moonlight Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 we are going to london at the end of dec! we just booked our tickets. we are looking forward to being cold!! :D anyone that has been there have advice for a family of 5? we know we want to stay in an apartment and have good access to public transport. ideas? best places to eat?? from cheap to $$..we want to go to a couple of nice places. i'm thinking the restaurant that serves bugs...not sure what dh will say to that, although i already know that my my dc will be excited.. what to see? any advice would be greatly appreciated. this is our first trip as adults. we've both been there as children, but don't remember much... best ways to save money to see the attractions and transport. i saw something for a london pass that i'm going to look into more.. thanks. :bigear: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marbel Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 It's been several years, and we only traveled with 2 kids, and I don't know your kids' ages, so I can't give much advice. I just want to tell you I'm jealous, and that my absolute must-see tourist place is the Tower. It was the very best thing we did in London. Well the boat ride to Greenwich was good too. And my son could have stayed the entire week in the British Museum. My daughter and I liked Kensington Palace and my son and husband went to see some important ship. LOL, it was so important I don't remember the name. :lol: Wow, have a wonderful time! I've been to London twice and would go there again in a minute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 Are you staying in London the whole time? In London: The Blades hotel in the Pimlico district is wonderful. They have a good sized family room, nice breakfast spread, and really close to public transportation and downtown. Eat in pubs. Seriously. The best food in England is in the pubs. You can usually find a stew or a curry in a pub. My favorite tour, EVER: The Tower of London. Buy the guided tour and give this attraction a full day. Follow up with an evening spin on the London Eye. Watch Rick Steves' Travels in Europe episodes that deal with London. Don't rent a car. It's a nightmare driving in the city, especially with the roundabouts. Rely on the tube and the big red buses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenda in FL Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 :bigear: DH and I are traveling there in Nov! I'm interested in hearing the responses as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisB Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 I found this thread, this thread, and another. Hope one of them helps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 Awesome! A friend of mine just got back. They stayed at a hotel near Trafalgar Square. Nice owners, free espresso 24/7 etc. Starts with a C. I'll ask again. She said it was near everything, with easy Tube access. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnaM Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 We have been twice and depending on the ages of your children they might enjoy, ugh I can't remember the name, but it was sort of like a historical haunted house that themed with all of the dark ages stuff that happened. No one jumped out at you to scare you but it was all about the plague, the fire of London, torture methods used during those times and so on. We also took a little ferry tour on the River Thames. I concur with the Tower of London tour. The underground wasn't nearly as intimidating as I thought it would be but let me tell you that even with public transport there is still a lot of walking up and down stairs. Access was all over the place so I don't think you will need to worry about that! Have fun and prepare to be COLD if you are not used to it. I am from N.Texas and the first time I went to visit the inlaws I was miserable until I purchased a big thick coat LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ApronMama Posted September 28, 2012 Share Posted September 28, 2012 We are hoping to go in May so :lurk5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moonlight Posted September 29, 2012 Author Share Posted September 29, 2012 thanks for all the suggestions so far...keep 'em coming! the historical haunted house that was mentioned--would it be appropriate for a 10 year old and 6 year old?? i read about it last night and can't remember the name either right now. we used to live in portland, oregon which was cold and we miss it! we're hoping it's like that and not too much colder... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassy Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 The London Dungeon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBM Posted September 29, 2012 Share Posted September 29, 2012 I love London. Such a great city. If you can, try to see Les Mis there. For eating, what I do is make a copy of a detailed map and highlight the places where I want to eat on the copy. (I am a serious foodie!) Some of my favorites in London: Borough Street Market. Roast to Go on the ground level sells the best pork crackle sandwiches I've ever had. So good! There is also a stall that sells raclette, the real deal, and I'd highly recommend getting that, too. There's not much seating, so keep that in mind. I think shops start closing up around 3-ish but I'm not sure. http://www.yelp.com/biz/roast-to-go-london Catch a free concert around noon at St. Martin-in-the-Field's (check their site for concert listings and times), then walk over to their Cafe in the Crypt. Nice ambience and fresh cafeteria-style food. http://www.yelp.com/biz/st-martin-in-the-fields-church-london#query:st%20martin%20crypt http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-cafe-in-the-crypt-london#query:st%20martin%20crypt