With a 5pm arrival in London, allow roughly 1–2 hours for the transfer to Thistle London Bloomsbury Park, check-in and getting settled; the journey itself depends on which airport you’re using. Once you’re ready, take an easy 20-minute leg-stretch around Russell Square. It’s a leafy, low-effort first look at Bloomsbury, and a good chance for your six-year-old to unwind after travelling.
Walk to Ciao Bella on Lamb’s Conduit Street for a relaxed Italian dinner; budget around £20–£35 per adult, and check opening hours and reserve if you can, especially for a group of six. After dinner, browse The Brunswick Centre on the way back. Its shops generally close earlier than restaurants, so treat this as an optional 30-minute wander rather than a must-do if dinner runs late; it’s also handy for picking up a small treat or anything you’ve forgotten.
Walk from Thistle London Bloomsbury Park to Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly—allow around 20–30 minutes, or take the Tube if little legs need a break. Start with breakfast or an early bite in the famous food halls, then browse the hampers and sweets; give it about an hour. Check the store’s current opening hours before setting off, as morning hours can vary.
Head north along Regent Street to Hamleys (roughly a 10-minute walk). It’s easy to lose track of time among the toy floors, so allow 1–1.5 hours, then stroll a stretch of nearby Oxford Street. Continue towards Leicester Square for the LEGO Store—allow 30–45 minutes for the London displays—followed by M&M’S London, about 30 minutes. Both shops can be busy, especially around midday; keep bags manageable and agree a meeting point if the group splits up.
Walk to Donutelier in Covent Garden for a doughnut and a breather, then leave a generous gap before the 7pm performance of Matilda The Musical at the Cambridge Theatre. Aim to be in the theatre area by about 6:15pm to find the entrance, use the facilities and settle in; book tickets in advance, and check the theatre’s latest guidance for entry and show length. It’s a full day of browsing, so a relaxed snack stop near the theatre is a better bet than trying to fit in another attraction.
Take the Piccadilly line from Covent Garden to Knightsbridge; allow about 20–25 minutes door to door, including station access, and roughly £3 per adult with contactless or Oyster. Start at Paradox Museum London for around 1½ hours of optical illusions and hands-on photo spots—a fun first stop for your six-year-old. Check the day’s opening hours and book timed tickets ahead, especially for a group of five adults and one child.
Walk a few minutes to Harrods and allow about 1½ hours to browse the grand interiors and famous food halls; it’s easy to lose track of time, so agree on a meeting point if anyone wanders. Then settle in at Harrods Tea Rooms for lunch: budget roughly £25–£45 per person, and check whether you need a reservation. After lunch, head to Westminster Pier by Tube or taxi, allowing around 25–35 minutes for the journey and getting to the right pier. Check the operator’s sailing times and route in advance; allow 1–1½ hours for boarding and the Thames cruise towards Embankment.
From Embankment, walk about 10–15 minutes to Banana Tree Covent Garden for an early dinner; expect around £15–£25 per person and leave a comfortable buffer before curtain-up. Then walk to Savoy Theatre on the Strand, arriving with time to find your seats before Paddington The Musical begins at 7pm. Theatre tickets should be booked in advance; check the venue’s arrival guidance and allow extra time for the whole group.
Check out and ask the hotel to hold your bags; confirm this in advance, as carrying luggage through the market will be awkward. From Bloomsbury, allow 15–20 minutes to reach Camden Town via Euston and the Northern line, plus extra time for the station stairs and your group of six. Use contactless or Oyster (around £3 per adult) and check TfL Go for service updates. Camden Market is the main event: allow 1½–2 hours to browse the food stalls, shops and canalside paths, but Thursday trading can be quieter than at weekends, and individual traders’ opening times vary.
Continue to Chin Chin Labs for ice cream or dessert (budget £5–£10 per person), then stop at The Coffee Jar for coffee and a light breakfast or snack (about £5–£15 per person). Check both venues’ Thursday hours before setting off—especially Chin Chin Labs, whose opening time may make this sequence difficult before a lunchtime departure. With the market visit, treats, luggage collection and onward travel to factor in, this plan is comfortable only if your departure is around 2pm or later. For an earlier lunchtime departure, you’ll need to shorten the market visit or leave Camden before completing every stop; allow a generous buffer rather than relying on a quick dash with bags.
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