Family Fun in London & Oxford: Wizards, Dinosaurs & Royalty - 11 Days

Day 1: Arrive in London, "Horrible Histories" Cruise Along the Thames 

No ordinary river cruise, this 45-minute tour is based on the award-winning children's BBC TV show and book series "Horrible Histories." As you glide along the Thames with your family, your guide will enthrall the kids (and adults) with London's history as you see sights, including the Tower of London, London Bridge, the Palace of Westminster, and more. Expect gruesome, witty stories that capture the kids' imaginations with a re-telling of London's history that will inspire them for the rest of the trip.

Day 2: "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" at the West End

Day 3: Buckingham Palace, Family-Friendly Tour of the British Museum

This morning, you'll visit one of London's top attractions and one of the world's most famous homes—you're off to Buckingham Palace! As the primary residence of England's royal family since the turn of the 18th century, you and the kids will witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony. Meet your guide, who'll make sure you arrive at the right time to avoid the mass crowds and see the marching guards dressed in their famous black fur caps and red tunics. The symbolic ceremony sees the King's Guard hand over responsibility for protecting the palace to the New Guard. 

Afterward, stop for a bite to eat and inspire the kids with a visit to the British Museum, whose exhibitions and collections detail two million years of history and culture. On a private tour, you and your family will hunt for clues and hints as you discover the museum's highlights, aided by your fun and knowledgeable guide. Discover treasures such as the famous Rosetta Stone, which the French and English used to decipher Egyptian hieroglyphs, and travel back to Ancient Greece to see marble sculptures and statues from the Parthenon.

The tour finishes at the iconic King's Cross Platform 9 ¾, where your guide will help choreograph you and your family for the perfect shot. In the evening, you'll combine views of the world-famous London skyline with an open-air rooftop cinema experience. Sit back and relax in your comfy deck chair (blankets are provided if the weather's nippy) while you and the kids snuggle up and watch an iconic movie with state-of-the-art wireless headphones. Your backdrop is the city skyline with views over landmarks such as Big Ben, The London Eye, The Shard, and St Paul's Cathedral. 

Day 5: Family-Friendly Food Tour of Borough Market

Day 6: Dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum 

You've ticked off London's history, cuisine, and royalty; now, you and your family will delve into the natural world with a guided tour of the Natural History Museum. Perfect for kids of all ages, the museum has 36 permanent galleries spread over four zones that explore the history and evolution of our planet. Little ones will undoubtedly make a beeline for the Dinosaur Gallery to see the Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, while the whole family will be astonished to see the jaw-dropping blue whale skeleton hanging from the ceiling and measuring 82 feet (25 m) in length.

While you could easily spend the whole day at the Natural History Museum and only see a fraction of the exhibits, there's plenty more to see nearby too. Visit the Science Museum, where younger children can explore the concepts of construction, water, light, and sound through play, and older kids and teens can interact with scientific phenomena in the Wonderlab area. Meanwhile, the V&A Museum is the perfect spot for art, fashion, and design-obsessed teens (and adults). Cap your day with a short walk to the Harrods Food Hall, where you'll find everything you need for a luxe family picnic in Hyde Park.

Day 7: Visit Warner Bros. Studio, Tour the "Harry Potter" Film Set

The "Harry Potter" theme continues apace this morning with a behind-the-scenes tour of the fantasy films' movie sets at the Warner Bros. Studio. Your foray into the wizarding world starts just where Harry's did, in the cupboard under the stairs. Then, after an introductory video featuring favorite cast characters, you'll be welcomed into the Hogwarts Great Hall, where no detail has been spared. With the dining table set for a feast, you'll see the costumes and wigs worn by prominent cast members and witness the talent, craftsmanship, and imagination that went into bringing this beloved world to life. 

The tour continues to many more familiar sets with plenty of famous characters. You'll stop at the Forbidden Forest, see masked Death Eaters, visit Aragog's Lair, walk along iconic Platform 9¾, and step inside the Hogwarts Express. The kids will be bowled over when you finally reach Diagon Alley, home to dusty Ollivanders Wand Shop, where inside, you'll find 17,000 individually labeled wand boxes.

Day 8: Train to Oxford, Chauffeured Punting Trip & Picnic 

Today, you'll head to London's Paddington Station for a one-hour train ride west to Oxford. Dubbed the "City of Dreaming Spires," the town is home to one of England's oldest and most prestigious universities. Once you've checked in to your hotel and settled the kids, you'll head down to the riverbank for a relaxing tour of the city along the River Cherwell. You'll travel on a chauffeured punt (flat-bottomed riverboat), gliding gently along the water and passing the city's iconic sights as you and your family enjoy a light lunch from a picnic hamper.

Your knowledgeable chauffeur will point out landmarks such as Christ Church College (where Lewis Carroll taught in the mid-19th century and wrote "Alice in Wonderland"), the lush Botanic Gardens, and the playing fields of Magdalen College. Afterward, you'll return to the boathouse, where the rest of the afternoon is yours to relax back at the hotel or head out for dinner at one of the town's family-friendly restaurants. 

Day 9: "Harry Potter" Tour of Oxford University & Bodleian Library

If yesterday was all about seeing Oxford's college backs from the water, today's half-day tour focuses on the famous university's interior, weaved together with a family-friendly "Harry Potter"-themed tour. You'll start with a visit to the Bodleian Library, one of the oldest in Europe; it's home to over 13 million books. See the Bodleian's historic rooms, including Duke Humfrey's Library and the Divinity School, whose historic interiors and Gothic vaulted ceilings have featured in the films of J.K. Rowling's much-loved books. 

After exploring the libraries, you and the kids will tour New College and Christ Church while your guide reveals behind-the-scenes stories about the production and actors and the many similarities between Oxford and Hogwarts. Then, follow in the footsteps of Harry, Hermione, and Ron as you wander the staircase at Christ Church, which leads to the college's Tudor Dining Hall, whose resplendent interior is filled with ancient portraits inspired that inspired the Hogwarts Dining Hall. Along the way, you'll not only learn the history of the colleges but test your Hogwarts knowledge with a themed family quiz. 

Of course, you'll also get to see the priceless Crown Jewels, including the Sovereign's Scepter with Cross, which has been used at every coronation since 1661 and was transformed in 1910 by the addition of the breathtaking Cullinan I diamond. See if the kids can guess its size—at 530.2 carats, it's the world's largest colorless cut diamond. End the tour with a memorable family pic alongside a Yeomen Warder (Beefeater), whose rank has guarded the tower since Tudor times. Part ways with your guide, and the evening is yours to settle down with the kids at your favorite restaurant and toast your British adventure.

Day 11: Depart London

Your family holiday in England has come to an end. Round up the troops and meet your driver, ready for your transfer to the airport and flight home or onward journey. Safe travels!

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