Help and Opinions Please - London Musical Break

iloveshopping93

Hi all, it is my OH's birthday coming up soon. He is secretly a huge fan of the Lion King. I've gone ahead and ordered us two tickets to see the musical at the Lyceum theatre in London. (He has no idea)! We are travelling up from just outside of Birmingham - and we will be coming up on his birthday and staying for one night.

First question is how am I best off getting there? I have no idea how to use the Tube (only been on it twice - and as I am organising this I want it to work). What hotels are nearby, reasonably cheap and within walking distance of the theatre? I haven't actually booked the train tickets yet, but we are planning on leaving back home about 2pm the following day due to other commitments. Any recommendations on something to do for a couple of hours that morning that is nearby?

Second question is how shall I surprise him with the gift? He knows we are going somewhere. He has no idea where, how long for or what he needs to bring. Shall I spring it up on him that morning, let him know the day before or not even let him know where our train is travelling to? Any help much appreciated. Thanks:j

Blue264

What date have you booked the tickets for? The Strand Palace Hotel is very convenient for the Lyceum.

Browntoa

Premier inn at the other end of Fleet Street , straight to the theatre on the bus or a 15 minute walk

http://www.premierinn.com/en/hotel/LONBLA/london-blackfriars-fleet-street


https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=London+EC4Y+8EN&daddr=Lyceum+Theatre,+Wellington+Street,+London&hl=en&sll=51.512483,-0.113187&sspn=0.009575,0.022724&geocode=FRAHEgMdc2P-_ymByrhirQR2SDE1SnfqC-QbjA%3BFSMBEgMdySz-_yHwF7jccd3LZSlxfHRSiazYRzHwF7jccd3LZQ&oq=lyce&dirflg=r&ttype=now&noexp=0&noal=0&sort=def&mra=ls&t=m&z=16&start=0

iloveshopping93

Blue264 wrote: »

What date have you booked the tickets for? The Strand Palace Hotel is very convenient for the Lyceum.

Not until March. It is on a Friday though so I'm expecting hotels to be slightly more expensive being the start of the weekend.

iloveshopping93

Browntoa wrote: »

Premier inn at the other end of Fleet Street , straight to the theatre on the bus or a 15 minute walk

http://www.premierinn.com/en/hotel/LONBLA/london-blackfriars-fleet-street


https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=London+EC4Y+8EN&daddr=Lyceum+Theatre,+Wellington+Street,+London&hl=en&sll=51.512483,-0.113187&sspn=0.009575,0.022724&geocode=FRAHEgMdc2P-_ymByrhirQR2SDE1SnfqC-QbjA%3BFSMBEgMdySz-_yHwF7jccd3LZSlxfHRSiazYRzHwF7jccd3LZQ&oq=lyce&dirflg=r&ttype=now&noexp=0&noal=0&sort=def&mra=ls&t=m&z=16&start=0

That is really handy, thanks. £100 for the room seems reasonable for London. Wondering if there is anywhere cheaper than that. We are only staying for one night, but I've heard people get saver rooms for around £50 with some companies. Can't seem to find any!

Blue264

iloveshopping93 wrote: »

Not until March. It is on a Friday though so I'm expecting hotels to be slightly more expensive being the start of the weekend.

Fridays aren't too bad, but Sundays are the cheapest.

On Trivago, you can put Lyceum Theatre in the search box, and narrow down the results by distance from that point and your budget.

susancs

iloveshopping93 wrote: »

Not until March. It is on a Friday though so I'm expecting hotels to be slightly more expensive being the start of the weekend.

For travel you could look at www.megabus.com as just checked Friday 14th March for two passengers and returnign on Saturday and it is £20 return joutney for two people in total (£5 pp each way). The Travelodge at Covent Garden is about 10 minutes walk from the theatre and for example on Friday 14Th March is £64. Birmingham New Street to London Euston fares are £6 each way per person currently for the same dates www.southernrailway.com

What is the actual Friday that you have booked the theatre for in March as we could look at hotels for that actual date and train fares etc?

iloveshopping93

susancs wrote: »

For travel you could look at www.megabus.com as just checked Friday 14th March for two passengers and returnign on Saturday and it is £20 return joutney for two people in total (£5 pp each way). The Travelodge at Covent Garden is about 10 minutes walk from the theatre and for example on Friday 14Th March is £64. Birmingham New Street to London Euston fares are £6 each way per person currently for the same dates www.southernrailway.com

What is the actual Friday that you have booked the theatre for in March as we could look at hotels for that actual date and train fares etc?

Thanks so much for your response - it has been of great help. Friday 14th March is the date.

googler

What do you mean by 'don't know how to use the Tube'?

Are you unclear about ticketing, or how to get on the trains?

susancs

I would proabably book the train as quicker than the coach and works out £24 in total for the two of you return. I would book asap as cheap fares go quickly.

Travelodge at Covent Garden is pretty central and £64 for the night you want. The train would go into Euston, so follow the signs for the underground part of the station and then you can either get a daily travelcard that would allow unlimited journeys on the tube, buses and London overground trains or an Oyster card which is a £5 refundable deposit and you add money on it as required. You can get the deposit and any small amount of credit back when you hand it in at Euston tube station (or you could keep the card for future trips). www.tfl.gov.uk From Euston you would get the Northern line (just follow the signs) to Kings Cross and follow the signs onto the Piccadilly line to Covent Garden (10 minute total tube time from Euston to Covent Garden. You could stop off and take a photo by the Harry Potter platform 9 3/4 attraction at Kings Cross. As you are staying just one night I would take backpacks as easy to get on transport with these and no bag storage fees. Covent Garden itself is great with street entertainers (take a camera), shops and plenty of places to eat and drink. Keep a look out on the group buying sites such as Groupon, wowcher, keynoir etc as they often have go deals for eating out.

I was thinking about how you could surprise him, maybe just let him guess as he goes along e.g. he will see the train that is coming to the platform so know it is London, then where he is staying and maybe a Simba Lion king toy (they have a Disney store in Covent Garden). Chian Town and Leicester Square is about a 10-15 minute walk from the hotel an dyou have M&M World there for lots of pics beside these characters (sorry if I am assuming a Lion King fan will like these sort of things).
http://www.coventgardenlondonuk.com/events-entertainment-culture/street-performers/page/1

http://worldchocolateguide.com/shop/mms-world/london/

iloveshopping93

googler wrote: »

What do you mean by 'don't know how to use the Tube'?

Are you unclear about ticketing, or how to get on the trains?

I have only visited London a few times. Those times I was with somebody who has used the Tube before. The busiest place I ever go is Birmingham, so London is a whole new league! I am confused with all the different lines, as well as the ticketing. I will do my research beforehand though.