Arrive at Heathrow or Gatwick and transfer to your central hotel (consider Paddington for easy Heathrow Express access or King’s Cross for convenient rail links). After check-in and a short rest, stretch your legs with a gentle walk along the South Bank from Waterloo Bridge toward the London Eye — pop into the ticketed London Eye pods if the queue is short for a quick, thrilling overview of the city that helps orient everyone.
Head to Covent Garden for a relaxed lunch at one of the family-friendly cafes and enjoy street performers in the piazza; the kids will love the lively atmosphere and the Apple Market stalls. From there wander to nearby Trafalgar Square to see Nelson’s Column, then stroll down Whitehall past the Horse Guards to glimpse Parliament and Big Ben from Westminster Bridge — easy, iconic photo stops without tiring little legs.
Have an early dinner in the West End (plenty of casual restaurants that welcome families) and, if everyone’s up for it, catch a family-friendly West End show like Matilda or The Lion King (book tickets in advance). If not a show, finish the evening with a peaceful riverside walk under the lights along the Thames toward Tower Bridge, giving a magical first-night view of London’s illuminated skyline.
Start the day with an early visit to the Tower of London — join a Yeoman Warder (Beefeater) tour to hear lively stories, see the Crown Jewels, and meet the resident ravens before the crowds build; kids usually love the arms and armour displays and the medieval fortress feel. After exploring the White Tower and battlements, pop into a nearby café on Tower Hill for pastries and hot chocolate to refuel.
Walk across Tower Bridge and stroll west along the South Bank toward Borough Market for a fun, food-filled lunch — sample everything from gourmet toasties to sweet treats and let the teens pick a special snack. Continue along the river past Shakespeare's Globe and the Tate Modern, pausing at the Millennium Bridge for photos of St Paul's Cathedral, or hop on a short Thames river cruise to see more sights without tiring little legs.
Return to the West End for dinner in Covent Garden or Soho where plenty of family-friendly restaurants and buzzing street performers create a lively atmosphere, then settle in for a family-friendly show (Matilda or The Lion King if tickets are available) or enjoy a relaxed evening walk through Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus to see the city lights.
Fuel up with breakfast near your hotel, then head to South Kensington for a morning at the Natural History Museum — let the kids marvel at the Hintze Hall diplodocus (or the blue whale skeleton) and explore the interactive Earthquake and Volcano exhibits; the dinosaur gallery is always a hit with 11- and 16-year-olds. If interest is high, join a short museum trail or family-friendly explorer activity so everyone stays engaged before stepping across the road to the Science Museum for hands-on galleries.
After a casual lunch at one of the museum cafés or the nearby Exhibition Road eateries, spend the afternoon at the Science Museum where the interactive Wonderlab (book tickets in advance) and flight/space galleries will appeal to curious teens and younger kids alike. If the weather is kind, take a relaxed stroll through Hyde Park from the Serpentine — rent a pedal boat, pop into the Diana Memorial Playground for free play, or enjoy a picnic on the grass while the kids run off energy.
As the day winds down, walk toward Kensington Gardens for a peaceful early-evening wander past the Albert Memorial and Kensington Palace, then dine at a family-friendly restaurant in South Kensington or nearby Notting Hill for varied, kid-pleasing options. Finish with an easy tube ride back to your central hotel so everyone can recharge for the Harry Potter or Eurostar adventures coming next.
Choose your magical start: if you booked the Warner Bros. Studio Tour (Leavesden), arrive early to join the behind-the-scenes Studio Tour—walk through the Great Hall, explore Diagon Alley, and step onto the actual Hogwarts Express at the recreated Platform 9¾ set while the kids try on house robes and pose for photos. If you prefer a city option, head to King’s Cross to snap the family at the Platform 9¾ luggage trolley photo, then pop into the Harry Potter shop and nearby Granary Square cafés for a quick brunch before setting off to explore.
After the morning magic, head to lively Camden Market for an eclectic, kid-friendly lunch—try gourmet street food in the Stables Market and hunt for fun souvenirs, vintage wizarding gear, or comic-book stalls; stroll along the canal and watch the boat traffic for a relaxed break. Alternatively, return to central London and wander Covent Garden’s Apple Market and the London Transport Museum (great for teens who like design and history) where street performers and interactive exhibits keep energy high without overdoing it.
As daylight fades, enjoy a family dinner in Covent Garden or Camden—opt for a cozy gastropub or an international kid-friendly spot—and catch a short West End show or an intimate street-performance set in the piazza if the group's not too tired. Finish the night with a gentle riverside walk back toward the hotel or a quick tube ride, savouring the stories and photos from your very British wizarding day as you prepare for the Eurostar to Paris tomorrow.
Board an early Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord (book seats and passports ready) and arrive mid-morning; transfer by taxi or RER to your central hotel, drop bags, and freshen up before stepping out. Walk to Île de la Cité to see Notre-Dame (exterior views while restoration continues) and the charming flower stalls along the quai, giving the family an immediate feel for Paris’s historic heart.
