Are you planning a trip to London with your family and looking for something more exciting than a standard tour bus?
Whether you’re a local family or visiting from abroad, there are plenty of adventures designed to captivate people of all ages. From magical Harry Potter experiences to thrilling ghost walks, these tours promise a unique and memorable way to discover London’s landmarks.
To help you make the most of your tour of the capital, we’ve created the following list of engaging tours to keep the whole family entertained.
Tour for Muggles
From £34.00 for 1 adult and 1 child: Tour for Muggles
London sights: Leadenhall Market, Bank of England, St Paul’s Cathedral, Golden Hinde, The Clink Prison Museum, Borough Market
Age restrictions: 7 years+
Reviews: 5/5 stars from 3,656 reviews on Tripadvisor
The Tour for Muggles is an excellent option for Potter fans of all ages. In addition to discovering London’s landmarks, you will discover filming locations from the Harry Potter franchise, including Diagon Alley, the Leaky Cauldron, and the Ministry of Magic.
What’s included for kids in the Tour for Muggles?
The tour starts in Leadenhall Market, the filming location for Diagon Alley. As you explore the city, your guide will share lesser-known facts about the Harry Potter movies.
This tour would be suitable for children aged 7 and up who love Harry Potter. They can explore London in an engaging and exciting way – learning about the city that inspired their favourite book series.
In total, the walking tour lasts approximately 2 hours. You’ll finish the tour in Borough Market, which inspired the Leaky Cauldron.
Book Tour for Muggles
Book the Tour for Muggles from £34.00 for one adult and one child.
Karts of London
From £79.00 for two people: Karts of London
London sights: Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Downing Street, London Eye, Piccadilly Circus
Age restrictions: Participants must have a UK or international driving licence
Reviews: 5/5 stars from 21 reviews on Tripadvisor
During the Karts of London tour, you explore the city by driving a one-person street Kart. If you don’t fancy walking around the city, the Karts of London tour is a unique way to see London’s landmark buildings.
What’s included for kids in Karts of London?
The tour begins and ends at Kart’s of London’s HQ in Paddington. From there, you can pick up your Kart and even a costume – if you want to ride around the city in style.
This tour isn’t appropriate for anyone without a driving licence. The karts are one-seater, so children won’t be able to ride along with adults.
In total, the tour lasts approximately one hour.
Book Karts of London
Book Karts of London from £79.00 for two people.
Gourmaze
From £55.98 for two people: Gourmaze
London sights: Camden, Shoreditch, Mayfair, Soho
Age restrictions: All ages welcome but this experience is recommended for 14 years+
Reviews: 5/5 stars from 396 reviews on Tripadvisor
The Gourmaze tour is a hybrid of an escape room and a London food walking tour. During the experience, you solve challenges and riddles that lead you to hidden food spots.
What’s included for kids in Gourmaze?
During this treasure hunt, you and your companions must solve several riddles and decipher clues sent to your phone. The answer to each challenge will lead you to a hidden food location in London.
Gourmaze has experiences all over London, including Camden, Shoreditch, Mayfair, and Soho.
Each challenge will last approximately 2-3 hours.
Book Gourmaze
Book the Gourmaze: The Sweet Escapes a Dessert Treasure Hunt from £55.98 for two people.
Speedboat Experience to/from Embankment Pier
From £102.90 for one adult and one child: Speedboat Experience
London sights: Houses of Parliament, HMS Belfast, Tower of London
Age restrictions: 3 years+
Reviews: 5/5 stars from 6,102 reviews on Tripadvisor
This high-speed boat tour will give you the chance to see London landmarks from the Thames River.
What’s included for kids in Speedboat Experience to/from Embankment Pier?
You start the Speedboat Experience from Embankment Pier and are given a lifejacket and all-weather clothing to protect you from the spray.
As you speed along, your guide will provide insightful and fun commentary about the London landmarks you pass – including the Houses of Parliament, HMS Belfast, and the Tower of London.
The tour finishes at Embankment Pier and lasts 50 minutes in total.
Book Speedboat Experience to/from Embankment Pier
Book the Speedboat Experience to/from Embankment Pier from £102.90 for one adult and one child.
Paddington Bear Walking Tour
From £70.00 for one adult and one child: Paddington Bear Walking Tour
London sights: Paddington Station, Notting Hill, Portobello Road
Age restrictions: 2 years+
Reviews: 4.5/5 stars from 117 reviews on Tripadvisor
During the Paddington Bear Walking Tour, your local guide will take you to locations in London associated with the Paddington Bear stories.
What’s included for kids in the Paddington Bear Walking Tour?
You’ll start the Paddington Bear Walking Tour at Paddington Railway Station. That’s where Mr and Mrs Brown first found Paddington Bear.
From there, you’ll explore places Paddington would enjoy – including Notting Hill, Portobello Road, and 32 Windsor Gardens. On the way, your guide will share unique facts about the Paddington stories and how they were made.
The tour finishes at Portobello Road and lasts approximately 3 hours.
Book Paddington Bear Walking Tour
Book the Paddington Bear Walking Tour from £70.00 for one adult and one child.
