London itinerary for 6 days in early April

The thing that strikes me is that you’ve got way too much planned for Tuesday. I’d say the same for any point in your trip; but on the second day, when some or all of your party will be suffering jet lag, it looks like madness to me. In that vein, the BM is massive. Since it’s free, I suggest two visits of no more than two hours each. Perhaps Thursday morning and then the late open time? It would be a good idea for each person to figure out what he wants to see. Then set a meet-up time and place. Also, I’d look into whether there are docent tours aimed at children.

For all the large museums, I suggest spending 15 minutes or so on the website before you leave home so you can develop an idea of what sections may be most appealing to each of you. You can split up if necessary and agree to meet after 2 hours or whatever time you want to allot. There is no need to spend precious vacation time negotiating whether your V&A visit will focus on glass, ceramics, Asian decorative art, etc. I think it would take at least 1-1/2 days to cover the V&A reasonably well, so you must be selective.

I think everything you want to see will is great having been to London three times I still haven't seen it all. You have four children with you - too many museums in one day. Pick one museum and see how the day goes. Pick the National History museum and if there is time maybe the V&A. I think your children may be more interested in the National History. I would skip the National Portrait Galley. All portraits of people and not as interesting if you don't know who they are. British Museum would be interesting and walking around Trafalgar square. Big Ben & Parliament is fine to see but it is under scaffolding so it won't be as wonderful to see. Portobello Market is wonderful but it is super crowded and it is shopping - if your kids are into shopping. You don't mention, weather permitting going on a boat ride up the Thames and going to Greenwich. There is a nice museum in Grenwich, a museum with all boats and ships called the National Maritime Museum. Walking by Buckingham Palace and going to Windsor castle. I am trying to have a mindset of what children would like more than adults.

Covent Gardens and nearby London Transport Museum is known to be kid friendly. Of course you want to introduce them to art and museums but even I who am a huge museum person can get tireds to seeing more than on museum per day.

You may also want to see more parks, weather permitting. I saw Wicked last year in London and it was wonderful. You are in for a real treat.

I also suggest if you have not done so, get the RS London guide and it has a section for children.

You may also enjoy taking the Big Bus and seeing the sights by seating on top of the bus. Good way to see the sights and get a feeling where everything is. Good way to rest after all the walking you will be doing.

These are all suggestions but whatever you do it will be wonderful. London is a great city and I am going again this year. I have a ticket to see Aladdin this year!

Depending upon what time you are arriving at St. Pancras on Monday, you might want to move one of your Tuesday activities to Monday. The V&A is huge and worth every hour that you spend in it!

I have to disagree with that: No way would I set foot in a museum on my arrival day (assuming an overnight flight from the US or Canada).

Since they're arriving at St Pancras, I assume that means they're arriving on a train and thus would be over jet lag.

I agree with skipping the Changing of the Guard. Are you the type of people that likes to line up early for a parade back home? I actually saw a bit of the Changing of the Guard during my last time in the UK, completely by accident. My London friend and I were strolling through St James' Park, just catching up and decided to walk over by Buckingham Palace. Saw a bit of the guard change there, on a cold day, and it was still quite packed. Glad I saw a little of it, but wouldn't want to devote the 2 plus hours that would be required to get a good view and then watch the ceremony.

Tuesday, I agree is too busy. Two museums with 4 kids? I haven't been to the Natural History Museum, but I agree with the above post that by their very nature, they tend to be similar in any city in the world, similar to planetariums or aquariums. I enjoy the V&A as an adult, but you'll have to determine if your kids will enjoy it. I wouldn't have enjoyed it as an age 14 or younger male.

You might look at London Walks to add something different into the schedule. There are Harry Potter themed walks. Also, there are Westminster Walks which might be a way to see the sights in that area rather than just walking by. www.walks.com

As you are staying BAyswater best to know the difference between Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park. Kensington Gardens are West of the Serpentine, HP to the East.

Depending on where exactly you r in Bayswater probably easier to walk into Kensington Gardens On Day 1. If you are close to the Queensway tube station cross over Bayswater Road to Walk Into the Princess Diana memorial playground. From there nice stroll to the Round Pond (loads of water fowl). You’ll be right in front of Kensington Palace. Great photo ops. For dinner and on the opposite side of Kensington Gardens is Lupitas Mexican restaurant. Not the usual burritos and tacos so make certain the children aren’t thinking El Pollo Loco or Taco Bell.
Can then walk down to the Albert Memorial and walk back to your flat in Bayswater.

As far as groceries in Bayswater there’s a Tesco Express and Sainsburys local right on Queens way.
If you want a family grocery outing then after seeing Kensington Palace Head towards Lupitas and turn right. Large Whole Foods market block and a half a way.

Agree drop the VA on Tuesday. Instead consider walking back to Royal Oak and from there to Little Venice. Easy stroll. Suspect the family doesn’t know there are canals in London. Then make your way by foot, bus or underground to Camden Lock Market.
You could add Regents Park to this day as you will be in the vicinity. Thus leaving more time for the Treasure Room at the British Library on Saturday.
If you go there and if the family likes Indian food try Dishoom which is attached to st martins college which is behind St Pancras.

Good point, Dale. I've read a lot of threads about getting into London from Heathrow and have probably confused this family with another one.

The British Museum has a really wonderful audio tour specifically for children. I did it with my son and really enjoyed it! It's a good way to see highlights without spending a ton of time.

I agree that Tuesday and Friday look problematic with two major museums each day. Thursday looks light. I have spent hours in the Abbey but maybe not so fascinating for kids, depending on ages and interests. Full of dead people. Maybe head up Whitehall to Trafalgar Square that day and check out the National Gallery (which you have researched so you know what particular works or periods to look for). I agree that the guard changing is an inefficient use of time and energy -- though of course seeing Buckingham Palace is worthwhile.

Hard to be more helpful without knowing more about your interests and kids. But overall it looks like a well organized plan, geographically efficient.

I like how you've geographically grouped these. As it's school holidays that area around Kensington will be very busy. You could perhaps consider going further west as you need to end up in Fulham. You could perhaps try Hampton Court, Wimbledon Tennis museum, Kew Gardens,

I'd definitely add in Covent Garden to Friday or Saturday and the kids may prefer the modern art of Tate Modern which you could add to Wednesday.

Tues and Friday are a bit much seeing more than 1 museum in a day -- Friday you want to go to 3? FYI, all 6 of you may not want to spend the entire trip doing the same thing. Allow for flexibility that some might want to do something else in the afternoon or morning and then meet up later.

On the Wednesday, do you mean Leadenhall Market or Borough Market? I ask because you've put it between Tower Bridge and Millennium Bridge, which suggests that you think it's south of the river.

Leadenhall Market is the covered market that appeared in the Potter films, and is north of the Thames, off Gracechurch Street between Bishopsgate and London Bridge - it doesn't have market stalls so much as shops and cafes aimed at the local well-heeled office-worker market. Borough Market is south of the river between London Bridge and the Millennium Bridge and is the well-known foodie destination. Wednesday is a good day to visit Borough Market as it's become something of a victim of its own fame and is intolerably crowded at weekends.

I thought the same thing as Philip regarding the markets.
I would also drop both of the Tuesday museums, stick to one, the British.
National gallery over portrait, not both,
Check before you go regarding st martins in the fields on their concerts,
Consider paying for an evening one, and eat there.
I know Emma advised dropping changing of the guard, but I would do it,
But only if I coul go a bit earlier, to get a good spot, otherwise very very crowded.
Can't offer an opinion on library, went right past it numerous times going elsewhere.
Enjoy.