Family Fun in London & Oxford: Museums, Palaces & Wizards - 13 Days

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

Welcome to England! Upon arrival at the airport, you and your family will be met by your driver and transferred to your central London hotel. England's capital is a dynamic, family-friendly city filled with inspiring museums, parks, and attractions for kids of all ages and interests. Once you've checked in to your hotel and settled in, it's time to start your UK adventure with a cruise along the River 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 retelling of London's history that will inspire them for the rest of the trip.

Day 2: Buckingham Palace & British Museum, See "Harry Potter" at the West End

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! Here at 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 ensure 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 as 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.

Later on, you and your family are off to the famous West End theater district to see the award-winning: "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child." Based on an original story by J.K. Rowling, this exclusive adventure, which takes place 19 years after Harry, Ron, and Hermione saved the wizarding world, premiered in 2016 and has racked up an impressive 22 awards in the UK alone. As the Hollywood Reporter put it, get ready for "thrilling theatricality and pulse-pounding storytelling."

Families are particularly well catered to at the palace, and the kids can immerse themselves in interactive exhibits, try on Tudor costumes, and take part in historical re-enactments. The fun continues outside, too. Weave your way through Hampton Court's famous maze, stroll through the formal gardens to the enchanting rose garden, and end your day with a visit to the Magic Gardens. If the little ones need to burn off some energy, this is the place. With tunnels, slides, rope swings, aerial walkways, and battlements to climb, there's plenty to engage everyone from curious toddlers to whimsical tweens. 

Day 4: Chauffeured "Harry Potter" Tour of London, Rooftop Cinema Experience

Fans of the boy wizard are in for a treat today as you and your family follow in the footsteps of Harry and friends with a two-hour "Harry Potter"-themed tour around the capital. To make the experience extra special, you'll also have a private chauffeur, along with your guide, to help ferry little legs across the city. Start at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, where the Weasley's Ford Anglia takes off in "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," and see key sights mentioned in the tales, such as London Zoo, where Harry makes a window disappear in the Reptile House, Piccadilly Circus, and Trafalgar Square.

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, and St Paul's Cathedral. 

Day 6: Discover Dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum 

You've ticked off London's history, royalty, and food—today, 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 and do nearby, too. You'll be visiting the Science Museum (conveniently situated just next door) later in the week, so if the weather's fine, stroll over to the nearby Harrods Food Hall, where you'll find everything you need for a luxe family picnic in Hyde Park. Otherwise, the V&A Museum is the perfect spot for art, fashion, and design-obsessed teens (and adults).

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' 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, Pitt-Rivers Museum

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, woven 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 film versions 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, filled with ancient portraits, inspired the Hogwarts Dining Hall. Along the way, you'll learn the colleges' history and test your Hogwarts knowledge with a themed family quiz. 

If the last nine days have fired up the kids' thirst for adventure, there's no better place to take them next than the Pitt-Rivers Museum. Founded in 1884 by General Pitt-Rivers, the museum is filled with fascinating objects, ranging from centuries-old weaponry to ancient boats and toys, celebrating human ingenuity across the globe. Spend a few hours roaming the galleries and exhibitions, then return to your hotel, where you can take a breather before rallying your mini-explorers for an evening at leisure in Oxford.

Day 10: Visit Blenheim Palace & Marlborough Hedge Maze, Tour the Cotswolds

Today, you'll explore the quintessential countryside around Oxford, notably the famous Cotswolds: a rural area just over an hour's drive west of the city that enjoys Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) status. First, though, is a trip to Blenheim Palace. Meet your driver after breakfast and set off on a short 25-minute drive north of the city to Woodstock, a charming village home to the 18th-century estate. The stately home is the Duke of Marlborough's seat and Sir Winston Churchill's birthplace.

You'll have several hours to explore the estate's gilded rooms and priceless collection of artwork, tapestries, and antique furniture. And if the kids start clamoring for a run-around, fear not! Along with the winding Marlborough Hedge Maze, the property has some 12,000 acres (4,856 ha) of manicured gardens and countryside to explore. Once the kids have tired themselves out, hop back in the car and embark on a tour of the Cotswolds. 

In the company of your knowledgeable guide, you'll explore the area's rolling green hills, thatched-roof cottages, and ancient church towers. Task the kids with spotting historical landmarks from the Roman Britain era and stop to visit the picture postcard villages of Stow-on-the-Wold, Chipping Campden, and Bourton-on-the-Water. At the end of the day, you'll return to Oxford for your final night in the city.

Day 11: Train to London, Free Day in the Capital

If sightseeing is still at the top of your list, a great way to discover the city and stave off any complaints of tired legs is to board a Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus. These open-topped, double-decker tour buses follow a specific route around the city, hitting the key attractions. Best of all, you and the kids can get off at any stop, such as the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, or Piccadilly Circus, to walk around and snap pics. Then, when you're ready, wait for the next bus to arrive, step aboard and continue your sightseeing adventure.

It wouldn't be a trip to England without at least one afternoon tea, and you'll even manage to keep the science theme going as you head to the nearby Ampersand Hotel for a midafternoon feast. Take your seat in the Drawing Rooms, and you'll be served an elegant and creative spread that delivers refined sandwiches, scones, cakes, and pastries with interactive flair and an imaginative twist! Sip on Champagne and nibble indulgent bites while the kids tuck into the Ampersand's award-winning Sci-Fi Tea.

Day 13: 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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