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- London, UK
Our London Story: A Family Adventure with a Dash of Magic & Fun
London has always been on our travel bucket list, and this time we decided to make it extra special by exploring the city as a family. With our curious 6-year-old in tow, we aimed for a balance of iconic sights, interactive experiences and a few surprises along the way.
Stay 1: Riu Plaza London Victoria
We started our journey with a stay at Riu Plaza London Victoria, a stylish 4-star hotel located just steps from Victoria Station.
Its proximity to the Victoria Tube line, national rail and buses made it incredibly easy for us to explore London without much hassle. The hotel offered a hearty breakfast spread and a modern, comfortable stay that suited both grown-ups and little travellers.
📍Day Roadmap
Our first day was all about soaking in the city's royal grandeur. We walked to Buckingham Palace, where we watched the Changing of the Guards, a grand spectacle that fascinated all of us.
From there, we explored Westminster Abbey, marvelled at the Big Ben and stood in awe outside the Houses of Parliament.
For a quick evening snack, we chose Pret A Manger, where the vegetarian-friendly menu made it easy for the family to grab a bite.
The day ended with a relaxing walk along the Southbank, enjoying the river views, lively street artists and the vibrant London skyline.
The area around the London Eye was buzzing with excitement, with street performers and artists keeping the crowds entertained.
While we skipped the London Eye itself, we couldn't resist the classic carousel ride, which turned out to be a delightful family moment.
We then wandered to Covent Garden, where the street performances and quirky shops kept us entertained for hours.
Later, we spent time at Trafalgar Square, enjoying the city vibe before winding down the day with a leisurely stroll through the peaceful St. James's Park, where the ducks and gardens were a hit.
We moved to our cozy Kensington Apartment, offering a home-like vibe in the heart of a peaceful neighbourhood.
The Science Museum was our morning pick - perfect for hands-on, interactive exhibits about space, technology and the natural world.
In the afternoon, we visited Madame Tussauds London, where we had fun posing with wax figures of global celebrities, superheroes and pop icons.
We capped off the day with some shopping at Oxford Street and a colourful stop at M&M’s World Leicester Square, which delighted the child in all of us.
We dedicated this day entirely to Legoland Windsor, which turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip.
From building Lego creations to enjoying rides and exploring Miniland’s miniature versions of famous landmarks, the park was a wonderland for both adults and kids.
We returned to London tired but beaming from an action-packed day.
Our curiosity for space took us on a day trip to Leicester, where the National Space Centre left us awestruck with its towering rockets, immersive planetarium and hands-on exhibits.
After an adventurous morning, we found comfort at Chaiiwala, relishing a cup of Indian-style chai and street-food-inspired snacks before heading back to London.
This was the day for all things magical and iconic. We joined the Harry Potter Walking Tour, visiting legendary spots like Leadenhall Market (Leaky Cauldron entrance), Cecil Court (Diagon Alley inspiration) and Millennium Bridge.
As fans of the series, walking these streets and listening to behind-the-scenes stories brought the wizarding world alive right in the heart of London.
In the afternoon, we took a Thames River Cruise, which offered fantastic views of London Bridge, Tower Bridge and The Shard from the water giving us a new perspective of the city.
We admired Tower Bridge from the outside, appreciating its historic beauty, before wrapping up the day with a relaxed wander through Trafalgar Square, where we enjoyed the evening glow and the buzz of London life.
For our final day, we decided to keep things light and soak in the London vibe one last time.
We strolled through Trafalgar Square, enjoying the street performers and snapping some family pictures at this iconic landmark.
From there, we walked towards Piccadilly Circus, marvelling at the giant billboards and the lively energy that filled the streets.
We dedicated a good part of the day to Oxford Street, indulging in some souvenir shopping and window-shopping at the famous stores.
It was the perfect laid-back end to our London adventure, savouring the city’s vibrant pulse, people and culture at our own pace.
London gave us a perfect blend of royal history, family-friendly attractions, magical experiences and quiet moments.
Our stays at Riu Plaza Victoria and the charming Kensington Apartment made it easy to balance city adventures with cozy relaxation.
Whether it was watching the guards march at Buckingham Palace, floating down the Thames, riding a carousel or venturing into the world of Lego, the city offered something memorable for each of us.
We left with hearts full of memories, bags full of souvenirs and already dreaming of our next London adventure.
🏛 Iconic Landmarks
Buckingham Palace
Home of the British monarch; don’t miss the Changing of the Guard.
London Eye
Giant observation wheel with sweeping city vistas.
Tower Bridge
A symbol of London; great for photos and panoramic views.
Big Ben & Houses of Parliament
Iconic clock tower and stunning Gothic architecture.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Famous dome, whispering gallery, and city.
Westminster Abbey
A royal church and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tower of London
Historic fortress and home to the Crown Jewels.
🖼 Museums & Galleries (mostly free entry!)
British Museum
Rosetta Stone, ancient mummies, and global artifacts.
Natural History Museum
Dinosaurs, volcanoes, and hands-on exhibits.
Science Museum
Fantastic for kids and curious minds alike.
Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A)
Art, design, and historic fashion.
National Gallery
Masterpieces in Trafalgar
Square.
Tate Modern
Bold and thought-provoking contemporary art.
🌳 Parks & Outdoor Spaces
Hyde Park
Boating on the Serpentine, picnics, and Speaker’s Corner.
