Good areas to stay in london

[CheeseLouisePlease]

We are coming down in the summer. We used to have a regular hotel near Kings Cross.
However DD is autistic and has food allergies so we need a kitchen and a separate bedroom. So need to look on airB&B.
I’m a bit lost as I only know central London, so residential areas are all new to me.

It needs to have good transport links. I think we might have to avoid the underground as much as possible as she will find it stressful so light railway might good if that’s an option.
So far I know we will be visiting Kensington, Covent Garden, Camden and the west end if that makes any difference.
thanks

Muswell Hill. Train into town. Open space of ally pally, plenty for kids, shops for groceries

Kentish Town has a city farm, train or tube and good bus routes. Plenty shops and usual chains for the kids eg greggs , McDonald’s

How about Hampstead, open space has a tube and overground
shops for groceries , green open spaces so not too crowded,

Great thanks. She’s a teen (hence why we are going to Camden shopping!)

I think trains would be better, frightened tube will freak her out.

Ok go to Kentish Town you can literally walk to Camden from there
KT is a nice area, it’s London so you need to be street smarts obviously but it’s a good base

How about Richmond? You can do Kensington on the District line (pretty much all overground); trains to Waterloo for an easy walk or bus to Covent Garden and West End; and London Overground to Camden Road. Plus it’s a lovely area in its own right (currently posting this from Kew Gardens!)

I hope your DD will not be disappointed by Camden, it has gone downhill over the last few years.

Look at somewhere along the Elizabeth line, larger trains and so the bit underground will be easier (and air conditioned). You can get a bus from the Elizabeth line at Tottenham Court Road to Camden.

If it in University holidays, this might provide self catering accommodation.

Stay in Camden or Kentish Town, no,point staying really far out of she likes Camden and yiu want to be centralish. Hampstead is a also direct bus route to Camden too
FWIW Camden is still really popular with teens and lots to do. It’s worth a visit and it’s fun. Everyone always bemoans ohh it’s chambered, ohh not like the old days etc. it’s still popular and for the teens it’s relatively exciting

You could search ‘aparthotels’, apartment hotels, as well as AirBnB

Lots of great advice, someone I knew said about where the Olympic village was as lots of flats.

Shes keen on alternative shops so we can’t avoid Camden! We live in a small town so hopefully it will be a good enough for her in comparison!

Don’t stay too far out, pointless as you’ll end up schlepping about on transport
olympic village too far imo, plenty aparthotel and air b&b near Camden
Look at Camden, Kentish Town,both have a indie vibe
Hampstead no indie vibe but v pretty

zoo worth a trip if you’ve never been

We've stayed in Canary Wharf in apartments recently - Canary Wharf is on the Elizabeth Line so very quick access to central London (also Jubilee and DLR stops which are helpful). Also has a shopping centre and supermarkets right there which can be handy.

Have also previously stayed in Greenwich / Deptford Bridge Stay City apartments which were well located. Travel time into Central London might take a bit longer depending where you wanted to visit (DLR and Overground so fairly pleasant journeys in).

County Hall Premier Inn or the one in Woolwich, which is on the Elizabeth Line. Both recently recommended by Simon Calder, travel expert.

You could get boat from Woolwich, overground or Elizabeth Line.

Try the Saco apartments. We stayed in one in Lambs Conduit st which was great, but they're everywhere.
Kitchen, separate bedrooms. Concierge. V good

Yes that’s a good suggestion, excellent location too

I just came on to say don't forget the bus as a way of getting around if you want to avoid the tube. That way you could stay more centrally.

Kings Cross is a residential area now so you could still stay around there. Highbury is very good for transport as it has Overground, buses and tube, and you've got Upper St, Islington on your doorstep.

Yes good suggestion King X is residential and has the buzz of the art school etc plus all the restaurants
@CheeseLouisePlease if you’re avoiding tube don’t stay far out or you’ll just be schlepping on/off transport
Highbury yes that is a good suggestion

Have you been to Camden lately? It's a bit grim in the shopping part. How does she cope with crowds? Also, if the smell of weed bothers you, gird yourself.

I don't shop in person much but "alternative" shops - what does that mean? There might be nicer options for it.

That’s quite bleak. Camden is urban,yes. Smell of weed,yes. No one will compel them to buy it or try it - if you’re offered firmly decline. Camden markets and high road has stalls,food,an indie vibe that attracts a lot of folk. On the whole most folk will have a fun uneventful time. Be street smart, don’t leave purse or phone in an accessible bag. The same rules apply any urban setting. If Indie is her thing she’ll love Camden

I haven’t been to London since before she was born sadly as travelling can be tricky with her. I’ve only been to Camden once about 25 years ago 😂

Crowds are an issue but she is improving with age and is keen to go. It’s why a 2 bedroom is important so she can lock herself away afterwards.

camden get v busy weekend. Go Thursday or 1130ish as it’s opening up
it is busy,and lots of folk in proximity so if that an issue go earlier or on a weekday
it’s London expect a degree of busy and morning travel will be busy
dont stay too far out or it’s all about travelling. I’m guessing you want a manageable buzz?

Oh, if she's keen and prepared for crowds then cool

I'm not bothered by the smell of weed but I know some people really hate it.

if you can find something in Kentish Town, you can walk.

It’s possible to avoid the crowds , go early and/or non peak times
kentish town is a good option and walkable

I still stand by Richmond as an option 😀, depending on how
you’re travelling to London. No it’s not central but nor is it boring suburbia. Assuming you’re not spending the whole time in Camden, it is really easy and pretty quick to get to the other places on your list (20 mins to Waterloo + a nice walk to Covent Garden/West End; 26 mins on an overground tube to South Kensington; admittedly a bit further on London Overground - 40 mins ish - to Camden Rd). Crucially these are all direct routes and you are guaranteed a seat on the way in at least, both things that I know from experience of travelling with my own autistic DD can help alleviate some of the pressure. If she’s not too frazzled after a day in town/allergies permitting there are lots of nice options for dinner/a drink/ice cream and lovely riverside walks/atmosphere. I wouldn’t dismiss it out of hand if it works with your travel plans from home. These flats could be an option? https://www.flyingbutler.com/properties/richmond