To be able to visit London on a budget in half term?

[SadUselessMum]

After the disappointment of not being able to get Taylor Swift tickets for a reasonable price, my DD(14) has decided that she would like to go to London with the money that she saved instead. She has about £300 and I can probably add an extra £100 or so. Sadly, we are on a very strict budget. She is at school (and I teach) so we are restricted to half term in October.

We need to get the train into Euston (which will cost about £100 with her disabled railcard).

She does like museums but has done the main ones (Natural History, Science, Transport) on a school trip. She’s not into shopping but would like to go to a Sephora. She would also like to see the Globe theatre and the changing of the guards on horseback.

I’ve been looking at Premier Inn and Travelodge but they are still really expensive in Central London and I have no idea if it’s feasible to stay in one further afield and travel into London every day. I also need inspiration for things in London that a 14 year old girl would enjoy.

I did also wonder about driving down to a commuter town and getting a fast train into London every day, thus saving on train fare and maybe getting a cheaper hotel?

Any recommendations for hotels or things to do from people who know London would be very gratefully received.

The website says they have occasional places to rent a room

https://www.yha.org.uk/stay

London has several YHA hostels where you can book a private en suite room for two people. Rooms tend to book out months in advance, I'd be surprised if you found anything now.

Your best bet is easy hotel in either Old Street or Victoria where rates start from £50.

EASY Hotel Old St slightly out of Central area so cheaper

I’d look East/Square Mile for cheaper hotels and get the tube in from there to central London. It’s only a couple of stops from that end. There’s also a viewing platform near Liverpool St station that is free but I can’t remember the name of it… You’ve also got Westfield in Stratford down that way for shopping.
Mayor of Scaredy Cat Town bar for mocktails? (Ask to see the mayor and they let you in the secret bit).
Agree with previous poster, Six the musical is brill and, at her age I reckon she’d love it!

Do not stay at the premier inn excel we stayed there last week and it’s the only premier inn stayed in where I wouldn’t stay again. The car parking is free which was good but we were in the overflow and it was hard to get out as it’s not manned and there’s a barrier across so they have to phone through and then you have to wait half an hour for someone to come. There was also mice in the restaurant. I’ve booked for Stratford next Feb hopefully that might be better

The universities do let out rooms during the summer holiday only as the university half term isn't at the same time as the schools. University reading weeks are usually first or second weeks in November.

Also check out the special events on at the Globe if she is interested in that - they always have things on in the school holidays and it's not expensive

For example she could take part in 90min workshop running during half term for £15 which would be something unique to have done and might be a help to GCSEs

https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on/romeo-and-juliet-workshop-12-16-years/

https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on/macbeth-on-stage-workshop-12-16-years/

What is your AIBU?

And Christmas break

Commuter towns tend to come with expensive trains

Perhaps look at staying in zone 3?

Try the premier inn hubs - stayed last sat and sun for 180 for two people will be cheaper for just one night. Rooms are small but the hotels are really nice! I

When my children were young you used to be able to stay in rooms at Imperial College during holidays. Not sure if that was the half terms or just the long summer holiday.

A very unlikely one....is your husband in the forces as the Union Jack used to also have reasonably priced rooms.

Are there any youth hostels in London?

Family and friends rail card will work out cheaper than a disabled one.

Yeah, get the National Express down, so much cheaper. Also look on booking.com for bargainous accommodation, 3 nights max is enough.

I booked premier inn Stratford for feb half term yesterday 17th £66 and 18th £81. Also Waterloo and county hall which are really central were coming up reasonably cheap for same nights but I decided I was going to drive. Sunday nights tend to be cheapest if you do a Sunday/monday but you’d need to check the places you wanted to go were open

Premier Inn Hammersmith is literally opposite the Tube station, is one of the newer hotels and was very cheap when I stayed there this summer. Easy enough to get around from there and plenty of amenities locally.

Not read the whole thread but we got half price or 2 for 1 for various attractions because we’d travelled by train. Some you actually get tickets for, others you print off a form that gets you a reduction. Kew Gardens definitely, also Westminster Abbey. Loads of options for family attractions too as I appreciate those aren’t especially interesting for a teen 😂
And yes, if you can go Sunday to Tuesday or Wednesday it’s much cheaper.

To save money on transport you could drive and park up for a couple of days somewhere on a good commuter route then train in. JustPark has loads of parking options near all the stations.

Thank you so much everyone! Lots of ideas to get started with. Going to try and find a hotel now from all your suggestions. Feeling more hopeful that this is doable now!

I would persnally stay in Richmond rather than Hammersmith - far nicer and less of a busy city feeling about it. There is a Premier Inn in Richmond. From Richmond train station you can get: a direct 15 minute British Rail train to Waterloo, the district line underground, or the London overground up to North London.

Plus, Richmond itself is beautiful as there are lots of little streets to wander round and the river to go for coffee/food etc

Lots of other free London museums including The National Portrait Gallery and The British Museum which are my favourites. If your daughter is interested in the theatre you can often get very cheap concession tickets at The National. There are often fun things happening around The South Bank at Waterloo too.

If your daughter is into beauty, Selfridges is far superior to Harrods or Harvey Nichols! Avoid Borough Market. I've been going for years but went last week and the crowds and crushing happening were unbelievable. It's always been busy but this actually felt dangerous.

Enjoy!!

@SadUselessMum

Which dates do you think you are likely to be in town, OP?

I often stay around pimlico. I've had rooms for £30 a night. Just google map booking.com results. There should be cheap train tickets available now.

Unis don't have half term though.

I was hoping to go down on Sunday 27th October and maybe stay for 2 nights if it isn’t out of our budget.

If you have points on a Tesco clubcard you can use them against hotels in London. And Friends and Family railcard is good as you get a third off your fare too plus 60 percent off your daughter's. I travel with my son for around £58 open return. But you could get cheaper if you booked specific trains, obviously depending on where you are.

There’s a Sephora at Westfield in Stratford, plus lots of other make up type places, most a bit cheaper. Has she found Kiko yet- there’s one there too! Stratford has lots of chain hotels, and is also a great transport hub for getting around to almost anywhere in London. Loads of eating places too for an evening meal.

Download the TfL website for transport links and advice on step free access.

You have got time to get her a zip Oyster card for discounted and free travel.