CityQuest in London
From £22.00 for two people: CityQuest in London
London sights: London Eye, Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, English National Opera
Age restrictions: 19 years+
Your goal on the CityQuest walking tour is to solve a London mystery. Using your phone, answer as many questions as possible before your time runs out.
What’s included for kids in CityQuest in London?
As CityQuest is operated through your phone, you can start anytime you want. The tour begins at Waterloo Station and will lead you past some of London’s iconic landmarks – including the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye.
While answering questions through the app, you’ll follow a trail of breadcrumbs left by a secret agent.
The tour lasts 2-2.5 hours and finishes at Waterloo Station.
Book CityQuest in London
Book the CityQuest in London from £22.00 for two people.
Shoreditch Street Art Tour
From £30.00 for one adult and one child: Shoreditch Street Art Tour
London sights: Old Spitalfields Market, Brick Lane, Shoreditch
Age restrictions: All ages welcome, ideal for teenagers and adults
Reviews: 5 / 5 stars from 290 reviews on Tripadvisor
The Shoreditch Street Art Tour gives you a chance to explore London’s colourful street art and associated culture and stories.
What’s included for kids in the Shoreditch Street Art Tour?
Your tour is led by an experienced guide, who will take you to see the best murals in Spitalfields, Brick Lane, and Shoreditch.
On this walking tour, you can learn more about London’s street art history and discover some secret art spots.
Book Shoreditch Street Art Tour
Book the Shoreditch Street Art Tour from £30.00 for one adult and one child.
City & Secrets London Bike Tour: Hidden Gems
From £69.00 for 1 adult and 1 child: City & Secrets London Bike Tour
London sights: Tate Modern, The Globe, Borough Market, Southwark Cathedral, Tower Bridge, The Bank of England
Age restrictions: 10 years+
The City & Secrets London Bike Tour is a great way to learn medieval history, scandals, and modern tales about London.
What’s included for kids in the City & Secrets London Bike Tour?
The tour starts at Waterloo Station and proceeds along the Southbank towards Tower Bridge. From there, it moves to the East End docks and the City of London.
Along the way, your guide will be telling you stories about the history of London – both medieval and modern. We think this tour is a great way to learn there’s more to London than meets the eye.
The tour lasts approximately 3.5 hours.
Book City & Secrets London Bike Tour
Book the Secret London Bike Tour from £69.00 for one adult and one child.
Mystery Walk with Dickens-Themed Story: A London Exploration Game
From £30.00 for two people: Mystery Walk with Dickens-Themed Story
London sights: Oxford Street, Clerkenwell, Holborn, Covent Garden
Age restrictions: All ages welcome
If you are a fan of Little Dorrit, Great Expectations, or Oliver Twist, this Mystery Walk with Dickens-Themed Story could be a good tour for you. Charles Dickens spent most of his life in London and was inspired by its streets and people.
This mystery walking tour takes you through the capital’s streets, solving clues and discovering the places that were part of Dickens’ life and works along the way.
What’s included for kids in the Mystery Walk with Dickens-Themed Story?
The tour starts on the corner of Oxford Street and Argyll Street and ends in Covent Garden. During the walking tour, you’ll discover hidden alleyways, eccentric pubs, and historic arcades.
You can move through the city at your own pace, as the city exploration game is run through an app on your phone.
However, the adventure normally lasts about 2.5 hours.
Book Mystery Walk with Dickens-Themed Story: a London Exploration Game
Book the London Exploration Game: Mystery Walk with Dickens-Themed Story from £30.00 for two people.
Black Cab Tour: The Premier Classic London
From £379.00 for up to 6 people: Black Cab Tour
London sights: Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament, 10 Downing Street, St James’ Palace, St Paul’s, Tower of London, Horse Guards Parade, Trafalgar Square, Marble Arch, Piccadilly Circus, Hyde Park, Royal Albert Hall, The Globe, London Eye, Borough Market, Parliament Square, Covent Garden
Age restrictions: All ages welcome
Reviews: 5/5 stars from 651 reviews on Tripadvisor
During this 4-hour Black Cab Tour, you’ll be able to see nearly every sight in London. Your driver is a professional guide who will give you live commentary as you ride around in one of the city’s iconic black cabs.
What’s included for kids in Black Cab Tour: The Premier Classic London?
The tour starts at your hotel, Embankment Station, or Paddington Station. From there, you’ll drive around in style, seeing the sights of London – starting at Westminster Abbey and ending with Covent Garden.
The tour lasts around 4 hours and is accessible by stroller. Infants must sit on laps.
Book Black Cab Tour: The Premier Classic London
Book the Black Cab Tour: The Premier Classic London from £379.00 per group (up to 6 people):
Ghosts, Ghouls and Gallows Walking Tour with a Boat Ride
From £45.00 for one adult and one child: Ghosts, Ghouls and Gallows Walking Tour
London sights: Royal Parks, River Thames Cruise, Tower of London
Age restrictions: 5 years+
Reviews: 5/5 stars from 1,338 reviews on Tripadvisor
During this walking tour, you can explore London at night and learn more about the city’s ghostly history.
