Our upcoming June London trip- Is Kensington do-able for this?

Windsor Castle opens at 9:30am you could take the train from Paddington Station to Windsor. It’s a 30 minute train ride, you change in Slough, it’s easy just change platforms. You could get back to London early-mid afternoon leaving time to do something in London.

For the Tower of London, I’d be there first thing in the morning. Then when it opens go straight to the Crown Jewels before everyone else does. After you can take the beefeater tour. I did this in London and me and another couple had the Crown Jewels all to ourselves for 15 min.

I’d also do Windsor Palace instead of Kensington if time is short. To me Windsor looks more like a “real” castle and has more to see/do. It’s probably to late but for others with children, try to get tickets to the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London. It’s reslly a treat and the beefeaters always Make it a bit more interesting when children are in the crowd.

First, I encourage you to buy tickets for the Churchill War Rooms in advance, since you'll want to go early to allow enough time for the train out to Watford Jct in the afternoon.

If you want to see Big Ben, remember that the Elizabeth tower is behind scaffolding at present. But you'll be in sight of it when you're in Westminster.

If you want to see the Tower of London, be there at (or before) opening time on Monday morning. And it's right beside Tower Bridge. You'll see it when you're touring the Tower.

Going to Kings Cross, just to see the HP cart in the wall - do it if you have time going to or coming from Euston Station ( where you catch the train to Watford Jct). It's only a few blocks walking between the stations.

Can't help with Kensington Palace. For as many times as I've been to London, I've never been there. But for such a short stay, I'd pick Windsor OR Kensington, not both. Especially since half of your group aren't royalists.

You guys are helping so much. I did want to see the ceremony of the keys, but they are selling out a year in advance (and this is a last-minute-ish trip due to a wedding).

I will definitely get tickets online for most everything (including the War Rooms) because I have fears of things selling out and long lines.

Has anyone done the postal museum train? I thought it might be fun as the 12-year-old has a favorite memory of riding down a salt mine slide in Austria, so I'd like to do something a bit "different" for him :)

Any other thoughts are appreciated. I know we're trying to pack in a lot in a few days, so I'm just trying to make sure we will have fun while seeing what we want to see!

Kings Cross will be easy and relatively quick. Central Line (red) to Oxford Circus, Victoria Line to Kings Cross / St Pancras takes fifteen minutes. Then you just go up into the station. The main arches the young wizards walk through are actually between platforms 4 and 5 in the main part of the station (and the main station is the limbo where Dumbledore and Harry discuss how Voldemort was defeated and how Harry can choose to live or die). There’s a photo opportunity with half a luggage cart bolted to brickwork where you can pose as if you’re headed through the wall and also a Harry Potter shop there too (open from 8am six days a week, and 9am on Sunday).

You could do that all over lunch. Grab something to eat inside or outside the immediate station area and spend no more than an hour there to cover it all.

I’ve done the Mail Rail; it’s good fun, especially if you’ve someone in the group who likes things a bit different. You get into little tiny enclosed carriages that hold one person seated forwards and one person backwards. You can’t stand up, the carriages are just about as tall as a seated person. You go off down into the tunnels and the train stops at various points to show little films or play an audio track etc. There is one point where all the lights go out and they pretend they’ve lost power for a few seconds. It’s all very interesting but if anyone has claustrophobia, it may not be the ride for them. The whole thing took maybe 20 minutes? There’s an exhibit space in the mail rail facility so you can have a look at that before you go over to the actual Postal Museum if you’d like.

Also, re Kings Cross and the half a trolley in the wall photo op....I’ve only ever seen a massive queue for it and heard of people waiting for an hour to take a photo. Maybe if you’re there at silly o clock in the morning you might get in and out, but do be prepared if you’re planning to just pop in one afternoon it may take longer than you thought.

London Walks has Harry Potter themed walks. They might be more interesting than just taking a photo of half a shopping cart in the wall.

I haven't been to London in thirteen years, but I believe Kensington Gardens and Kensington Palace are right next to Hyde Park, so it's a pretty easy walk from where you'll be staying. It all depends if you want to tour Kensington Palace or just see the exterior and the Prince Albert Memorial. I have only seen it from the outside, so I can't speak to the tour. If you're a Princess Diana fan, though, it might be worth it. My husband loved the Imperial War Museum while I went to the Garden Museum. Since it will be daylight until nearly 10 p.m. when you're there, I say push it a little. If you're family is good with walking, you will be amazed at how much you can see in one day in London. Plus, each parent can take a child on a separate adventure according to shared interests.

