Planning a trip to London can feel overwhelming with so many iconic attractions, day trips, and hidden gems to explore. To make it easy, here’s our 5-day London itinerary designed for families, featuring famous landmarks, cultural experiences, and fun day trips. We used the Go City All Inclusive Pass for the first three days, which helped us save both money and time.
Day 1: Buckingham Palace, Royal History & the London Eye
Change of Guards at Buckingham Palace
Our adventure began at the iconic Buckingham Palace, where we watched the Changing of the Guard Ceremony. Taking place at 11:00 AM on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, this grand display of precision, colorful uniforms, and lively music is a tradition not to be missed. The best part? It’s completely free to watch. We recommend arriving at least 30 minutes early to get a good viewing spot, as the area gets crowded quickly.
The King’s Gallery
Next, we headed to the King’s Gallery ( which was formerly known as Queens Gallery) and is just few steps away from Buckingham Palace, a must-visit for art lovers. With the Go City Pass, entry was included, and we explored royal art collections, historic portraits, and exhibitions that brought British history to life. The best part, there’s free audio tour for both kids and adults and honestly this was the best way to make museums interesting for kids.
Royal Mews
Right next door is the Royal Mews, home to the royal carriages and horses. The highlight for the kids was seeing the magnificent Gold State Coach, used for coronations. There’s also a small activity area where children can color and draw, along with a dress-up station for both kids and adults to try on uniforms and step into the role of a royal guard.
Afternoon Tea at Taj Buckingham Palace
No London itinerary is complete without afternoon tea. We enjoyed a luxurious afternoon tea experience at Taj Buckingham Palace, savoring pastries, sandwiches, and tea in a royal-inspired setting. Honestly their tea felt like a lunch with so many options to eat and free refills on sandwiches.
Westminster Abbey & Big Ben
You can either walk or take a Train/Taxi to this place. We visited Westminster Abbey using our Go City Pass. This historic church, known for royal weddings and coronations, is a must-see. The architecture is magnificent. This is the place where Prince William and Kate got married and where famous scientists like Isaac Newton, Stephen Hawking are resting. From here, we admired the beauty of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
London Eye
For our scheduled evening attraction, we headed to the London Eye. Instead of walking, we hopped on a rickshaw ride (£20 for four people), which was fun and convenient. The panoramic views from the London Eye at sunset were breathtaking, and it was the perfect way to wrap up our first day.
Day 2: Shopping, History & Tower Bridge
Breakfast at Harrods Prada Café
Harrods is one of the popular shopping center in the entire world and this was something which we wanted to check it off from our bucket list and hence we started our day with a luxurious breakfast at Harrods, indulging at the stylish Prada Café. This place is huge and has many restaurants, cafes and all the luxurious brands under one roof. Shopping here is an experience in itself, even if you’re just browsing. If you are not into expensive dining options, there’s plenty of restaurants and cafes right outside the Harrods.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
We took a train to St. Paul’s Cathedral a famous one for its dome and whispering gallery. This place looked unreal , the architecture , painting and every detail was something we haven’t seen before. Entry was included with our Go City All inclusive Pass, and the view from the top was worth every step. Audio tour for both kids and adults is included with your pass.
Tower of London with Go City All inclusive Pass
Next, we explored the historic Tower of London, home of the Crown Jewels and centuries of royal history. This stop was a big hit with the kids, who loved learning about knights and stories of the past and also got to see the in famous kohinoor Diamond . A must visit if you really want to see the jewels of the Royals.
Tower Bridge Glass Walk with Go City all inclusive Pass
Our scheduled attraction was the Tower Bridge Glass Walk, where my kids were surprised to learn the London bridge which they thought was actually called Tower Bridge and where we walked across the transparent floor high above the River Thames. It was thrilling, educational, and was included in our pass.
Day 3: River Adventures & Skyline Views
Boat Ride at Little Venice with Go City Pass
We started the morning with a peaceful boat ride in Little Venice, a beautiful and quieter part of London. The ride was included in the Go City all inclusive Pass and provided a nice change of pace.
The Shard with Go City Pass
From there, we headed to The Shard, London’s tallest building. The views from the observation deck were absolutely stunning and gave us a new perspective of the city. The most exciting thing for my kids here was to learn about the construction of the shard and what techniques were involved to built it.
Uber Boat to Financial Districts
Afterward, we hopped on an Uber Boat to explore London’s new and old financial districts. Cruising along the Thames allowed us to see the city from another angle while learning about its mix of modern and historic architecture. Tickets to the uber boat was included in our Go City all inclusive pass.
Dinner on Bustronome
For dinner, we boarded the Bustronome, a fine-dining bus that took us around the city in the evening while serving a gourmet meal. It was an unforgettable experience combining sightseeing and dining. If you want to see the highlights of the City, then you should check this out.
Day 4: Harry Potter Studio Tour
There’s only one place in the world where you can actually visit the set of Harry Potter and it’s located in London. The tickets of this Tour are sold out months in advance but the best part is Golden Tours always have tickets available if purchased with their transportation . For families with kids (and honestly, adults too!), the Harry Potter Studio Tour is a must. Golden Tours provided transportation to Warner Bros Studios, where we stepped into the magical world of Hogwarts. From sets like the Great Hall to props and costumes, it is a dream come true for Harry Potter fans.
Day 5: Museums & Modern London
The British Museum
Our final day in London was dedicated to the British Museum, which can easily take up a whole day. From the Rosetta Stone to Egyptian mummies, the collection here is world-class. This place is huge and can take a week to explore each and every exhibit. But if I had to recommend one, then definitely check out Egyptian exhibit which holds mummies from B.C.
Canary Wharf & Southall
In the evening, we explored Canary Wharf, London’s modern business hub with futuristic skyscrapers and then we ended the day in Southall, also known as “Little India,” where the food, shops, and culture reminded us of home.
We also did a couple of day trips from London with Golden Tours. One day, they took us to Oxford and Cambridge Universities, and the next day we visited Windsor Castle, Bath, and Stonehenge. If any of these interest you, consider adding an extra day to your London itinerary to fit them in.
Final Thoughts
This 5-day itinerary allowed us to combine classic London experiences with exciting day trips and unique family-friendly activities. Using the Go City All inclusive Pass for the first three days made sightseeing seamless and affordable, while Golden Tours gave us easy access to destinations outside the city.
If you’re planning a London trip with kids, this itinerary balances history, culture, relaxation, and plenty of fun!
