Everything you need to know for a trip to London with teens. From essential landmarks to best London viewpoints, Harry Potter places, sports venues, fun activities and shopping in London with teens. There’s something here to keep everyone happy!
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London with Teenagers
I’ve lived in London since my 20s and my sons grew up here. They’re both 20-somethings now, working in central London. So this is our personal bucket list of places to go, sights to see and things to do, and I’ve updated it with lots of new fun things to do for teenagers in London. I hope it’ll inspire you to plan some great London activities with your teens!
Getting Around London with Teens
Tube, bus, taxi, the most popular ways to get around London are also sightseeing must-dos in their own right.
Take the Tube London’s Underground service, universally known as the Tube, is comprehensive and efficient. And the stylish Tube map is easier to figure out than the buses so you’ll soon get the hang of it.
Catch a bus London’s red buses are everywhere. Armed with a bus app you can treat the scheduled services like a Hop on Hop off Sightseeing version at a fraction of the price.
Hail a black cab Licensed London taxi drivers know every street, route and place of interest within 6 miles of Charing Cross. They are understandably proud of this having spent years studying The Knowledge, the toughest taxi test in the world.
Take the Thames Clipper It’s a scheduled boat service so you can travel from point to point along the Thames with London locals.
Walk For a big city London is surprisingly walkable. Before you head to the nearest Tube check a street map to see if you couldn’t reach your destination more quickly on foot.
Is the London Pass worth it?
The London Pass offers free entry to more than 80 London attractions. You buy passes for 1 to 10 for adults whilst children aged 5 to 15 years qualify for child passes. Obviously you need to calculate how many attractions you can fit into a day without causing major family fallout. Your best bet is to do this in advance, with the teens, so that you can all agree itineraries then work out whether the London Pass is worthwhile for you.
A one day London Pass costs £84 for an adult. But a two day is £114, a 3 day is £127 and 5 days is, by comparison, a bargain-ous £149 so you can see that if you keep up the pace the savings increase!
Click here to find out more and book the London Pass
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Where to stay in London with teens
Click here for a selection of hotels and apartments in London with Booking.com. You can set your preferred filters then scroll through the photos, descriptions and reviews to choose the accommodation you like best for your stay.
Instagrammable Spots in London for teens
If you’re first time visitors to London you’ll need this checklist of famous landmarks. These central London sights are the iconic symbols of the capital which appear in a million selfies. So teens should be happy to take a quick trip around them, phone in hand.
Free sights around Westminster
Free to view from the outside at least. Many landmarks charge for entry but you don’t need to go inside to enjoy their splendour.
Buckingham Palace The London home of HM the King. It’s here you can watch Changing the Guard or have an ice cream in St James’ Park. At the opposite end of the Mall lies Trafalgar Square.
Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square. Built to commemorate Britain’s victory over France in the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar. The diminutive admiral and war hero lost his life in the sea battle but was immortalised here by a grateful nation. The four lions who lie at the base are very popular too.
Houses of Parliament and Big Ben The world famous clock face in the Elizabeth Tower is a huge attraction for selfie takers. Bonus marks if you can fit it into a shot with one of the red phone boxes on Parliament Square.
Westminster Abbey Unless you’re very interested in church architecture and history you don’t need to go inside. Just know that this is the church where William and Kate got married and is the resting place of many of Britain’s finest.
Piccadilly Circus Often likened to NYC’s Times Square because of the neon billboards, but really – it isn’t. The famous statue of Eros is quite small too. Circus sounds exciting but it just means roundabout. Piccadilly Circus is still a hub for visitors but doesn’t need to be a high priority.
Free sights around the City of London
These three key London landmarks are all worth a closer look on a visit to London with teens interested in history – or bird’s eye views!
St Paul’s Cathedral The dome of St Paul’s has been a feature of the London landscape since 1675. There are lovely views from the Dome if you’re up for tackling all the stairs, whilst the Whispering Gallery (see below) has a fun acoustic trick. St Paul’s is close to the Millennium Bridge of Harry Potter fame too. If you cross the bridge you’ll find the re-construction of Shakespeare’s Globe theatre and Tate Modern.
Tower of London First built in 1078 the Tower looks tiny these days compared to neighbouring skyscrapers but up close it retains some of its former menace. You can view it from a riverside walk but it’s one of the most interesting historic places in London for teens.
