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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think I can get accommodation & parking in London for £500?

165 replies

piefacedClique · 08/02/2025 12:08

We’re planning a family trip to London from 23rd-26th Feb – me, my husband, and our 10-year-old daughter. We want to visit:

  • Natural History Museum
  • London Zoo
  • London Eye
  • Sephora at Westfield
Ideally, we’d like to find accommodation with parking for £500 max, but am I being completely unrealistic? Would we be better off parking somewhere like Heathrow and getting the Elizabeth Line in to make it more affordable? Any recommendations for places to stay or general tips would be really appreciated! Thanks!
OP posts:
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5
chugalugme · 09/02/2025 21:36

Just in case it is of interest- I have seen there is an easy hotel in Paddington which would be well located in terms of going to London Zoo and for public transport to your other destinations.

Pomollo · 09/02/2025 22:27

catin8oots · 08/02/2025 12:17

3 nights for 3 people for £500 in London? You may be better looking at an air b and b further out and using public transport

Yes this a good way to go you can filter with parking as a must have

I had a Quick Look at your dates and I saw a few really nice looking places in Islington which is handy for getting into town that have parking included and then there lots of lovely places to go out there for food and breakfast

mummy2oneandtwo · 09/02/2025 22:46

We always drive into London, get in before the congestion charge starts think it's 11 on a weekend but double check, and then leave the following day before it starts again. We use the YourParkingSpace app and usually park for 24 hours for around £30, so it can be done cheaply.

Accommodation is the main issue, it's so hard to find a family room for a good price!

Laurmolonlabe · 09/02/2025 22:50

Definitely drive to somewhere on the Elizabeth Line outside the congestion charge zone maybe Ealing- Booking.com has properties within walking distance for as little as £207 for your stay. It's about 20 mins from Ealing Broadway to central London on the Elizabeth Line. You may need to go further out along the Elizabeth line to get accommodation with parking though- parking on the street is not really possible in most areas

0ohLarLar · 09/02/2025 22:50

Pick somewhere on the edges of the westbound tube lines like ruislip for a hotel and get the tube from there. The overground trains can outside the travel card area will cost more

GargoylesofBeelzebub · 10/02/2025 00:18

We stayed at the premier inn Euston for a couple of nights and parked at a nearby church quite cheaply.

GargoylesofBeelzebub · 10/02/2025 00:23

GargoylesofBeelzebub · 10/02/2025 00:18

We stayed at the premier inn Euston for a couple of nights and parked at a nearby church quite cheaply.

We parked here. www.justpark.com/search?arriving=2025-02-25T03%3A00&coords=51.531375%2C-0.126113&filters=reservable&leaving=2025-02-25T07%3A00&listingId=37366&q=St%20Pancras%20International%20Station

JennySayQuoi · 10/02/2025 01:01

There are still cakes at Konditor - no longer & Cook as they've stopped doing the nice savoury stuff. The Borough Market one has closed though, the nearest to your hotel will be Roupell Street. Have a fab time 😎

MrsFezziwig · 10/02/2025 02:27

piefacedClique · 08/02/2025 19:31

Some brilliant suggestions. Thank you. We are so used to driving everywhere that I hadn’t really considered the train! I’ve just used my Tesco points to get a family railcard and will book the train up. Far more relaxing than driving! By the time we factored parking and at least two electric charges plus any charges for congestion zone etc it was working out a similar price! Plus hopefully we can take advantage of the 2-4-1 offers with a rail ticket!

I’ve booked a travelodge now in Southwark…. My daughter is desperate to go on the eye and that stretch has all the iconic views she’s after! Plus it’s very close to Borough Market where my husband is keen to go back to. Got some cash back on that purchase too so had that for under £300 for three nights.

Thanks again for the brilliant suggestions. I lived there after uni for a year in 2002 but that was so long ago I was a bit overwhelmed with all the options! So hoping the cakes and coffee at Konditor and Cook are still just as good as I remember! Thanks again x

Thanks again x

Good choice. I was going to say it's better to stay centrally if possible as then you can have a little wander round at night, and you're perfectly placed for the river. Much nicer than spending the evening commuting back to an outlying hotel.

janj52301 · 17/02/2025 12:19

Pre book your outings,there are often long queues at museums/London Eye and you pay a few quid less if you book online in advance.

Devonchills · 17/02/2025 12:22

I have just done a similar trip with my family. Paid £45 in the Premier inn Heathrow T4. £24 a night parking.
Only 30 mins into central London on the tube. Definitely recommend!
Also we had a runway view room which the kids loved.

Fupoffyagrasshole · 17/02/2025 15:14

I’d rethink bothering with the London eye if I were you! We went on it the other day for the first time (have a Merlin pass so it was free) we’d been in the aquarium and then there was no queue so we went on.

it was so boring and my kids were asking when they could get off once we got half way around 🤣🤣

I wouldn’t have wanted to pay money for it.

Oldraver · 17/02/2025 15:36

I know you have your rooms but for anyone else....

We've stayed at the Premier Inn Hammersmith a few times and never paid more than £125

ranoutofquinoaandprosecco · 17/02/2025 16:06

Premier Inn Tottenham Hale, brilliant. We've driven from Yorkshire and stayed there with kids numerous times. Just check they still have the option of parking around the corner.
Tube is a 5 minute walk away.

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