After arriving in London, make Mayfair Apartments your first stop to check in, drop bags, and give everyone time to refresh. Allow about an hour, especially with five children and luggage. If the apartment is not ready, ask whether bags can be stored and use the break to pick up essentials from a nearby Waitrose or M&S Food. Mayfair is very walkable, but keep the first afternoon gentle rather than trying to fit in major sightseeing.
Take a relaxed walk to Grosvenor Square, one of Mayfair’s best places for children to stretch their legs. Allow around 45 minutes to wander the garden, sit on a bench, and let everyone recover from the journey. From there, continue east toward Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly—roughly 10–15 minutes on foot. Spend about an hour browsing the beautifully presented food halls and choose an afternoon treat; the ground-floor areas are easy to enjoy without committing to a formal meal, although prices are distinctly central London.
Continue along Piccadilly to Piccadilly Circus, about a 10-minute walk from Fortnum & Mason. The famous illuminated advertising screens are most atmospheric as daylight fades, and 30 minutes is enough to take photographs and absorb the lively West End scene. For dinner, walk approximately 10 minutes through Soho to Mildreds Soho, a dependable vegetarian restaurant with plenty of family-friendly choices. Budget roughly £20–£30 per person, excluding drinks; booking ahead is wise for a group of six, particularly on a Wednesday evening. After dinner, return to the apartment on foot if everyone still has energy, or take a short taxi—usually around £8–£15 depending on traffic.
Walk from Park Lane Apartments Mayfair Collection to Green Park and take the Jubilee line to Westminster; the whole journey is roughly 10–15 minutes. Leave around 8:15–8:30 AM so you can reach Westminster Abbey comfortably for a morning visit. Allow about 1½ hours inside: the medieval chapels, royal tombs, Poets’ Corner, and coronation chair are fascinating, but young children may appreciate a short break afterward. Check the Abbey’s official calendar before travelling, as services and special events can affect visitor opening; admission is typically around £30 for adults and £13–£15 for children, with family pricing sometimes available.
From the Abbey, walk a few minutes to Parliament Square for Houses of Parliament and Big Ben. The best family photographs are from the square and the pavement beside Westminster Bridge, where you can take in the clock tower, river, and sweeping Palace of Westminster frontage. This is primarily an exterior stop, so 30–45 minutes is enough. If the children need a snack, pick up something simple from a nearby café before continuing rather than planning a formal meal here.
Walk east along Birdcage Walk into St James’s Park, one of the easiest places in central London to let children run around safely. Follow the lake toward the bridge for views back toward the London Eye and Buckingham Palace, and look out for the park’s famous pelicans near the water. Give yourselves about an hour, with time for a drink or ice cream from one of the park kiosks; the park is free and generally open from early morning until evening. From here, join The Mall and stroll west along its broad ceremonial avenue toward Buckingham Palace. It is a relaxed 45-minute walk, though younger children may prefer stopping on the benches and watching the occasional mounted guard or official convoy.
Continue toward Mayfair and have dinner at The Wolseley, the grand café-restaurant on Piccadilly. The setting is special without being overly formal, and the all-day menu makes it easier to feed a mixed-age family; expect roughly £30–£50 per person depending on choices, with children’s portions or simpler dishes available. Reserve ahead, particularly for an early evening table, and mention that you are dining with five children. After dinner, it is a short walk back toward the apartment through Mayfair—a pleasant way to finish the day without adding another attraction.
From Park Lane Apartments Mayfair Collection, leave around 8:15 AM and walk to Green Park for the Jubilee line to Westminster, changing to the District or Circle line for Tower Hill. Allow 20–25 minutes on the Underground, plus the walk from the station; contactless fares are usually about £3–£6. Arrive at Tower of London near opening time—typically 9:00 AM on weekdays, though confirm the September timetable—and spend about three hours with the Crown Jewels, medieval towers, battlements, and famous ravens. Go straight to the Crown Jewels early, before queues build, and keep children close on the narrow staircases and uneven stone floors.
Walk roughly 10 minutes west along Lower Thames Street to Leadenhall Market, whose covered Victorian arcade is a pleasant place to pause and admire the architecture. It is generally open during the day, though individual food stalls keep their own hours; allow about an hour for a casual lunch nearby. From there, it is around a 15-minute walk east to Tower Bridge via the riverfront. Allow about 1½ hours to cross the bridge and visit the exhibition, including the glass-floor walkway above the Thames. The bridge is open daily, with admission commonly around £13–£15 for adults and less for children; booking a timed ticket is sensible for a family of six.
After Tower Bridge, take the Northern line from London Bridge to Bank, then walk about 10 minutes to St Paul’s Cathedral—allow roughly 25–35 minutes door to door. Plan about two hours inside for the cathedral floor, dome mosaics, and, if everyone still has energy, the climb to the galleries; the Stone and Golden Galleries involve many stairs, so the interior alone is a perfectly good visit with younger children. Admission is often around £25–£30 for adults and £10–£15 for children, with online tickets generally cheaper. Finish at Pizza Union St Paul’s for quick, generous pizzas in a relaxed family setting; expect roughly £10–£18 per person. It is near St Paul’s and usually suits an early dinner around 5:30–6:00 PM, before the busiest evening period.