Tower Bridge Several bridges span the Thames but this is the really famous one. Tower Bridge splits and lifts to allow large ships on the Thames to pass beneath it. It’s right alongside the Tower of London so you can tick off two sights in one go. Go inside the Bridge to walk across the high level walkways where there’s a portion of glass floor too for memorable shots.
WANT TO VISIT LONDON LIKE A LOCAL?
For 10 Fun and Authentic London Experiences, click here.
Red phone boxes for photo opps
Once teens have stopped laughing at the primitive way in which their parents used to communicate they may want to take a photo. Find red phone boxes by the Royal Opera House, in Parliament Square, Covent Garden and opposite the V & A, amongst other sites.
Day to day pageantry that’s free to watch
Soldiers on horseback in scarlet tunics, a marching band wearing tall black caps, a centuries old ritual: isn’t this one of the quintessential images of London life? The protectors of Buckingham and St James’ Palaces are all active infantry soldiers who also take on these ceremonial duties. Changing the Guard and Changing the Life Guard are regular ceremonies which you can watch at Buckingham Palace or Horse Guards Parade.
Film and TV locations in London for teens
Colourful. characterful and hugely photogenic, it’s no surprise that London has starred in plenty of movies and TV dramas. Fans love to follow in the footsteps of their favourite characters and it’s a great way to see the city at the same time. Here’s a round up of sights, shops and locations linked to some big and small screen greats.
Best Harry Potter places in London
London’s biggest Harry Potter attraction, the Warner Bros studio tour, is actually 20 miles outside the centre so best to allow a whole day to visit it.
But you can still visit key Harry Potter sites in central London. Leadenhall Market near the Tower of London was used as a location for Diagon Alley in the filming of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Although architecture apart it’s 100% Muggle in real life.
In the concourse at Kings Cross station you can find a special Platform 9 ¾ wall with a luggage trolley embedded in it. A professional photographer is on hand or you can take your own photos whilst a Harry Potter merchandise shop is conveniently adjacent.
Another key HP destination is the two-part play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue.
The House of MinaLima in Wardour Street, Soho showcases the graphic style of the Harry Potter films. See exhibits from the Marauders Map to the packaging for Chocolate Frogs and shop their gorgeous themed gifts.
Click here to book the Magical London Harry Potter guided walking tour
Manga, Marvel and Doctor Who in London
Sci-fi and fantasy lovers will want to pop into the Forbidden Planet megastore in Covent Garden. It’s the world’s biggest retailer in that niche and has a huge range of merchandise, comics and graphic novels from Manga to Marvel, 179 Shaftesbury Avenue, WC2.
Diehard Dr Who fans might enjoy a visit to an actual TARDIS-style police call box outside Earl’s Court tube station. Locals pass it without a glance, but it is ready and waiting for your photo opp. Although based on the original 1929 design this is a modern box, installed in 1996.
Fans might enjoy a Dr Who London walking tour
Sherlock Locations in London
221b Baker Street The world famous address of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s fictional sleuth, Sherlock Holmes, is, for complex reasons, actually attached to 237 to 241 Baker Street. A blue plaque on the wall helps to dispel confusion as this is the present day home of the Sherlock Holmes museum and shop.
Sherlock filming location BBC’s Sherlock, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, was actually filmed about a mile away in North Gower Street. The terraced Georgian houses are similar to those in Baker Street but the location is much quieter. If you walk from Baker Street it’ll take about 20 minutes. Incidentally, the neighbouring Speedy’s cafe, which appears in the television series, is quite real!
Sherlock Holmes pub This Victorian-style pub contains a replica Sherlock Holmes apartment that was first displayed at the Festival of Britain in 1951. 10 Northumberland St in St James’s.
Madame Tussauds I’m including the wax museum here because it’s close to Baker Street. It’s not for every teen but it does provide 250 lifesize celebrity wax figures past and present. Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch features too.
The Game is Now The official Sherlock Immersive Experiences in London. These escape rooms, devised by show creators, include sets and original content from the stars of the TV series. You can book a session at Sherlock the Official Live Game here, it gets great reviews.
There are several Sherlock Holmes tours to choose from – here and here for instance.
