Making an attempt to see all of London’s highlights on foot may not appear a simple process, however all you want are cozy footwear and this London landmarks strolling path to tick off the important thing locations.
comprises affiliate hyperlinks*
I’ve designed this self-guided London strolling tour so it’s straightforward to do in sections for those who don’t fancy a seven-mile stroll round London with children, plus there are many locations to cease, whether or not you wish to uncover town’s household points of interest in additional element or simply to relaxation any weary legs.
Alongside the best way, you’ll be able to see every thing from Trafalgar Sq. and Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, to call just some spots on my London strolling route with children. Greatest foot ahead!
Half 1: London landmarks stroll map
When you’re in search of a shorter model of the stroll in your first time in London, you’ll be able to skip the primary few stops and start by Buckingham Palace – Covent Backyard, Trafalgar Sq., Leicester Sq. and Piccadilly Circus are all straightforward to mix at one other time.
Simply leap to cease 7 to chop out the primary 1.5 miles or so of the London stroll. After all, in contrast to different guided London strolling excursions, you’ll be able to take this one at your personal tempo, and break up the route into as many sections as you need.
In any other case you’ll be able to view the sightseeing map for the primary part of the stroll beneath (or click on the hyperlink). This covers round 2.5 miles and takes you from the Covent Backyard Piazza to St James’s Park, prepared to start out the subsequent part at Horseguards Parade.
Cease 1: Covent Backyard
Covent Backyard was dwelling to the primary public sq. within the nation, and the Piazza continues to be a terrific place to discover.
The outdated market constructing is now full of outlets and cafes, though you’ll be able to nonetheless browse the stalls of the brand new Covent Backyard market close by.
There are frequently pop-up occasions going down for households at Covent Backyard too, so it’s all the time price trying out what’s on. It’s additionally dwelling to the London Transport Museum to see all of the methods Londoners have travelled round their metropolis over the centuries.
After you’ve appeared round, head alongside Henrietta Avenue and Chandos Place (or some other route you like) in direction of Trafalgar Sq..
Cease 2: Trafalgar Sq.
The official coronary heart of London, all distances are measured from this level – from the statue of Charles I astride his horse if you wish to know the exact location.
The sq. itself is dwelling to the Nationwide Gallery and Nationwide Portrait Gallery, a sequence of statues and public artwork on the fourth plinth, in addition to the well-known Nelson’s column with 4 7-ton lions guarding the bottom.
Discover extra of the highlights of Trafalgar Sq. with a Treasure Map Path, certainly one of a number of trails protecting central London – plus 10% off utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS
Behind their surprisingly relaxed exterior, there are some surprising tales too. Legend has it that if Massive Ben ever chimes 13 occasions, the lions will awake… What’s definitely true is that the massive cats have been sculpted from bronze cannon captured on the Battle of Trafalgar, the place Nelson met his finish.
Sir Edwin Landseer was given the fee (after a lot wrangling and delays by the committee in cost), regardless of being extra well-known for his portray than as a sculptor.
He additionally hadn’t had a lot expertise of lions, so after plenty of time hanging round London Zoo, he lastly persuaded the zoo to let him have a useless lion as his mannequin (following a wait of two years till the animal died of pure causes).
When he ultimately acquired began, he labored so slowly that the true lion had decomposed an excessive amount of for use, so the paws are supposedly modelled on an peculiar home cat! If you wish to evaluate one to the lions at the moment within the zoo, you’ll uncover that their backs are additionally the flawed form.
From right here, stroll again up Charing Cross Highway and Irving Avenue to deliver you to Leicester Sq.
Cease 3: Leicester Sq. and Chinatown
Proper within the coronary heart of vacationer London, Leicester Sq. is all the time busy however price a cease for these within the metropolis’s film and theatre historical past. Plus, the massive Lego retailer and M&M shops listed below are all the time a giant hit with children.
Wish to skip Leicester Sq.? You possibly can go direct from Trafalgar Sq. to Piccadilly Circus by way of Whitcomb Avenue and Coventry Avenue.
