London Tips anyone?

Cornucopia

SaveTheEuro wrote: »

They're more than twice the price for the dates I'm looking at.

Okay. Personally, I would avoid spending less than £50/night in Central London.

terryw

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

Travelodge Farringdon is within walking distance or 4 bus stops on the 63 bus. It's clean, comfortable and much quieter than the ones around KX.

8-10th, 15-17th, 22-24th November are all £46 per night.

Got to agree with you. I have stayed here many times and it certainly value for money.

FWIIW, I took the entire family to London two weeks ago and we stayed for three nights at the TL Fulham. By booking early the price was £30 per night for a family room so total cost 3 nights x 3 rooms x £30 = £270. Less than the cost of one night in a posh hotel! No problems whatsoever with TL and good transport links to all the usual tourist sights.

AlexMac

You'll get less wannabe comics if you post this on the London forum of Tripadvisor- but use their search bar 1st as its a common Q.

I second the idea above about a riverboat trip to Greenwich (you get a discount on the boat fares if you have a travelcard)- and there are free museums there too.

As regards eating out- the recession has meant that decent chain restaurants like Browns and Cafe Rouge are still offering the cheap voucher deals which they usually only offer in Jan and Feb- sign up for them on their websites (eg look for the Friends of Browns offers or their 1973 offer if still going, or Cafe Rouge's current 25% off food, or second meal for £2.50). From Greenwich you can take the Docklands Light Railway on to the Canary Wharf area, to wander, or visit the Museum of Docklands near west Quay (where there's also a Browns restaurant) then return on the DLR to Tower Hill near the Tower of London (who may be on the 2 for 1 rail ticket thingy?).
As well as the obvious attractions of the national Museauns near South Kensington, I also like the Museum of London... but the kids might be Museumed out by then. Have a great trip

Cornucopia

Definitely recommend eating out at West India Quay - there are a number of restaurants (various prices) on the quayside. Or similar at Butlers Wharf on the south bank of the Thames beside Tower Bridge.

LouLou1971_2

If you go on daysoutguide.co.uk they are doing 2 for 1 tickets on many london attractions and restaurants when you travel by train.
Many of the main London attractions are included in the offer such as London Eye, London zoo, Tower of London, Madam Tussauds, London Bridge, London dungeon and many restaurants.
You just print off the vouchers of the attractions you want to visit and present them with your train tickets when you get to the venues.
Have a great time

PruHarrison

Traveling in London as a family may seem overwhelming but is rather manageable. There are many museums that are free so you can try out many different places without feeling obliged to spend a certain amount of time to get your money's worth. Also, family discounts on public transportation are very good.
Payment for all London Transport services within the M25 greater London area is much cheaper by Oyster Cards. They are prepay cards which are touched on a yellow pad on buses or when entering and leaving the automatic barriers at underground stations. Children under 14 travel free on city buses at all times, so consider buying a day bus pass for the adults.

lady123_2

I'd third the river cruise, its a great way to see the sites, and the cutty shark when you get off at Grenwhich!
As people have said Oyster card is the way to go with regards to travel.
Try top table or Bookatable for nice restraint deals, you can search restraunts with a view so could get one looking over the Thames and around bonfire night that would be nice.
I'd look for a travel lodge or premier inn anywhere near the embankment, which is a few minutes walk from Covent garden, London looks best from the Thames at night, you can't beat walking over the bridges in the evening, you also have the London Aquarium on the Thames, its one of the river cruise stops too! You can get loads of cheap eats along the south bank and its a really good vibe with Big Ben and Houses of Parliament in view for the children.
The museums are in and around Kensington so close to Hyde park, the children may want to see Buckingham palace, not sure which day the changing of the guard is on, but that's free to watch, also check out theatre shows probably musicals would be best for kids, look for cheap tickets at lecster square, or on the day at the theatres may have cheap tickets left.

London zoo is a good morning out, pretty sure you can get 2 for 1 with train ticket, check eBay for tesco vouchers and get the stellar to exchange them for London tickets to the zoo, or aquarium....

Another idea if doing the zoo would be primrose hill for pics with the family then walk up to Camden market on a Sunday, there's a tube at Camden so you can get back to the west end in 10 mins, or back to euston kings cross.

38 bus is good for sights, but not the other end of the route which goes to Hackney, I should know, I grew up there, wouldn't want to get lost in the middle of Hackney, lol

Have fun, Londoners seem a bit off but its only because we're so busy, most Londoners are more than friendly and will generally help you find your way round, bus drivers and tube staff are great for getting directions, also London cabbies.

Have fun, doesn't cost anything to stroll around the west end, take the kids into hamleys, to look that is, lol

ktk

I try to take at least one child to London once a year, usually Oct half term. We usually see a show (this year it will be Wicked, last year Billy Elliot, which was fab). Definitely look at the Days Out offers available on attractions and food with your Railcard, especially if you do not have any Tesco vouchers. I have booked a really nice hotel at Canary Wharf, dinner, B&B for 2 with wine for £100, via Travelzoo. We always make use of the free museums, yours will love the Science and Natural History Museums, which are next door to each other. Take the bus (kids go free with Oyster card, which you can get online from TFL). You get to see the sights and it is not as scary with young children! Enjoy yourself.