4.5 day itinerary with older kids

Add Churchill War Rooms, very near Westminster Abbey.

It is very rare that the London Pass makes economic sense. In your case particularly so as you are visiting two free museums on 2 of your 3 Pass days.
I really would not recommend the HOHO bus either. London traffic means that you spend much of the trip stuck and if you get off you may take some time to get back on and might find the first bus full.
I doubt you want to see London Bridge unless you have a particular interest in post war concrete.

You know your teens and travel style but here are some ideas you might consider - to include and exclude.

My teens really enjoyed the visit to the Imperial War Museum. They were 12, 14, and 16 when we first went. You all will also like the Tower of London. Make sure you do a beefeater tour. They are hilarious, fun and informative. British Museum is also a must. Fascinating for all ages.

Have you considered Greenwich? I think kids that age would like it. Mine did. There is a naval museum there, the royal observatory with great views across the Thames, as well as other tourist sites. Take the boat at least one way to get there. That way you get your Thames River ride in. My kids were happy to straddle the prime meridian with one foot in the eastern and one in the western hemispheres. Great photo. Greenwich itself has many pubs and a big market with goods and food stalls.

I notice that you did not include a visit to either Hampton Court or Windsor Castle. Both are close by. and easy enough to get to. Both are beautiful. Choice would depend on time available and interest but kids usually want to see castles.

Kensington Gardens and the Diana Memorial Garden are pretty and Kensington Palace is there but I found that the tour of the palace was disappointing. Very limited in scope. I would visit Windsor or Hampton Court over Kensington Palace.

Make sure you all ride the tube. Would your kids like to ride the London Eye?

I have been to London many many times, used to live in the UK, and I just got back from a six week visit. This was the first time i actually went to see Neal's Yard, as I was nearby.. It seems to be an Instagram favorite but I would not prioritize it. Very small area. I know others won't agree with me but I don't see what the hype is all about and I can't see what a young teen might find interesting about it. So many more captivating options. I also would AVOID the HOHO bus. Take regular buses if you want but traffic is heavy and you move slowly and lose a lot of time on the HOHO bus. I like visiting churches but my kids didn't. You plan to visit both Westminster Abbey and St. Paul's. I personally would prioritize Westminster Abbey. Also, I personally like the Victoria and Albert Museum, (was just there two weeks ago), but not so sure that young teens would over other options. Displays on design, fashion, etc. But right next door is the Natural History Museum which I think might be more appealing for kids your age. I know kids can get museumed out, but near St. Paul's is the Museum of London which I think also appeals to children.

Always hard narrowing down choices.

The Museum of London is great for kids, but is currently closed.
I don't know about your kids, but I really enjoyed taking a boat from Westminster Pier and going to Kew Gardens. There is a good family-friendly restaurant there, too.

If they are Harry Potter fans and you can get tickets(very far in advance), the Studio is really interesting.

As well as the Natural History Museum the Science Museum is also right by the V&A.
As I've just posted on another thread Greenwich would be on my list as long as you have the best part of a day. Take the boat there and come home on the DLR - right through Canary Wharf and then driverless trains allow the kids (of all ages) to "drive" them.
as well as the Royal Observatory and the Maritime Museum there is the Cutty Sark and in the old Naval College don't miss the Painted Hall - London's equivalent of the Sistine Chapel. And a decent market for both goods and food.

" **Suki- Add Churchill War Rooms, very near Westminster Abbey."**

After doing some research I thought my kids might enjoy the Imperial War Museum more than the Churchill War Rooms. Plus it's free :) Still not 100% sur which we'll choose though. Thanks for your input!

Johnew52
It is very rare that the London Pass makes economic sense. In your case particularly so as you are visiting two free museums on 2 of your 3 Pass days.

If we did 5 of the sights, we'd save money and I was planning on 6. Unless I added wrong, ha! But I'm torn if we want to see that many. I tried to plan my itinerary based on where we were, so you're correct. We would be visiting free museums on those London Pass days.