For really good cakes and desserts, try Konditor and Cook. There are several of these in London. You can get everything to go. http://www.yelp.com/biz/konditor-and-cook-london-2 Another bakery that also sells things like quiche, which we liked, is Patisserie Valerie. Again, they have a number of places in London. Very pretty inside. http://www.yelp.com/biz/patisserie-valerie-london-7 The Kensington Whole Foods puts out free cheese samples around 5:00 or so! We bought dinner there a few times and ate upstairs -- very pretty! We also ate at Harrod's once but found the food to be lacking and expensive for what we got. I liked this little guide book the most for inexpensive places to eat: http://www.amazon.com/Savoir-Fare-London-Stylish-Affordable/dp/1892145650 And, this is good for taking walking tours. Read about them before you go and then choose some your family might enjoy. What's so cool about London is that you can be walking down a really busy street and then you duck in to a little alley that leads to a peaceful little courtyard of historic significance. http://www.amazon.com/Frommers-24-Great-Walks-London/dp/0470928182/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1348944412&sr=1-1&keywords=frommer%27s+24+great+walks+in+london Hyde Park, the park that's right next to it (forget it's name) and deep into Holland are all very pretty. Holland Park has a Japanese (Asian-inspired) garden with peacocks strutting about. Very pretty. Notting Hill is very pretty. Merchants set up tables along the street to sell stuff. Not sure if they do this in December, but it would be a nice place to stroll about. The Shakespeare Theatre tour is fun and informative. That would area is pretty cool along the river. Some parts are really funky. Plus, you have the Tate over there, I think. Definitely see the free museums. the British Museum has the Rosetta Stone, I think, and a whole lot of other interesting things. Have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moonlight Posted September 30, 2012 Author Share Posted September 30, 2012 i thought i had already replied... thanks for all the great tips. are the london dungeon and the other place a pp mentioned the same place? would it be appropriate for a 10 year old and 6 year old?? we arrive there on christmas day..what should we do that day since i'm assuming most of the city will be closed that day? apparently hyde park has an annual swimming race held every christmas day. we might check that out, but plan on going there anyways to go ice skating and see a couple of other things when everything will be open.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mum Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Just been there as family of 5. The supermarkets are bakeries are a good place to pick up food for lunches. Marks&Spencer and Sainsburys are very nice. Pubs can be great or terrible. Check our a Fodors or Frommers guide to London from the Library. It gives plans on what to do depending on how many days you are there, places to eat, to stay, to see, and gives pricing guidlelines for all. You can trust what those books say as far as quality places to eat on a budget. They have lots of budget friendly tips. Westminster Abbey, St Pauls cathedral and St martin in the field all have free concerts, just check their websites. Otherwise these are all very pricey for family to pay entry. We took a day bus tour, you can get on and off at all the major sites. This makes sure that you have at least seen all the highlights of the city. We went to a show, the guidebooks tell you how to get good price tickets. There is a surcharge for driving your own vehicle in the city and traffic is a nightmare. Get a day public transport ticket and use bus or tube. Museums are FREE and fantastic. Some have lines to get in because they search your bags. Be prepared for no trash cans, paying for public toilets, rain, lots of people. But our kids loved it, though we were on our feet off and on for 12 hrs each day. Ours young to mid teens. Have great fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 (edited) Tower of London and Shakespeare's Globe are favourite places to visit, with The British Museum for wet days. River trips are fun, but it's much, much colder on the river, so go prepared. Make sure that your clothing is waterproof, including your shoes. Use public transport. Try to avoid moving around at rush hour: the public transport is very busy and most other people know where they are going, so it can be bewildering. The post-Christmas sales will be on, so major shopping streets (Oxford Street, etc.) will be very busy. Be aware that London is at a northerly latitude: the sun rises at 8 and sets at 4, so plan your day accordingly. If you come up with some apartments, do post the locations - I'm sure that one of us can check if they are convenient. Have fun! Laura Edited October 1, 2012 by Laura Corin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenda in FL Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Make sure that your clothing is waterproof, including your shoes. Can anyone recommend/link some nice looking shoes that are both waterproof and comfortable for walking? Something that could be worn with both dresses/skirts and pants? I was thinking a pair of boots - but I didn't know if I'd be able to find waterproof ones that also look fashionable. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Can anyone recommend/link some nice looking shoes that are both waterproof and comfortable for walking? Something that could be worn with both dresses/skirts and pants? I was thinking a pair of boots - but I didn't know if I'd be able to find waterproof ones that also look fashionable. Thanks! Clarks has some and so does Ecco. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.