When you think about traveling to London as a family, the first thing that probably comes to mind is:

• Big Ben
• Buckingham Palace
• London Eye
• Harry Potter Studios

And yes, all of that is absolutely worth it.

But after several days exploring London as a family, we discovered something we loved even more: the number of original plans and different corners the city has beyond the typical must-sees.

Because London is also full of:

• floating bookshelves
• theaters inside ships
• viewpoints with giant slides
• hidden magic shops
• parks where it feels like you've left the city
• pretty crazy immersive experiences

And honestly, many times it was precisely these plans that we remembered most about the trip.

So here are our favorite original plans in London to do with children, teenagers, or simply if you fancy discovering a less typical London.

And if you're also looking for the city's must-sees, you can also find our complete guide to:

👉London with children: what to see and do as a family

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Lee Valley Regional Park: Adventure, Nature and Outdoor Activities near London

If you fancy getting away from urban London for a bit, Lee Valley Regional Park is a very different and highly recommended option for families.

This huge nature park combines green areas and canals with tons of outdoor activities, so it works great whether you're looking for a more relaxed or active day out with kids.

Here you can find:

• Rafting
• boat travel
• horse trails
• natural parks
• wildlife centers
• water activities
• bike lanes and trails

In fact, some of the London 2012 Olympic whitewater facilities are here and are still used for rafting and water sports.

The best thing is that it combines nature and adventure very close to London, something that is quite surprising when you think of the city beyond monuments and museums.

Leadenhall Market: the market that inspired Diagon Alley in Harry Potter

Leadenhall Market is one of London's most beautiful and photogenic spots. And for Harry Potter fans, it holds a significant added interest.

This Victorian covered market appeared in the films as one of the entrances to Diagon Alley, the famous place where Harry buys his books, robes, and magical items before starting his term at Hogwarts.

The moment you walk in, you understand perfectly why they chose it:

• spectacular Victorian architecture
• decorated ceilings
• cobblestone floors
• charming alleyways

It literally looks like a movie set, even without special effects.

This was also where the famous blue door used as the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was located.

Today the area is full of:

• pubs
• cafes
• small restaurants
• City offices

But it still retains a great deal of charm, especially when there are fewer people.

Tip: Try visiting outside of peak hours to enjoy it more peacefully and be able to take photos without looking like you're trying to survive rush hour on the London Underground.

If you like Harry Potter, it's worth it.

👉 And here you can read our complete guide on:  Harry Potter in London

ArcelorMittal Orbit: London's strangest observation deck (and with a giant slide)

London has many viewpoints, but none as unique as the ArcelorMittal Orbit.

This enormous red structure built for the London 2012 Olympic Games looks like a mix between modern sculpture, a roller coaster and something that someone designed after drinking too many coffees.

And honestly, that's part of its charm.

From the top you have panoramic views very different from those of the more classic center of London, especially of the Olympic area and the east of the city.

But the most famous thing is not the views.

The most famous feature is that you can go down the world's longest slide tunnel installed in a structure. Yes, you can literally slide down a giant slide that goes all the way around the tower.

The blended experience:

• gazebo
• adrenalina
• modern Art
• a certain feeling of "am I really doing this?"

And although it's a bit off the beaten track in the city center, it can be a really fun plan if you already know London or want to do something different with older children.

Golden Hinde: the pirate galleon hidden beside the Thames

While strolling around the Borough Market and Tower Bridge area, there's a rather curious corner that many people overlook: the Golden Hinde.

It's a life-size replica of the famous ship of Sir Francis Drake, the English navigator who circumnavigated the globe in the 16th century. Seeing it docked there in the heart of London is quite striking.

The visit allows you to go inside the ship and discover what life was like on board more than 400 years ago:

• tiny cabins
• cannons
• wooden decks
• really tight spaces

And honestly, after watching it you quickly understand that traveling in those days couldn't have been very comfortable.

Even if you don't go inside, it's worth taking a look at it from the outside while you're strolling along the Thames because it gives the area a rather different and curious feel.

Furthermore, it is very close to:

• Borough Market
• Tower Bridge
• Tate Modern

So it fits perfectly into any walking route through central London.

