another london question...sorry

mrsgreenwood_2

hi, we are thinking about going to london for a weekend (early sat & return sunday afternoon) maybe in september and going by train.

there will be 4 of us, 2 adults, 5 year old and 2 yr old.

we have never been to london before, or even been on a train so any advice would really be appreciated.

id like some suggestions on places to stay, not too expensive, maybe travelodge or similar? or would one of them secret hotels be a good idea??

we would like to visit london eye, go on a boat on the thames, maybe a museum (ds is dinosaur mad) so would like to be close-ish to these and train station.

where is the best place to look into train prices? i havnt got a clue how much it would cost. our closest stations are kennett, ely, or newmarket. could possibly travel to cambridge station.

TIA for any advice given!!!

[Deleted User]

National rail Enquiries http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ will help you plan your rail journey and gives details of prices. I looked quikly and £37.90 was return from Kennett to Kings Cross London.

I think you will all enjoy the Natural History Museum but I'm not sure about the boat trip with small children.

Sure someone will help you with hotels.

gingin_2

I went from Cambridge a few weekends ago and it was £32 for me and £2 for each of the children. The Kings Cross line takes you in in 52 minutes with no stops. It's very pleasant.

Definitely go to the Natural History museum for dinosaurs and the Science museum is great next door - and they are free!

Edited to add - As it's light in the evening, the London Eye is great then. They have a lovely carousel out along the South Bank that the children would love and street performers. See if they have the racoon man in the box, he had me in stitches and needs his own tv show!

mrsgreenwood_2

great, thank you both!!! those prices are really good, i will have a look on the national rail website.

ds will love the natural history museum. just somewhere to stay now then.

mrsgreenwood_2

just had a quick look, but im getting £75 return? what am i doing wrong?

balletshoes

mrsgreenwood wrote: »

just had a quick look, but im getting £75 return? what am i doing wrong?

what exact dates are you looking for?

mrsgreenwood_2

balletshoes wrote: »

what exact dates are you looking for?

not sure at the mo? not the 1st as were going to a wedding. i just tried 8th and 15th.

balletshoes

yep, i just tried the 15th on the anglian trains website, cheapest I can see for you all is £73.50 return. However, if you buy a family and friends railcard that reduces to £44.40.
Granted with the cost of the railcard (£28) you won't save on that one fare, but if you're considering buying travelcards in London while you are there to travel around you'll get a discount on them with the railcard I believe, and the family and friends railcard is valid for one year from the time you buy it, so may be worth it if you're thinking of travelling by train anywhere in the UK in the next year.

eta - just had a look on National Express coaches - good coach times from Cambridge into London Victoria, and only £46 return for the whole family.

http://coach.nationalexpress.com/times-and-fares.aspx?&searchId=b34d74b1-53dd-4156-9c78-0a4659bb9042&__utma=1.1615430516.1333490869.1339095054.1340651583.4&__utmb=1.1.10.1340651583&__utmc=1&__utmx=1.00022863100935971816:1:1&__utmz=1.1340651583.4.4.utmcsr=google|utmccn=(organic)|utmcmd=organic|utmctr=(not%20provided)&__utmv=-&__utmk=138182192

mrsgreenwood_2

ok, thanks for your help.

paddyrg

If you are going into Victoria, there are many smaller hotels down that direction and in Pimlico. Travelodges never work out as cheap as the ads suggest - the cheapo rooms are not at every hotel, and tend to go months in advance. They are also stag and hen magnets, not ideal if you hoped to sleep! And frankly some of the London Travelodges are horrible (Park Royal, I am looking at you!).

Use the site tripadvisor to get a feel of areas and hotels - although you can't really ever be sure with the secret hotel deals. I tried secret hotel once, it was ok, but I prefer to choose my area and hotel. The site claimed it was a 60% saving or something, but the hotel would have just been staggeringly overpriced as opposed to still quite dear. I also noted the hotel were selling rooms direct for less than the secret room price when I spoke to the reservations department.

Don't try to cram too much in - London is HUGE and tiring, and also the parks are wonderful, so allow yourselves some breathing time! Some amazing buildings too!

If you go by train, you can take sandwiches and drinks to keep your costs down. Also ask at the train station for the '2-for-1 offers' booklet for train travellers, some deals in there.

auntymabel

You can get various boat trips from Westminster Pier which is right next to Westminster underground on the District Line 3 stops from South Kensington where the museums are. A no 11 bus from Westminster will take you along Whitehall to Trafalger square. Do investigate Oyster cards/travel cards for travel before you come otherwise you'll spend a fortune.