What to do in London with Teens ?

Planning a trip to London with teenagers can feel like a challenge especially if you are wondering on how to balance culture, fun, food and just the right amount of independence?  Last time my children visited London, it was still during lockdown and I remember we travelled as a family to the city with masks.  This time,  it was a lot different, we had debit cards, oyster cards, books, ear pods and a playlist filled with their favourite songs to keep them company during the train journey.

With my eldest sitting for GCSE this year, we decided to take a short break to spend a weekend in the capital city sightseeing before her exams started. We did various things but our highlights had to be jumping on a hop-on hop-off bus. It gave us a relaxed overview of the city while letting us stop off at places that caught our attention as well as taking a tour of River Thames on the ferry.

Food was a definite highlight as well as we wandered through Chinatown trying out the various food and having dim sum and noodles for dinner. We also stopped off at Camden Market, where we spotted street food, vintage stalls and a buzzing atmosphere that our teens naturally gravitate towards. We also made time for some culture at the British Museum, which surprisingly held their attention thanks to its sheer scale and fascinating exhibits.

Of course, no trip would be complete without ticking off a few iconic sights. A ride on the London Eye gave us incredible views across the city, while browsing the luxury floors of Harrods added a touch of indulgence (and window-shopping fun).  Finally as foodies, we had to sought out some Malaysian food while we were there.

Big Bus Tours Hop On Hop Off Bus

Taking the Big Bus Tours Hop On Hop Off Bus around London especially with three teenagers in tow turned out to be one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to explore the city over two days. Instead of worrying about public transport routes or tiring everyone out with constant walking, the hop-on hop-off format gave us flexibility. We could jump off at landmarks that interested us, spend as much time as we liked, and then simply catch the next bus.

We booked Big Bus Tour’s Essential Ticket which gave us 48-hours on the hop-on, hop off bus as well as 3 guided walking tours (The Royal Walk, Harry Potter Walk,Jack the Ripper Walk) and a one-way River Cruise. The tickets (which covers the red, blue and green route) are priced at £44.99 per adult or £34.99 per child. A family ticket for four (2 adults and 2 children) costs £141.99. I would recomend downloading the app, which shows you the closest waiting point and the estimated arrival time of the next bus. The downside was, we had to wait anywhere from 15 to 25 minutes for the next bus and this took time.

For our teens, taking the bus was exciting as they loved having the wind on their faces as we sat on the top deck, enjoying the sights and sounds of London. We were also given free headphones to listen to the pre-recorded guide.  The audio guide kept things engaging without feeling like a formal tour and the ability to space out stops over two days meant we didn’t feel rushed. Unfortunately the London Half Marathon was happening on the weekend of our travel so we were not able to get the bus during certainly times, when the roads were closed.

Our tickets also included a ferry ride along the Thames which was truly a highlight for us. Seeing London from the water offered a completely different perspective and it gave everyone a chance to relax while still taking in major sights like Tower Bridge and the Houses of Parliament.

Although the ticket also included free walking tours, we were not able to participate in any of them due to our tight schedule.

Overall, booking the Big Bus Tours hop-on hop-off bus in London is worth it as it simplifies logistics, reduces stress and allows families to explore and discover London at their own pace.

British Museum

Visiting The British Museum located at Great Russell Street, with teenagers can be surprisingly rewarding…if you approach it the right way.  We started our day early and pre-booked our visit to the museum. Although entry is free, visitors are encouraged to give a small donation to help the running of the museum.

While the idea of a museum might not immediately excite every teen (especially mine), this one quickly proved it’s far from boring. The sheer scale of the British Museum was impressive and the variety of exhibits means there’s always something to capture their attention.

We deviced a plan to start from the bottom, working our way to the top.  With over 60 galleries in the museum plus exhibits, our aim was not to see everything but focus on what attracted our attention. Highlights included the Rosetta Stone and the Egyptian mummies, which sparked genuine curiosity. I felt these iconic pieces bring history to life in a way that feels tangible rather than abstract which is perfect for teens who prefer interactive or visual learning.

There are also plenty of rest areas plotted around the museum with the East and West Café as well as The Pizzeria on the ground floor near the Great Court as well as the Great Court Restaurant on the top floor under the iconic latticed glass roof.  We found a smaller cafe called Benugo on top floor (which we stopped for a cuppa tea and cakes to refuel before we continued our visit).

The Central Great Court, with its open space and natural light was just stunning to look at and if you need a moment, feel free to sit down for a while there. The gift shop was also filled with lots of lovely sourvenirs.  I found visiting the museum very educational for teens as they were either reading something or looking at various artefacts from the Greek, Roman or Ancient South Arabia.

Overall, the experience strikes a good balance between education and engagement. With a bit of planning (and realistic expectations), The British Museum did end up being a highlight for us!

Camden Market

After a morning at The British Museum, we decided to head to Camden Market for late lunch which was exactly the change of pace we needed. We hopped back on the Big Bus Tours Hop On Hop Off Bus and rode it to Euston, then enjoyed a walk over to Camden, which helped everyone reset after a few hours indoors.

Camden Market immediately felt different with the livelier atmosphere, energy and melting pot of experience. For our teenagers, that shift is a win. Instead of quiet galleries, they were met with street food stalls, music, colourful buildings and a constant buzz of activity. There are also rows and rows of shops selling various souveniors and t-shirts for tourists.

