Keep Calm & Carry On: Guide to London with Pre-teens

Tower of London: A fan favorite. Go for the early tour and add the opening with the Beefeaters that will get you in just a few minutes early so you can go straight to the Royal Family Jewels and get a look before the crowds fill in. And don’t miss the red poppy art installations and the Black Crows of the Tower.

Stonehenge: A visit to Stonehenge is a must-do for most people. If this is you and are willing to splurge a little, upgrade to a Sunrise or Sunset Inner Circle tour. This will be before or after the site opens and is limited to only 50 people. You will get to go beyond the rope to walk among the stones. You can even do it barefoot!

Windsor Castle: You can add a stop at Windsor Castle on your way out to Stonehenge. This is the oldest still functioning royal residence in the UK. The grounds are meticulously maintained, with a full staff still living on site. And don’t miss a visit to the Chapel to see the burial place of Queen Elizabeth II.

Buckingham Palace: No trip to London would be complete without a trip to Buckingham Palace. Again, arrive a little early in the morning and opt for morning tour tickets. You will be able to get up closer to the gates for pictures before the crowds.

Westminster Abbey and Changing of the Guard: Taking advantage of a guided tour of Westminster Abbey and Changing of the Guard ceremony is worth the cost. Groups are able to enter a back entrance at the Abbey, which will be faster and the guide will know the best route once inside to see the highlights. Then when it comes time for the ceremony, they will get you to the street corner for the best view. Note: Changing of the Guard only happens on specific days of the week, so you will need to plan accordingly.

Harry Potter Studios: If you have pre-teen fans of Harry Potter, this is a no-brainer. The Warner Bros Studio does it right with actual sets, props, and costumes, behind the-scenes info, and unlimited photo opportunities. There is also a free passport activity book that the whole family can participate in.

Churchill War Rooms: This will likely be an eye-opening experience. When you enter at street level, you will not be expecting the breadth and depth of the war rooms that expand underground. A little overwhelming in terms of information but well worth the tour.

London Eye: The London Eye is an easy first-day stop. Buy your tickets ahead of time for a reserved time and shorter lines. It is an easy 30-minute total ride to make the full circle and will give you incredible 360-degree views of London.

Hop-On Hop-Off Buses: The quintessential London Hop-on Hop-off buses are an easy way to reduce some walking while also listening to an engaging guide of the city. You can pre-book these tickets and choose from one to multi-day tickets.

Thames River Cruise: London was built around the Thames River and it still thrives as the heart of the city today. There are multiple cruise boat operators for a ride down the Thames, and most also have a guide narrating it along the way.

The Red Lion: Conveniently located to Downing Street and House of Parliament, The Red Lion was founded in 1845 and sits on the site of a medieval tavern known in 1434 as the Hopping Hall. The seating for dining is on the small side, but the classic British pub vibe and food make up for it.

Sherlock Holmes: Why not visit a pub called Sherlock Holmes while in London? Only minutes from Trafalgar Square, it’s a great stop for some lunch and a pint after a morning of exploring. Be sure you go to the upstairs dining room to see a recreation of Sherlock Holmes’ Baker Street apartment.

Locale: An unexpected Italian spot near the Waterloo Station and London Eye. Neapolitan-style pizzas, great wine list, and divine pasta.

The Top Hat: It is a little touristy with a life-sized Monopoly game next door, but the interior of the restaurant is very well done, and the menu and décor is Monopoly themed without being over the top. It is laid-back and casual with board games to play at every table and the food is surprisingly very good.

Traitors Gate: The perfect lunch spot after a tour at Tower of London. The interior and décor of this pub is exquisite and a nod to the old Royal Menagerie’s of the Tower. Food and drinks were both delish.

The Carpenters Arms, Windsor: While in Windsor, explore just a few blocks from the castle gates on a side street to find this pub. The atmosphere was great, lots of indoor and outdoor seating, and the staff were fantastic. If you are not wanting a full lunch entrée, try a few of their appetizers and some pints. Plenty to share!

EL&N London (pastries, desserts): If you are looking for ALL THE DESSERTS with a bright and fun vibe, this is the place. Only a few minutes walk from The Top Hat, EL&N has a huge dessert menu with so many different cake and cheesecake flavors, you will certainly leave with your sweet tooth satisfied.

Afternoon tea at Harry Potter Studio: If you are already going to the Harry Potter Studio for a tour, this is a great way to do an English afternoon tea but in a way that the kids will enjoy too. The afternoon tea is still traditionally English in terms of the tea selection and nibbles but at the same time Harry Potter themed. The amount of food was plenty for a full lunch and quite tasty!

Inamo: A different take on sushi and a perfect spot for the techie in your family. Each table is also a touch screen to take your orders and play games while you wait. You can play individually or as a table. Service was quick and the sushi was perfection.