Guided tour for Family

Posted by maschuld on 01/10/26 11:51 AM

We are visiting London in early June and I'd like to book at least one family guided tour. I was initially thinking a guided tour of the British Museum, but after reading about the crowds, I'm wondering if it's better for us to just tackle that at our own pace. Does anyone have a wonderful tour they'd recommend for adults and kids ages 10-12? Here are some thoughts I had:

3hr max tour

-One of the museums
-Nighttime tour
-Another building tour (cathedral, Tower of London, some other fascinating building)
-Something a little weird or unusual that isn't considered a typical tourist tour (e.g. something underground or behind the scenes)

Looking to avoid general city walking tours that are primarily outside, would rather have something with a tighter narrative.

Thank you for all your input!

Posted by Cat VH

London

01/10/26 01:12 PM

1094 posts

https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/hidden-london

I have done all of these tours and cannot recommend them highly enough! They all last about 70 mins. You get to see underground and behind the scenes at both working and abandoned tube stations. Just ensure you book when tickets go on sale as they go quickly!

Posted by LIZinPA 🧳

SE Pennsylvania

01/10/26 01:12 PM

3194 posts

London Walks is a well regarded company, often recommended here.
I'm sure you will find something you will enjoy.
https://www.walks.com

Posted by jeanm

Chicagoland

01/10/26 03:48 PM

1741 posts

IMO the British Museum is the perfect place for a guided tour because it is loud, crowded and massive.

In April I took the Around the World in 90 minutes tour. It was wonderful having the informative guide effortlessly take us through the museum and tell the fascinating stories of what we were seeing.

Posted by uncpauper

New Jersey

01/15/26 03:33 AM

133 posts

No need for an outside tour of Tower of London. Plan on making time for one of the excellent Beefeater tours. They’re included with your tickets!

I’m going to throw out a totally different idea based on the age of your kids. My tween son LOVED the graffiti workshop at Leake Street Arches! It’s led by their artist in residence so he showed us around and we learned some cool things about the process. And then they get a little lesson in graffiti art before going wild!

We did this at the same time as my teen and husband did a Hidden London walking tour. They enjoyed it but I don’t think it would have been as interesting to my younger.

Posted by Claudia

Land of La

01/15/26 05:10 AM

10031 posts

Uncertain if any slots are still open but check the availability of the Ceremony of Keys at The Tower of London https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/whats-on/ceremony-of-the-keys/

https://www.westendtheatre.com/3715/visitinglondon/theatre-backstage-tours/

https://www.walks.com/

The Postal Museum Tour

The Tower Bridge Experience

Take them to a theatre performance. Research what’s on stage. Wicked, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Matilda would be age appropriate.

See the Crystal Park Dinosaurs, take a river cruise, visit Greenwich Observatory or the Hunterian Museum. Definitely visit Liberty.

Negotiate the British Museum on you own.

Lastly your taking your family to one of the worlds most popular cities to visit during the height of the tourist season. Crowds will be massive, queues lengthy, public transport crowded. Be prepared.

Posted by BillS719

Buckinghamshire

01/15/26 10:30 AM

457 posts

A bit more info on the Crystal Palace dinosaurs

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Palace_Dinosaurs

They are a bit outside central London and unless you have time to spare, I think you'd be better to spend the time elsewhere. That said, on a nice day the kids would probably enjoy them. I think seeing them is self-guided, though.