Notting Hill film locations
London is the star in Richard Curtis’ timeless feelgood rom coms Notting Hill and Love Actually. The films helped to put Notting Hill on the visitor map. It’s a great area to explore whether or not you’re a fan of the movies. And you can’t go far wrong by following in William Thacker’s footsteps through Portobello Road market.
You can explore Notting Hill and it’s film star credentials on a walking tour like this one.
More for film buffs in London
The British Film Institute’s IMAX by Waterloo station is the UK’s biggest cinema screen. Book ahead for current blockbusters as well as old favourites here.
The MI6 Building There’s no secret about the UK’s foreign intelligence service hangout since it has featured in several James Bond movies over the years including Skyfall and Spectre. The striking postmodern building overlooks the Thames on Albert Embankment at Vauxhall.
London Castles, Palaces and Ships to visit
Tower of London
A castle, palace and prison, the Tower is rich with history, pageantry and fascinating stories. Visit to see the famous Beefeater guards, the Crown Jewels and the legendary guardian ravens.
Hampton Court Palace
The one-time home of King Henry VIII allows visitors a fascinating glimpse into the regal world of the Tudor, Stuart as well as Georgian courts. Visit Henry’s industrial size kitchens, get lost in the outdoor maze and seek the re-enactors who portray courtly life. About 30 minutes by train from London Waterloo.
Cutty Sark
This thoroughbred Victorian tea clipper was the fastest ship of its time. You can reach its mooring at Greenwich by rail, DLR or the Thames Clipper river boat service. It’s also close to the Royal Observatory, home of Greenwich Mean Time.
HMS Belfast
What was life like on a WW2 warship from the Royal Navy? The nine-decked HMS Belfast is moored near Tower Bridge. Visitors scramble up and down metal ladders, hear real stories and experience a battle simulation.
Golden Hinde
Swashbuckling Sir Francis Drake sailed the Golden Hinde to South America and back on command of Queen Elizabeth I. Astonishingly this lifesized replica has travelled even further afield. Now the scene of many a small child’s birthday party, but visitors can still imagine Drake’s life of adventure – and piracy – on the high seas. St Mary Overie Dock, Southwark
Best free museums in London for teens
Many of the great London museums are free to enter. This comes as a very pleasant surprise indeed to a lot of visitors, especially families. It means you can pop in for half an hour or so with no need to stay on to justify the entrance fees. They all have cafes too and many have indoor or outdoor space for you to bring your own food for lunch. Check in advance for exhibitions, workshops and activities at the time of your visit.
Our top picks for teens
The British Museum London school children visit to see the mummies in the Egyptian rooms. Other don’t-misses include the Rosetta Stone, the Parthenon sculptures (aka the Elgin Marbles), an Easter Island statue and the Anglo Saxon helmets and swords from Sutton Hoo.
The Science Museum All things science, tech and engineering with great play, experiment and learn facilities for all ages. There is a charge for entry to the wondrous Wonderlab.
The Natural History Museum The history of life on earth and evolution, from animatronic dinosaurs (quite scary actually for very young children), to an earthquake simulation.
The Victoria and Albert Museum The V&A focuses on art and design. For teens who are interested in fashion the costume galleries are definitely worth a look.
Museum of London Docklands A history of London’s port through the ages. Including the Great Fire and London’s rise as a global city of fashion.
Imperial War Museum War through the eyes of the people who were there from WW1 to present day conflicts. I was particularly struck by the WW2 spy training section.
Free Art Galleries in London
National Gallery One of the world’s greatest collections of paintings with works from Botticelli and Michelangelo to Monet and van Gogh.
National Portrait Gallery Portraits of every kind from the Tudors to present day celebs. Plan ahead to take part in the art workshops for young people.
Tate Modern Like it says on the tin, this is the modern art Tate, the one with the huge Turbine Hall. Wander through the weird and wonderful permanent collection and head to the Viewing Level of the Blavatnik building for a 360° panorama including St Pauls.
Saatchi Gallery Contemporary art on the King’s Road that’s easy to combine with a shopping trip.
Unusual museums in London
These small museums look at different aspects of London life in the past and will appeal to teens who love history.
Churchill War Rooms Visit the warren of underground rooms in Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s wartime bunker beneath the streets of Westminster. It seems low tech to our modern day eyes yet it was key to Britain’s fight for victory in WW2.
