To go on holiday in London?

[RessicaJabbit]

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.

Go for it @RessicaJabbit

Consider youth hostels to stay in. The London ones I’ve stayed have been really nice, and you can get family rooms now.

https://www.yha.org.uk/places-to-stay/london?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=906487151&gbraid=0AAAAADpWiI_2Lic35SByKvA-Vil3ob-ez&gclid=Cj0KCQiAuvTJBhCwARIsAL6Demh-GEpcSbbF6O1lmMh9c8AVxxhNfKJrx5GYrg2-xpCl76L_Q--1zN0aAusfEALw_wcB

yes this is what I was going to say. Travel is always a lot more involved with a kid to think about (as you know!) so I see the appeal of staying in town if you can afford it. But I would still aim to not try to do everything because the tube is exhausting for local kids too. Ie if you mainly want to see things inner west, stay west and don’t attempt cable cars in east London etc.
London early in the day is much much nicer before crowds and tourists arrive. And lights look lovely this time of year - but be careful to avoid rush hour at both ends.

one thing I do recommend with kids is catching the uber boat to Greenwich to see Cutty Sark/National maritime museum/GMT line etc. good views through the city from the boat each way and you sit inside in the warmth and comfort so it’s pain free and you aren’t using up energy for the little people. from memory 30mins each way or so from central London

Another option is the university accommodation when the students aren’t there. Affordable and good.

https://www.universityrooms.com/en-GB/city/london/home/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=EN-Leeds&utm_term=Accommodation-Exact&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23105553967&gbraid=0AAAAAD81swsOfdZCZY3f1G4jXtT23VGsw&gclid=Cj0KCQiAuvTJBhCwARIsAL6DemjefMcNDQ9cHXoVkwczfZpxBLwh_t6SOTIFYnnW7p-uHOakmweMvb8aAnrYEALw_wcB

This is great stuff, 😀 😀 😀

DD loved the cable cars. It's not very interesting as an adult, but she loved it, we stayed on and went round 3 times. It was quiet, we had the car to ourselves, hardly anyone was using it.

I have had a London holiday, Monday to Friday, for last 2 years, currently planning this years.
I only live a 60 minute drive to west London but love the extra time of being there. I wouldn’t drive back and forth every day and get the same experience.

ew not sure that’s appealing at all

We always used to have a night in a central London hotel to see lights and do some bits without worrying about getting home when children were younger. I live in zone 6!

Great idea. Check out travelodges etc for cheaper times to stay, and plan your days beforehand in terms of museums, exhibitions etc which are in the same area, so as not to waste time travelling while you're there. Food really bumps the costs up, so we took porridge pots to have in the hotel room for breakfast, supermarket meal deal for lunch then a pub for dinner - worked out well for us.

Because it's a bit of a ball ache to get to and from the station.
We have to drive 20mims each way to station, then get the train to KCX, then in the tube.

It all just takes time, waiting around for trains etc always seems to be about 90mins door to door each way, or longer.

I couldn't do it on day ,1 then get up again and doj it all over again for 2 more days.

The YHA ones in London ones are really lovely and are more like travelodges. They’re not rough and ready at all.

@RessicaJabbitwe have stayed a couole
of times at the Travelodge at Waterloo. It was quite reasonable priced (was a few years ago). There is a bus from outside that goes along strand / Charing Cross Road so good for Covent Garden / theatre land. Also good tube links.

I went last week, just for the day. Left home at 10am,slight detour (15 minutes due to roadworks) brunch when I arrived in West Kensington, art exhibition, walk around to see the lights, a bit of shopping and a snack, gig in the evening.
A great day.
Until it was time to drive home. A4 and M4 were both closed,massive congested diversion half way around the world to get back, and I love driving.
Really spoiled the day.
No trains back to where I live at that time of day, so driving only option.
Much better to stay over given the chance which I couldn’t do on this occasion.

Couldn’t face doing it 4-5 days on the trot.

Me and my daughter do this and have a great time on a budget. We stay at the Greenwich Travelodge.