Merianda Vacations

London, United Kingdom

London with kids: a 3, 4 and 5 day family itinerary

London is a favorite first overseas trip for American families: the biggest museums are free, the parks are huge, and every bus is low-floor. The challenge is the Tube. Many older stations have stairs, so families with strollers, wheelchairs or tired grandparents need a plan.

This outline keeps each day in one area, from South Kensington to Westminster and the South Bank to the Tower, and favors buses, step-free stations and black cabs. The planner fits it to your dates and checks stops against Google Maps when your plan is made.

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3, 4 or 5 days in London with kids

Days 1–3

3-day London family itinerary

Days 1 to 3: South Kensington, Westminster and the South Bank, then the Tower. These are the classic sights with very little crossing back and forth.

Days 1–4

4-day London family itinerary

Add day 4 for Greenwich by river boat, a slower day that kids remember.

Days 1–5

5-day London family itinerary

Add day 5 for the royal parks, Covent Garden and perhaps a West End matinee.

Sample London family itinerary, one area per day

Each day stays in one area, so you spend time together instead of in traffic. Swap days around to suit the weather and your energy.

  1. Day 1

    South Kensington museums and Kensington Gardens

    Area: South Kensington

    Morning
    The Natural History Museum (dinosaurs) or the Science Museum. Both are free; booking a free time slot is recommended at busy times.
    Midday
    Lunch nearby, then a rest.
    Afternoon
    The Diana Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens for younger kids, or the V&A for older ones.

    Access note: The big South Kensington museums have step-free entrances. The South Kensington Tube station has stairs, so use buses or a cab if step-free travel matters.

  2. Day 2

    Westminster and the South Bank

    Area: Westminster and the South Bank

    Morning
    Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament from outside, then Westminster Abbey (paid).
    Midday
    Cross Westminster Bridge to the South Bank for lunch with river views.
    Afternoon
    The London Eye or the riverside walk, with street performers and playgrounds.

    Access note: The South Bank riverside walk is flat and step-free for long stretches. The London Eye's capsules are designed for wheelchair access.

  3. Day 3

    Tower of London and Tower Bridge

    Area: The City and Tower Hill

    Morning
    The Tower of London (paid). Join a Yeoman Warder tour and see the Crown Jewels.
    Midday
    Lunch near the Tower, or at St Katharine Docks.
    Afternoon
    Walk across Tower Bridge, or take a river boat.

    Access note: The Tower is a historic site with cobbles and steps in places. Its accessibility guide lists the step-free routes.

  4. Day 4

    Greenwich by river boat

    Area: Greenwich

    Morning
    Take a Thames river boat or the DLR to Greenwich. Visit the Cutty Sark, or the free National Maritime Museum.
    Midday
    Lunch at Greenwich Market.
    Afternoon
    Greenwich Park, and the Royal Observatory for those happy with a steep hill.

    Access note: The DLR is step-free. The hill up to the Royal Observatory is steep, so skip it or take a cab if walking is limited.

  5. Day 5

    Royal parks and the West End

    Area: Buckingham Palace, St James's Park and the West End

    Morning
    See Buckingham Palace from outside and walk through St James's Park, with its pelicans and benches.
    Midday
    Lunch around Covent Garden, where street performers keep kids entertained.
    Evening
    A family-friendly West End matinee, or an early night before the flight.

    Access note: Many West End theatres are older buildings with stairs. Book through each theatre's access line for step-free seats.

This is a general outline. Stops in your plan are checked against Google Maps for listed hours and status when the plan is made. Places can change hours or close, so confirm before you go.

London tips by kids' ages

Babies and toddlers (0 to 3)

  • Buses are easier than the Tube with a stroller, and there's space for one on board.
  • Kensington Gardens and St James's Park have good spots for naps and picnics.
  • Museums have baby-changing rooms and cafes with high chairs.

Kids (4 to 9)

  • The Natural History Museum's dinosaurs are hard to beat at this age.
  • A double-decker bus ride from the top front seats is a cheap thrill.
  • Children under 11 can travel free on many TfL services with a paying adult; check TfL's current rules.

Tweens and teens (10 to 17)

  • The Tower's history and the Crown Jewels go down well.
  • Let them plan one day in an area that interests them, such as Camden or the Harry Potter shop at King's Cross.
  • Older teens may enjoy the Science Museum's interactive galleries.

Wheelchair-accessible London

London takes more planning for wheelchairs than US cities because of the older Tube network, but buses, black cabs and the newer lines make it very doable.

  • All London buses are low-floor with a ramp and a wheelchair space.
  • Licensed black cabs are built to carry a wheelchair.
  • Only some Tube stations are step-free. Use TfL's step-free Tube map, and favor the Elizabeth line and DLR, which are largely step-free.
  • The big free museums have step-free entrances and lend wheelchairs. Older historic sites have cobbles and steps, so read each site's access guide.
  • Pavements in older areas can be narrow and uneven; keep each day in one area to limit travel.

Traveling with grandparents too?

London's free museums and royal parks make it easy to split up: grandparents can take a slower gallery while the kids head to the dinosaurs, then meet for tea. See our multigenerational family vacation guide.

Let the planner fit this to your family

  • Tell us everyone's ages, wheelchair or stroller needs, walking limits and rest breaks.
  • Each day is grouped by area near your hotel, within your walking limit.
  • Stops are checked against Google Maps for listed hours on your dates when the plan is made.
  • See the outline and Day 1 free. Get the rest, a PDF and chat edits with one payment.

London family trip FAQ

How many days do you need in London with kids?

Three days covers South Kensington, Westminster and the South Bank, and the Tower. Four adds Greenwich, and five adds the royal parks and the West End.

Is London accessible for wheelchair users?

Mostly, with planning. Buses are low-floor and black cabs carry wheelchairs, but only some Tube stations are step-free. Use TfL's step-free map and plan routes by area.

Are London's museums free?

Many major museums, including the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, the V&A and the British Museum, have free general entry. Special exhibitions are usually paid, and free time-slot booking may be recommended.

What is the best area to stay in London with kids?

South Kensington, Westminster and areas near step-free stations on the Elizabeth line are popular with families. The planner groups each day around your hotel.

Does the planner check opening hours in London?

Each stop is checked against Google Maps for its listed hours on your date when the plan is made. Hours can change, so confirm before you go.

Plan your London family trip

Tell us who's coming and we'll build a day-by-day London plan around your kids, grandparents and any mobility needs.

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This guide is general information, and plans made in the app are AI-generated. Details can be wrong or change, so confirm places, hours, prices and accessibility with each venue before you go. See our disclaimer and Terms of Use.