I really would not recommend the HOHO bus either. London traffic means that you spend much of the trip stuck and if you get off you may take some time to get back on and might find the first bus full.

I've read such mixed things about this. I think we'd all enjoy the double decker bus, but only if it's actually moving. I may reconsider the London Pass.

Pat-
My teens really enjoyed the visit to the Imperial War Museum.

Good to hear! I think mine will as well.

You all will also like the Tower of London. Make sure you do a beefeater tour.

I was looking at these yesterday!

Have you considered Greenwich?

I wasn't sure we had enough time to go there

I notice that you did not include a visit to either Hampton Court or Windsor Castle.

Hampton Court and the surrounding area looked great, but again, not sure we'll have time. I'[ve read that Kensington Palace is disappointing, so we're definitely skipping that.

Make sure you all ride the tube. Would your kids like to ride the London Eye?
Definitely riding the tube. London Eye is a maybe. I've read such mixed things that I'm torn

Re: museums and cathedrals, my kids have varied interests, so trying to please everyone is tricky. I love sights that are free because that way you don't feel bad if you spend little time visiting it. We're outside Washington DC, so the Smithsonian museums are free and we're spoiled :)

cala- The Harry Potter thing was been booked for weeks :( Thanks for the rec on the boat ride. I'll look into it!

emmye, I also forgot to mention that there are lots of great theater shows appropriate for children playing now in London. Lion King, Wicked, Matilda the Musical, Frozen, etc. not free and not cheap but entertaining fun. There are matinees and evening shows. Also check out the many free concerts at St. Martin of the Fields Church across from the National Portrait Gallery. I read your comments about not enough time to fit in Hampton Court or Windsor Castle but maybe sacrifice places like Neal's Yard, the Shard and the V&A museum for a castle/ palace. You and the kids might enjoy a canal boat ride through Camden Locks but be aware that Camden Market area can be very very crowded. Also be prepared with Plan B and Plan C for rainy, cool days. Weather in London doesn't always cooperate, sometimes cooler, sometimes hotter and maybe wetter than anticipated.

Seconding Pat's recommendation for theater. I was just in London a few weeks ago with my daughters (age 18 and 14) and we saw Mama Mia, The Play the Goes Wrong, and Six. I highly recommend all three!

Pat- I'm rethinking by whole itinerary to see if I can add Kew Gardens and Hampton Court Palace, as they were originally quite high on my list.
Re: theatre, I would love to take them to a show, just not sure which one. My girls and I actually just saw Mamma Mia, so that one is out. I would prefer Wicked, but not sure my almost 15yo son would love it.

Mary C- I'm looking into The Play That Goes Wrong. Think that would please everyone! Thanks!

You don’t need the HOHO to ride a double decker bus, just take a ride on a normal service bus. It’s cheap and will move at least as quickly as the HOHO bus as they can use bus lanes and the HOHOs can’t.

Johnew52- You don’t need the HOHO to ride a double decker bus, just take a ride on a normal service bus.

Good point. Thanks!

Ok, I made some revisions. I will NOT get the London Pass, so eliminated some of those sights as well. How does this look? Doable? I still don't see how I can fit in Greenwich.

DAY 1- Arrive in London and hope to set out by 12/1pm to walk to/by some/all of the following:
Trafalgar Square
Cecil Court
Covent Garden
Neal’s Yard
Chinatown
Leicester Square
Piccadilly Circus

DAY 2
Walk past Buckingham Palace.
Changing of the Guards. Start at Wellington Barracks
Head down Birdcage Walk
St. James Park
Parliament Square & Big Ben
Cross Westminster Bridge
Graffiti Tunnel
Imperial War Museum

DAY 3
Westminster Abbey
Hyde Park
Kensington Gardens
Victoria & Albert Museum
See a show that night?

DAY 4
Tower of London
Tower Bridge
Borough Market
St. Paul’s Cathedral (outside only)
6:30pm- British Museum

DAY 5
Boat to Kew Gardens
Hampton Court Palace OR just spend time in Richmond
Train back to London city center