5 nights in London - help!!

[hsaroya]

I'm not sure of your travel dates, but Buckingham Palace is open during a special time during the summertime, when the Queen is 'out of town'. Our local friends can help more with the dates, but you do need to prebook a time and date.

 

Cheers

 

Len

 

Thanks, Len. I will do some research - would be amazing if that fell during our time there.

[RSLeesburg]

Hi, our family of 4 (DH, me, Dd 14, DS 16) will be in London in Aug post cruise from Barcelona. Would prefer to stay in apt style accommodations with kitchen and in house laundry, etc. this is what I've found (tell me if I'm nuts):

 

 

 

2 bdr, 1 bath apartment in Lewisham, 100 yards from Crofton Park rail station. We don't mind taking the metro and once we are out for the day, would not be coming and going to our accommodations to rest etc, regardless of where we were staying. The rate is 450e for 5 nights. Pics look decent. I realize it's probably a residential area and that is not a problem. Those of you who are more knowledgeable about London than I am, please advise if this would be wise.

 

 

 

Also looking for sightseeing info. What are the things that we cannot miss given the time we have there? I realize this is subjective for everyone.

 

 

 

Would a hop on off be good or should we just use metro and transit busses on our own? We're not novice travellers.

 

 

 

DS wants to see as many football stadiums and expensive cars as possible, DD's mission is to go on a double decker bus, go on the Eye, and probably secretly meet boys with English accents :rolleyes: DH and I want to see the main sites.

 

 

 

We haven't booked flights out of Barcelona yet. Any advice about air travel, airports etc?

 

 

 

Thanks - I will have many more ?? as I get more into the London planning portion of the trip.

 

 

 

Harjinder

 

 

We usually stay in Mayfair at 47 Park. It's a fantastic location - close to Hyde Park, HOHO buses, tube, shopping, etc. Here is link to trip advisor page...

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g186338-d275428-Reviews-Grand_Residences_by_Marriott_Mayfair_London-London_England.html

 

We usually stay in two bedroom unit, and it has kitchenette, but no in-room laundry that I can recall.

 

 

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[orchestrapal]

Thanks, Len. I will do some research - would be amazing if that fell during our time there.

 

For the palace, August 2-31, 2014 9:30-7:00PM.. Buy tickets on line.

The gallery and shop are open all year.

Edited February 24, 2014 by orchestrapal

[hsaroya]

For the palace, August 2-31, 2014 9:30-7:00PM.. Buy tickets on line.

The gallery and shop are open all year.

 

Thank you, orchestrapal!

[milolii]

Hi

 

This is where we stay. The location is perfect and the price great. The river is right outside the building

 

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/659306?guests=5&s=UOdf

 

 

The tour of the palace was great! We took the Royal Day Out package.

http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/

 

You will have a great time.

 

 

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[kfowinst]

Hello

 

I work in London live in cambridge have lots of friends there, know it well.

 

Wouldn't recommend lewisham,not the nicest place, much better option in the area is Greenwich.

 

Top things to do in London (my opinion!)

 

- Tower of London (£20)

- Tate Modern (free)

- the shard bar - free you only need to buy a drink. Fab cocktails and even better view! Or go to top (£20)

- Street art tour around East London - brick lane

- The British Museum

- if you like beer, the many pub micro breweries around Hackney e.g. London fields

- Ride on the DLR between Bank and Greenwich

- Greenwich museums and park, Cutty Sark

- walk across Waterloo bridge for the view

- The London Eye

- visit St Pancras station, it's spectacular

- The Jack the Ripper tour in East London

- Borough market for foodies

- Hampton court

- London zoo

- Kew garden

 

Outside London

 

Cambridge (50 min train fro kings x)

Bath, spectacular city and rooftop spa (1.5 hr train)

Brighton seaside town, pavilion and shopping (45 min london bridge)

[kfowinst]

. Right now, I'm torn between Stratford, York, and Bath. Didn't know about being able to book the Palace tour. Will definitely look into that!

 

I've been to all three loads of times.

 

Stratford has the Shakespeare attractions but that's about it, I personally find it a little boring.

 

York is gorgeous and has loads of shops restaurants, lots of tourist attractions (see welcome to Yorkshire tourist website)

 

But Bath is far, far better in my opinion and a not-to-miss place to visit. I lived there for 3 years and never got bored. It's just stunning, the architecture countryside, water, shops, rooftop thermal spa overlooking the city. It's my favourite place in the world and I've travelled a lot!

 

Have I sold it to you?!

