London show weekend?

level200

HI Guys

I'm hoping to take my wife and daughter to London 20/21st March 2010 to visit museums and watch a show. Any ideas on the best place to get train travel, hotel and show tickets?

Also anyone have any promotional codes that may come in handy?

I'm thinking about getting a family rail ticket, then book rail return from Middlesbrough to arrive in London approx 10/11 ish book into hotel then go off to visit a museum back to hotel to freshen up go for a meal then off to show. Next day book out of hotel, leave bags in hotel, visit another museum, sight see and pick up bags, leave london approx 5pm ish.

Does this sound dooable, any tips regarding planning and price?

Cheers
John

minerva_windsong

Definitely doable but will require a lot of forward planning!

Hotel-wise, if you want something central I have heard the Travelodge in Covent Garden is very good and is close to Theatreland and the British Museum. Also it might be worth thinking about a youth hostel as they are very cheap and a lot of them will do family rooms. There is one by St Pancras which has just been done up that may be worth looking at (although this obviously depends where you're coming from). If you are coming into King's Cross then East Coast as it is now called give you 10% off if you book single tickets on their website. Also First Great Western occasionally do a code for £5 off tickets booked via their website (you can book for any operator not just FGW).

Promotional codes wise, try www.daysoutguide.co.uk - they have a few discounts for attractions (you will need a train ticket for the day you are visiting the attractions but can just buy one for the next stop from any train station, Charing Cross station is about a 10 minute walk from Covent Garden) including 2 for 1s on show tickets on certain days, sometimes including Saturday matinees.

I'd also invest in an Oyster card, which is a £3 deposit and available from most rail stations or tourist information places and will cap any Tube costs you incur (although an awful lot of central London is walkable from Covent Garden, I'd only use it for the South Kensington museums and getting to CG).

As for museum suggestions: How old is your daughter? What sort of things does she like/has she been studying at school? The clues are mostly in the names - Natural History Museum is animals/dinosaurs and a bit of geography, Science Museum is sciency stuff but more interactive than NHM (although I haven't been in the NHM's new interactive wing yet so can't comment on it), British Museum is more history stuff but won't require the Tube if you stay in Covent Garden.

Show wise, the ones I would think about would be:

- Wicked
- The Lion King
- Grease
- Oliver!
- Cirque du Soleil at the Albert Hall (if it's still on when you go, I think it's not long started)

I've picked those based on assuming your daughter is quite young. If of course she isn't (and forgive me for assuming if so) it might be worth considering some of the more 'mature' shows such as Avenue Q (very funny but quite rude, you might want to listen to the music before going to make a decision) or Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

Hope that helps!

*manda*

Just bear in mind you cannot usually leave luggage in Travelodges in London due to security issues.

Try the usual sites as well for discounts- lastminute , discounttheatre as they often do good offers.

darvik

hi

just back from London and for what you are looking for forward planning is the key.

Weekend deals availaible with Hilton if booked by end of the month, half price includes breakfast, also used lastminute and the "secret hotels" there is a decode thread stayed at Grange Hlton last night, 95 a night, they allowed us to check in at 11am if not look after bags got a free upgrade and they have a gym etc free. Also Charing Cross Hotel (ex Thistle) allowed us to store bags all day sunday when we checked out

London 2for1 offers discounts for choice of venues went to Madam Tassuards and Tower of London and saved £30.

For shows TKTS in leicester sq sell discounted tickets on the day (Concrete building not the shops on outskirts) or you can order some in advance now.
Also used See.com

cardiffforthefacup

For shows you may want to look at ambassadortickets they often sell tickets cheaper than tkts, also may want to look through theatremonkey for offers, sometimes good meal/show tickets available. Legally blonde is a really good musical to go see.

itsakidsworld

Have a look at popping into your local "first choice" travel shop as we got what we thought was a great deal. £99 return train, two nights bed/breakfast in Russell Sq (near theatres). Shows vary on dates/times and that is a personal choice. All shows are great and a call to each theatre direct can get good discounts. Attractions are better booked in multiple. But the train and hotel looks a good start from your location.