Dodge the crowds and spot a number of the Scenes within the Sq. statues, of assorted characters from movie and TV together with Harry Potter, Mr Bean and Paddington.
It’s also possible to take heed to the Swiss glockenspiel chime, seize low cost theatre tickets and splash within the fountains throughout summer season.
For extra issues to do in Leicester Sq. with children, in addition to the encircling space, try my high ideas
From right here, you would take a brief detour to Lisle Avenue and Gerrard Avenue to wander round Chinatown. In any other case, head alongside Coventry Avenue in direction of Piccadilly Circus.
Cease 4: Piccadilly Circus
Well-known for its brightly illuminated adverts throughout the busy junction, the neon indicators are actually much more high-tech than the unique bulbs within the electrical billboards.
On the centre of Piccadilly Circus, you’ll spot the Shaftesbury Memorial statue – often often known as Eros. Whether or not it’s truly Eros depicted right here is one thing no-one appears fairly certain of: it’s additionally mentioned to be an outline of the angel of Christian charity or of Eros’s brother Anteros.
The sculptor himself, Albert Gilbert, advised folks various things at completely different occasions, so possibly even he didn’t know. Both means, for those who ask somebody to fulfill you by the statue of Eros, everybody is aware of the place you imply.
Harry Potter followers can even get pleasure from recognizing one of many areas from the movies – one of the crucial difficult scenes to shoot, that includes over 300 extras, filming beginning at daybreak because it was the one time the realm might be closed to site visitors.
It’s additionally well-known for its crowds, as round half 1,000,000 folks cross via right here day by day. There’s no circus right here, by the way, and by no means has been: the phrase comes from the Latin for circle.
Subsequent, head on down Piccadilly itself
Cease 5: Piccadilly (Fortnum & Mason/The Ritz)
This avenue has been the house of Queen Elizabeth II, who lived at 145 Piccadilly after her delivery in 1926 – though you’ll be able to’t see the home itself any extra because it was later destroyed within the Second World Struggle.
Lately, there are a string of retailers and motels stretching alongside its size, in addition to the Royal Academy of Arts.
Fortnum & Mason is without doubt one of the most well-known – for those who’re in search of a really indulgent place to cease for a drink, head to The Parlour for ice cream or afternoon tea – however look out for the Burlington Arcade as properly, a historic coated arcade relationship again to 1819.
There are many extra on a regular basis outlets too, together with an enormous Waterstones with a implausible youngsters’s e-book division – excellent for locating some nice books about London for youths.
Make your means alongside the road and ultimately you’ll get to The Ritz, on the sting of Inexperienced Park: for those who’re planning to cease for afternoon tea right here, be ready to e-book properly forward and to decorate up!
When you’re questioning the place the phrase Piccadilly even comes from, it’s a specific sort of collar often known as a piccadill. One tailor specialising within the design owned a home known as Piccadilly Corridor, which then gave its title to the realm.
Proceed previous The Ritz and take any gate into Inexperienced Park
Cease 6: Inexperienced Park
Certainly one of eight Royal Parks in London, it’s additionally the smallest – however whereas the park isn’t as well-known as a number of the others comparable to Hyde Park, it’s a calming short-cut away from the crowds as you make your means right down to Buckingham Palace.
Until you go to in Spring, when the daffodils are in bloom, you would possibly discover that there are not one of the formal flowerbeds of the opposite parks.
So the story goes, King Charles II’s spouse demanded that each one flowers be faraway from the park after she caught him selecting a bouquet for an additional lady – true or not, the custom continues.
It’s a good place to identify squirrels, so deliver some nuts to feed them as you go.
Observe the trail via the park to Structure Hill on the south aspect.
Cease 7: Buckingham Palace
As you emerge from Inexperienced Park, you’ll see the Victoria memorial on the centre of the street and the black and gold railings separating the general public from Buckingham Palace.
One of the vital well-known stops on the entire London landmarks strolling route, you will get a glimpse of the outside of Buckingham Palace year-round, however you solely get the prospect to go indoors for a couple of months of the 12 months.
