Big Ben, Blistering Heat, and Balancing a Big City Itinerary
A few years ago, our son Ben asked us: “Did you name me after Big Ben?”
I replied honestly, “No, we just really liked the name Benjamin.”
Ben considered my lame answer and announced, “I’m named after Big Ben,” as he walked away.
From that moment, seeing Big "Him" in person became a family bucket list goal. When we began planning our first major overseas trip as a family—a whirlwind six-day journey split evenly between London and Lisbon—we knew we had to anchor our three packed days in England around Ben’s famous namesake.
The Groundwork & Planning
Our international planning started a full year before we actually took off. My absolute best tip for the pre-trip phase? Join destination-specific Facebook groups. I spent months reading honest reviews from real travelers about hotels, daily transit journeys, and optimal itineraries. Most importantly, I learned exactly what not to do.
Because we had a tight three-day window before heading to Portugal, we chose to anchor our entire stay around just three non-negotiable activities:
Seeing Big Ben up close
Exploring the history at the Tower of London
Stepping into the wizarding world at The Making of Harry Potter at Warner Bros. Studios London
The absolute best piece of advice I can give any parent planning a similar trip is to keep your itinerary light. London has an endless list of world-class attractions, but you have to account for real-world variables: jet lag, tired kids, navigating an unfamiliar subway system, and unpredictable weather.
Surviving a British Heatwave
We happened to hit London during record-breaking summer temperatures. Wandering the streets in extreme heat quickly taught us to pivot. When the temperatures peaked, we looked for any excuse to duck indoors.
We found ourselves popping into random pubs for quick snacks, cool drinks, and air conditioning. We even stumbled across fascinating, air-conditioned "free" spaces purely to escape the sun. "Oh look, the Bank Museum! Let's pop in and check it out!"
Had we overbooked our days with pre-paid, back-to-back reservations, we would have been stressed, exhausted, and forced to back out of experiences. By capping our schedule at one or two major anchors a day, we stayed flexible and were able to allow our son’s energy guide our movements.
The Magic of the Unplanned
Leaving our schedule open allowed for the best kind of travel magic: unexpected happy surprises.
While pulling up Google Maps to see what was within walking distance, we accidentally discovered Little Ben—a, miniature replica clock tower standing in a Westminster intersection. Later on, while exploring Leadenhall Market, we stumbled directly into the stunning, real-life inspiration for Diagon Alley.
Those unscripted moments of exploration, where you wander without an agenda, are where the true joy of travel lives.
The Ultimate Verdict
By the end of the city leg, Ben had successfully met both his "Big" and "Little" namesakes. So, what did he think of his very first big city sightseeing trip?
After taking it all in, he said, "That was fun, but I think I prefer our beach vacations more."
And honestly? I have to agree with him.
Overseas Survival Guide: Lessons from London
The Non-Negotiable "Must-Haves"
The Transit Trifecta: Do not leave the country without Clear, TSA PreCheck, and Global Entry.
The Card Strategy: Use premium credit card perks to offset those yearly expedited security fees.
The Sanity Saver: Lean on airport lounge access for a quiet space to decompress before long flights.
The Ultimate Splurge: Book a direct overnight flight in first class to prevent major kid meltdowns.
The Art of Strategic Timing
Beat the Heat: Schedule historic indoor-outdoor stops like the Tower of London for the morning.
The Buffer Zone: Book out-of-town excursions like Warner Bros. Studio Tour for mid-afternoon (e.g., 3:00 PM).
Arrive Early: We decided to arrive at Warner Bros. Studio a couple of hours early to explore the gift shops and massive onsite cafeterias without stress.
Transit Multipliers: Remember that destination locations outside the city center could require a tube, a train, or shuttle bus.
Hotel Realities & Logistics
Points Strategy: Maximize your budget by leveraging loyalty points for larger family suites.
Amenity Check: Look closely at amenity descriptions if your family prefers highly modern accommodations.
The Laundry Trap: Budget extra hours for older European dryers that require multiple cycles to complete.
Getting Around Like a Local
The Right App: Download TFL Go as your primary navigation tool for the subway system.
Contactless Pay: Skip the ticket kiosks entirely and use your phone to tap and pay at the terminal barriers.
Cost Efficiency: Master the underground early for a highly cost-effective way to traverse the city.