Wands & Wizards Exploratorium: a magical Harry Potter shop near Tower Hill

Very close to Tower Hill and the Tower of London we find one of those shops that are a must-see for any Harry Potter fan.

Wands & Wizards has that air of a hidden little magic shop that seems straight out of Diagon Alley:

• wands
• tunics
• potions
• themed merchandising
• very tasteful decoration

Everything has a great atmosphere and is much less crowded than other more famous shops in the city center.

The best part is that the experience isn't just about buying souvenirs. The shop is visually stunning and truly feels like stepping into a small store from the Harry Potter universe.

Furthermore, it fits perfectly into a route through the area of:

• Tower of London
• Tower Bridge
• Leadenhall Market

So it's worth going in, even if only to have a look around and further fuel London's collective obsession with Harry Potter.

Leicester Square: the funniest statues in central London

Leicester Square is one of London's liveliest and most touristic squares, full of cinemas, theaters, shops and a great atmosphere at any time of day.

But it also has a very curious detail that children usually love: the statues of famous people scattered throughout the square.

As you stroll along, you might find figures of:

• Harry Potter
• Mr. Bean
• Paddington
• Batman
• Mary Poppins
• classic movie characters

And yes, you'll probably end up taking more photos than you planned.

The Harry Potter statue is one of the most sought-after and depicts the character flying on his broomstick during a Quidditch match. It's practically impossible to walk past it without stopping, even for just a moment.

So Leicester Square works really well as a fun stop at the end of the day, when it's time to slow down a bit and simply enjoy the atmosphere of central London.

Up at The O2: Climbing London's famous O2 Arena

Yes, in London you can walk up onto the roof of one of its most famous buildings, as long as you are over 1.20 meters tall.

And yes, it's much more impressive than it looks in the photos; this plan is definitely more for teenagers, not for small children.

Up at The O2 It's a rather unique experience that involves climbing the enormous dome of the O2 Arena, equipped with:

• harness
• safety ropes
• special boots
• jacket

Everything is very serious and professional… although inside you're wondering when you thought this was a good idea.

The climb is gradual and, although you don't need to be particularly fit, it has its adventurous side. Especially when you reach the top and start to appreciate the views all around you.

Little Venice and London's most unusual floating puppet theater

If you want to discover a different and much quieter corner of London, Little Venice is a highly recommended stop, especially when traveling with children.

This small area of ​​canals and boats seems like another world compared to central London:

• canals full of floating houses
• waterside cafes
• peaceful walks
• Relaxed atmosphere

And it also hides one of the most curious plans in the city.

Here you'll find the Puppet Theatre Barge, a small puppet theatre installed inside a floating barge.

Yes, a children's theater inside a boat in the middle of London's canals. Quite difficult to imagine before seeing it.

The atmosphere is incredibly charming and seems straight out of a fairy tale:

• classic puppets
• family functions
• a small floating room
• ships around

Even if you don't go in to see the show, it's well worth taking a stroll through Little Venice and discovering this much less touristy and more relaxed side of London.

Royal Observatory Greenwich and the Greenwich Meridian

Visiting Greenwich is one of the most interesting excursions you can take in London, especially if you want to get away from the main tourist areas.

Here you will find the famous Greenwich Meridian, the line that divides the planet between east and west and from where GMT time, used as a global reference, is calculated.

Yes, you'll probably end up taking the typical photo with one foot on each side of the meridian. And honestly, it's funnier than it looks before you get there.

The area also has a lot of charm:

• huge parks
• views of the London skyline
• maritime environment
• museums and historic ships

And climbing up to the observatory is especially worthwhile for the panoramic views of Canary Wharf and the Thames.

Bubble Planet: a world of bubbles, lights and immersive rooms

Bubble Planet is one of those modern and visual plans that are a huge hit with children… and also with adults who end up taking more photos than planned.

The experience consists of exploring different immersive rooms filled with:

• giant bubbles
• lights
• colors
• projections
• ball pits
• interactive effects

Everything designed for playing, experimenting and having fun.

It's a very different plan from the typical London monuments and works great for alternating museums and walks with something more fun and visual, especially on rainy days or if you're traveling with kids.