What’s included for kids in Ghosts, Ghouls and Gallows Walking Tour with a Boat Ride?
The Ghosts, Ghouls and Gallows walking tour starts at Green Park. Your guide will then lead you through the Royal Parks and share spooky stories about the sites you’re in.
You finish the tour with a Thames River cruise, where you get a view of London’s illuminated landmarks. The tour finishes at Tower Hill and lasts around 2.5 hours.
Book Ghosts, Ghouls and Gallows Walking Tour
Book the Ghosts, Ghouls and Gallows Walking Tour from £45.00 for one adult and one child.
Sherlock Holmes Walking Tour
From £27.00 for one adult and one child: Sherlock Holmes Walking Tour
London sights: Somerset House, Piccadilly Circus, Royal Academy of Arts
Age restrictions: 2 years+
Reviews: 5/5 stars from 118 reviews on Tripadvisor
This guide-led tour takes you around the London locations that inspired Sherlock Holmes.
What’s included for kids in the Sherlock Holmes Walking Tour?
The Sherlock Holmes Walking Tour begins in Piccadilly. From there, you will make your way to the sites that inspired locations from the Sherlock Holmes series (Somerset House and the Royal Academy).
On the way, you will learn more about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and different productions of the Sherlock Holmes series.
The tour ends on the Strand and will take 2 hours in total.
Book Sherlock Holmes Walking Tour
Book the Sherlock Holmes Walking Tour from £27.00 for one adult and one child:
London Instagram Tour with London Expert
From £160.90 for one adult and one child: London Instagram Tour
London sights: Customised list of photogenic places and hidden city gems
Age restrictions: 11 years+
The London Instagram tour allows you to visit London’s most Instagrammable places and take photos. Your expert guide will give you tips on the most photogenic spots.
What’s included for kids in London Instagram Tour with London Expert?
The London Instagram Tour starts and ends in Charing Cross. From there, your guide will take you to locations with photo opportunities in central London.
Your guide will also give you advice on improving your Instagram presence.
Book London Instagram Tour with London Expert
Book the London Instagram Tour with London Expert from £160.90 for one adult and one child:
London Shopping Experience Tour
From £750.00 for two travellers: London Shopping Experience Tour
London sights: The London Eye, Saville Row, Green Park, New Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circus
Age restrictions: All ages welcome
On the London Shopping Experience Tour, you spend time on Saville Row and explore London’s traditional shops. Your guide will take you from place to place, providing historical facts behind certain shopfronts.
What’s included for kids in the London Shopping Experience Tour?
The London Shopping Experience Tour will take you to some of the most historic stores in London, including the place that supplied hats to Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin and one of the oldest umbrella shops in London.
The tour will start at your hotel or near the London Eye. In total, it lasts around 8 hours.
Book the London Shopping Experience Tour
Book the London Shopping Experience Tour from £750.00 for two travellers.
London by Night Sightseeing Tour – Open top bus
From £45.00 for one adult and one child: London by Night Sightseeing Tour
London sights: Fortnum & Mason, Knightsbridge, Tower Bridge, St Paul’s, Green Park, Piccadilly Circus, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, London Eye, the Thames, Harrods, Royal Albert Hall, Natural History Museum
Age restrictions: All ages welcome
Reviews: 4.5/5 stars from 202 reviews on TripAdvisor
This London by Night Sightseeing Tour will take you around London at night on a double-decker bus. From there, you’ll be able to see London landmarks and hear facts from an expert guide.
What’s included for kids in London by Night Sightseeing Tour – Open top bus?
The London by Night Sightseeing Tour begins in Piccadilly and passes iconic London sights, including Tower Bridge, St Paul’s Cathedral, and the London Eye. Each attraction is lit up, providing beautiful nighttime views.
During the tour, travellers will receive engaging onboard commentary from a knowledgeable guide. This way, they can learn more about the history and architecture they pass by.
The tour ends back in Piccadilly and lasts approximately 1.5 hours.
Book London by Night Sightseeing Tour – Open top bus
Book the London by Night Sightseeing Tour – Open top bus from £45.00 for one adult and one child.
Which is the best London tour?
Finding the ‘best’ London tour depends on what you and your family enjoy doing the most.
Families with young children might enjoy the Tour for Muggles or the Paddington Bear Walking Tour, both of which offer visitors the chance to immerse themselves in their favourite children’s books.
Foodies might enjoy Gourmaze, which combines a food tour with a treasure hunt to help you discover some of London’s eateries.
For nighttime explorers, the Ghouls, Ghosts and Gallows tour or the London by Night Sightseeing Tour offer the opportunity to see London lit up at night while learning more about the capital’s history.
Whatever you’re looking for, London offers a wide range of tours that cater to different tastes and ages. We hope this list has given you some inspiration and proven that there’s more to London tours than the traditional tour bus.
Find what’s on in London
If you want to see what other events are on during your visit to London, search the Loopla family events platform for inspiration.
You’ll find theatre shows, pop-up events, children’s workshops and activities happening during your stay.
