Your Ultimate Guide to the Best London Attractions

Planning a visit to see the best London attractions takes a lot of effort if you’re doing it alone. Luckily for you, we’ve built this guide to help you combine fun things do in London in easy-to-follow itineraries. This guide goes beyond the landmarks to bring you the best plans for visiting brilliant London tourist attractions, including a thrilling trip to Thorpe Park!

Curated London Itineraries for Every Family

Build your London itinerary for a family trip with our one-stop guide. It’s packed with information on combining the best London attractions for the perfect trip to the capital. The three plans below cover some of the most amazing family attractions London has to offer that you can visit easily within a day without having to criss-cross across the city.

The Ultimate South Bank Adventure (1 Day)

Spend your family day trip on the South Bank by visiting the London Eye and SEA LIFE London aquarium. Both London tourist attractions sit just a few minutes’ walk apart, perfect for an easy family stroll from one lot of fun to another! Start with the London Eye experience and enjoy stunning views of Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and more across the city. Then explore the underwater world at SEA LIFE with amazing animals and sea creatures. Two top London attractions covered in just one day.

A Day of Thrills at Thorpe Park (Day Trip)

Swap sightseeing for thrill-seeking adrenaline adventures at Thorpe Park. Located in Surrey, it’s a short hop from London, perfect for families with older kids and teens. Home to brilliant rides like Hyperia, Stealth and The Swarm, Thorpe Park is built for a full day out rather than adding to other plans. For theme park fun for younger kids, LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort and Chessington World of Adventures are both easy day trips from London. LEGOLAND is built for kids aged 2-12, while Chessington is packed with rides for all ages and includes access to the zoo and SEA LIFE centre all on one ticket.

Stars and History in the City (Half-Day)

Few hours to spare? A visit to Madame Tussauds London makes for the perfect half-day plan in the capital city. The world-famous celebrity wax figure museum near Baker Street is one of the best London attractions and you only need a few hours to enjoy it all. Discover 150-plus wax figures of famous faces that span film, music, royal history and much more. 

A Deeper Dive Into London’s Must-See Attractions

You’ve got your plans, now for what you can look forward to at some of the best London attractions that families love. 

London Eye

London tourist attractions don’t come much bigger than the London Eye. Standing 135 metres tall, it has 32 observation capsules offering the clearest views across the city. See Big Ben, St Paul's Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament on a relaxed scenic ride that takes around 30 minutes. To avoid long queues, book online in advance and consider Fast Track access during school holidays and peak times.

SEA LIFE London Aquarium

SEA LIFE London Aquarium houses one of Europe’s largest aquarium collections, including a walk-through ocean tunnel with sharks and amazing animals swimming above your head! For the best aquarium experience, check feeding times when you arrive so you can witness sea creatures in true action! Book tickets online in advance to guarantee your slots.

Madame Tussauds London

Perfectly placed on Marylebone Road, near Baker Street station, Madame Tussauds London is easy to get to for things to do in the city. One of the top London attractions, it has more than 150 wax figures across eight immersive zones. Visiting during early morning or late afternoons on weekdays tends to be quieter for more selfie opportunities with the celebrity wax figures. 

Thorpe Park Resort

Thorpe Park Resort is home to more than 25 rides and attractions, including Hyperia, Stealth and The Swarm, making it one of the more thrill-focused day trips from London on this list. Make the most of your day by downloading the Thorpe Park app before you go – offering the park map, live queue times and show schedules. 

LEGOLAND Windsor Resort

LEGOLAND Windsor Resort is also close to London, and is a great family attraction to visit. It’s around 30 minutes from Paddington station by train and has more than 55 rides and attractions across the theme park. With peak times on weekends and school holidays, weekday visits are recommended and booking Fastrack can save long queue times. Explore LEGOLAND Windsor tickets and book online in advance to build a trip that suits you.

Chessington World of Adventures Resort

Chessington World of Adventures Resort combines more than 40 rides and attractions with a Zoo and SEA LIFE Centre, all included on one ticket. Highlights include Mandrill Mayhem and the Gruffalo River Ride Adventure. The amazing resort is perfect for mixed-age families, blending gentler rides, animals and a handful of bigger thrills in a single visit. Chessington tickets can be booked online in advance.

Plan Your London Visit: Tips & Tricks

Most of these amazing Merlin attractions can be reached easily by Tube. Many sit within Zone 1, close to Waterloo or Baker Street, so a Visitor Oyster card that covers pay-as-you-go travel across the network is a great tip for families. If you’re planning to visit the London Eye, SEA LIFE London and Madame Tussauds on the same trip, you can cover all these London attraction tickets with a single multi-attraction pass. It’s generally the most cost-effective way to see all of these top London tourist attractions. 

Your London Adventure Awaits

Visit the capital for exciting attractions with skyline views, a watery world of wonder and wax figures of famous faces from film, music and more. There are so many things to do in London, and you can cover them all with a multi-attraction pass. 

For day trips from London, outside the city, enjoy full days of rides, shows and family entertainment at Thorpe Park, LEGOLAND Windsor and Chessington World of Adventures. Whether you’re booking these brilliant places individually or together, make sure you check and book online before you visit to guarantee your time and entry. 

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