London Travel Advice Required

Craig1981

Craig1981

Craig1981

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So I've been toying with the idea of going to London on holiday for several years. I don't have enough holiday days left this year for work unless I went for like a weekend, which I don't want to do, so it will be next year at this stage. But I've made my mind up that I definitely want to go. No more putting it off.

I'm looking for some advice on which part of London would be best to stay in. I'm obviously looking for a nice area, but preferably not one that's crazy expensive. I'd probably be looking at going for 1 week, so somewhere in the £1000 - £1500 price range at most. I don't drive, so somewhere that's close to a lot of the big tourist attractions would be a plus.

Also what's the best options for public transport? I don't drive, so I'd be totally reliant on that to get around, unless the places are within walking distance.
 
Craig1981 said:
So I've been toying with the idea of going to London on holiday for several years. I don't have enough holiday days left this year for work unless I went for like a weekend, which I don't want to do, so it will be next year at this stage. But I've made my mind up that I definitely want to go. No more putting it off.

I'm looking for some advice on which part of London would be best to stay in. I'm obviously looking for a nice area, but preferably not one that's crazy expensive. I'd probably be looking at going for 1 week, so somewhere in the £1000 - £1500 price range at most. I don't drive, so somewhere that's close to a lot of the big tourist attractions would be a plus.

Also what's the best options for public transport? I don't drive, so I'd be totally reliant on that to get around, unless the places are within walking distance.
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You don't need to be near the attractions. Public transport in London is outstanding (when it's running...). Get yourself the 'Tube Map' app and you're laughing.
 
The tube is pretty easy for a tourist completely new to London to navigate around. I'd perhaps suggest getting a place on Airbnb, as for location, depends what you want to do/where you want to go but it shouldn't matter too much as transport is pretty good regardless. I mean a tourist stuff could involve visiting Camden or visiting Greenwich.. they're certainly not all within walking distance of each other and you don't necessarily need to stay in zone 1.
 
Begbie said:
Is there enough stuff you want to do to be there a week?
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"Why, Sir, you find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford."
— Samuel Johnson
 
Begbie said:
Is there enough stuff you want to do to be there a week?
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I have no idea, considering I've never been. I could take it down to a Monday - Friday if need be. But I think for a first time a week would give me more time to see stuff without having to cram too much into a single day. I'm interested in seeing things like Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. Riding on the London Eye. I like museums. I'd be interested in seeing something at the theatre, depending on what's on at the time I went. And I love eating out. So I'd want to try some good quality restaurants while I was there.
 
londons fantastic, especially good for a weekend, but over 1k. Go on a proper holiday for that.

As said area really doesn't matter, public transport is amazing, just get a hotel near a tube station.
 
Glaucus said:
londons fantastic, especially good for a weekend, but over 1k. Go on a proper holiday for that.
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I only say 1k because I know London is expensive, so I assumed all the hotels would be as well. It doesn't have to be a 4 or 5 star hotel. 3 star would be fine as long as its a nice hotel.
 
Over the last few years I've escaped to London a couple of times each year with the most recent being Easter this year - on each occasion I've stopped at the premier inn at excel as it's on the DLR so an easy starting point to explore from.

It worked out at £240 for four nights ( check in Friday - check out Tuesday )
 
Craig1981 said:
I'm looking for some advice on which part of London would be best to stay in. I'm obviously looking for a nice area, but preferably not one that's crazy expensive. I'd probably be looking at going for 1 week, so somewhere in the £1000 - £1500 price range at most. I don't drive, so somewhere that's close to a lot of the big tourist attractions would be a plus.
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Last Minute's Secret Hotels list usually has some well-priced (for London!) hotels in very central locations like Mayfair. I'd avoid anywhere too far out. You won't have much fun if you've got to get on the tube at rush hour with all of the commuters. Anywhere in zone 1 should be fine.

Also what's the best options for public transport? I don't drive, so I'd be totally reliant on that to get around, unless the places are within walking distance.
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If you've already got a contactless bank card or Apple/Android pay-compatible phone then you're set. Tubes and buses are everywhere. TFL's website or apps like CityMapper are very useful for finding the best route around town. Black cabs are super handy but very expensive.
 
Craig1981 said:
I only say 1k because I know London is expensive, so I assumed all the hotels would be as well.
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depends on what you want, I generally go for stuff around £40 a night, after all its only a bed to sleep in. It doesn't have to be expensive.
If you want a luxury hotel, or it's a romantic weekend away with the misses then that's different. I just see London as an easy to get to place(although I suppose that depends on where you live), and something you can do on a weekend and not as expensive as most people make out, and can then use proper money like that to go abroad.

Make sure you visit borough market for food, and theres a lot of other food stall markets as well(camden market is pretty good).
Natural History and science museum if that's your thing, comedy clubs so much to do.
 
Depends what you are wanting to do really, but I've always found that staying in / around Covent Garden is a good move. Easy enough tube station (if you don't mind lifts!), lots of food about, good pubs, v close to all the West End shows, walking distance to China Town and Soho...
 
There are some ropey areas in london to stay but most backpackers stay in west london or near kings cross. 100 a night could get you a room in the west end, and prob better if you dont know london at all as it will have loads of sights and bars nearby

Take the open top bus tour and work out which exhibition you want to go to... You wont be able to them all in a week!

Word of advice, need to check timetable if you want to see trooping the colours, etc..
 
I usually go every two years, for music and a wander, just be firm with any rude people, I just sort them out if I get any grief, expect to see the city bods with suits and oversize headphones which is always a laugh.
 
Anyone know if the Millennium Gloucester Hotel is a good choice? It seems like its in a very good location. Right next to a tube station with access to pretty much most of the main attractions.
 
given the number of hotels there are in London, unless you're picking a prominent or well known one, I'm not sure you're going to necessarily get a poster that has been some particular hotel and might be better off just looking at the trip advisor reviews

I'd still say go for an AirBnb but since you're super keen for Hotel recommendations I'll throw one out there - there is a Hilton Hotel in Islington, check the trip advisor reviews just in case but the location is nice enough (I've not stayed there but I used to work in the building next door some years ago). Basically I'm just recommending it because you'll be there fore a week, Angle is a nice location, it is close to the tube/easy to get to anywhere in Central London and you've got a load of nice bars/restaurants right on your doorstep on Upper Street... Canal nearby too with a nice pub - good in the summer.
 
Isn't AirBNB basically staying in somebodys house though? While the person is still living there? I know its cheaper, but I really don't like that idea at all.
 
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