Edited February 26, 2014 by kfowinst

[RSLeesburg]

I've been to all three loads of times.

 

Stratford has the Shakespeare attractions but that's about it, I personally find it a little boring.

 

York is gorgeous and has loads of shops restaurants, lots of tourist attractions (see welcome to Yorkshire tourist website)

 

But Bath is far, far better in my opinion and a not-to-miss place to visit. I lived there for 3 years and never got bored. It's just stunning, the architecture countryside, water, shops, rooftop thermal spa overlooking the city. It's my favourite place in the world and I've travelled a lot!

 

Have I sold it to you?!

 

 

How is the National Train Museum? My son is obsessed with trains, and one of his train books has loads of pictures of trains from the train museum in York. We were thinking of doing a day trip to York from London. Is that doable?

 

 

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[kfowinst]

How is the National Train Museum? My son is obsessed with trains, and one of his train books has loads of pictures of trains from the train museum in York. We were thinking of doing a day trip to York from London. Is that doable?

 

 

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My colleague took her son there who is train obsessed - he loved it! York is doable in day, but I travel there for work a lot and the trains on that line are more delayed than any other (due to trespassers). Last week coming back from York my train was delayed 45 mins.

 

There is also a transport museum in Coventry Garden, London that is excellent.

 

The shard bar (kids ok earlier) has fab views of all the train tracks at London bridge. He would love that. st Pancras is another highlight for train enthusiasts

[kfowinst]

This is near London great for steam train enthusiasts

 

http://www.watercressline.co.uk/section.php/5/1/whats-on

[SteveH2508]

This is near London great for steam train enthusiasts

 

http://www.watercressline.co.uk/section.php/5/1/whats-on

 

The Watercess line is a good day out - I've done it a couple of times.

 

London Waterloo to Alton is about 1 hour 20 mins.

[kevinyork]

How is the National Train Museum? My son is obsessed with trains, and one of his train books has loads of pictures of trains from the train museum in York. We were thinking of doing a day trip to York from London. Is that doable?

 

 

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The train museum is amazing. Its huge and its FREE! The museum is next to the train station so perfect for a visit and its signposted which exit to take out of the station. From the first steam trains, the bullet train and the Royal Train carriages. Its the largest train museum in the world.

 

The train from London takes around two hours but the station is in the town centre. You could do the museum and then have plenty of time to walk round the walls, visit the Minster, the Shambles and the Snickleways. Even time for tea at Bettys Tea Rooms. Well worth the trip.

 

 

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Edited February 27, 2014 by kevinyork

[RSLeesburg]

Thanks. For some reason, I was not getting pinged with updates for this thread. I will definitely write all these down.

 

I love FREE! lol

 

 

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[Jadn13]

The Tower Of London Was My Favorite.

I also recommend the Big Bus Tour since they offer discounts for the second day or the second day free. (The Original tour also offers deals sometimes but not as often)

I also loved the changing of the guard

http://changing-guard.com/dates-times/buckingham-palace.html

I stayed here in the past. They had one bedroom apartment with

Living room/dining room and kitchen.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/lonql-grand-residences-by-marriott-mayfair-london/

Amazing Area, but a bit pricey. Walking distance to a lot including the HoHo pick up drop offs, Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, Harrods.

-Jamie

[Jadn13]

We usually stay in Mayfair at 47 Park. It's a fantastic location - close to Hyde Park, HOHO buses, tube, shopping, etc. Here is link to trip advisor page...

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g186338-d275428-Reviews-Grand_Residences_by_Marriott_Mayfair_London-London_England.html

 

We usually stay in two bedroom unit, and it has kitchenette, but no in-room laundry that I can recall.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app

 

Loved this hotel, I also stayed here and thought it was perfect and close two everything.

[RSLeesburg]

Loved this hotel, I also stayed here and thought it was perfect and close two everything.

 

 

What a small world! :). We went a few years ago, and the day after we arrived the city was hit by major snowstorm. We were still able to walk down to Selfridges to buy some food and hats and scarves...lol. We are hoping to go back over in April 2015 for our son's first trip across the pond.

 

 

 

 

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[Flainefan]

Hello

 

I work in London live in cambridge have lots of friends there, know it well.

 

Wouldn't recommend lewisham,not the nicest place, much better option in the area is Greenwich.

 

Top things to do in London (my opinion!)

