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Help with itinerary in and around London

Posted by (Gatineau) on

We will be in England for 5 days in July (arriving at Heathrow on a Wednesday and departing the following Monday) and we need some help finalizing our itinerary.

We want to visit London, of course, but we would also like to show our kids (ages 8 to 14) other parts of England as well (first trip to Europe for them). Would we be better off starting with a 3-day visit in London followed by a 2-day stay somewhere else? Or should we break it up, i.e. 1 day in London, 2-day trip somewhere else, back to London for the weekend? Or should we find accommodation in London for the 5 days and just plan a day-trip or two? Other suggestions? Which areas should we visit outside of London?

Thanks in advance! All help is appreciated!!!

Posted by
250 posts

There is a LOT to do in London. I've been there 5 times, and have never been at a loss. I think trying to go somewhere else is going to result in too much travel time, and cut down on your time actually seeing the sights.

I'd assume you and your kids will return, and focus on quality vs quantity.

If it were me, I'd stay in London the entire time. If you wanted to go to Paris, you could do a day trip (See the Rick Steve's book for a Paris day trip from London).

Day trips from Lonon could also include Hampton Court and/or Windsor. Or you could do a bus tour from London to Stratford or wherever else you want to see.

But London has enough for several weeks on it's own.

Posted by
2 posts

I forgot to mention that this is at the beginning of a 3-week trip to Europe - so we will be in France (including Paris), Belgium and the Netherlands after our stay in London.

Posted by
16278 posts

You arrive on Wed...most likely tired and a little jet lagged. That leaves four full days for sightseeing. I agree with Laurel...stay in the London area. You can easily do half day trips to Hampton Court, Greenwich, Windsor and so forth.

Bath might be considered for a full day trip.

But it's best, with kids in tow, to base at one hotel rather than moving about. Much easier to do. (You might want to consider an apartment for 5 nights rather than a hotel.)

Posted by
1455 posts

I'd visit the other part of England for another trip. London has a lot to offer. Even five days in London is not much time... there's so much to do, even with little kids!!

I've been to London multiple times as well, and each time I discover something new.

My vote is to stick to London for the 5 days.

Posted by
3428 posts

With the ages of your children, I'd suggest staying in London and doing 1 or at most 2 day trips. Windsor is easy- only a 20 to 30 min. train ride- and you can stay all day or only part of it. Trains run every 30 min. back to London. The kids will love Windsor castle and you can see the changing of the guard there if you like instead of at(crowded)Buckingham palace. The hop on/off bus should be your starting point. The Tower of London will probably take a large portion of one day. Dover or Dover and Canterbury would be my next suggesstion. Bath is also a possiblility.

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