London for Seniors｜5-Day Itinerary with My 70+ Dad
Last Updated on 04/05/2025
Travelling to London with Senior parents is a whole different experience compared to going solo. In this post, I’ll share how I planned a 5-day London itinerary for my 70+ dad and (age undisclosed) mum — including key planning considerations, travel tips for seniors, and how to adapt when things don’t go as expected.
This article shares a London itinerary tailored for older travellers. Looking for a faster-paced London trip for younger visitors? Check out：How Many Days in London? 3, 5, 7, or 9-Day Itinerary Planing
Pre-Trip Preparation for Senior Parents
When it comes to travelling with parents, the priority isn’t packing in as many attractions as possible — it’s making sure the trip is comfortable, smooth, and enjoyable for them. Here’s what I prepared in advance:
Confirm Health Conditions and Insurance
Make sure your parents are in good health and purchase travel insurance that includes medical coverage, so you’re prepared for any emergencies.
Pack Essential Medication and Health Supplies
Include any long-term medication, plasters, and warm clothes. Even in summer, London can get chilly in the mornings and evenings.
Research the Itinerary and Transport Ahead
Avoid back-to-back intensive sightseeing. Choose attractions that are easy to get around and have good facilities. As for transport, a mix of Tube, walking, and driving gives you flexibility.
Prepare Bilingual Information
If you’re flying and arriving with your parents, there’s no issue. But if they’re flying on their own from your home country and aren’t confident in English, some extra prep is needed.
While UK border officers are generally friendly, I recommend preparing a bilingual note for your parents with their accommodation address, your contact details, and a simple sentence like “My son/daughter will be waiting outside arrivals.” If questioned at immigration, they can just show the note — less stress, less confusion.
Arrange Familiar Food for the First Meal
Ease them in with some familiar food from home to help them adjust to the time zone and settle their stomachs — fish and chips can wait!
Our Actual 5-Day London Itinerary with Senior Parents
My parents were visiting me in the UK and had five days in London before heading to Liverpool on Day 6. Here’s how we planned it:
Day 1｜Arrival in London & Cantonese Dinner to Ease In
- Picked them up from Heathrow and drove to our stay in Stratford
- Dinner at a Cantonese restaurant to help them adjust to local time and food
- No sightseeing scheduled — rest is the priority
- Transport: Driving (airport pickup + return to accommodation)
If you’re not driving, see【London Transportation Guide】for how to reach central London from Heathrow easily.
Day 2｜Classic London Day: Changing of the Guard, Big Ben & Markets
- Morning: Watched the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, 【classic London highlight】is a good start!
- Lunch: Quick meal at a pub near Westminster station
- Afternoon: Walked to 10 Downing Street, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and saw the London Eye from outside
- Photos was enough for my parents
- Evening: Borough Market food hunt, picked up truffle risotto for dinner
- Transport: Tube + walking
Unexpected Moment：We originally planned to visit Tower Bridge afterwards, but Dad was clearly getting tired. We scrapped the idea — no landmark is worth more than your parents’ energy and comfort!
Day 3｜Windsor Castle Day Trip + Premier League Match
- Morning: Drove to Windsor and visited the historic 【Windsor Castle】
- Lunch: Relaxed meal in Windsor town
- Evening: Back to London to see West Ham vs Newcastle at London Stadium
- Transport: Driving (daytime), walking (evening to stadium)
This was easily their favourite day!
Mum was sceptical about spending £30+ per person on a royal residence, but once inside Windsor Castle, she said: “This isn’t just a palace — it’s a crash course in British history!” No photos allowed inside, but she said it was totally worth it.
If you have a London Pass , you can enter Windsor Castle for free in the afternoon. Alternatively, book standalone tickets here：Windsor Castle Tickets
As for the match — what a surprise! I’m a Liverpool fan myself (read about：my Anfield experience), but for my parents’ first live Premier League game, West Ham was a brilliant intro.
The stadium’s Olympic legacy meant even high seats had a great view and the atmosphere was fantastic. If you don’t support a specific London club, West Ham is a great first match experience.
For die-hard fans, here are the ticket links：Arsenal Tickets｜Chelsea Tickets｜Spurs Tickets
Day 4｜Harrods & Afternoon Tea — A “Relaxing” Day (Not Really)
- Morning: Went to Harrods, ideal for indoor shopping and souvenir hunting
- Lunch: Enjoyed traditional afternoon tea at Harrods Café
- After lunch: Walked through Hyde Park and continued shopping at Selfridges
- I originally thought it would be a relaxed day — turns out it was anything but! (laughs)
- Transport: Tube + walking
This was Mum’s day — she wanted souvenirs for colleagues, and Harrods was the perfect one-stop shop. Trust me, even if you’re not into luxury brands, it’s hard to leave empty-handed.
I thought we’d stop after Harrods… but nope. Off we went to Selfridges next! In the end, I was more tired than my parents. As someone who’s female-bodied but has a male soul — I just don’t have that shopping stamina!
Day 5｜Museum & Chinatown: A Blend of Culture and Comfort Food
Unexpected twist: Mum said she went too hard at Harrods and Selfridges yesterday, so she decided to stay in and rest today (absolutely hilarious). So it was just me, my partner, and Dad heading out!
- Morning: Visited the British Museum — free entry and with seating areas, perfect for seniors
- Lunch: Headed to Chinatown to explore London’s Chinese community and food, I also took the chance to show him the many theatres nearby.
- Shows to consider：The Phantom of the Opera｜Les Misérables｜The Lion King｜Mamma Mia!｜Back to the Future
- Afternoon: Returned early to spend time with Mum and let them rest ahead of our Liverpool trip
- Transport: Tube
Day 6｜Departing London for Liverpool
- Packed and drove to Liverpool
- Gave plenty of buffer time before the long journey for rest and prep
- Transport: Driving
Transport Tips｜Mix of Tube and Driving Works Best for Seniors
- For central London: Use the Tube + walk. Contactless credit cards work for tapping in and out.
- For longer trips (e.g. Windsor, Liverpool): Driving offers flexibility and avoids crowded stations.
- If travelling with 70+ seniors, avoid the Tube during rush hours.
Practical Tips for Travelling Around London with Senior Parents
- Keep the itinerary flexible — don’t schedule multiple high-energy attractions in a row
- Indoor venues (museums, department stores) are great in poor weather
- Choose restaurants with plenty of seating and avoid peak mealtimes
- Add your home country's meals into the itinerary — in my case, Chinatown and Asian supermarkets are good fallback options
- If your parents don’t speak English, prep bilingual notes or use translation apps to ease communication
Exploring London with My 70+ Dad — A Journey of Gentle Companionship
Travelling with my 70+ dad in London wasn’t about how many sights we could tick off, but about savouring the journey, enjoying the moments, and making thoughtful choices based on their comfort, interest, and habits. London isn’t just for young travellers — it’s also a city that rewards slow exploration, perfect for senior visitors.
You Might be Interested in reading:
London Travel Guide｜London Top Attractions Overview & Info｜London Pass Guide｜Day Trips From London｜London Itinerary
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