Pardon my typo. YOUR family.

Are you flying in from the US on June 15? You have obviously traveled to Europe before. Perhaps all four of you are different from me (sleep-deprived and zombified on arrival day). I would not be remotely interested in going inside Buckingham Palace or the Imlerial War Museum that day. I'd plan a walking-around-outside day. Perhaps London Walks has something of interest scheduled that afternoom. The cost is only 10 GBP per person (don't know whether there's a modest discount for youngsters). No pre-registration is required for the in-town daytime walks; you just show up at the appointed meeting place, so it can be a last-minute decision.

I'm assuming you've prebooked for the Warner Bros tour as this is essential. You'll get the chance to pose with the trolley going through the platform there and will see so much stuff on the tour I wouldn't feel the need to go to the station personally.

I was thinking the same as Ryan, if you’re going to the WB Studios, no need to visit Kings Cross also.

I hope that you have pre-booked the Warner Brothers studio tour already. This sells out fast and there is no way to buy on site.
I agree with pre-purchasing the War room tickets. We went at opening and the lines were already massive for those who had not pre-purchased. We loved it and spent more time than we thought we would ( kids were 12 and 9)

Pre-purchasing tickets to the Tower is useless. We had done so. You need to trade in your confirmation for ticket and the booth only opens when the Tower opens. I would also head first thing in the am and if the Crown jewels are of interest, do those first as the line get long. We also did the Beefeater tour which was great.

Another "different" experi ncenfor the 12-year old, assuming he is adventurous, would be the climb of the O2 Dome:

https://tickets.aegeurope.com/upattheo2/climbs.html

he would need one parent to accompany. Actually one parent could take both boys.

You could include a river trip ( commuter boat, not cruise) to reach there, although you will have a bit of a walk from the dock. The Emirates Air Line cablecar also goes there as well, carrying you across the river.

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/emirates-air-line/

You could go one way by Thames Clipper ( maybe from the Tower f London?) and the other by Air Line plus Tube.

You guys are helping so much. We DO have WB studio tickets (actually lucked out because there was one slot left when we booked about 1.5 months ago).

The 02 dome looks very interesting! I do have two differently adventurous kids-- what one likes, the other one hates (and vice versa). I'm never sure which one will be the liker/hater until we are there.

Having a busy Friday wouldn't be my first choice but it is what it is. My husband was adamant that we not pay for anything on Friday in advance (just due to the nature of traveling, etc.) so hopefully we can find things (such as that Harry Potter London Walk) that the kids would like.

And I am VERY excited about 10pm sunset! Here in AZ the sun sets ta 7:30 in the summer...so I know it'll throw us for a loop. When we went to Amsterdam (early July, 2015) the late sun threw off our internal clocks and we didn't end up eating until almost 11pm. (Oops.)

Thank you, again, for the London Walks ideas everyone. We actually have played a game of 20 questions involving Harry Potter characters. I'm really surprised just how many minor characters they know (well...we have listened to the audio books on every single long road trip we've ever had).

If you happen to be near Leicester Square, and have time, there is a shop called the House of Minalima on Greek Street that is run by the graphic designers from the Harry Potter films.

Staying outside and walking in the fresh air are the best thing to do on your arrival day. Resist the temptation to nap!

By the time you get to your hotel, it will be close to lunch time so you may want to start with that. Perhaps someone can suggest possible places near your Marble Arch hotel.

For a walk after that, note that the London Walks Harry Potter themed walks are not offered on Fridays. They run Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday.

http://www.walks.com/popular-walks/harry-potter

What I would suggest instead, since you mentioned seeing Buckingham Palace in a walk by, would be to enter Hyde Park at the nearest entrance ( which I think is Speakers' Corner) and walk south to Hyde Park Corner, the SE corner of the park. Cross through the Wellington Arch, cross another street, and follow the main path through Green Park to see Buckingham Palace.

Then cross again into St. James Park, the prettiest of the parks, with flower gardens and a nice little lake.

At the east end of the park are the Horse Guards Museum and entrance to No. 10 Downing Street, the Horse Guard Museum is very small and inexpensive to visit, and the kids might really enjoy 20-30 minutes there. There is a lot about the history of the Horse Guards, the care and training of the horses, and some poignant exhibits about their losses which I will not detail. One of the best parts is the stable room where they have Guard uniforms in various sizes that kids can put on to pose for photos.

