There are kids' books for visiting the Abbey, you can buy them in the book shop but I'd look at Amazon before. At the Abbey you can hire audio guides for adults and kids (different with different stories)

Suggest taking the DLR to Greenwich and the Clipper on the way back, or the other way round. The youngsters will definitely enjoy the ride, also the actual observatory.

When we have done multi generation trips, the younger ones always planned a walk for the rest of us. Something they do even now, when they’re well in their twenties.

We usually had one daily group activity or tour, then split up to do other stuff. We generally had dinner together, with separate after-dinner plans.

I suggest getting to the Tower early and doing a tour with one of the Yeomen Warders. They give excellent tours and are good with kids of all ages. My kids also enjoyed the private Verger tour we did in Westminster Abbey as you get to go "behind the ropes" to various spots.

The Mousetrap play is family friendly and enjoyable.

I think this is a great approach!

We went to London with teenagers (it was awhile ago) but I found that setting up one touristy event a day worked well and then more hang time or something casual. Dragging them from place to place just becomes difficult and puts everyone in a bad mood. Also go on booking.com and see about renting a place with a kitchenette and maybe a living room. Teenagers would probably like a place to hang out and put their feet up in the afternoon. We also had a heat wave and it was hot at our hotel so maybe check on AC. A play one night might be fun and British museum especially the mummies are interesting for kids. Borough Market might be a good place for the group for lunch or dinner one day and making dinner reservations sounds like a must. Don’t know how adventurous they are but I think you can make reservations for large groups at Dishoom which is a great Indian chain.

And yeah, everyone but me immediately fell asleep on the hop on hop off bus after the 11 hour flight from Calif. Don’t bother.

The previous suggestion for an Indian dinner reminded me of a Sunday roast. I wanted to do a traditional Sunday roast in London. Hawksmoor was recommended by Fodorites. It was very good.
https://thehawksmoor.com/food/sunday-roasts/

I agree with having breakfast at hotel. the teenage boys eat loads. I think I prefer that to an apartment because I /we don't want to cook

Keep it coming, this is the kind of information that I am interested in.
1.Someone mentioned using booking.com for Black Friday specials. I usually do not book reservations on booking.com but try to go directly to the hotel, just old-fashioned and I like to give them the best business. I am curious if there will be any black Friday specials.
2.I am in total agreement about the sky Garden versus London eye. Good to know that we will need to make reservations three weeks in advance, thanks for that info.
3. I love the tip about the book at the Abby for kids and also the fact that they can have their own headsets tailored to kids, I might actually get those instead of the adult ones. So it sounds to me as though we do not need a guide at the Abby.
4. I am going to need to read about the London warden at the tower of London, I may have done that before, but it has been many years ago. Do I need to make a reservation advance for that. Also sounds as well we do not need a guide at the tower of London.
5. I am really on the fence about visiting either Hampton Court or Windsor Castle. I read somewhere that someone recommended Windsor if in fact, you can visit the apartments and yes, we would be able to visit them at this time of year. They also mentioned the fact that it is so much easier to see the changing of the guard. I must say that many people did like Hampton Court better.
6. I also need to read more on Greenwich. My husband and I went there. I think two years ago and I need to review what we did. I do like the idea, though of a boat on the Thames.
7. Stokebilly, I really appreciate your encouragement by saying it sounds like a great trip. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed and deflated.
As I said earlier, please continue to send tips, and places not to be missed. Thank you.

When I mentioned the cost of a room in the earlier quote, I said that $300 was probably more realistic. That is with the understanding that it is for three rooms with each costing $300 with that said I wouldn't mind each costing less.

Bloomsbury is a favourite area of mine too. There are lots of hotels and it's close to a few different tube lines. I haven't stayed in the area you mentioned, near the Plaza Westminster Bridge, but most things you want to do will be over the river, by foot or bus/tube. Its not an area I'd choose. Being able to easily walk to some of the things on your list, is a plus. Saves time and you see more by walking.

A play or musical is a great idea. We really enjoyed The Play that went Wrong.

I think planning any trip can feel overwhelming but it will gradually come together. If you include a day out of London, I'd choose Windsor. The castle is wonderful and the town is worth a browse, or lunch. You can walk along the river or to Eton which is close by.

