10 Days in London with Kids: Our February 2026 Family Trip

Our family travel journal · February 2026 · London with kids

Ten days in London, a suite the kids loved, amazing breakfasts and a day filled with Harry Potter magic—our February 2026 family trip gave us so much to smile about.

We visited around the week of February 13 and spent 10 days exploring London as a family of four. We got to see lots of the city’s major attractions, but two parts of the trip deserve a special mention: our stay at The Waldorf Hilton, London and the Oxford and Harry Potter studio day trip we booked through GetYourGuide. Both were highlights, and we would happily tell other families about them.

The Waldorf Hilton: a hotel stay we all loved

A good hotel can make such a difference on a family city trip, and we loved the Waldorf. We booked a suite, and having that extra space was a big part of what made the stay work so well for us. The rooms felt spacious, and our kids loved staying there.

For a 10-day trip with two parents and two kids, the hotel becomes more than somewhere to sleep. It is your home base between all the exploring. Our suite gave us room to enjoy that part of the holiday, too. Looking back, the hotel stay belongs right alongside the sightseeing on our list of favorite memories.

And yes—the breakfast deserves a mention!

The breakfast was amazing. It was one of the things we really loved about our stay, and when friends ask us about the Waldorf, it is absolutely part of the conversation. A spacious suite and a breakfast you look forward to? That is a combination we were very happy with.

A great base for getting out into London

Another reason the Waldorf worked so well for us was its location. We loved being close to so many places nearby—it made the hotel feel connected to the trip, rather than somewhere far away from the action.

The hotel is on Aldwych in London’s theatre district, near Covent Garden and the Royal Opera House. Hilton’s hotel guide also places the British Museum and Trafalgar Square within a mile. That gives you several areas to build outings around without treating every stop as a separate journey across the city.

Family tip: plan by neighborhood. Explore Covent Garden and the surrounding theatre streets together, then save Westminster or the Tower of London area for another outing. Check your walking route and allow time for breaks.

Oxford and Harry Potter magic in one fantastic day

We loved the Harry Potter studios! We booked a combined Oxford and Warner Bros. Studio Tour London day trip through GetYourGuide, and it was great. Combining the two in one day gave us a completely different kind of adventure alongside our London sightseeing.

There is something exciting about including a day like this in a city holiday: a change of scenery, Oxford to explore and the world of Harry Potter brought to life at the studios. For our family, it was a highlight worth making room for.

The Harry Potter attraction’s full name is Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter. You’ll find the studio experience in Leavesden, outside central London, so include travel time when planning your visit.

Tips for a combined Oxford and studio day

• Keep the day free. A combined outing includes travel as well as both visits. Leave your evening flexible rather than adding another timed attraction.
• Read your exact booking. Check the meeting point, departure time, studio admission, Oxford stops, time at each place and return arrangements. GetYourGuide lists experiences from different providers; the details can vary.
• Do not assume college entry is included. If there is an Oxford building you particularly want to enter, confirm it is part of your chosen tour.
• Book the studio visit ahead. Use the official studio ticket page or check exactly what your combined tour includes before buying a separate ticket.
• Bring the family day-out essentials. Comfortable shoes, layers, a charged phone and a plan for meals make a full day easier to enjoy.

London sights to put on your family wish list

We saw lots of major attractions during our stay. If you are building your own London itinerary, here are some classic places to consider, with photos to get the ideas flowing. Pick the stops that get your own family excited and build your days around them.

Westminster: Big Ben, Parliament and riverside views

Start with the famous skyline around Elizabeth Tower—home to Big Ben—and the Houses of Parliament. A riverside walk and photos can be an outing in their own right. If you want to add Westminster Abbey or a London Eye ride, check each attraction’s official booking options and leave enough time between reservations.

Tip: choose one main ticketed stop for this part of the day, then enjoy the surrounding sights without racing between entrance times.

Tower Bridge and the Tower of London

These two landmarks make a useful sightseeing pairing. Looking at Tower Bridge from the river and walking across it is a different experience from booking its inside visitor attraction. The Tower of London is another separate ticketed visit, with historic buildings and the Crown Jewels.

Tip: allow a proper block of time for the Tower. Historic Royal Palaces recommends at least three hours, depending on queues. Avoid squeezing it into a short gap between other bookings.

Buckingham Palace and St. James’s Park

For a royal-themed outing, consider seeing Buckingham Palace from outside and pairing it with St. James’s Park. An exterior photo stop does not require an inside palace tour. Interior visits and ceremonies have their own schedules, so check the official palace visitor information if either is on your wish list—especially for a February visit.

Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square

Covent Garden is an easy area to put on the list when staying at the Waldorf. Build in time to explore the market area and surrounding streets. Trafalgar Square is another central London landmark to consider, with the National Gallery nearby if your family wants an indoor option.

The British Museum

A museum visit can add variety to a sightseeing-heavy trip. Rather than trying to cover the entire British Museum, choose a few galleries that match your children’s interests. The museum recommends booking its free general-entry ticket ahead; some exhibitions and events are charged separately.

Our tips for planning 10 days in London with kids

• Give the hotel some attention. Our suite was a big part of why this trip felt so enjoyable. Compare space and sleeping arrangements as carefully as location.
• Pack for a February city break. Bring warm layers, a rain-ready outer layer and shoes everyone is happy walking in. Keep an indoor idea in reserve and check the forecast near departure.
• Group sights by area. London offers a huge amount, and crossing the city takes time. A shorter route with room for lunch can beat a long list of disconnected stops.
• Mix big days with lighter ones. Keep the Oxford and studio day as a major outing, with breathing room around it.
• Check travel options for your children’s ages. Review Transport for London’s current family fare guidance before buying travel products. Different services and ages can have different rules.
• Book the experiences you care about most first. Then let the rest of the itinerary take shape around them, with room for breaks and discoveries along the way.

Why this London trip stays with us

What we loved was the whole mix: 10 days to explore, lots of major sights, a hotel our kids were excited to stay in and an Oxford and Harry Potter day that added something special. The Waldorf suite and amazing breakfast were part of the holiday—not just a footnote to it.

If you are dreaming about London with your family, this is your reminder that a great trip can include both the big-ticket adventures and a hotel stay you love. We are so glad ours did.

Ready to plan your own London adventure? Let’s start with your family’s wish list. ↗