get in.

Is it? Maybe I've been lucky but I do go quite often.
It's not crowded compared to Columbia Road which can actually feel quite frightening when you're pressed chest to chest in a wall of people.

I’m starting to think I’ll be giving all the markets a miss!

South Bank is likely to be packed too, I’m afraid. As in stand on one of the bridges, look down and be unable to see the pavement for the people packed.

@theferry I'm a very crowd averse Londoner. All my suggestions are things I happily do in London.
I do go to busier places too, like Covent Garden or Oxford Street, but I go early to avoid the crowds.
If you're trying to avoid crowds, I suggest you plan your days so you do the more touristy stuff in the morning and then retreat to more chill things in the afternoon.
So you could do Covent Garden in the morning, then walk up to Regents Park for the afternoon. I always walk down back streets to avoid crowds. Even places like Oxford St which is heaving, you'll find that the streets behind it in Mayfair and Fitzrovia are practically empty a lot of the time.
The big art galleries like Tate rarely feel too busy simply because they're enormous. Unless you're going to a sell out exhibition.
Tate Britain is rarely super busy (other than the big, new, temporary exhibitions) and then it's a nice, quiet walk along the river to Battersea power station which is cool for shopping, eating, mooching.