Surfmom has been a great help in planning our London trip...many thanks to her! I figured I'd pass the plan along to other fodorites to get thoughts too. Days can be switched, and we are lugging 3 kids along ages 11, 8 and 5. We are staying in the Maida Vale area. We arrive at 10:30 pm in London, so Day 1 is the next morning. We have the Historic Palace membership, so we can make several trips to Tower of London to break it up and Hampton Ct Palace and Kensington are also included in the pass.
Day 1 Sunday...Roald Dahl and possible hour at the Tower of London upon return or walk around Regents Park (little Venice) (I figure we wont be moving till 10ish, but I could be wrong and be wiped out early)
Day 2 Westminister Abby (11G really wants to see where the Royal wedding will be), Changing of the horse guards,Buckingham, Parliment and Big Ben walk by, St. Martin Brass Rubbings) possible evening London Eye?
Day 3 Hampton Court, Diana Playground, Kensington Palace (open till 7), possible london eye?
Day 4 Tower, Tower Bridge, Tate Modern or Golden Hinde, Southbank?
Day 5 Windsor for the day or Greenwich/ and back to Harrods or Hamleys.....or wherever else (need help with this day)
Day 6 till noon (a walk and breakfast before we head to Paris)
We are up for suggestions....Surfmom has given us many. Thank you!
London Itinerary with 3 kids
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I'll comment on Day 3. Unless you totally hate Hampton Court you will end up spending the better part of the day there. It's approximately a 30 minute train ride then there is tons to see and do. As I recall there were 3 audio tours for families of the different parts of the palace. Then there are the wonderful gardens, the maze, lunch and possibly an ice cream. Unless your kids have extreme stamina I don't think you will get in Kensington Palace as well.
I only took 2 kids but we were always back at our hotel by 7 all tuckered out and ready to relax.
Whatever you end up fitting in you will love London. The kids still talk about it and the youngest really wants to go back. If you click my screen name you will get to my trip report on the Cotswolds/London with kids.
On Sunday you probably won't get to Great Missenden until 11:30 or noon and back at Marylebone after 3PM - The Tower really isn't a good fit that day.
Two of your kids are a little old for the Diana Playground -- and especially the 11 yo. It is really geared to under 7's
depending on your kids -- I'd REALLY try to squeeze in the British and/or Natural History museums.
The thought is to possibly take the older to Kensington palace while DH and the other 2 play at the playground.....It looks like Kensington is under major renovation with only a few things open anyway.
We have the Natural History museum close by in DC, so I was trying to do things that would be different or London specific. Do you think they are old enough to enjoy the British Museum?
Thoughts for day 5?
Thanks!
Tate Modern, Golden HInd and London Eye are all on Souhbank in within a few minutes of each other.Personally the Tate Modern leaves me cold, I much prefer Tate Britain then crossing the street and taking the boat to Southbank.
Kids might enjoy the Children at War exhibit at the Imperial War Museum
The British Museum is great for all ages. There are of course ancient artifacts and historical pieces. I have boys and they particularly liked the Egyptian stuff like mummies and the coin room.
I will look into Tate Britain too..Thanks! I will need to look into the location of The British Museum to see where we can squeeze it in.
What else is in Southbank to see/do?
Thanks!!