OK, let's see how I an do with this
London Eye - cost varies
We went a couple of years ago. Its about £50 for a family of 4 (2 adults 2 children), but if you look around the web there are lots of offers for pre-booking, or booking in conjunction with e.g. a river cruise. If you're using public transport you may find 2 for 1 offers available.
Rather than an ordinary river cruise, think about a "
Duck tour" - its an amphibious vehicle (bright yellow) which leaves from the south bank near the Eye, and as well as going along the river goes round the streets - so you see the Houses of Parliament from the water and land, round Westminster Abbey etc. Combines with an Eye flight it gives a good all-round view of London and some great picture opportunities! (And you won't trip me up as I hurry to and from work
The tourists drive me
this time of year
)
Legoland is about £100 for a family of four. You see a lot of people bringing enough food to last a month, but we prefer not to have a load of cool bags and just pay up for food - its not all burgers, there's some nice options like pasta, and fruit available. Carry a water bottle each and maybe put an apple in your pocket and you can't go far wrong! Its not as big as Magic Kingdom, but think about trating it a bit like that. Oh, and LOADS of retail opportunities of course
There is a Travelodge (motel) very close in case you want to make it a really long day, and a Beefeater (pub/restaurant) next to eat.
Changing of the guard is free, but I've never seen it
Less well known, if from Trafalgar Square you head down Whitehall towards Parliament, on the right is
Horseguards, where the mounted troops are based on duty (blues and royals or the guards), and there are two sentry boxes which have mounted officers in between about 10 and 3. They change over, and so do the foot sentries. Horseguards is the arch bit where the Princess of Wales (and Queen Mother's) coffins came through before turning up towards Parliament. You can walk through to St James Park, which is famous for the pelicans on the lake, but also has a nice restaurant and a kids playground.
Ghost walks - we've never done one! Jack the Ripper is good (my reflexologist went) but remember that part of London is still a fairly poor area, so you might prefer one abround London Bridge where there's plenty of nice places to eat before or after - my favourite is "The Real Greek" overlooking theThames between the Globe Theatre and the Golden Hind (its a replica, but it has recreated the voyage and you can visit, and even have sleepovers/sailor experiences with costumed guides). Other atttractions around London Bridge include The Clink Museum (gaol), The London Dungeon and Churchill's Britain at War experience (including a recreation of an air raid). All these are charging attractions.
Off the beaten track - why not just get on an ordinary red bus? the 15 takes you from the city to Oxford St. Or one of my faves is Eltham Palace - get a train from Charing Cross or London Bridge to Mottingham (about 30 mins) then its a short walk. Originally the home of Henry VIII, it was the home of the Courtaulds in the 1920s and is a lovely Art Deco home. Very good tea-rom - and its only 4 miles from me so I could meet you for a scone!
let me have a think about other places - I don't recommend the Tower of London in peak season as its very busy and expensive.