Cross over to the Latin Quarter for a relaxed lunch at a classic bistro or creperie on Rue Mouffetard, then explore the narrow streets to find the Panthéon and the lively bookstalls along the Seine; teens will enjoy hunting for quirky secondhand graphic novels or vintage posters. If energy allows, visit the nearby Musée de Cluny (Medieval artifacts and tapestries) or take a short boat taxi to Sainte-Chapelle to admire its dazzling stained glass windows — a quick, spectacular cultural stop that’s manageable with kids.
As dusk falls, enjoy a casual riverside dinner on the Left Bank or a picnic on the banks of the Seine, then take a leisurely sunset stroll around Île Saint-Louis and Île de la Cité for postcard views and gelato from Berthillon. Finish with a short Bateaux Mouches river cruise (book ahead) or an evening walk to see the illuminated bridges and Notre-Dame reflections — a gentle, magical introduction to Paris before deeper sightseeing tomorrow.
Start the day with an early visit to the Trocadéro for sweeping, crowd-light views of the Eiffel Tower and great family photos; from there walk down the esplanade and take the elevator or stairs up one of the tower levels (book tickets in advance for the summit or second floor) so the kids can marvel at the city panorama and spot landmarks you toured in London. After descending, grab fresh baguettes, cheese and pastries from a nearby boulangerie (try Maison Landemaine or Boulangerie Julien) and settle on the Champ de Mars for a relaxed picnic while the teens scan the skyline and younger kids burn off energy on the lawns.
Spend the afternoon exploring nearby family-friendly attractions: stroll to the Quai Branly - Jacques Chirac museum to see its striking exterior gardens and colourful indigenous art displays (short visit or rooftop photo stop), or join a Seine river bateaux-restaurant or short sightseeing boat from the foot of the tower for a different riverside perspective. If everyone wants something more active, rent Vélos or e-scooters for a guided loop around the 7th arrondissement or walk toward Les Invalides to visit Napoleon’s tomb and the Army Museum's arms galleries, which often fascinate teens interested in history.
As dusk falls, return to the Champ de Mars or Trocadéro for the Eiffel Tower’s nightly light show (starts on the hour after sunset) — bring a light blanket and enjoy a casual crepe from a street vendor while the tower sparkles, creating a magical moment that ties together your London skyline memories. Finish with dinner at a nearby family-friendly bistro in the 7th (Le Petit Cler or Café du Champ de Mars are good options) and an easy metro ride back to your hotel so everyone can rest up for the Louvre and Île de la Cité adventures tomorrow.
Begin early at the Louvre to beat the crowds — head straight to family favourites like the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory and the Egyptian antiquities, then let the teens choose a 'must-see' wing while younger family members try a museum trail or scavenger-hunt sheet (book timed-entry tickets in advance to save time). Pause at the glass pyramid for iconic photos and pop into the Carrousel du Louvre for a quick coffee or pastry before crossing the Seine toward Île de la Cité.
After a riverside lunch in the Latin Quarter, visit Sainte-Chapelle to marvel at its stained-glass jewel-box windows — the kids will love the kaleidoscope of colour — then explore the nearby Conciergerie’s medieval halls to connect the Louvre’s art with Paris’s dramatic history. Stroll the bookstalls along the Quai des Grands-Augustins and browse vintage posters or graphic novels for souvenirs, keeping the pace relaxed with gelato on Île Saint-Louis.
As dusk falls, enjoy a family-friendly dinner in the Île de la Cité/Latin Quarter — a cosy bistro or creperie on Rue Saint-Louis en l'Île provides classic French flavours that appeal to all ages — then take a short evening Seine cruise or a lantern-lit walk to see Notre-Dame’s silhouette and the river bridges sparkle, a gentle, memorable close that ties together your London-to-Paris week of iconic sights.
Start your final morning with a relaxed climb (or funicular ride) up to Sacré-Cœur for sweeping views over Paris — snap family photos on the basilica steps and let the kids scan the skyline for landmarks you visited earlier. Wander the winding streets of Montmartre afterward, stopping at Place du Tertre to watch local artists paint and perhaps pick up a quick sketch or postcard as a keepsake from the trip.
Enjoy a leisurely lunch at a Montmartre bistro or at the historic La Maison Rose, then visit the Espace Dalí or the Musée de Montmartre to mix playful surrealism and bohemian history that appeals to both teens and younger kids. If time allows before your transfer, grab a last Parisian treat—Berthillon ice cream on Île Saint-Louis or a warm pastry at Le Grenier à Pain—and stroll back through the cobbled streets for one last view of the city’s charming neighborhoods.
Head to your hotel to collect luggage and make the journey to Gare du Nord or Charles de Gaulle/Orly with extra time for check-in; if you have a late departure, squeeze in an early dinner at a nearby brasserie in the 9th arrondissement to keep things easy and family-friendly. Finish with a calm recap of favourite moments from London and Paris as you travel home, letting the kids pick their top memory from the week to share on the way to the station or airport.