Sunday in London with DS7 - what should we see?

[missmotivation]

Visiting London for a Monday appointment later this year, so planning to go up early on the Sunday and spend the day there to make the most of it.

However we've never taken DS7 before, and he doesn't know a lot about the options/sites to see. Where would you start? I don't really want to overload the itinerary, so was thinking one attraction, one show and a restaurant. Wanted to make a short list of a few options that we could do then let the kid decide the final plan.

Shows ---> So many amazing options! We're currently leaning towards My Neighbour Totoro, but there's only a matinee which is perhaps a bit restrictive for the rest of the day. We've not watched many movies, so not sure if something like the Lion King would go over his head, or if you can still be amazed by it without knowing the story? Any recommendations or faves warmly received <3

Food ---> Any suggestions on places to eat which might be a bit special? I thought about the Rainforest Cafe, but it's closed!

Attractions ---> few pointers to help narrow down options:

• Zero interest in shops. I know the lego store and hamleys are highly rated, but not for this trip.
• Would like to do something that isn't similar to something we've done elsewhere. Appreciate that's impossible to help with unless you know me, but rules out the science museum, museum of transport, aquarium/sea life centre and cutty sark.
• I don't think something like Madame Tussauds would be up his street, he wouldn't know who anyone is!
• I thought the London Dungeons might be cool but DH went as a prenager and had nightmares so he thinks 7 is too young
• We'd like to stay quite central, rather than head anywhere like windsor/ legoland/harry potter experience etc
• DS has said he likes the idea of the London Eye, but we went on a smaller/faster version in a European city previously and he was a bit bored and restless before the halfway point, so I don't want to make the same mistake twice 😅
• I love the idea of bubble planet, but perhaps that's because I've done all the other stuff whereas DS hasn't.

Or do we just meander around the mall, see the Palace, take the classic pictures at trafalgar sq and Big Ben, maybe take a boat down towards the tower, eat at the Southbank somewhere and soak up the ambiance rather than heading to a particular museum or place?

Overwhelmed by options! A bit like DS would be if we went to the legostore 😂

I have heard good things about this place and there's some money off too if you book in advance: https://kiddoadventures.com/2026/02/05/is-the-paradox-museum-london-worth-it-honest-review-prices-tips-2026/

Natural history museum or science museum? They’re world class

https://www.outernet.com/news/step-into-the-intelligence-garden-at-outernet

Natural history museum or science museum - pretty much next door and then walk to Hyde Park

A perhaps unlikely hit with my 7yo was the British museum, where he was enthralled just going round looking at stuff for several hours.

what sort of thing does your 7yo like? The river boats are really fun - take one up to Battersea (there are often exhibits on at the power station) or down to Greenwich and go on the cable car thing?

I would look at Tower Bridge, view of Tower of London, go on HMS Belfast then walk along Southbank, see Houses of Parliament & Big Ben then see Buckingham Palace.

so don’t go in many places but see the sights.

I would not go near the NHM. Far too busy.

The boat trips are good

I would watch the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace (I think this takes place every other day - there's a website where you can see the dates). From there, walk through St James's Park (good playground, pelicans, ice creams). You will come out at Westminster so you can see Big Ben. Get a boat from Westminster Pier down to Greenwich. There you have the Cutty Sark, Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory (all excellent so pick which ever is most aligned with his interests). Lots of restaurants there too and a fabulous park with views across London.

Does he watch Horrible Histories? If so, National Portrait Gallery where you can show him the portraits of the people in history he has seen songs etc about.

Horrible Histories Thames cruise is great for that age

Tower of London
see what’s on at the Southbank Centre, often lots of cool stuff for kids
mine love the mummies in the British Museum.
National Gallery
Cable car across the thames

Padfington musical at savoy theatre

thank you for the responses :)

I'd take him on the Mail Rail at the Postal Museum (the Postal Museum itself is great and interactive). Definitely a bit different! Postal Museum also has the Sorted play area (need to book the Mail Rail and Sorted in advance). Or HMS Belfast or the Transport Museum.

NHM is wonderful but will be unbearably busy on a Sunday. Also Horrible Histories Thames Cruise is good fun at that age (could be your show).

I think the horrible history boat tour has stopped running now but if it is still running it's worth it.

My 7 year old loved the Tower of London and the Imperial War Museum.

ETA - HMS Belfast - we have been there 3 times and he still quotes things he learnt there.

I was going to come on and say Postal Museum and Horrible Histories Boat...both a bit different to the normal museum show type things. Also the British Museum mine have always loved I think it's the scale of the place.

The Automaton museum is great and different from anything else you'll have seen I think. Very interactive. You can have a go on everything. It's small though so you won't be there more than an hour so maybe something to do alongside something else.

Or the Southbank has very specifically London vibes. There's always something on at there, loads of places to eat, street entertainers, there's a playground (nothing special, but a break from touristy stuff if you need one) and you could combine with a boat trip.

I LOVE the Totoro show. But it's better if you've seen the film. Paddington is also meant to be very good. I think the National Theatre is bringing back War Horse in July, so that's worth considering.

Mail Rail at the Postal museum is lots of fun! My DCs also enjoyed renting a boat on the Serpentine.

Waterloo Brewdog has loads of games and a giant slide, plus an ice cream truck to get an icecream after your meal! Combine with uber boat or Southbank centre or Tate Modern. Mine also loved the aquarium!

Lt museum is really close to my neighbour Totoro and Covent Garden is always fun. There’s a cool Italian place - big mamma group with wacky decor.

Natural history museum is epic. Better if you do one of the paid exhibitions to skip the massive “free entry” queue. And I got a deal for the exhibition on o2 priority so it wasn’t expensive. Hop on the district line to st James park station with a visit to the playground in st James park which is our fave. And you tick off Buckingham palace.

Look for some mum accounts on Instagram nearer the time as they usually post about things coming up in London for kids. Bablands London, museum mum and so on.

Uber boat to Greenwich and visit https://www.rmg.co.uk/national-maritime-museum/attractions/cove-playground lots of nice places to eat. A big playground with sand pit and you can walk up to the observatory.

One more vote for outernet and British museum. Not sure if your kid is interested in different types of food but this place is near and cool. https://tampopo.co.uk/fitzrovia/