We made our way through to Hawley Wharf to the covered food courts and found lots of independent retailers, right on the edge of Regent’s Canal selling food from all over the world. There are also paid toilets as well as baby changing facility available here.

We walked around scouting for what to eat and were spoilt for choices from global street food to classic comfort options. This was great, as everyone had the choce to browse and pick their favourite food without it feeling overly structured. You can stand and eat or like us, find a spot by the canal to sit and eat, which added to the relaxed atmosphere and gave us all a moment to recharge.  Overall, Camden Market was the perfect follow-up to a cultural morning and perfect to visit on a lovely day.

London Eye

With the day being really beautiful, we decided to head to our next tourist destination using the London Underground which was The London Eye.

Visiting the London Eye was easily the highlight of our weekend in London, and it was made even better with clear skies and a bit of forward planning. We had pre-booked our tickets, £29 per person (I don’t think you need the Fast-Track as the que was swiftly moving and we did not have to wait long at all) which saved us money. If you have Blue Light Card then do go on their website to book tickets, for a further discount.  We missed going on The London Eye the last time we visited London during Covid so we were really looking forward seeing London 135m from the ground.

Did you know that the London Eye travels at a speed of around 0.6 miles per hour, advancing roughly 26cm every second. There is also no 13th capsule as it is believed to be unlucky. The London Eye can hold 800 people per revolution, with a maximum capacity of 25 people per pod.

Designed by Marks Barfield Architects, the idea was conceived in 1993 for a millennium competition and become operation in March 2000. Initially this was a temporary idea but due to its massive popularity, the attraction became permanent and easily sees up to 10,000 visitors per day. 

The experience itself feels special from the moment you step into the glass capsule. As it slowly rises above the city, the views open up in every direction, offering a completely different perspective of London. On a sunny day, you can see for miles, the River Thames winding through the city, famous landmarks dotted along its banks and the skyline stretching far beyond. My only complaint would be that the team at London Eye should make more of an effort to keep the glass clean as it was dusty and I had to keep moving around to find a clean glass to take photos of the stunning view.

Nevertheless, what makes a trip to the London Eye particularly great with teens is that it doesn’t feel rushed or overly structured. The rotation is smooth and unhurried, giving everyone time to take photos, spot landmarks, and capture memorable clips that they can later enhance with a video editor before sharing them on their social media channels.

The London Eye also combines iconic views with a relaxed experience. With good weather and pre-booked tickets, it’s a simple but memorable activity that stands out as a must-do in the city.  Hungry and tired, we decided to have dinner at a lovely Italian Restaurant called La Cucina Di Mamma just walking distance away from the London Eye before heading back to the hotel for the night.

Shopping at Harrods

After our early visit to the High Commission of Malaysia in London, we decided to walk over to Harrods for a quick food shop. The walk itself was pleasant and gave us a chance to take in a quieter, more residential side of London before stepping into the buzz of Knightsbridge.

Harrods is a great place to keep three teenagers entertained as we headed to the children’s toy department first before we looked around the beauty, clothings followed by a stop at the food hall.

Known for its luxury, the food halls was just amazing, with rows and rows of impressive fresh pastries, sandwiches, international food options, fresh bread and plenty of grab-and-go choices that work perfectly when everyone is hungry and keen to keep moving. It’s not the cheapest stop, but for convenience and quality, it delivers.

What worked particularly well was the ease of it all. After a more formal embassy visit, Harrods offered a relaxed, informal contrast where everyone could pick something they liked without too much planning. The displays alone are worth browsing and even teenagers who aren’t interested in shopping tend to enjoy the visual spectacle of the food sections.

Overall, it was a short but worthwhile stop ideal for a quick refuel in a central location, with just enough novelty to keep it interesting. We soon decided to say our goodbyes and head back home.

What an adventure its been and we are pleased to have done so much in just over 2 days.

Where to Eat Asian Food in London?

We discovered a few gems this time around, just 5 minutes walking distance was a lovely Malaysian Restaurant called Roti King.  Conveniently located so close to the train station, we headed to the restaurant for our late lunch when we arrived. The place is small and not suitable for wheelchair users as its accessible only by steps, those with baby buggy were allowed to store their buggy on the side and walk in.

There was also a que and we waited outside for around 20 minutes for a table, so I would advice to go early. The food there was good, kids ordered roti chanai with chicken curry  while us adults ordered laksa as well as nasi lemak. In the evening we headed to Chinatown and walked around to find a restaurant to eat. Kids wanted to have dim sum but most places stop selling dim sum by 5pm. We were lucky that Lotus Garden served a small selected of dim sum so we had that with some noodles and stuffed yong tau foo.

Before we headed back home, I managed to meet up with a Malaysian friend of mine who now lives in London. We decided to pop over to Gopal’s Corner at Market Hall in Victoria for some banana leaf rice. Market Hall was just 5-8 minutes walk from Victoria Underground Station (depending on which exit you take). Gopal’s Corner was located on the top floor of Market Hall and it had many different vendors which meant we all could order what we liked.

Kids decided to order burger and chips while my friend and I ordered mee goreng. spiced chicken and banana leaf rice. What a fabulous end to a trip to London and we can’t wait to return again!

That being said, I want to remind readers that we stayed vigilant and tried to minimise the use of our phones in public and stayed close to each other to avoid any unforseen incidents. We were lucky to also not come across the protest which took place that weekend.

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