London with Teens: A High-Energy Family Adventure You’ll All Love
By SAM Owner and creator of Planepal
London might be old-school cool with its red buses and centuries-old pubs, but when you’ve got teens and tweens in tow, it’s also an energetic, unforgettable playground packed with history, pop culture, fashion, and food (so much food!).
If you're heading to London with teens, here’s how to keep the vibe high, the boredom low, and the memories unforgettable: all Planepal family-approved!
🛍️ Shop Like a Local: Spitalfields, Tower Hamlets & Beauty Stops in the West End
Start your trip with a deep dive into London’s coolest street markets. Forget the tacky souvenir stalls, Spitalfields Market and nearby Tower Hamlets are where it’s at. Think vintage denim, handmade jewellery, mural and street art-covered alleyways, and street food from every continent. Teens can pick up their own London ‘look’ or just snack their way through the day with churros and bubble tea.
Got a tween or teen into makeup? Make a beeline for the Charlotte Tilbury flagship store and the iconic pink wonderland that is Glossier London, both located near Covent Garden in the West End theatre district. Between the tester bars, selfie mirrors, and dreamy packaging, your teen will be living their beauty influencer fantasy.
🥐 TikTok Famous Food at Borough Market
Yes, Borough Market is that food market blowing up on TikTok and for good reason. It’s full of the trendiest snacks and flavours, from raclette-drenched toasties to Korean corn dogs, torched crème brûlée doughnuts, giant cups of chocolate covered strawberries, and oversized cookies bigger than your face.
Let your teen lead the food crawl and embrace the “try-everything-once” vibe. Don’t forget to film their first bite for the "Gram" — or at least for the family group chat.
🫖 High Tea + Sightseeing = Genius: Double-Decker Bus High Tea Tour
Want to tick off all the major sights without pounding the pavement or dragging tired teens across town? Hop aboard a Double-Decker Bus High Tea Tour!
You’ll cruise past Big Ben, The London Eye, Tower Bridge, and Buckingham Palace — all while sipping tea and nibbling on scones. It’s a rolling afternoon tea with a view, and a total win for teens who love an a quick look over a long tour! (and a fancy sandwich).
🍿 Lights, Camera, Hoverboards! See Back to the Future in the West End
London’s West End is theatre heaven, and if your teen loves a mix of sci-fi, laughs, and wild set design, Back to the Future: The Musical is a must. The DeLorean actually flies, the soundtrack is packed with 80s bangers, and the energy is electric.
Even the most “meh” teens will leave the theatre saying, “That was actually really good.” Of course from season to season the shows on offer change, but there are alwasy too many to choose from. You can often get last minute tickets online at a great price!
🚴Ride Through Hyde Park Like a Local
One of the best (and surprisingly fun) ways to spend a London afternoon is hiring bikes in Hyde Park. You’ll ride past the Serpentine Lake, spot swans and squirrels, and maybe catch a glimpse of the royal household’s dog walkers.
With loads of open space, shady trees, and quiet paths, it’s the perfect way to unwind after a big sightseeing day. Bikes are avaible for hire and if you are feeling especially adventureous you can hire peddle boats on the lake.
🚇 Mind the Gap — But Definitely Ride the Tube
Riding the London Underground is kind of like being in a movie — it’s noisy, iconic, offers epic peoplpe watching and is weirdly fun. Teens love the independence of figuring out the Tube map (with a little help), and there’s something satisfying about zipping through the city like a local.
Tip: let your teen navigate from one stop to the next. It’s like a real-life game... with snacks at the end.
🍔 Pub Grub, Please: Eat at a Traditional British Pub
Pubs in London aren’t just for grown-ups. Most offer family-friendly menus and a warm, cosy vibe. Go for the classic fish and chips, bangers and mash, or a Sunday roast piled high with gravy and Yorkshire puds. If you are feeling brave go when you know a football game is on! Now that's a true London experience!
Bonus: the portions are huge, and the desserts — sticky toffee pudding, anyone? — are worth saving room for.
🧙 Harry Potter Dreams Come True
And finally, no London trip with teens is complete without a visit to the Harry Potter Studio Tour. Even if your teen insists they're “too old” for Hogwarts, we promise they'll be enchanted by the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, and the full-sized Hogwarts Castle model.
You can sip butterbeer, ride a broom in front of a green screen, and nerd out over real props and costumes from the films.
Hot tip: Book early! This one sells out fast. Like months in advance fast! You will need transport out to this one too.
✈️ Planepal’s Final Thoughts
London with teens doesn’t have to be a drag of museums and moaning. It’s vibrant, modern, packed with personality, and honestly, kind of perfect for families with older kids.
At Planepal, we’re all about making travel smoother, smarter, and more fun for everyone in the family (especially the ones who are hard to impress). So pack your Planepal, prep your camera roll, and get ready for a London trip your teens will actually thank you for.
Yes, really.
📍Want more family travel inspo?
Head to planepal.com.au to read more destination guides and grab your travel essentials.
✈️ Follow us on Instagram @planepal for real-world travel hacks from families on the go!