EThe most spectacular glass pyramid viewpoint in London: The Shard

The Shard, the famous glass pyramid on the London skyline, boasts one of the most impressive viewpoints in the city.

The elevator ride is impressive enough, but the best part is at the top, with panoramic views of:

• Tower Bridge
• the Thames
• the Tower of London
• Canary Wharf
• much of London

It's a highly recommended payment plan for children and adults who are not very sensitive to vertigo, because the sensation of height is quite powerful.

Tip: going up at sunset makes the experience even more spectacular.

Shrek's Adventure! London: Interactive fun for children in central London

Next to the London Eye you'll find Shrek's Adventure, an interactive experience inspired by the Shrek movies, perfect for families.

The visit combines:

• actores
• decorated
• special effects
• characters like Shrek or Donkey

All in a fun and highly interactive format for children.

Furthermore, it fits perfectly into a route along the Thames area, near the London Eye and Big Ben.

House of MinaLima: the magical shop of the Harry Potter illustrators

If you have Harry Potter fans at home, this place is a true hidden gem in London.

House of MinaLima is the shop and gallery of the graphic designers who created much of the visual universe of the Harry Potter films. Yes, the true creators of many of the iconic letters, newspapers, posters, covers, and designs of the saga.

And the best part is that entry is free.

The store is spread over several floors and feels almost like a small museum. You'll find:

• original illustrations
• graphic design of the films
• special editions
• decorative objects
• souvenirs that are different from the typical franchise ones

Even if you don't buy anything, it's absolutely worth going in just to see it.

Furthermore, it's right in Soho, very close to Carnaby Street, so it fits perfectly into any route through central London.

And an important warning: if you like Harry Potter and pretty design… it's pretty hard to leave without giving in to temptation.

Regent's Park: one of London's best parks for children

Regent's Park is one of London's most beautiful and pleasant parks, and it also has many spaces designed for families.

Here you will find:

• huge children's play areas
• lakes with boats
• well-maintained gardens
• large green areas for running and relaxing

But one of the big attractions for children is ZSL London Zoo, the famous London Zoo located within the park itself.

Also nearby is:

• the lake's boat area
• playgrounds
• picnic areas
• peaceful walks among gardens and squirrels

It's one of those perfect places to slow down after several days of monuments and city life.

M&M'S London: The giant M&M'S store in Leicester Square

If you're traveling to London with children, you'll inevitably end up here. And even if you think it's "just a chocolate shop," let me warn you, things have gotten quite out of hand.

The M&M's store in Leicester Square has several floors filled with:

• endless walls of M&M colors
• unimaginable merchandising
• giant figures
• interactive zones
• candy personalization

Everything very discreet and restrained, as London usually does… well, no.

It's one of those totally touristy places that, surprisingly, children love and adults also end up finding it more amusing than expected.

Furthermore, it's in a perfect location to include in a route through the city center, next to:

• Leicester Square
• Chinatown
• the Lego store
• West End theatres

Honest advice: even if you don't intend to buy anything, go in anyway. Just looking at the store is part of the experience.

The Old Bank of England: dining inside an old Victorian bank

London has historic pubs galore, but few are as spectacular as The Old Bank of England.

And yes, the name isn't too misleading: this pub occupies a monumental former bank building connected to the Bank of England. Stepping inside is much more like entering a Victorian film than a simple pub.

The interior is incredibly impressive:

• very high ceilings
• enormous columns
• classic lamps
• dark wood
• elegant and ornate decoration

All with that typically British feel that London knows how to preserve so well.

In fact, it is said that one of the bank's old vaults was located here, and the building still has that solemn atmosphere mixed with the cheerful chaos typical of English pubs.

It's a perfect place for:

• have a pint
• eat something typically British
• Take a break along the route

And it's also very well located if you're visiting the City area or the surroundings of Covent Garden and Fleet Street.

Hamleys: London's most famous toy store

Walking into Hamleys is a bit like being eight years old again. Even if you go in saying, very confidently, that "we're just going to look."

Spoiler: no one just looks at Hamleys.

Located on Regent Street, this gigantic toy store has several floors filled with:

• toys of all kinds
• live demonstrations
• huge plush toys
• magic
• Lego
• costumes
• interactive games

And the best part is the atmosphere. The employees are constantly giving demonstrations, and it feels more like a small theme park than a store.