The State Rooms are often open from July to October, though you’ll be able to go to the Royal Mews and The King’s Gallery outdoors these months as properly. Try my ideas for visiting Buckingham Palace with children.
Check out the flagpole to search out out whether or not the monarch is staying there throughout your go to: if it’s the Royal Commonplace, meaning the King is in residence, but when it’s the Union Flag, he’s at the moment elsewhere. There’s all the time extra likelihood of seeing the Royal Commonplace flying on a weekday reasonably than a weekend.
For extra royal locations in London with children, try my high ideas
After you’ve taken a take a look at the monarch’s official residence, flip round and head down The Mall earlier than taking one of many entrances into St James’s Park.
Cease 8: St James’s Park
The oldest of the royal parks (and the second smallest), St James’s Park is one other beautiful inexperienced haven – and right here you’ve acquired the prospect to identify the park’s most well-known residents, the pelicans.
There have been pelicans residing right here because the seventeenth century when Charles II was given a pair and so they even have their very own island within the lake. Feeding time is at 2.30pm, however you’ll be able to nonetheless spot the birds swimming on the lake and preening.
Find time for a cease on the Blue Bridge over the lake for views again to Buckingham Palace and out in direction of Horse Guards Parade and the London Eye within the different route.
There’s additionally a playground within the south-west nook, not removed from Buckingham Palace, in addition to a restaurant and bathrooms on the other aspect in direction of Horse Guards Parade.
You’ll discover loads of squirrels to feed right here too, in addition to a number of the stops on the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Stroll.
Cross the street to Horse Guards Parade to start part 2 of the London landmarks strolling route
Half 2: London landmarks stroll map
This half covers nearly 4 miles, and takes nearly twice so long as the primary part – see the route beneath or click on right here for the map.
Cease 9: Horse Guards Parade
When you arrive right here earlier than 11am on a weekday (10am on Sundays), you’ll be able to see the King’s Life Guard Change – much less busy than the principle altering of the guard, which runs from St James’s Palace alongside The Mall and from Wellington Barracks.
When you’re visiting outdoors these occasions, you’ll be able to nonetheless spot the horse guards on Whitehall, with two on guard right here within the sentry packing containers – cross the parade floor and head via the buildings to exit onto Whitehall the place you will discover them roughly reverse Banqueting Home (although they’re arduous to overlook!)
The Family Cavalry Museum can also be inside these buildings, for an opportunity to be taught extra in regards to the guards and to identify the horses within the stables.
Then stroll alongside Whitehall in direction of Parliament Sq., passing the memorial to the Ladies of World Struggle II and the Cenotaph, in addition to the statues in Parliament Sq. earlier than turning into Broad Sanctuary
Cease 10: Westminster Abbey
Unmissable in case your children are eager about British historical past – you’ll be able to check out the surface or head inside to discover correctly.
Over 3,300 folks have been buried or commemorated at Westminster Abbey, together with 16 separate British monarchs (or 17, for those who consider the bones thought to belong the Princes within the Tower do embody these of Edward V) plus a lot of their consorts.
You possibly can see the tombs of Henry V and all of the Tudors besides Henry VIII, alongside early kings comparable to Edward the Confessor, who died per week after the abbey was consecrated, Plantagenet Kings and different monarchs together with Elizabeth I, proper as much as George II.
The abbey has additionally seen 16 royal weddings, from Henry I in 1100 to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011. And each king or queen of England has been topped right here, besides two – Edward V, who was deposed and presumed murdered earlier than his coronation, and Edward VIII who abdicated earlier than his might happen.
There are excursions and a free household path. Prebooking is advisable: get discounted tickets for those who e-book via my hyperlink utilizing code MUMMYTRAVELS6.
Stroll again to Parliament Sq.
Cease 11: The Homes of Parliament and Massive Ben
One other of the enduring sights of London, the Elizabeth Tower – which homes Massive Ben – has been below scaffolding for the previous couple of years throughout a protracted restoration undertaking, however has been unveiled in all its glory as soon as extra.