The Ragged School Museum Enrol for a lesson in a Victorian school classroom in the East End. On the first Sunday of every month visitors of all ages can join an 1870s-style class complete with easel, slates and a dunce’s cap! Check out The Ragged School Museum for more info.
The Old Operating Theatre An original 1822 operating theatre – with viewing gallery – from St Thomas’ Hospital that was discovered in the attic of a Southwark church. Be prepared for a spiral staircase and gory details!
Street art in London for teens
Street art is ephemeral so there’s a changing landscape on the streets of Shoreditch and Camden.
But a street art tour like this one will take you to see the latest sights.
Chewing gum art Look out for the tiny patches of decorated chewing gum on the Millennium Bridge.
Shopping in London with Teens
Oxford Street
London’s favourite shopping street mixes high street names with venerable department stores. Nike Town on a prime site at Oxford Circus is the UK flagship store. There’s an H & M just east of this plus a huge Primark near the junction with Tottenham Court Road. So that’s teen shopping taken care of. Parents (and teens) might like to escape the bustle to Selfridges department store, a grand London institution with upscale fashion and an enormous beauty hall.
Carnaby Street Famous for trend setting in the 60s, the area around Carnaby Street is once again home to iconic brands and independent shops. It has lots of places to eat too and fab decorations at Christmas. Carnaby Street is close to Oxford Street and Regent Street too.
Covent Garden
Once a fruit and veg wholesalers the grand market building and piazza is now part of a glamorous zone of desirable shops, plus market stalls, street performers and plenty of places to eat.
Destination shopping at Harrods and Westfield
Harrods speaks for itself, it’s one of the most famous department stores in the world and a Knightsbridge landmark. Incidentally, A A Milne’s Winnie the Pooh was inspired by a teddy bear bought from Harrods.
Westfield London, somewhat newer, is the biggest shopping mall in Europe. The Shepherd’s Bush location has over 300 shops and 40 luxury brands. Plus plenty of places to eat and a state-of-the-art, 20-screen Vue cinema. There’s a second location too: Westfield Stratford City in east London.
Thrift shopping
There may not be many bargains in London’s vintage fashion stores but teens will enjoy the hunt. You’ll find branches of Rokit in Camden, Covent Garden and Brick Lane and Beyond Retro in Dalston, Oxford Street, Westfield White City and Coal Drops Yard. There are more vintage outlets in markets around London and charity shops on every high street.
Best London markets for teens
Camden Gritty and glorious, Camden market is a magnet for London’s teens with open air and indoor stalls, shops and street food clustered around Regent’s canal. It’s more affordable and eclectic than Oxford Street and has an edgy history of mods and punks.
Borough One for food lovers, Borough market, south of London Bridge, isn’t the cheapest of lunch options or the most central but there’s plenty to attract all the family. From delis and doughnuts to goat kebabs the range of snacks and street food will please everyone.
Portobello Road Traditionally known as an antiques treasure trove, though I’m not sure there are many bargains left. But Portobello is in the heart of Notting Hill and therefore is a great location for some general London pottering about. Saturday is the best time to visit with all stalls open for business, including vintage fashion and bric a brac. On most weekdays it’s primarily a fruit and veg market.
Greenwich Combine this with a visit to the Maritime museum complex or perhaps the O2. The market has shops and stalls with tempting arts, crafts, fashion and collectables. It’s in Greenwich town centre so easily accessible, including by river boat.
London Christmas markets From mid-November to New Year’s Eve, London’s winter markets twinkle into life. For the best combination of stalls, food and views go to the London Bridge winter market. Or try the Southbank Christmas market near the London Eye.
Souvenir shopping in London with teens
Whether you’re looking for London gifts for family or souvenirs to take home, the capital has a dazzling selection. There’s nothing wrong with a Big Ben keyring, a fridge magnet or a themed plastic duck for the bath and you’ll find these in tourist shops all over central London. Harry Potter merchandise is also easy to source in London. And sports stores sell football scarves for London’s local teams.
For longer lasting souvenirs check out museum and exhibition shops for games, posters, craft kits and jewellery. Whilst Royalists will love the Buckingham Palace Shops in Buckingham Palace Road for their wide range of Royal themed gifts.
