Won a weekend with YHA, thinking of London? any ideas?

niftythrifty33

I didnt actually win it, my mum complained to YHA as they didnt offer their discounted childrens week away breaks to kids in Wales, only England. So, they gave me a short break for free at any of their hostels, good eh!

We are thinking of going to London as its normally so expensive to stay there and there are lots of free things to do. We are thinking of going around Christmas to see the lights etc.

Only trouble is we are quite broke at the moment (and with Christmas coming) and we have 2 teenagers and a 10 yr old. I'm worried that the teenagers will be bored! lots of free stuff is geared around young children. All the expensive things like Madame Tusauds, London Eye etc cost a bomb.

Does anyone have any ideas of cool stuff to do?
Also, can anyone recommend a good Youth Hostel in London?
Many thanks

minerva_windsong

I'd go for the St Pancras YHA myself - it's quite close to Euston and King's Cross and about a 20 minute walk to Oxford Street, but it's quieter than the Oxford Street and Earl's Court hostels.

In terms of stuff to do, the museums are free and would be good for that age group, particularly the Science Museum and the British Museum. And don't forget to use restaurant vouchers and the 2 for 1 train tickets for attractions: https://www.daysoutguide.co.uk which gets you two for one entry to loads of places and (more so if you're going in the week) discounts on theatre shows as well.

tronski

You could go for a walk around Winter Wonderland. There are lots of outside ice skating rinks which are good fun, but not free.

Seanymph

Lee Valley is outside London (necessitating a rail ride) but you can walk to the station, and the ticket then lasts all day on the underground and buses.

I like catching buses better than the underground. Hamleys is always worth a look, Harrods is near the science museum and natural history museum (free)....... british museum? National Portrait Gallery?

There are many things to do on a budget - we loved walking around chinatown and looking at the ingredients in the shops and the ducks in the restuarant windows! covent Garden to see the buskers?

hethmar

There is one opposite St Pauls?

Lots of freebie stuff in London. Have a google. Hope you have a lovely time.

http://www.timeout.com/london/feature/1424/free-london

Kennyboy66

As other posters have said there is no end of free museums in London that are amongst the best in the world.

If you have Tesco vouchers, you can exchange £20's worth to get £80 worth of The Original Sightseeing Tour, which would cover a family of 4. This gives you 24 hours hop on hop and covers all the main sites and will get you a boat trip to Greenwich (maritme museum etc).

Haven't been with this company but have with another and its great value (at the Tesco price!).

It also means you don't need Tube or buses for 1 possible 2 days depending how you time it.

The YHA in Bolsover street (YHA london central) is great, and you could walk from Euston or Kings Cross.

sellingmysoul666

i agree there is lots to do for free in london for kids big or small
we have just been for 4 days and spent very little
we only did 1 one ticketed event and put some money on an oyster card

imperial war museum was excellent

http://www.iwm.org.uk/

or

http://www.nmm.ac.uk/

try the freebies forum for cinema ticket or theatre tickets

lots of free events here (near london bridge)

http://www.morelondon.com/events.asp

i can also recommend china town, covent garden or one of the parks

hamleys imho is far too busy and overpriced but they do have lots of demos
Harrods was better the toy dept is huge and spaced out

have a trip out to the new olympic stadium - you can see it from the new shopping center from here

http://uk.westfield.com/london/directory/detail/dining?retailer=40985

you can bulid your own lego person for £1.25 each or 3 for £3.50 ish

http://uk.westfield.com/london/directory/detail/store?retailer=43018

we dont do eating out - there are lots of tescos/saisburys/m&s

we didnt try the boris bikes but then again i havent been on a bike for 20yrs :rotfl:

Klug

We have stayed a few times at the St Pauls YHA. It is a very old building with associated furnishings, but a lovely hot breakfast. It is less than 5 mins from the Millenium Bridge and Tate Modern.
We have also stayed at YHA London Central. Very new and modern, but only a cold continental breakfast which in the winter was disappointing.
My choice would be St Pauls, overlook the decor and enjoy the quietness and breakfast.