Kensington Gardens
Diana Memorial Playground & Kensington Palace.
Regent’s Park
Manicured gardens, playgrounds, and London Zoo.
St. James’s Park
Relax by the lake and spot
pelicans.
🛍 Shopping & Entertainment
Oxford Street
Endless high-street brands and flagship stores.
Covent Garden
Street performers, artisanal markets, and cafes.
Camden Market
Eclectic, edgy fashion and global street food.
Carnaby Street
Retro-chic shops and cool Soho vibes.
Piccadilly Circus
Iconic neon lights and tourist
buzz.
Harrods & Selfridges
World-famous luxury
shopping.
M&M’s World
Four floors of candy fun and photo ops in Leicester Square.
Hamleys
The world’s oldest toy store with 7 magical floors on Regent Street.
🎡 Family Fun
Madame Tussauds
Snap pics with wax celebrities and superheroes.
London Dungeon
Spooky, theatrical history lessons (older kids).
SEA LIFE London Aquarium
Sharks, rays, and ocean
tunnels.
Legoland Windsor
A full-on LEGO adventure just outside London.
⚡Special Experiences
Harry Potter Studio Tour
Magical sets, props, and behind-the-scenes fun (Leavesden).
Thames River Cruise
Stunning views from the
water.
Afternoon Tea
Try The Ritz, Fortnum & Mason, or kid-themed cafés.
🏛 Iconic Landmarks
Buckingham Palace
Home of the British monarch; don’t miss the Changing of the Guard.
London Eye
Giant observation wheel with sweeping city vistas.
Tower Bridge
A symbol of London; great for photos and panoramic views.
Big Ben & Houses of Parliament
Iconic clock tower and stunning Gothic architecture.
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Famous dome, whispering gallery, and city.
Westminster Abbey
A royal church and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tower of London
Historic fortress and home to the Crown Jewels.
🖼 Museums & Galleries (mostly free entry!)
British Museum
Rosetta Stone, ancient mummies, and global artifacts.
Natural History Museum
Dinosaurs, volcanoes, and hands-on exhibits.
Science Museum
Fantastic for kids and curious minds alike.
National Gallery
Masterpieces in Trafalgar Square.
Tate Modern
Bold and thought-provoking contemporary art.
Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A)
Art, design, and historic fashion.
🌳 Parks & Outdoor Spaces
Hyde Park
Boating on the Serpentine, picnics, and Speaker’s Corner.
Kensington Gardens
Diana Memorial Playground & Kensington Palace.
Regent’s Park
Manicured gardens, playgrounds, and London Zoo.
St. James’s Park
Relax by the lake and spot pelicans.
🛍 Shopping & Entertainment
Oxford Street
Endless high-street brands and flagship stores.
Covent Garden
Street performers, artisanal markets, and cafes.
Camden Market
Eclectic, edgy fashion and global street food.
Carnaby Street
Retro-chic shops and cool Soho vibes.
Piccadilly Circus
Iconic neon lights and tourist buzz.
Harrods & Selfridges
World-famous luxury shopping.
M&M’s World
Four floors of candy fun and photo ops in Leicester Square.
Hamleys
The world’s oldest toy store with 7 magical floors on Regent Street.
🎡 Family Fun
Madame Tussauds
Snap pics with wax celebrities and superheroes.
London Dungeon
Spooky, theatrical history lessons (older kids).
SEA LIFE London Aquarium
Sharks, rays, and ocean tunnels.
Legoland Windsor
A full-on LEGO adventure just outside London.
⚡Special Experiences
Harry Potter Studio Tour
Magical sets, props, and behind-the-scenes fun (Leavesden).
Thames River Cruise
Stunning views from the water.
Afternoon Tea
Try The Ritz, Fortnum & Mason, or kid-themed cafés.
🚇 Getting Around London – Transport Made Easy
One of the best parts of exploring London is how well-connected and easy the city is to navigate. From the iconic red buses to the Underground (a.k.a. the Tube), here's how we got around:
🚆 The London Underground (Tube)
London's Tube system is one of the oldest and most efficient in the world. It's made up of 11 color-coded lines, each connecting different parts of the city. Some of the most popular lines we used were:
- Victoria Line (light blue) – Perfect for staying near Victoria Station (like our hotel!)
- Central Line (red) – Connects to Oxford Street, Notting Hill, and Stratford
- Piccadilly Line (dark blue) – Direct link to Heathrow Airport
- District Line (green) – Runs through Kensington and the West End
- Jubilee Line (grey) – For Canary Wharf, Southbank, and Westminster
Each station is clearly marked and trains run frequently. It's the quickest way to get across town and beat the traffic.
🟡 Oyster Card: Your Travel BFF
We used an Oyster Card throughout our trip, which made traveling a breeze. You simply tap in and tap out at the station gates, and the right fare is deducted.
Where can you use it?
London Underground, buses, trams, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth Line (within London), and more.
Not valid on:
Elizabeth Line between Reading and Iver – good to know if you're heading that far west.
Cost-saving tip:
The Oyster Card automatically applies a daily cap – once you hit a certain spend for the day, you won't be charged more no matter how much you travel!
To know more about the Oyster Card visit their website: Transport for London Oyster Card
We got ours at Victoria Station upon arrival, and it saved us from queuing for tickets or figuring out fares every time.
Captured Moments