British snacks make great souvenirs too. Stock up on Cadbury’s chocolate bars, bags of sweets like Jelly Babies and Liquorice Allsorts or Mr Kipling Cherry Bakewell cakes at any good supermarket.
Sports to watch in London with teens
One of the great sporting capitals of the world, London hosts major sporting events year round. Football (soccer) is the most popular game in the UK and is played in a league system.
Football in London
Match tickets for London Premier League football (soccer) clubs like Chelsea or Arsenal are highly sought after and difficult to buy unless you’re a member. Check the individual club websites for authorised ticket resellers and hospitality packages. Be careful not to buy from ticket touts as the ticket may be fake.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t experience the hallowed turf up close. Football loving teens will appreciate tickets for stadium tours.
Wembley stadium The UK’s biggest sport and music venue and home to the England football team. London: Wembley Stadium Guided Tour
Chelsea Football Club Stamford Bridge is the home of the Blues in Fulham, west London. Hear anecdotes and step behind the scenes at this iconic club on the Chelsea Football Club stadium and museum tour.
Arsenal FC The Emirates stadium in Highbury, north London is home ground of the Gunners, a team with one of the biggest fanbases in the world. It offers stadium visits as well as Legends and Matchday tours.
Fulham FC Historic Craven Cottage beside the Thames is the oldest stadium in London, dating from 1896 with a listed facade and original turnstiles. You stand a sporting chance of getting tickets for a Fulham game too! Craven Cottage guided tour at Fulham Football Club.
More sporting venues in London
Cricket at Lord’s and The Oval
Cricket is the UK’s national sport and Lord’s is the actual Home of Cricket, dating from 1787. Tickets for international cricket matches are allocated by ballot, and they aren’t cheap. But you can get seats for county matches or evening Twenty 20 tournaments at a more attractive price. Or take the Kia Oval Cricket Ground Tour in south London.
Tennis at Wimbledon
The oldest tennis tournament in the world and probably the most iconic, Wimbledon’s Grand Slam championships take place in July each year. Unless you’re lucky enough to be invited to a corporate event, precious tickets for Wimbledon are mainly available by ballot or the Queue. Or take a day trip to leafy Wimbledon, half an hour from central London, to visit the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis museum and tour the grounds.
Rugby at Twickenham
The home of England Rugby and the World Rugby Museum, Twickenham stadium is a destination for fans from far and wide. Matches are family friendly (the same can’t always be said for Premiership football) and tickets are relatively affordable.
Best London theatre for teens: shows and backstage tours
Central London’s theatres are arguably the best in the world and you’re sure to find a show that’ll entertain all the family. The whole Theatreland experience is fun. Many of London’s theatres are more than a hundred years old and steeped in history, gilt and velvet. The atmosphere will be buzzing at a big ticket show and it’s quite something to be part of the ovation at the end of a stand-out performance.
Book London theatre tickets
Top tips: book ahead – sometimes months in advance if you want decent seats for a popular show. I use Theatre Monkey to check the position of seats before I buy, with especial attention to legroom for tall teens. Queue for last minute tickets at the TKTS booth in Leicester Square.
Top-rated shows for teens include: Six The Musical, Wicked, Witness for the Prosecution, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia, The Mousetrap, The Book of Mormon (one for older teens!).
Watch a TV show recording
Essential to plan ahead for this one but we’ve enjoyed free seats in the audience for various TV panel shows including QI and Mock the Week. Register with Applause Store for more info.
Shakespeare in London
A teen who’s interested in Shakespeare will love the open air Globe theatre, a reconstruction of the 1599 original. See a play or take a tour. Standing tickets are £5 but you need to book in advance!
Behind the scenes theatre tours
Stagestruck teens will love a backstage view at one of London’s great theatres. All need to be booked in advance.
Globe Theatre Hear about Shakespeare’s original Globe of 1599 as well as the recent reconstruction on the Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre experience and guided tour.
Royal Opera House Tour back and front of house and perhaps get a glimpse of a rehearsal.
National Theatre Learn what goes into show preparation and see set building and prop making here
Fun Activities to do in London
Hire a Boris bike
Personally I don’t fancy cycling in London traffic. But a cycle path is another matter and London has a growing network of them. For short hops you can hire a TfL Santander bike from any docking station.
