I’ve had several long layovers in London, but didn’t explore much until I went in 2012 to visit my sister. Obviously with her living there, I got a great tour and not just of London, but also Windsor, Brighton, and a tour of the Harry Potter Studio. It was a fun trip I took with my mom and siblings. I also took another trip, just visiting London for my husband to see the sights. My sister was a great tour guide again! It’s very easy and inexpensive getting around London with the “tube” system, and the trains to get to places outside of London are easy to navigate as well. I did however, need to take the iconic London taxi cab just to experience it – it definitely felt more prestige compared to the yellow cabs of New York! A trip to London is definitely something kids could enjoy as well.

There are so many amazing spots in London to visit. I even love just walking around the city aimlessly. Some of the places I visited during my trips were: Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Oxford Street, the Victoria and Albert Museum, Tower Bridge, Hyde Park, and Westminster Abbey. Most of these we just viewed from outside. We did go in the Victoria & Albert Museum, which I really enjoyed. Tickets for that museum are free, but there may be a charge for special exhibits. There are tours for Buckingham Palace during the summer (check here for dates) and cost £32-35 ($43-47) for adults over 25 and over, £20.50 ($27.50) for young adults 18 to 24, and £16 ($21.50) for children ages 5-17, kids under 5 are free. Tower Bridge can be toured – the towers, walkways, and engine rooms – at £16 ($21.50) for adults, £8 ($11) for children 5-15, and free for ages 4 and under. To tour Westminster Abbey, tickets cost £30 for adults ($40) and £13 ($17.50) for children ages 6 to 17, kids under 5 are free.

There are other museums in London as well that look great such as The British Museum (also free admission) and The Natural History Museum (also free!). Other things to do in London are: the London Eye, the London Zoo, The Regent’s Park & Queen Mary’s Rose Garden, Kensington Gardens, and other places. And, if afternoon tea is your kind of thing, there are so many cute spots offering it (some even offer gluten-free) and even an afternoon tea bus tour! I would recommend looking into a combination sight-seeing ticket if you’re planning on visiting more than one place that requires paid entry as it could provide some savings. There are honestly so many different things to do in London, with and without kids, that the city absolutely needs a visit. I can’t wait to take my kids there soon!

For those interested in Harry Potter, I really enjoyed the studio tour (even though I’m not a big Harry Potter fan!). I had watched the movies though, so it was interesting to see the sets, costumes, and props that were used. The studio is a bit south of central London, not far from The Regent’s Park. Tickets for the tour are £56 ($75.50) for adults, £45 ($61) for children ages 5-15, and free for under age 4. They do have a family ticket option for £180 ($243) for 2 adults and 2 children, or 1 adult and 3 children. They also have add-ons like afternoon tea (gluten-free and vegan options available). I didn’t try the tea service so, I can’t comment on that. The tour is a bit on the pricey side and isn’t a must-do, unless you’re a huge fan maybe.

Outside of London, I visited Brighton, which is south of London, along the English Channel. The train ride was about an hour long from London. We had gone there in October and it was quite chilly, but I loved it. It was enjoyable walking along the pier and on the beach. I also enjoyed some fish & chips. One of the highlights of the visit there was a ride on the Brighton Palace Pier called “Booster”, which was such a thrill. Unfortunately, it was removed in 2023 and is no longer there. There are many other rides to try, however. You can buy a wristband to enjoy unlimited rides all day on the pier for £26 online ($35) for adults and £21 ($28) for kids under 1.2m (about 47 inches). There’s also an indoor play area for kids at an additional cost of £6-9 ($8-12).

The next place I visited on my trip was Windsor Castle, which was fun. It was just about an hour train ride from London. It’s one of the oldest and largest castles in the world that is still occupied. Tickets to tour the castle £31 ($42) for adults, £20 ($27) for young adults 18 to 24, and £15.50 ($21) for children ages 5-17. Like many other sights, there is a slight discount if tickets are booked in advance. You can tour the rooms, the exterior, the St. George’s Chapel, and see the “changing of the guard”. The chapel is not open on Sundays when it is open for worship. Check the official website here to see schedule for the changing of the guard. I definitely recommend a visit to Windsor and the castle if you have the time.

I loved everywhere I visited in England and there is still so much more to see. I hope to one day visit several areas in the countryside as they look so picturesque. While the weather can be a bit gloomy and rainy, it’s still so beautiful there and needs a visit.

Next up – Chicago