A visit to London taking in Harry Potter World tour... Help please !

[Rosiem2808]

Can anyone who has done this give me some advice on where to stay overnight. I think that is it really.
I'm looking to come on the train, visit the studios, stay the night and return next day. Two adults and two children. Not made of money !
Obviously I am looking online at options but experience counts for a great deal and can't afford to make a mistake financially or mentally :)

It is a real anticlimax. Massive queue for a picture even midweek and even to go into the store there.

Stay at Premier Inn Kings Cross

Leeds to Kings Cross, leave bags at PI (I think you can arrange this?), walk to Euston for Watford Junction .

Euston and KX are less than 10 mins walk apart

Return and have dinner somewhere in the Coal Drops Yard area behind KX.

Next day get tube to the Eye, explore S Bank area, street performers, free events near the Royal Festival Hall etc.

Get tube and train home.

So much the better if you can travel v light. Toothbrush and clean pants in a small rucksack. No need to dress up for dinner in London unless you are going somewhere Michelin starred or something

We stayed at the premier inn Euston- right across the road from the station and a direct train into Watford

The Luton Airport flight path comes over my house.

Some people seem to think that Luton is a suburb of London though, get there, look about them and think WTF?

There’s no direct trains between Watford and Waterloo. What line are you thinking of?

There used to be an occasional service between Clapham Junction and Watford but not sure it runs now.

I know HP studios are in Watford.
Now after having read replies am thinking of driving down to Watford doing the tour and then perhaps go back to our hotel eat and crash.
Next morning go into London - do the eye - my grandson is 5 and will like it - and then go home.
Does that make any kind of sense ?

5 might be a bit young for HP.

Driving will be the easier way to get to Watford from Leeds

I really wouldn’t go all the way into London to do the Eye for a 5 year old - he won’t appreciate it and it’s really expensive and a long way to go for a 17 minute “trip”. If you’re determined to go into London, take him to the Natural history museum instead.

also a 5 year old won’t get a lot out of the HP studio tour

5 yo definitely too young to get much out of the HO tour (& likely to find quite a bit of it scary).

A London trip would be awesome though - science, Nat. History, transport or postal museum, London Eye, wander round to see some of the sights. Great for 5yo.

We've gone to London October half term since our youngest was 5. We're going to HPW this year and he's 9.

We used to drive to the Premier Inn at Tottenham Hale there's parking nearby and tube 5 mins walk away which is great.

Honestly at the age of 5 I wouldn't do HPW or the London Eye, he won't know what he's looking at!

If you've got a rail pass I'd get the train from London to Kings Cross and stay in a Premier Inn. It's worth getting the adults breakfast as kids eat free. I'd then take him to the Natural History Museum have tea somewhere local to there and then maybe a show the next day rather than HPW, you could go via Covent Garden so he could watch the street performers, tea in China Town, home via the Lego shop in Leicester Square. Next day quick trip to see Buckingham Palace!

Honestly at the age of 5 I wouldn't do HPW or the London Eye, he won't know what he's looking at!

I agree. The London eye is interesting for spotting landmarks but it's quite long and if he doesn't know what Buckingham Palace looks like for example it's not going to be that interesting,

I'd save HP world for when he's older and has read the books.

The Shard is more fun than the Eye , the lift is great fun .

Sky Garden is good for a high vantage point (and free! But must be booked in advance)

my 5yo liked The Tiger Who Came to Tea and a potter about Trafalgar Sq.

It does unless you are thinking of driving into Central London from Watford.

You would get the train?

I would recommend getting the train. I use the same train between Kings Cross and Wakefield quite often and it is a good, quick service.

Copthorne Tara hotel in Kensington has family rooms that can be quite good value. But you may need to book early to get a good deal. Check also Premier Inn and Travelodge which have hotels across the city, including Kings Cross and Covent Garden.

The Shard is great. We've often had breakfast at Aqua Shard as it's cheaper than paying for the viewing area (if you pick wisely).

The aquarium is right next to the London Eye. Great for a 5 year old.

Thanks for all the responses. I forgot to mention this is a family trip and the other child is 12 so we have to try and accommodate both boys at the same time !

The five year old is mad about HP which is why we thought it would be good for both.

Lots to think about