The 96m tall clocktower dates again to 1859 and with London site visitors (and many guests climbing the steps inside as a part of the Massive Ben excursions), the renovations have been the primary for round 40 years.
Now unveiled as soon as extra, the clock face is seen and excursions are going down once more, with restricted numbers – solely appropriate for youngsters aged 11+.
The 13.7 tonne Nice Bell, as Massive Ben is formally recognized, was silenced throughout the facelift, however the well-known ‘booooong’ is ringing once more, hanging the hour and sounding the quarter chimes, so that you’ll have the ability to hear it sound.
Try what I considered the Massive Ben excursions and an opportunity to face subsequent to the bell
When you’ve all the time fancied seeing contained in the Homes of Parliament there are numerous excursions you’ll be able to take to discover inside.
There are multimedia excursions, for those who favor to go at your personal tempo – together with an audio information for youths – or you’ll be able to take one of many guided excursions, to find extra in regards to the historical past and traditions of Parliament and its dwelling.
In addition to the 90-minute guided tour out there for all guests, there’s additionally a 75-minute free choice for UK residents.
UK residents can even get a free ticket to see a debate, both within the Home of Commons or the Home of Lords – price doing for those who fancy taking in one of many extra in style debates. You’ll want ID, there’s airport-style safety and it’s a very good plan to decorate moderately well too.
Contact your MP upfront, in any other case you’ll be able to likelihood your luck on the day and queue to get in to see the Home in session – recess very often coincides with faculty holidays for those who’re visiting with children although.
Cross Westminster Bridge to the South Financial institution
Cease 12: The South Financial institution
The London Eye might be the very best recognized place to get a fowl’s eye view of the capital (though definitely not the one choice – try my ideas for another nice London views with children)
Towering excessive above the South Financial institution and looking throughout the Thames, you will get some spectacular panoramas, or simply get pleasure from watching it flip slowly.
Prebooking is strongly suggested, with reductions for those who purchase your tickets on-line upfront. There are additionally fast-track tickets out there to skip the queues, which is right with children, particularly in peak season.
From right here, you’ll cross a string of different household points of interest as you wander alongside the Thames previous Waterloo Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge, earlier than reaching Bankside.
Try my put up on the very best issues to do on the South Financial institution with children for extra ideas
Alongside the best way, you’ll be able to go to the Sea Life Aquarium, Shrek’s Journey and the London Dungeon, see avenue artwork, cross a skate park, get pleasure from views alongside the water, together with a terrific level to take a photograph close to Gabriel’s Wharf, earlier than reaching the Tate Trendy and Shakespeare’s Globe, the place you’ll be able to take a tour behind the scenes.
If you wish to detour barely away from the riverside, it’s solely a brief stroll from Tate Trendy to Borough Market to select up one thing to eat.
Head over the Millennium Bridge again to the north financial institution of the Thames
Cease 13: St Paul’s Cathedral
Famously constructed from the ashes of the Nice Hearth of London, right this moment it’s arduous to think about London’s skyline with out Christopher Wren’s well-known dome.
Outdoors you’ll be able to spot the define of the previous cathedral marked out on the bottom, to get an thought of the way it as soon as appeared.
And you can even head inside to discover St Paul’s Cathedral besides on Sundays or when it’s closed for particular providers – click on right here to e-book discounted tickets utilizing my code MUMMYTRAVELS6.
Within the Whispering gallery, a whisper on one aspect may be heard on the opposite – I bear in mind doing this with my dad and mom as a baby, and it looks as if magic that this needs to be doable.
The gallery has reopened after being closed to the general public for a couple of years, plus there are two extra galleries above with fabulous views for those who’re glad to climb 528 steps.
It’s also possible to see tombs of well-known Britons within the crypt, together with Wren himself, Lord Wellington and Lord Nelson plus memorials to Florence Nightingale, Samuel Johnson and poet John Donne, the one one to have survived the hearth.
Stroll down Cannon Avenue within the route of London Bridge (preserve a watch out for the London Stone alongside the best way). Flip onto King William Avenue and earlier than you get to the bridge itself, flip down Monument Avenue in direction of The Monument.