Start at Borough Market when the main stalls are getting going, ideally around 9:30–10:00 AM. From the Waterloo area, it is roughly a 15-minute walk across Southwark Bridge; if you are coming from the City, walk toward London Bridge and follow signs for Borough Market. Allow about 1½ hours to browse and let the children choose breakfast or small tastings—look for fresh pastries, cheese, grilled dishes, and fruit rather than trying to make everyone eat one full meal. The market is generally open from Tuesday to Sunday, with Saturday being especially lively; individual traders set their own hours, and card payments are widely accepted. Afterward, walk west along Bankside for about 10 minutes to Shakespeare’s Globe.
Join a guided visit at Shakespeare’s Globe, allowing about an hour. Tours usually run throughout the day, but timed tickets are sensible for a family of six; expect roughly £20–£30 per adult and lower prices for children, depending on the date and package. The theatrical displays and stories about Elizabethan London work well for older children, while younger ones may enjoy seeing the open-air wooden theatre itself. From here, it is only a few minutes on foot along the riverside to Tate Modern. Have a light lunch at the museum café or pick up something simple nearby before going inside—saving a full restaurant meal for the evening keeps this part of the day flexible.
Spend around two hours at Tate Modern, concentrating on a few galleries rather than trying to cover the building. Admission to the main collection is free, and the large Turbine Hall is a useful visual anchor if anyone gets tired or separated. Check the current family activities and free displays on the day; special exhibitions require separate tickets. The walk from Tate Modern to the London Eye takes about 20–25 minutes along the Thames, with plenty of benches and open views for a relaxed break. For the London Eye, book a timed slot in advance and arrive 15–20 minutes early; the rotation takes about 30 minutes, though allow about an hour overall for queues and boarding. Standard tickets commonly cost around £30–£45 per person, with online prices and child fares varying.
Finish with dinner at Giraffe Southbank Centre, a convenient family option near the river and close to Waterloo. Allow roughly £20–£30 per person, and consider booking for an early dinner—around 5:30–6:00 PM—before the busiest evening period. The menu has familiar choices for children as well as salads, burgers, noodles, and lighter dishes for adults. If everyone still has energy afterward, take a short riverside stroll toward Jubilee Gardens for nighttime views across the Thames; otherwise, Waterloo Underground station is nearby for the return journey to Mayfair.
Start at the Natural History Museum when it opens, usually at 10:00 AM; arrive 10–15 minutes early for security, especially with children. The museum is free, though timed-entry booking is sensible, and you should allow about 2½ hours for the dinosaur galleries, fossils, Earth sciences displays, and the dramatic Hintze Hall. The building itself is part of the experience, so give the children a few minutes to admire the Romanesque details before heading inside. From South Bank, take the Jubilee line from Waterloo to Westminster, then change to the District or Circle line for South Kensington—roughly 20–25 minutes, plus walking and station changes.
Walk about five minutes to the V&A Café for lunch, where the ornate rooms make a memorable setting even if you only stop for sandwiches, salads, cakes, or hot meals; budget approximately £15–£25 per person. After lunch, cross to the Science Museum for around two hours. Its interactive galleries and space exhibits are particularly good for mixed ages, and entry is free, although popular special exhibitions may require a separate timed ticket. Allow a short break between museums rather than trying to rush everyone through.
From the Science Museum, walk along Exhibition Road toward Royal Albert Hall, about 10 minutes. Admire the distinctive red-brick exterior and check the official schedule in advance for a daytime guided tour, which usually lasts around 45 minutes and is separately ticketed. If no tour is available, an exterior visit is still worthwhile before continuing north into Kensington Gardens. Finish at the Diana Memorial Playground, where younger children can burn off energy among the woodland-themed play structures; entry is free, but queues can form and the playground normally closes in the late afternoon or early evening depending on the season. Bring water and allow roughly 1½ hours here, then return to the apartment by bus or Underground from South Kensington, or take a taxi if everyone is tired.
Leave South Kensington around 8:00–8:15 AM for Bank, then take the DLR to Cutty Sark. Allow roughly 45–55 minutes door to door, including the change and a little time for a family of five to walk together. Contactless payment is easiest, and children should stay close on the platforms; the elevated DLR section gives you surprisingly good views of east London. Arrive near Cutty Sark around 9:00 AM and spend about 1½ hours aboard the historic tea clipper. The ship is fascinating for children because you can explore the cramped cabins, cargo areas, and deck rather than simply look at exhibits.
Walk a few minutes through Greenwich to the Old Royal Naval College. Allow around 1½ hours for the riverside grounds, Christopher Wren’s buildings, and the Painted Hall, where the enormous ceiling and walls are the real highlight. Check the official opening times and any timed-entry requirements before leaving, as the Painted Hall sometimes operates on a slightly different schedule. It is worth pausing outside for photographs along King William Walk, with the Thames behind you.