Is your $300 per room American dollars? Not sure of the exchange rate to the pound but that sounds low. You don't get much for your money in London. Be flexible in your online searches, maybe 5 twin rooms might be a better idea if that's what is commonly available. I'd book directly with the hotel too, much better idea than using a third party.

Just a couple of quick comments:

"4. I am going to need to read about the London warden at the tower of London, I may have done that before, but it has been many years ago. Do I need to make a reservation advance for that. Also sounds as well we do not need a guide at the tower of London."

Not 'warden' - the Yeoman Warders. Also known at Beefeaters. They are retired service men (and a couple of women) who live with their families inside the Tower. Their tours are free and no booking is necessary/possible. One will be stationed just inside the entrance and after a group of new visitors forms they start the tour. The tours donot go everywhere -- they do not go inside the White Tower or Jewel House etc. The best strategy is to ignore the Beefeater when you first enter the Tower - head directly to the Jewel house to see the Crown Jewels without massive crowds. The after the Jewels -- go back to the entrance and hook up with the next Beefeater tour. Then finally visit the White Tower and other areas. (The YW's will do private 'VIP' tours but they cost £150 pp)

Hampton Court and Windsor are both great -- but me personally feel Hampton Court is a slightly better experience for families. I wouldn't be too focused on seeing a guard change - but that's just me (and I've seen them at Buckingham Palace, Windsor and Horse Guards several times so I could be a biy blasé about the whole thing )

Was posting the same time as KayF. Re the budget -- $300 is approx £225 so not a generous amount in London. If £175 to £225-ish is the budget -- maybe look at Premier Inns (most but not all will be within that budget)

oh - and re Premier Inns -- all the kids except the 17yo will be considered children for family rooms so you could do a combo of doubles/triple/quad-family room so that might stretch the budget a bit.

Love the tip about Tower of London and Yeoman Warders. I can go more that $300 (US) per night if needed. i am tryin to read now about using eht tub. It seems similar to NYC but so far I have not found the info about the 9, 11, 14 and 15 yer old being less $$. we live in Colorado so are not as familiar with mass transportation.

You definitely can make this work and have a great time. It can be overwhelming but you can do it. I agree with the advice about seeing the Crown Jewels at the Tower first and then going back to join a Beefeater's tour will work well. The tube is really quite easy to use once you get the hang of it and the kids likely will enjoy the experience of descending the very long escalators and learning how to use the system.

You might pick up a Rick Steves London book as he has lots of good advice. You can't possibly do everything on this trip so focus on a few "must do's" and then enjoy what you can.

I think involving the kids in selecting some of the itinerary will be helpful and they will then have a "buy in" to "own" part of the trip. You can put together a list of choices (perhaps from the Rick Steves book) with a description of each and let each kid choose an option. I went to London with my family as a kid and one brother chose the London Zoo. Now, this was not something my parents would have ever planned, but we had fun and met London families out enjoying a lovely day. That brother grew up to become a Biologist so definitely followed his interests!

Ah sorry, just a general audio
https://www.westminster-abbey.org/vi...ltimedia-guide but you can download a shortened version before you go and give it to a kid to plan the trip

Definitely look for the Black Friday sales on booking.com and if you see something and want to book direct, write the hotel and ask if they can match the price. Black Friday is not just the US anymore, so you can probably find other deals.

Another thing to check is the breakfast time is that is important to you. Sometimes it is only served until 9:00. I would have a hard time making it even without jet lag. If you book a place with a little fridge there is all manner of ready to eat breakfast foods at places like Waitrose and Marks and Spencer. If the teenagers are late risers and big eaters, have them download the Too Good to Go app. They might get a big bag of buffet food from your hotel or another one close by.

Re the kids on the Tube and buses -

• The 9 yo is free but needs a photo to get a zip oyster.

• The 11 through 15 yo's need to bring a passport type photo and get 11-15 zip oyster cards. This gets them free rides on buses and reduced fares on the Tube. and some river transport.

• The 17 yo will need a photo and get a 16+ zip oyster. This will get reduced fares

Janisj, I had just read last night about the zip oyster for the kids. It sounds as though I do that when I am in London, is that correct? Where do I do it then?