If you're traveling with children, this will probably be one of their favorite stops in London. And honestly, it's also quite dangerous for adults with a childlike spirit and little willpower.

We went in for a quick five minutes and ended up wandering floor after floor for much longer than planned. Quite typical in London, by the way.

Furthermore, it fits perfectly into a route through the city center alongside:

• Carnaby Street
• Liberty
• Piccadilly Circus
• Leicester Square

So it's well worth going, even if only to experience the atmosphere.

Word on the Water: London's most beautiful floating bookstore

Between Camden and the canals of North London there is one of those corners that seem to be discovered by chance and end up becoming one of the most special memories of the trip.

Word on the Water is a small bookstore set up inside a floating barge on the canal. And yes, it has a lot of charm.

The ship is full of:

• second hand books
• novels
• children's books
• The music
• impossible corners where more books fit than seems physically possible

Everything was very welcoming, chaotic, and incredibly London-like.

In addition, there are often:

• live music
• small concerts
• recitals
• People sitting by the canal reading peacefully

The atmosphere is beautiful and very different from the more touristy London.

Even if you don't buy anything, it's well worth getting on the boat and having a look around for a while. Especially if you enjoy reading or simply discovering places with their own unique character.

Royal crest shops in London: shop where the British royals shop

While strolling through central London, there is a curious detail that often goes unnoticed: some shops display a royal coat of arms at the entrance.

That distinctive mark is called a Royal Warrant, and it means that the store or brand has been an official supplier to the British royal family. In other words, they have supplied products directly to the Royal Household at some point.

And yes, I admit it's quite funny to think that you're entering a store where, technically, royalty also shops.

In addition, many of these shops are authentic historic London institutions, with beautiful interiors and plenty of charm.

Some shops with the royal coat of arms that are worth visiting

• Fortnum & Mason: probably the most famous. An elegant and very British gourmet paradise.
• Liberty: a spectacular Tudor-style department store that seems to have been taken from another era.
• Paxton & Whitfield: a historic shop specializing in British cheeses.
• Lock & Co. Hatters: the oldest hat shop in the world.
• Floris London: a historic perfumery founded in the 18th century.

Even if you don't buy anything, going into these kinds of shops is a big part of London's charm. Because here, even window displays seem to have centuries of history behind them.

Jack the Ripper Tour: Discover London's most mysterious side after dark

If you travel with teenagers or with slightly older childrenOne of the most unusual and different things you can do in London is a free tour of Jack the Ripper or of mysteries and legends.

These tours usually take place at dusk through the streets of the East End and combine:

• historia real
• ancient crimes
• dark alleys
• London legends
• rather disturbing stories

And honestly, the atmosphere of some London streets at night really helps to get you in the mood.

Besides Jack the Ripper, many tours also talk about:

• Ghosts
• executions
• epidemics
• curious stories of the city

It's a very different plan from the typical monuments and a rather fun way to discover another, much more mysterious and dark side of London.

St Dunstan in the East Church Garden: London's most beautiful secret ruins

We thought this place was wonderful.

It is an old church destroyed during the Second World War that today has become a small garden full of vegetation among ruins.

It seems completely hidden among modern City buildings and has a very special atmosphere.

One of those hidden gems that many people don't know about and that are incredibly surprising.

God's Own Junkyard: neon, colors and visual madness

Probably one of the strangest places in London.

God's Own Junkyard is a huge collection of illuminated signs, neon lights, and visual art that looks like a futuristic movie set.

Very photogenic, very different and perfect if you're looking for a less typical London.

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Map of London with all the original plans 

Here you have the Interactive map of London with all the interesting spots and original plans to visit in London as a family, and the best restaurants and cafes for breakfast and lunch with or without children.Keep it because it will be very useful during your trip.

Our opinion on the original plans in London

Honestly, one of the things we loved most about London is precisely this: it never ends.

Beyond the classical monuments, the The city is full of little discoveries, unusual corners, and different experiences. that make you always feel like there are still things to discover.

And that's probably one of the reasons why London is so captivating and always leaves you wanting to return.