For lunch, browse Greenwich Market, where the varied street-food stalls make it easy to satisfy five different appetites; budget approximately £12–£25 per person. Give yourselves 60–75 minutes, and let the children choose their own food before browsing the crafts and small independent stalls. Afterward, walk uphill through Greenwich Park to the Royal Observatory Greenwich—allow 20–25 minutes at an easy family pace, with time to stop for the views. Spend about two hours at the observatory, including the Prime Meridian, astronomy displays, and the broad panorama over the park, Canary Wharf, and the Thames. The climb is noticeable, so bring water and avoid rushing; the park itself is a pleasant place for the children to run around.
Make your way back down to Greenwich Pier for a Thames Clippers boat to Westminster Pier, aiming to board around 4:30–5:00 PM. The journey takes about an hour and is a much-needed rest after the observatory hill, while offering excellent skyline views from the open deck if the weather is comfortable. Check the live sailing timetable before leaving the observatory, since river services can be less frequent than the Underground. From Westminster Pier, allow roughly 20–25 minutes to walk or take the Underground back toward Park Lane Apartments Mayfair Collection; if everyone is tired, a taxi is the simplest evening option, usually around £12–£20 depending on traffic.
After breakfast in Greenwich, leave around 8:30–9:00 AM for Camden Town. Take the DLR from Cutty Sark to Bank, then the northbound Northern line to Camden Town; allow 35–45 minutes and use contactless payment. With six people, stay together through the busier stations and use the lift or escalators where convenient. Begin at Camden Market, where the main areas generally open from about 10:00 AM. Give yourselves roughly two hours to browse the food stalls, vintage clothing, independent fashion, and wonderfully odd shops. It is easiest to let everyone choose a small snack rather than trying to organise a formal meal immediately; prices are usually around £6–£15 per person.
From the market, walk a few minutes to the Regent’s Canal towpath and follow it east toward Regent’s Park for about 45 minutes. This is a calmer contrast to Camden’s crowds, with narrowboats, houseboats, and local runners along the water. Keep children away from the canal edge, and note that the towpath can be uneven or crowded near the locks. Leave the canal near Prince Albert Road and continue on foot toward ZSL London Zoo, allowing roughly 15–20 minutes.
Plan around three hours at ZSL London Zoo. It usually opens at 10:00 AM, with closing time varying by season, so check the September timetable and book tickets online; family admission can easily exceed £100, depending on the children’s ages and any offer available. The zoo is large, so choose a few highlights rather than attempting every enclosure—Land of the Lions, Penguin Beach, and Gorilla Kingdom are dependable favourites. Food inside is convenient but expensive, so bring water and consider buying sandwiches or fruit at Camden Market beforehand. Allow extra time for toilets, queues, and the occasional children’s playground stop.
Walk through Regent’s Park toward Primrose Hill, a pleasant 20–25-minute route if everyone still has energy. The climb is short but noticeably steep; from the top, you get one of the best broad views across central London, especially in the softer late-afternoon light. Spend about an hour here, letting the children run on the lower grass before tackling the hill. For dinner, walk down to The Engineer on Gloucester Avenue, a relaxed Primrose Hill gastropub with burgers, fish, salads, and children’s-friendly choices. Allow roughly £20–£35 per adult, with children’s meals usually less; booking is sensible for a family of six, particularly on a Tuesday evening. After dinner, return to Camden Town for the Northern line and change at Bank for the DLR back to Cutty Sark, or use a taxi if tired legs and a late finish make the longer connection impractical.
After breakfast in Camden, return to Park Lane Apartments Mayfair Collection by taking the Northern line from Camden Town to Tottenham Court Road, then changing to the Central line for Marble Arch. Allow 20–30 minutes on the Underground, plus time for a family of six to move through the stations with luggage. If you have several bags or a tight flight connection, a pre-booked taxi is easier; otherwise, contactless payment is simplest. Once back in Mayfair, leave luggage with the apartment or reception if possible, then take a final one-hour stroll through Hyde Park, following the paths beside the Serpentine. It is a good low-key start to departure day, and the children can stretch their legs before the airport journey.
Walk toward Marble Arch for about 30 minutes to see the historic gateway and the nearby public artwork, then continue east along Oxford Street to Selfridges. Allow around an hour for last-minute gifts, snacks, and travel essentials; the store generally opens from late morning, but check the current opening time if your departure is early. For a convenient final meal, return to PAUL Marble Arch, where sandwiches, pastries, and light meals usually cost about £10–£18 per person. Keep this stop relaxed rather than ordering a full meal if you are travelling soon afterward. Collect your luggage and arrange the departure transfer from Mayfair: allow roughly 60–90 minutes to Heathrow, 45–75 minutes to Gatwick, or 30–45 minutes to St Pancras, with extra buffer for traffic, airport check-in, and the children.