London attractions

SCAMPIDOODLE

We are going on a budget London trip - April 12-16, staying in family room at travelodge Covent Garden, train tickets from Leeds with Friends and family card.
I was thinking of using Tesco vouchers to buy Merlin annual passes for Dungeons, Tussords and London Eye (will have a trip to Alton Towers in summer and are holidaying in Surrey in August so will visit Legoland etc) we will also use Tesco restaurant vouchers etc. We were saving tesco points for a virgin holiday but don't think we'll ever have enough so going to blow them on this instead.

Couple of questions-
Can anyone advise on best way of buying tickets for shows?

I was thinking of using tesco points for London Zoo - is it worth the visit? i've heard it quite small.

Does anyone know cheapest way to do the Wembley stadium tour? any 2 for 1 about etc?

Thanks for any advice

SybilFawlty

For theatre tickets it depends on what you want to see. You can find discounts at Theatremonkey.com, Lastminute.com, Broadwaybox.com/London, and at the Half Price Ticket Booths located at Leicester Square and Brent Cross (tkts.co.uk will show you what is on offer). Otherwise you may want to check at the box office for day seats. Front row seats for Waiting for Godot, for example, sell for 11 pounds. The National Theatre always has tickets available for 10 pounds. The Lyric and Royal Court both have 10 pound performances. Free tickets are available for the under 26s -- see anightlessordinary.org.uk.

For something different, you could try a TV or radio recording. Tickets are free. BBC.co.uk/tickets may have something of interest.

I enjoyed the Zoo. It's in a nice location and is a nice way to pass the time on a sunny day. The London Aquarium is part of Merlin and is included in your pass so that may be an alternative. I was less impressed with it, though.

I couldn't find any discounts for Wembley. If you are an AA member, you may want to see if this entitles you to any discounts. I've worked in several tourist sites that honoured the card but did not advertise it. These sites may help you plan your trip: daysoutguide.co.uk and discountbritain.net.

froggy27_2

you can also combine the Merlin Attractions with some of the Museums... free and some are fun for the kids (and adults)... Science Museum, natural history, Imperial etc...London Zoo is good if the weather is nice... If you have the Merlin pass you can go to the London Eye and next to it, is the London Aquarium.... you get some reductions on a London Cruise too...nice way to see London too... ENJOY.

susancs

In regard to theatre tickets, I have found the chepest way to get good seats for less is day seats from the theatre box office. For example Wicked reserve the front 2 rows and only sell them on the day at the ticket office for £25. At busier times and Saturdays it does mean queing from 8.30am until the box office opens at 10am. Most shows sell day seats for about £20-£25.
http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/timesandprices.asp

Merlin passes are great as you can do the eye during the day and when dark depending on the time of year. The sealife Centre is near the Eye. London Dungeons is good for teenagers, but a bit scarey for younger children in my opinion. Tussauds is usually busy and I think overpriced without the pass, but quickly going around it with a Merlin pass. You might also want to look at going for the day to Thorpe Park, Legoland or Chessington (which has a zoo) with your Merlin passes via train from London. Waterloo to Windsor and shuttle bus for Legoland. Waterloo to Chessington South and short walk from there for Chessington. Waterloo to Staines and shuttle bus to the park.

marie-moo-moo

How long are you going for?dates ect....

SCAMPIDOODLE

marie-moo-moo wrote: »

How long are you going for?dates ect....

we go on Monday 12 April until friday, travelling with 2 kids 12 and 14.


Thanks for all your advice, will look into the show tickets.
someone at work mentioned cheap show tickets if you have valid train ticket? does anyone know anything about this?

What is the usual price for a theatre ticket? Ive seen some priced at £59, is this normal or are they inflated so they can be 'discounted'?

I didnt know there was an aqauriaum place in London so thanks for that.

oramgepekoe

Your children might like HMS Belfast which is moored between London Bridge and Tower Bridge. It's £12.95 for adults and free for children.
http://hmsbelfast.iwm.org.uk/

The RAF museum is free. It's a 10 minute walk from Colindale station on the Northern Line.
http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/

There's the Royal Observatory in Greenwich with astronomy and time displays plus standing astride the Greenwich meridian line. This is all free except for the planetarium which does very good shows for £6 adult, £4 children or £15 family ticket. Very good views of the Thames and London from there. Greenwich is a nice place to walk round with a market and many eating places. Also the National Maritime Museum which is free. Plenty for a full day out in Greenwich.
http://www.nmm.ac.uk/places/royal-observatory/
http://www.nmm.ac.uk/visit/planetarium-shows/
http://www.nmm.ac.uk/places/maritime-galleries/

susancs

£59 is usually the price for top priced (best) seats, you can get cheaper, restricted view seats for less.

Think your friend may mean the 2for1 travel by National rail offers. here is the link.
http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/attraction-types/entertainment.aspx

Debt_Free_Dreamer

Just wanted to say 'Go for it with the Merlin passes'. It was my best Tesco voucher buy last year. We did London in January and visited the London Eye (you do not have to queue indoors, just join the queue outstide!) the Aquarium (quick trip, not v good) and Madam Tussords.

In our first Merlin, year combined with the cheap Travel Lodge deals we managed to do Alton Towers (4 times), Chessington (2 times) Thorpe Park (3 times) Legoland (2 times) Warwick Castle (8 times - we live local) B'ham Aquarium (4 times) London Aquarium (once) London Eye (once) Tussords (once). If used, if will be the best buy you do.

We also don't buy food in the parks (just one of those resuable cup of coke that we all share) and take a packed lunch on the 1st day and find a Tesco Express (or similar) for the second day, where I buy wraps, ham, coleslaw and make our own ham wraps. We bring other snacks from home like crisps etc.,

Don't forget to check the extras you get with the Merlin pass, you get in earlier at Alton Towers for example and get free access to the Dungeons at Warwick castle. You also get money off in the shops and on food and drink.

SCAMPIDOODLE

Thanks for all your advice. Yes Debtfree dreamer those combinations are excellent value, we will certainly be looking into that for summer holidays. I wasnt aware of the extra perks that you get like discounts on food and shops so thanks again for that.

mirrorimage0

the trocadero right next to the london eye is doing a thing where you can use tesco vouchers too, it has bowling and arcades and food area and bar etc quite good for kids