What To Do On A Last-Minute Trip To London Before Schools Go Back

After a few weeks of not knowing how to keep the children entertained through the summer, it suddenly feels like it won’t be long before the kids are putting on their new uniform and getting ready for school. 

So this could be the perfect time to make the most of the last couple of weeks of the summer holidays and hire a luxury mini bus to enjoy a trip in the capital. 

Here are just some things you could get up to on a last-minute vacation in London:

Enjoy a musical

Though you might have thought it’s too late to catch a musical and you should’ve booked a show in the West End months ago, you can still enjoy a theatrical experience with short notice.

Simply download the TodayTix app and you’ll be able to access seats that are still available for some of the capital’s most popular shows, from Mrs Doubtfire to The Lion King. 

Although you may not get your first choice of musical, you can still catch a West End production at a fraction of the price, allowing your children to enjoy the experience of seeing the country’s best performers on stage.

Free tour of Parliament

Not many people know that they can book a free tour of Parliament, which is great for children who love to learn about history and politics. 

The tour lasts 75 minutes and will cover what Parliament does, what the different rooms are used for, and how children can get involved in politics in the future. They cover the House of Lords, Central Lobby, St Stephen’s Hall, Westminster Hall and the House of Commons. 

You will also learn the history of the Palace of Westminster, which was built more than 900 years ago. 

Visit The Royal Mews

London tourists who want to get a taste of royal life typically try to book a tour around Buckingham Palace. However, these can be costly, with an adult ticket being £35 when bought at the door, and a child’s ticket £17.50. 

What’s more, due to only being open during the summer months, tours can get booked up quickly and there is often limited availability on tickets. 

If you aren’t able to get into Buckingham Palace, the Royal Mews is a good alternative. For £17 per person, you can walk around the royal stables. Here you will be able to see the likes of the Diamond Jubilee State Coach and the Gold State Coach, which has been used at every coronation for the last 200 years.

You can also see some of the horses that have drawn the King’s carriages, including the beautiful Windsor Greys. 

Availability is typically good and tickets can be cancelled for free up to 24 hours in advance.

Mystery walks

London is full of exciting places that have had an important part to play in history, which is why the best way to experience it is simply by walking around.

For a more focused exploration, why not book on to a London mystery walk, which shows you different routes to go to find things that will pique your interest?

For example, you could opt for a murdery mystery trail if you have older kids, a treasure hunt in some of its most famous locations, such as Pudding Lane, or go on an adventure around its ancient sites in Londinium. 

Immerse In Outernet

Another option for a last-minute trip to London is to head to Outernet, which was described by The Times’ as being the capital’s “most visited tourist attraction” in 2023.

This “virtually real” entertainment site offers various visual experiences, with wrap-around screens, live events, and immersive experiences. 

People can visit for free every day from 10am, taking a look at the beautiful visuals on the LED screens. 

Its location next to Tottenham Court Road makes it a really convenient attraction if you are planning to visit other famous sites, such as The British Museum, Oxford Street, or Covent Garden. 

Outernet is expected to become huge over the next few years, with sites planned for New York and Los Angeles, as well as London. So it is worth visiting if you are in the area and want something convenient and free to keep the children entertained before they start back at school in September.