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Original poster

Where to stay in London for HP trip??

30 replies

Zigza · 15/08/2024 10:36

Would love some pointers plz for our trip to Harry Potter Studios in November. Had booked a hotel near Luton airport as we fly in quite late with 2 small kids but I didn’t realise how far away it is from the studios. We’ll be relying on public transport/taxis also. Get in about midnight so not sure if we should stay close by for first night then check out and stay somewhere else for the next 2 days. Our Harry Potter slot is at 11 am the morning after we fly in though. Can anyone point me in the right direction of where to look maybe as I don’t know London at all and don’t want to stay in a dodgy area

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polkadotpixie · 15/08/2024 11:49

Aren't the HP studios in Watford? I imagine it'd be a lot cheaper to stay in Watford than London and not cost you as much in travel either

redwinechocolateandsnacks · 15/08/2024 11:56

We stayed in a Premier Inn in Wembley when we went to the studios (but we wanted to do a bit of London as well). Train to Watford and 'Harry Potter' shuttle bus to the Studios. Also lots of places to eat with tired children once you get back.

MoiraRoseVibes · 15/08/2024 13:13

We stayed in a hotel near Watford Junction station (one of the big chains, can’t remember which one). Was cheap and cheerful and there’s a free shuttle bus from the station to the studios. Plus you could tell a lot of the guests at the hotel were also going to the HP studios which made it more fun.

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Izzynohopanda · 15/08/2024 13:14

The HP studios are at Leavesden, Watford do aren’t in London.

TeenLifeMum · 15/08/2024 13:16

We stayed on a gorgeous farm nearby with cabins and they had fire pits and gave us marshmallows for toasting. No idea re the name. They had a hagrids cabin - confident it was a total copyright infringement but it was lovely.

TeenLifeMum · 15/08/2024 13:18

Here’s the link - https://staglodges.co.uk/

I’d thoroughly recommend.

Stag Lodges – Escape the ordinary

https://staglodges.co.uk

BibbleandSqwauk · 15/08/2024 13:18

Luton to Watford is a pain on public transport but if you go on the Thameslink line to St Albans (only a couple of stops), you can get buses or even a taxi from there to the studios. It's not far. There's lots of hotel accomodation in St Albans and it's a lovely city to wander around, abbey church, park, nice market.

BibbleandSqwauk · 15/08/2024 13:20

Also, HP world is great but can be VERY spendy in snacks, meals and souvenirs. Lots of opportunities to buy pictures of you on a broomstick etc for ££££. Be prepared for that in advance to manage expectations.

commonground · 15/08/2024 13:22

You don't want to trek into London from Luton just to go back to Watford? Honestly, I'd keep the convenient Luton hotel and book a taxi to take you there and back - is probs only a 30 minute drive. The money you save on travelling from the airport to London (or even St A) you can spend on a pre-booked taxi.

commonground · 15/08/2024 13:24

(If the hotel is cheap and OK, you could just then Thameslink it into London each day after, if you were planning on visiting)

Original poster
Zigza · 15/08/2024 13:53

commonground · 15/08/2024 13:22

You don't want to trek into London from Luton just to go back to Watford? Honestly, I'd keep the convenient Luton hotel and book a taxi to take you there and back - is probs only a 30 minute drive. The money you save on travelling from the airport to London (or even St A) you can spend on a pre-booked taxi.

Thanks for all suggestions, we have Sadie best western booked for 2 nights but have free cancellation. I was half thinking of getting a taxi in but has heard mixed things about the area. Anyone familiar with hotel/ area?

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Original poster
Zigza · 15/08/2024 16:55

TeenLifeMum · 15/08/2024 13:18

Here’s the link - https://staglodges.co.uk/

I’d thoroughly recommend.

Thx for that, looks amazing I remember seeing that before but I think wouldn’t be practical without hiring a car which I’m not overly pushed about doing. Looks very cool though

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Original poster
Zigza · 15/08/2024 16:57

commonground · 15/08/2024 13:22

You don't want to trek into London from Luton just to go back to Watford? Honestly, I'd keep the convenient Luton hotel and book a taxi to take you there and back - is probs only a 30 minute drive. The money you save on travelling from the airport to London (or even St A) you can spend on a pre-booked taxi.

Thanks will check this out, we’re actually staying 3 nights not 2 and would love a quieter area

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Ineffable23 · 15/08/2024 16:58

I used to stay in Watford all the time for work and the Holiday Inn Express and the Jury's Inn were both fine and I think reasonably near the station. But agree Luton may be easier if you're arriving late.

Original poster
Zigza · 15/08/2024 16:59

BibbleandSqwauk · 15/08/2024 13:18

Luton to Watford is a pain on public transport but if you go on the Thameslink line to St Albans (only a couple of stops), you can get buses or even a taxi from there to the studios. It's not far. There's lots of hotel accomodation in St Albans and it's a lovely city to wander around, abbey church, park, nice market.

Misquoted my last post🙄 will check this out as would love a quieter spot

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Izzynohopanda · 15/08/2024 20:11

Just wanted to add that Luton isn’t a tourist hotspot, so if you’re in the area, St Albans would be a nicer place to visit - Cathedral, market town, Verulanium etc. Did used to spent time at the Arndale centre in Luton in my mid-spent youth though.

Harpenden is a pretty little place, but not large - shops, nice park etc.

You can easily catch a train into London for a days sightseeing.

Izzynohopanda · 16/08/2024 21:09

Just got back. Some photos to whet your appetite.

Where to stay in London for HP trip??
Where to stay in London for HP trip??
Where to stay in London for HP trip??
Where to stay in London for HP trip??
BibbleandSqwauk · 16/08/2024 21:24

The Mercure Noke Thistle hotel is right on the edge of St Albans out by the motorway. It's really nice and will take about ten mins in a taxi to HP. It's a bit far to walk into town but there are buses or again a taxi wouldn't couldn't much.

WhereAreWeNow · 16/08/2024 21:37

If you want to see London as well as HP studios, I would stay around King's Cross/Euston. Easy train from Luton and then another direct train from Euston to Watford Junction for HP.

It won't be cheap though!

nbee84 · 16/08/2024 22:23

I suspect it's been some time since Bibble stayed at the Mercure Noke Thistle as it is now completely run down and is used as an immigration hotel.

Jellyslothbridge · 16/08/2024 23:07

St Albans Premier Inn could be a good option.

BibbleandSqwauk · 16/08/2024 23:43

nbee84 · 16/08/2024 22:23

I suspect it's been some time since Bibble stayed at the Mercure Noke Thistle as it is now completely run down and is used as an immigration hotel.

Oh no!! It has been a while yes, sorry OP.

Changingmynameyetagain · 16/08/2024 23:52

We stayed at the Watford central premier inn when we went.

Lisbeth50 · 16/08/2024 23:53

Watford - shuttle bus to HP and train into Euston if you're visiting London too.

St Albans is pretty. I'm not sure how you'd get to HP from there though.

PinkCast · 16/08/2024 23:59

Ineffable23 · 15/08/2024 16:58

I used to stay in Watford all the time for work and the Holiday Inn Express and the Jury's Inn were both fine and I think reasonably near the station. But agree Luton may be easier if you're arriving late.

We stayed in the Holiday Inn Express last year, very near station with free transfer to HP studios on a purple bus ( not quite the knight bus).
Would recommend it!