Known to Londoners as Boris bikes after the Mayor who installed them they can cost as little as £2 a day if you keep the trips between docking stations under 30 minutes. Try them out for a quick trip through Hyde Park or Regent’s Park – don’t forget to bring helmets! The TfL site is here. Or take an organised bike tour like this one.
Outdoor swimming in London
The Serpentine in Hyde Park The Lido is an open water swimming area, 100m x 30m in the Serpentine Lake, Hyde Park. It’s open daily from June to September.
Hampstead Ponds No photos allowed so I can’t show you the lovely duck pond vibe, including ducks, of Hampstead Ponds. Friends of ours have swum here for years and love it. Hampstead Heath has three bathing ponds: Men’s, Ladies’ and Mixed and an unheated outdoor pool at Parliament Hill Lido.
Hampton Pool This outdoor pool is heated all year round and even takes bookings for Christmas Day. It’s 30 minutes outside central London but I’ve included it because it’s in the same zone as Hampton Court Palace. You could, if highly organised, combine the two.
Sports activities in London for teens
Lee Valley velo park Cycle enthusiasts will love a trip out east to the VeloPark, custom built for the 2012 Olympics. Book ahead for taster or coaching sessions and your teen could experience track riding in the Olympic velodrome, learn skills on the road circuit, or try out the BMX track or mountain bike trails. The website here has all the details.
Swim in an Olympic pool The London Aquatics Centre at Stratford is also a part of the Olympic legacy. Book in advance for family swimming or try out the Ultimate Aqua Splash assault course. Here for details.
Horse riding in Hyde Park. Rotten Row, a broad sandy track on the south side of Hyde Park, features in many a historic novel. It was the place to see and be seen on horseback in bygone days, rather as Knightsbridge is now for supercars. The Household Cavalry and Royal Mews still exercise their horses here in the early mornings. You can take a turn on Rotten Row too as the Ross Nye Stables offer lessons and hacks in the park, www.rossnyestables.co.uk.
Adrenaline rushes in London for teens
Sometimes on a city break you just need to let off steam. Or do something completely out of the ordinary. Here are some activities that’ll fit the bill.
Walk up the O2 You can actually trek over the top of the O2 arena in Greenwich. Choose between daytime, sunset or twilight trips, don a climb suit, clip on your harness and you’re off. The guided expedition takes 90 minutes.
ArcelorMittal Slide The UK’s tallest sculpture in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is also home to the world’s longest tunnel slide. Take the lift up to the viewing platform then choose your means of descent! Book a slide here.
High ropes and zipwires You can Go Ape beside the Thames in the treetops of Battersea Park. Just across the river from Chelsea, it’s easily accessible for 2 or 3 hours of high octane canopy thrills. Go Ape Battersea
Take a speedboat ride down the Thames Go the full James Bond along the Thames as you combine bankside sightseeing: London Eye, Tower Bridge, Tower of London, HMS Belfast et al, with an adrenaline rush RIB ride!
Best London viewpoints
The Shard One of the more expensive ways to view London from on high, but the bird’s eye views are excellent. Good weather makes all the difference.
London Eye The observation wheel that first appeared on the skyline for the Millennium is now a landmark in its own right. It gives partial views of London but after all the ride’s the thing.
Sky Garden This is the free view! You may be able to walk in but understandably it gets busy and to be sure of entry you should book at least a week ahead. Bonus points for having cafe, bar and brasserie options so there’s more than just the view on offer.
The Monument First used as a viewing platform in the 1670s this is the historic option. It has lovely City and river views although at 61 metres high it’s not a skyscraper. Good value if you don’t mind the 311 winding steps to the top.
DISCOVER ALL THE BEST VIEWS IN LONDON
Quirky London sights
Some of the more unusual sights in London.
The singing lift Check out the singing elevator in the Royal Festival Hall. Go at a quiet time of day for an uninterrupted journey up to the 6th floor and down again, then stay for a cafe break with a view of the river.
Jeremy Bentham The philosopher who died in 1832, insisted that his body be mummified and occasionally attend gatherings with friends. You can visit him on the South Cloisters at University College London. His embalmed head was replaced with a wax effigy but the original is still preserved, safely under lock and key.
