Hotel and money saving in London advice required

macman

first78 said:

Emmia said:

first78 said:

Emmia said:

zagubov said:

This site shows where the shops are. I'd take them to Hamley's.

When you're in central London you can find most attractions near tube stations using this tube map.  The underground's rubbish for kids compared with being upstairs on a bus.

Trust me when I was a kid, my relatives took me round the central London shops at Christmas, and the memories are still with me. We must also have travelled on the underground but that didn't stick in the memory.

Plus, you can go a long way on the underground without getting very far, IYSWIM.

And for buses, these are some of the ones that show you the touristy bits (they're just ordinary buses so you use your Oyster card), and maybe use this website to find stuff to do.  I'd recommend Chinatown for good eating but many of their best deals are for two or more and I don't know if your kids appetites are  equal to your own.

I'll recommend the Duck Tour.

Hope you have a great time!

I wouldn't take them to Hamleys, unless you're also willing to buy toys for them whilst you're there... To be honest, Hamleys is looking pretty shabby, and not very magical these days.

The Duck Tour also ceased pre-pandemic, when their entry point into the Thames was compulsorily taken for a (tube? crossrail 2?) development project.

Brasserie Zedel on Piccadilly Circus is a wonderful (underground) spot (and not too pricey) for dinner.

You could also look at Mail Rail, which is an underground railway that used to to transport post in london, but now has passenger cars (you should book in advance) - the Postal Museum over the road is also good, but for older kids.

Also a bit age dependent, The V&A is also well worth exploring - lots of free and quieter areas, like the casts gallery, and the Science Museum is geared up for kids of most ages!  

A bit out of town, and a (longer) tube ride away, the Dinosaurs at Crystal Palace are also fun - but that may not work with other things. 

Thanks for the info. I agree, a visit to Hamleys would cost a fortune as the kids would want toys!!

The Dinosaurs at Crystal Palace Park look fab!! Which would be the closest Tube station to the park?

Many thanks

From Euston, I'd do the Victoria line to Highbury and Islington, and then the overground to Penge West or Crystal Palace. 

That's brilliant, thanks so much for your help

There are relatively few tube stations south of the river: to get to most places there you need to use the Overground, or rail stations.

Emmia

mvk0016 said:

Science Museum and Natural History Museum (dinosaurs!) are both free and great for kids. Also consider that renting an AirBnB might be cheaper than a hotel, especially since you can make your own breakfast and meals (they usually are proper flats with kitchens and all utensils).

The downside though is having to go grocery shopping for a few days of meals, which will be a bit of a faff. Personally, I wouldn't as it will just take time out of my holiday, but others may feel it is worthwhile.  

tower

I think the Sky garden is great and free, lovely view of the Tower of London and the Shard ( needs to be booked in advance). Katherine docks by Tower bridge to look at expensive boats. And Battersea park is great too, they have bike hire, boating lake, mini golf, go ape, a zoo. And couple of places to eat/drink and it’s by the Thames. Always found Premier inn and T/ L at Tower Hill good value.