Cease 14: The Monument
On the junction of Monument Avenue and Fish Avenue Hill, the Monument to the Nice Hearth of London (higher recognized merely because the Monument) was additionally designed by Sir Christopher Wren and completed in 1677.
Standing 202 toes excessive, it’s 202 toes from the spot the place the hearth began on Pudding Lane – for those who laid it down, it might attain proper to the bakery.
For extra Nice Hearth of London areas, try this put up
In addition to studying the plaque on the backside, you can even climb the 311 steps to the gallery on the high of the Monument to look out throughout town.
Solely 33 persons are allowed inside at any time, with a free certificates for these which make the climb.
Earlier than you head on to the subsequent cease, you would make a fast detour to London Bridge – there’s been a bridge in round this spot because the Romans constructed Londinium, though the trendy bridge might be certainly one of London’s dullest. You do get some nice views of Tower Bridge and the Shard from right here.
Then head to Decrease Thames Avenue and observe it east in direction of the Tower of London – it’s not essentially the most thrilling part as you stroll London, alongside a busy street, so you’ll be able to take the tube from Monument station to Tower Hill for those who favor, or head as much as Eastcheap to catch the quantity 15 bus (which additionally runs from St Paul’s Cathedral for those who don’t thoughts lacking Monument altogether)
Cease 15: The Tower of London
From the crown jewels to the well-known ravens and beefeaters, a go to to the The Tower of London makes a terrific time out with children in London.
You will get a glance throughout the moat to a few of its partitions and fortifications for those who don’t wish to go inside, in addition to seeing the river entrance to Traitor’s Gate from the trail on the waterfront.
But it surely’s properly price making time to move inside. With nearly 950 years of historical past inside its partitions, you’ll be able to discover former royal flats, adorned as they’d have been when kings lived there, and uncover the Tower’s grim historical past as a jail too, together with a memorial to 2 of Henry VIII’s executed queens.
It additionally homes a part of the Royal Armoury, a show on the Royal Mint, plus you’ll discover shows on the Tower’s menagerie of animals, uncover reside performances throughout faculty holidays, and stroll the partitions.
Tickets may be purchased on the day, though prebooking is advisable – there’s a reduction for those who e-book by way of tiqets utilizing my code MUMMYTRAVELS6.
Stroll across the Tower to get to Tower Bridge – there are steps up from the river stage
Cease 16: Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge is definitely essentially the most well-known of London’s bridges, and in addition to getting a view of its well-known blue and white paint, you’ll be able to head inside to find its historical past.
There’s an opportunity to face on the glass walkway and look right down to the views alongside the river, earlier than heading into the engine rooms. You’ll discover common household actions going down, for some added enjoyable for youths, plus a Tower Bridge Path for Little Explorers and household path app.
You could find tickets to Tower Bridge with free cancellation (or in fact it’s free to stroll throughout for those who don’t wish to go inside).
When you’d like an opportunity of seeing the bridge’s spectacular opening as an even bigger boat comes via, test the elevate occasions.
The place subsequent?
Congratulations! Your self guided London walks are at an finish and also you’ve ticked off a number of the key London sightseeing spots alongside the best way.
From right here, there are many issues to do close to Tower Bridge with children for those who’ve nonetheless acquired the vitality – head over to the opposite aspect of the river to discover Bankside, see the HMS Belfast or Golden Hinde maybe.
You might decide up a ship from Tower Pier or London Bridge Metropolis Pier to get one other view of town from the water.
Or for those who didn’t go to Borough Market earlier within the day, you’ll be able to reward all that strolling with one thing scrumptious. Too drained to go that far? There’s a Crosstown Doughnuts truck at Extra London, round 5 minutes’ stroll away, plus some extra views of Tower Bridge.
Disclosure: This put up comprises affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Photographs: St Pauls and Tower of London copyright MummyTravels, Leicester Sq. courtesy AdobeStock, Important picture and all others courtesy of Depositphotos,
LIKED THIS? SIGN UP FOR MY EMAIL NEWSLETTER