Harry Potter studio tour advice

airportgirl

Sorry if my questions are a bit stupid but I am not familiar with London or surrounding area.
My daughter is 30 in July and for her birthday I have offered to have my grandchildren for the weekend and pay for her and her husband to go away. She would like to do Harry Potter studio tour and also perhaps a show in London.
They will be travelling from Birmingham by train.
Are they better staying by Harry Potter Studios for couple of nights and traveling into London to see the sights each day or staying in London and travelling out to Harry Potter tour?
Looking at cheapest option really based on Travelodge type accommodation plus transport costs.
Not even sure if travelling into London each day is even doable so would be very grateful for any help.

hcb42

HP is a fair way out of London

Watford (Premier Inn?) might be a middle ground although it is still a fair way into London

susancs

Your daughter would usually get cheaper accomodation staying outside of London and the fast train from Watford Junction to London Euston takes only 15-20 minutes (slower train that stops at all stops is about an hour so avoid that train). The Harry Potter shuttle bus goes from outside Watford Junction station (£2.50 return journey). There is a Holiday Inn Express ( Express hotels include a free breakfast) a couple of minutes walk from the station and Jurys Inn is about 5 minute walk. You can get a direct train from Birmingham to Watford Junction, book a few weeks before for the best rates. The last train from Euston to Watford junction leaves at 11.44pm (arrives at just after midnight) so plenty of time to get the train back after a show.

The Premier Inn or Traveldoge in Watford Central will be cheaper and about a 10-15 minute walk from the Watford High Street station and about 50 mins into London. One stop on the train to Watford Junction for the HP shuttle bus, 20 minute walk or 5 min bus journey.

The Premier Inn Watford Croxley is about 15 min walk to the metropolitan line tube station or 2 min drive with paid parking at the station or free parking in nearby roads and a short drive to Harry Potter studios, so better for those with cars, but would only be a couple of hours drive from Birmingham. Saver rooms are £35 for some dates in July. 40 mins on the metropolitan line tube from Croxley station to Central London.

If booking the Holiday Inn Express take a look at this HUKD post and copy and paste the link in post 2 as it gives you 30% off e.g. just tried it for 8-10 July at HI Express Watford Junction and it takes the rate down to £68.40 per double room per night and includes a buffet breakfast.
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/upto-30-off-ihg-hotels-mastercard-partner-discount-2374348

Also keep an eye on the Village hotels as they had a £20 room deal a couple of months ago and prior to that one in Nov. There is a hotel in Watford, but you would need a car as about 20 minutes drive to Harry Potter Studios or 10 minutes to Stanmore tube station, which has reasonable weekend parking rates. The hotel has a sauna, swimming pool included. They currently have a Friday night offer of a double room, 2 course dinner and sparking wine for £69 per couple. Also £10 for a double room if £48 is spent on food and drinks on a Sunday so £48 for food drink, room and spa facilities.
https://www.village-hotels.co.uk/offers/

essex_boy

While your there why not visit the real Diagon Alley,Goodwins Court
http://www.ianvisits.co.uk/blog/2008/09/27/londons-real-diagon-alley/

Also go to platform 9 and 3/4 and visit the Harry Potter shop there
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g186338-d3971166-Reviews-Harry_Potter_Shop_at_Platform_9_3_4-London_England.html

Darksparkle

I stayed at a premier inn between Euston and Kings Cross and travelled to Watford Junction from there. Didn't take long at all.

Think hotel was about £250 for 3 nights (for 3 of us).

Depends how long they are away for but I wouldn't personally want to stay outside London, can be a tiring enough day site seeing as it is.

susancs

Darksparkle wrote: »

I stayed at a premier inn between Euston and Kings Cross and travelled to Watford Junction from there. Didn't take long at all.

Think hotel was about £250 for 3 nights (for 3 of us).

Depends how long they are away for but I wouldn't personally want to stay outside London, can be a tiring enough day site seeing as it is.

They are only going to London for one day and the Euston to Watford train takes less than 20 minutes, with the hotel beside the station. Don't think it would be very tiring for a 30 year old.

kathrynha

When we had a short break to London and the HP studios the other year we stayed at the Travelodge in Hemel Hempstead. It's a 20 min walk to the train station or £6 in a taxi

We drove from Leeds down to Hemel Hempstead, 4 nights in the Travelodge was about £120, and it was £30 a day for 2 adults and a child to get to London.
We worked out that £120 accommodation plus £90 for 3 days travel to London plus petrol from Leeds and back was a hell of a lot cheaper than even the cheapest London accommodation and train fares from Leeds.

System

kathrynha wrote: »

When we had a short break to London and the HP studios the other year we stayed at the Travelodge in Hemel Hempstead. It's a 20 min walk to the train station or £6 in a taxi

We drove from Leeds down to Hemel Hempstead, 4 nights in the Travelodge was about £120, and it was £30 a day for 2 adults and a child to get to London.
We worked out that £120 accommodation plus £90 for 3 days travel to London plus petrol from Leeds and back was a hell of a lot cheaper than even the cheapest London accommodation and train fares from Leeds.

where ever you stay DO NOT Stay at this flea pit its the worst of the worst !! we booked 2 nights but only ended staying one it was so bad.

kathrynha

CHRISSYG wrote: »

where ever you stay DO NOT Stay at this flea pit its the worst of the worst !! we booked 2 nights but only ended staying one it was so bad.

When did you stay there?
We were there October 2014 and it was just finishing all being redone, and it was lovely. Absolutely spotless, large spacious room, lovely staff. Couldn't fault it at all

airportgirl

Thanks to everyone for your replies. A lot of very useful ideas. Will start having a look at all the suggestions. Think I will look into booking a hotel for them around Watford area as the main reason for the break is Harry Potter.
I am sure they will both just be happy to have a couple of nights away from a 5 year old and a 6 month old baby.
Once again thank you to everyone.

susancs

airportgirl wrote: »

Thanks to everyone for your replies. A lot of very useful ideas. Will start having a look at all the suggestions. Think I will look into booking a hotel for them around Watford area as the main reason for the break is Harry Potter.
I am sure they will both just be happy to have a couple of nights away from a 5 year old and a 6 month old baby.
Once again thank you to everyone.

There are some good saver rates for the Premier Inn Watford Central currently Friday 15 and Sat 16 July it would be £75 in total for a double room for the two nights and same rate for the following weekend. 20 min walk to Watford junction station for the shuttle bus. You also have a Wetherspoons pub in the High Street (on way to station) for cheap breakfasts.
https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/food/menu?pub=21475160131c4c99ac127d441d5fe7da