 

- Tower of London (£20)

- Tate Modern (free)

- the shard bar - free you only need to buy a drink. Fab cocktails and even better view! Or go to top (£20)

- Street art tour around East London - brick lane

- The British Museum

- if you like beer, the many pub micro breweries around Hackney e.g. London fields

- Ride on the DLR between Bank and Greenwich

- Greenwich museums and park, Cutty Sark

- walk across Waterloo bridge for the view

- The London Eye

- visit St Pancras station, it's spectacular

- The Jack the Ripper tour in East London

- Borough market for foodies

- Hampton court

- London zoo

- Kew garden

 

Outside London

 

Cambridge (50 min train fro kings x)

Bath, spectacular city and rooftop spa (1.5 hr train)

Brighton seaside town, pavilion and shopping (45 min london bridge)

 

 

I live in SE London and I agree that Lewisham would not be a good choice. You are better staying somewhere more central on the underground network, or indeed in Greenwich, which just happens to be where I live! Lots to see there and a short trip up to central London on the train, DLR or on the riverbus. This gives you a great ride along the river, past Tower Bridge (best viewed from the river), The Tower of London, and lots of other landmarks, finishing at The London Eye and Westminster.

AirBnB has been mentioned. I know people who have used this site with positive experiences.

 

The only problem with Greenwich might be that it is on the eastern side of London while Heathrow is way out west. An alternative is a flight into Gatwick with easy train connection to Victoria or to London Bridge and from there onto the tube.

 

Did you know that you can take tours of some of the football stadia? You could try Arsenal or even the national stadium at Wembley. Here are some links:

http://www.arsenal.com/tours

http://www.wembleystadium.com/wembley-tours

 

Whatever you choose, I hope you have a great time in London. It is a fantastic city!

Margaret

[Flainefan]

A few thoughts on the HoHo bus option:

These buses are very convenient because the routes take in most of the main tourist attractions, but in my opinion they are quite expensive when you can do the same things on the regular public transport system.

Have a good look at the official Transport for London site to find out about the amazing integrated system and the convenient Oyster card, a card that can be loaded with credit and used on buses, tubes, trams, DLR and mainline rail within the London area. You swipe in at the beginning of a journey and swipe out as you leave the station and the card reader automatically deducts the cost of your journey. There is a daily cap on the amount that will be deducted, so you only ever pay as much as if you bought the one-day travel card (another option). On buses and trams you only need to swipe in because there is a standard fare; no need to swipe out.

Here are some links:

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/visitor-guide.pdf

This booklet has a useful page on the bus routes in central London, showing the main tourist sites. You will ride on the double decker buses, hop on and off as you wish, and all for a fraction of the HoHo prices.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/london-rail-and-tube-services-map.pdf

This map shows the transport network of mainline rail and tube stations. You will notice that there are zones (in shaded back ground). Some costs are based on these zones.

http://visitorshop.tfl.gov.uk/

This gives information on Oyster cards. You can buy visitor Oyster cards online. See the tips for how much credit you might need to put on the card.

The Transport for London website (http://www.tfl.gov.uk) has lots of information and a very good journey planner. Check out journey options and times to the airports.

Margaret

Edited March 7, 2014 by Flainefan

[sparkieplug24]

if your in London for the first time I would recommend taking a thames river cruise from either Westminster pier or London eye pier all the way to Greenwich their is hoho options and single return options for this. This takes you past some of the central sites of London such as the London Eye, houses of parliment, big ben (yeah i know its not really called big Ben :p), Tower bridge, Tower of London.

 

Covent garden is also lovely area to visit with market stalls, specialist shops and street performers, london transport museum which is free for children (not sure what age child price is up to though)

 

HO HO buses I wouldnt bother with if you want to use the bus get either a travel card or oyster card (check out transport for london website to see whats best value) and use the local bus services far cheaper no 12 (think its 12) bus passes many of the major sites for a fraction of the price of hoho bus.

 

London eye is fantastic too best time to go is on dry day and if you can time it just for around sunset magnificent.

 

there is tours of the local football (soccer) stadiums never done one in London but did the old trafford tour in Manchester and Im not a fan of football but I enjoyed it.

 

Also what about London dungeons or london bridge experience (we did both of these)

 

What about the monument (great fire of London monument) great views from the top of here and only couple of pounds.

 

you can also for many of these places get buy one get one free offers or combination tickets.

 

We had London passes because as it one adult and one child it was cheaper than buy one get one free officers.

 

what about taking in a show or madam tussauds totally fantastic but very busy I would recommened going in morning if going here and prebooking your tickets so as to by pass some of the queues.

 

Windsor is also lovely to visit