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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To go on holiday in London?

65 replies

RessicaJabbit · 14/10/2025 22:54

We live near Stevenage, and DD is 6 and loves visiting London, but it's a long old day.

We're thinking of going on holiday there like Mon-Fri or something. Is this mad??

Would do things like the museums, cable cars etc but not have to spend hours on the train getting there and back again in one day.

OP posts:
Original poster
RessicaJabbit · 15/10/2025 08:58

Swiftie1878 · 15/10/2025 08:22

We stay at the Novotel (Blackfriars).
Great access to the South Bank, and it even has a pool!

Show quote history

Oooh shall investigate. Thanks!

OP posts:
Westfacing · 15/10/2025 09:07

Sounds like a great idea. You'll have just the one return journey to navigate then each morning after the hotel breakfast off you go for that day's adventure.

Day trips are often curtailed because you have to make sure you get to the station on time to return home, factor in delays, etc and miss out on evening activities.

KittyEmK · 15/10/2025 09:08

Sounds really fun! It's a great idea

Westfacing · 15/10/2025 09:11

squashyhat · 15/10/2025 08:55

I commuted in or to London all my working life - latterly an hour's train journey each way. During retirement I have continued to go for theatre, exhibitions etc but decided I would never again be running for a train home after an event, especially late at night. So I always book an overnight stay in a Premier Inn. It turns the trip into a mini holiday. I have two coming up which I'm really looking forward to.

but decided I would never again be running for a train home after an event, especially late at night.

Yes you often see people leaving just before the end of an event - no doubt rushing off to get the last train!

Denim4ever · 15/10/2025 09:13

London is a big place, so I do get this. However, some of the things you might want to do are all over the place and staying near one of them would only shorten trooping about on the tube.

mouldedacrylic · 15/10/2025 09:16

Do it! You have such a different experience when you know you're not running for a train at 7pm. I rate the Premier Inns for a good budget stay.

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 15/10/2025 09:17

If you can afford it please have afternoon tea at the ampersand hotel. It's not far from the museums in Kensington and they dinosaur and science themed teas.

dottiedodah · 15/10/2025 09:26

I think it's a great idea to go for it! I lived in London in pre historic times as a child ,(well the 60s !) and well remember all the sights and Buildings I was so impressed by. I love a day out in London now(Live SC these days) so a week would be lovely for you and DC.

GreyLion · 15/10/2025 09:36

Go for it. I live in Leicestershire and go to London alone a few times a year. Often stay in Premier Inns and love to just relax after a long day instead of travelling straight back home again.

AbsentosaurusRex · 15/10/2025 09:38

No of course YANBU! It’s the best city in the world! I lived there for 20years and still go back when I can. Enjoy! x

ApolloandDaphne · 15/10/2025 09:42

You absolutely should do this. I live fairly close to Edinburgh but next week we are going to stay there for 4 nights as we want to go to shows, galleries and restaurants without having to trek home in between. I'm really looking forward to it.

ViolaChomp · 15/10/2025 13:42

We have 3 nights in London every summer. I love it 😀

ranoutofquinoaandprosecco · 15/10/2025 14:06

Fab idea, we’re in Yorkshire but live a few days in London. We usually stay in a family room in a Premier Inn, favourite being the one at Angel as we love it around there, easy to get to and great local restaurants.

Snugglemonkey · 15/10/2025 16:25

Not mad at all. We go for a four night stay every year. We all have a great time.

kellygoeswest · 15/10/2025 16:35

I grew up in Croydon and we'd sometimes go on trips to London (anything from 3-5 days) when I was growing up. It helped that my aunt was a hotel manager so we got to stay on Park Lane and a few other places for her family rate!

I always loved the trips, it was really fun getting dressed up and going to shows (this was back when you could get discounted show tickets if you queued up in Leicester Square on the day) and generally just exploring, going to Planet Hollywood (the peak of cool for 8 year old me)...

SB2527 · 15/10/2025 21:41

Used to live in London. Now an hour by train. Go regularly for nights out and music. Always stay the night and will often stay 2-3 days.
So much to do. It's on your doorstep and the perfect city break. Do it!

BadActingParsley · 16/10/2025 20:35

I live near Liverpool and still stay over for a long weekend there fairly frequently. Sounds like a great idea.

FairKoala · 14/12/2025 06:45

But you are going to have to get a tube to different places anyway so to save on a 30mins commute (you could order an uber from your door to the station for a few quid each way) and looking up the train times and how to get to places to get the quickest route in and out you are going to spend £1000++

Unless you are missing out that you are super rich and have pots of money I think you have more money than sense.

FairKoala · 14/12/2025 06:49

Can’t believe the number of people who spend money on hotels instead of going home each night

I must be doing something very wrong to not have the money to even consider doing this

StrawberrySquash · 14/12/2025 07:35

Not at all unreasonable. Just have a think up front about what you want to see this trip and pick a location to stay carefully from that. It still takes a while travelling around central London and you could still spend a fair chunk of time travelling. It's not an everything on your doorstep location.

Liondoesntsleepatnight · 14/12/2025 07:41

Do it! I live 40 mins away and regularly stay with DC, it’s lush just going back you your room to recharge, watch tv, leaving bags behind, try a hotel with a pool. Children’s breakfast normally free. Park Plaza’s are good, if budget allows The Dilly.

Every time I’ve had the time for cable cars the weather has been poor, was it a good experience?

Namechangedasouting987 · 14/12/2025 07:45

We had a week in London when our 3 DC were around 9 to 6. My DH was dead against it as he commutes there every day. We are about 45 mins away from St Pancras. The week felt so different to a day trip.
We all loved it. No rush home every night. We did a show, ate at Rainforest Cafe, walked down the Thames at night. We did all the touristy things, Madam Tussards, museums etc.
We stayed in a Premier Inn and no it wasnt cheap, but it was a holiday. Nothing wrong with spending a holiday budget on a London holiday
We went Oct half term.

Zanatdy · 14/12/2025 07:47

No, we did during covid year, and we live half hour train ride away and go to London a lot. We had a great time. Expensive but we hadn’t been away for a while due to covid.

Zanatdy · 14/12/2025 07:48

Sometimes DD and I book a hotel and do the theatre / walk around St James park in the morning, lovely breakfast. Love it.

curious79 · 14/12/2025 07:49

I think it’s a lovely idea. I know someone who lives in london - pretty central too - but periodically books a couple of nights in a really swanky hotel to lounge about and enjoy the spa facilities and room service