If you are still game for walking, it is a short block down Whitehall Lane from the front f the museum to the Hungerford Bridge with its pedestrian walkways on both sides, well separated from traffic. We much prefer this Bridge To Westminster Bridge which is always crowded and puts you much closer to traffic. Stop in the middle for great views and to watch the boat traffic.

If it is time for a snack, there are inexpensive cafes with outdoor seating on the south bank pedestrian path. Turn left ( east) as you leave the Bridge. A walk along here has many pleasures and sights, including a skateboard park, bookseller tables, and buskers at certain points.

You can take th tube back home fr🏡 m various points on this walk, but I recommend you learn to use the London buses. Yes it takes longer, but you are comfortable, above ground, and get great city views, especially if you score seats upstairs. It is also cheaper than the Tube.

Here is a schematic map of the major bus routes in central London:

http://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route-maps/key-bus-routes-in-central-london.pdf

You will see a number of routes that serve Marble Arch. You can get more detailed info n each route, including where to find the exact bus top you need, from the Transport for London (tfl) website.

There's some royal history at the Tower of London as well, so adding Kensington Palace would make the trip very royal heavy, I'd split the party into two if you decide to go.

I don't completely rule out museums on arrival day, many museums are open late on Friday. Of course, that will depend on jet lag and how long you can keep going.

I've seen long lines at Kings Cross for the photo opp, I'd seriously skip it since you're going on the Warner Brothers tour.

A VERY first thing to do would be utilize Google Maps satellite view on your computer. Type in Big Ben London.

Why I advise this is that you will see how close ( within walking distance ) the following London sites are:
Parliament Square ( Parliament, Elizabeth’s Tower with Big Ben ( underscaffolding) ) the Thames, Westminster Bridge, London Eye, Westminster Abbey, HorseGuards, Churchill War Rooms, St James Palace, Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square.

If I were you I’d start at Parliament Square, take in Westminster Abbey, then walk up Birdcage Walk to Buckingham Palace. From there thru Green Park and along Piccadilly. Then walk to Caranby Street and then to Liberty Department store. If even for just a peek inside. Doubt any of you have seen a store like it.

I’m suggesting Day 1 be a combination of exterior
( helps with jet lag) and interior exploration.

On Day 2 take the train to Windsor.

Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park are adjacent to one another. The Serpentine splits the two. To get to Kensington Palace take the tube. Use the Central Line (red line) to the Queensway Station and walk into to Kensington Gardens . Head towards the Round Pound. After seeing the Palace you could explore more of the Park (maybe head over to the Diana Memorial Fountain and a nice lunch at the Lido Cafe adjacent to the Serpentine OR from Kensington Palace walk over to the Albert Memorial. If you’d like to share a pub lunch with your children there’s a nice pub in some mews, The Queens Arms. It’s near the Iraq Embassy. Mews are former horse stables.

Use Google Maps to plot walking routes.

Great city. Much to see and explore.

Have fun!

Just re read your original post. I see you are staying near Marble Arch. Yes you can easily walk over to the Palace and then consider following Birdcage Walk to Parliament Square. It’s june. Crowds will be large but it’s a nice way to walk off jet lag.

The Chapel at Windsor may be closed that weekend for a christening? No inside knowledge, just speculation. Possible Royals sighting opportunity?

The London Walks are fun, inexpensive, and you don't have to book ahead! Maybe the kids would also like the Jack the Ripper (try to get the one with Donald), or one of the ghost walks in addition to HP.

Another tip for Windsor Castle - be there as soon after opening as possible and queue up for Queen Mary’s dollhouse first if you want to see it. We visited the chapel and then the parts of the castle that they let you tour first - noted the lineup for the doll house was about 20-30 deep. By the time we were done inside the castle it was noon and the buses had arrived and the lineup for the dollhouse was probably 200-300 deep with a much shorter lineup for the castle. We didn’t wait in line and were sorry we didn’t see it first. Have fun!!

Last year we took the family to the Warner Bros studio for the Harry Potter experience. The Harry Potter fans in our group didn’t want to leave! Just a word from experience, it takes longer to get there then you might expect. First a train to Watford Junction, then waiting for the bus ( every 20 minutes or so), then the trip to the studio (about 15 min), then waiting in line to go in. Allow extra time before your designated time. Enjoy! We loved the tour! We also did the London Walks Harry Potter tour as well. Two thumbs up!