The Whispering Gallery at St Paul’s Cathedral ….is not just a handy place to catch your breath on the way up to the Dome. It plays an acoustic trick: whisper a message to the sloping wall on one side of the gallery and your friend on the other side will hear you!
Not 10 Downing Street (10 Adam Street) Traffic barriers and guards obscure the view of the Prime Minister’s residence at No 10. But No. 10 Adam Street, a few hundred metres away, looks just like No. 10…..
What to read next
FOR 101 BEST LONDON GIFTS AND SOUVENIRS
Check out the weather, what to pack and things to do in London:
Fun things to do in London in Winter
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Please note that all visitor information here is for guidance only. Please check the relevant websites for the most up to date information eg. accommodation details, tickets, entrance requirements, opening times etc.
About the author Nancy Roberts is a former women’s magazine editor and writer. She lives in London and is mum to two 20-something boys. In Map&Family she shares info and inspiration for curious travellers: singles and couples as well as families travelling with teens and young adults.
All photos are all rights reserved. Please do not reproduce these photos without prior written permission
Trish @ Mum's Gone To says
Wow this is a mammoth list. I think your suggestions are great, something for all teens and all budgets. I need to pin it for our own adult trips too. #culturedkids.
Map & Family says
Thanks very much Trish, yes definitely good stuff for adults here too, I’ve really enjoyed re-visiting some of them!
Catherine’s Cultural Wednesdays says
Now that is what I call a comprehensive list …. so many good things to see and do in London. #CulturedKids
Map & Family says
It’s a wonderful city you could find something new every weekend!
Scarlett Roitman says
What an absolutely brilliant list, and not just for the teens! I think the thrift shopping is a particularly useful activity for teens – gets them in the right state of mind for moving into the university years! #CULTUREDKIDS
Map & Family says
Lots of thanks Scarlett and completely agree re the shopping, the boys have quite a few thrifted treasures!
scots2travel says
This is so cool and so thorough. Our kids are aged 5 & 3 but there’s loads on this list they can do, and we visit London usually once a year. St Paul’s would work for them, my eldest would be fascinated by the Foundling Hospital, and any of the military museums would capture their imaginations.
So much to see and do.
#culturedkids
Map & Family says
How about Tower Bridge too? Not as many steps as St Pauls and great views from the walkway including the glass panels in the floor that you can walk on. It’s fun to watch the bridge open as well. You’ve got lots of lovely family trips ahead of you!
FRANCESCA says
What a huge and complete and brilliant list of things to do!! We miss many of this list as my monkeys are still small, but definitely I want to save it and check for my upcoming weekends 🙂
Map & Family says
Thank you Francesca! You’ve got lots of exploring ahead with the monkeys! London is great for every age – we especially liked Kensington Gardens and the basement play and learn area in the Science museum when the boys were little.
Emma Raphael says
What an amazing list!! You have made me want to book a weekend in London with my teens as soon as possible. Whilst I worked in the city for a long time, and know it well, there are so many things I need to see that I haven’t heard of before! 😀 #CulturedKids
Map & Family says
Oh thank you! It’s been really fun to write and I’m so glad you’ve found it interesting. It’s a great city💂♀️
Birgit Ahrens says
What a lovely list! Thank you so much for all of these suggestions. We are London fans from Germany and try to visit one of our favourite cities once a year – so new advice is always welcome,
Map & Family says
That’s great to hear Birgit, thanks for your comment! Do let us know what you like best on your next visit.
Vyki from Museum Mum says
A really thorough list that I’ll definitely be sharing with my future houseswappers. London is great for teenagers, mine loves Camden Market, God’s Own Junkyard in Walthamstow, and anywhere that does freakshakes! The Museum lates are good for teens too as they usually have lots of fun activities and a hip crowd #CulturedKids
Map & Family says
Thanks Vyki, I’m glad it’s useful. God’s Own Junkyard and Museum Lates are great suggestions – I’ll include them when I update. I’m putting together a follow up on eating in London soon – freakshakes will be featuring! 😂
Lucy says
Lovely article, thanks! It would be marvellous to be able to travel again. Maybe soon!!
I wanna add a little suggestion which may interest someone reading this post.
In COVID times, we can explore the backstage life of the National Theatre online. If not, the website is promoting online shows for free (most of them).