Can I do London 'on the cheap'

[needastrongone]

Firstly, if this is the wrong section, apologies.

Second, I probably sound like a stereotypical northerner

We are a family of 4, teen DC (so adult pricing applies). We decided as a family to split our holiday this year. Lucky enough to be picking a subsidised trip abroad, due to a client of DH being exceedingly appreciative of his level of commitment to their company over the last year.

So, as we only have to pay flights for this holiday, we decided to take the DC to London for a few days. I really want them to experience the city, take in a show, see the sights, visit the Natural History museum etc. DD and myself have been before and she loved it.

We a restrained to school holidays, but not particular holiday, so flexible in this regard. Just a bit at how much an apartment, train fares etc would cost, before I even factor in travel, food, and activities. Budget is reasonably flexible, especially if we go later in the year as I can budget a little more.

So, at the risk of sounded extremely daft, can we, as a family of 4, do London 'cheap'? Is it a case of planning well?

Or do I sound stupid?!!!

TIA

For adults at least, using a contactless bank card costs the same as a PAYG oyster nowadays (and LESS than a day travelcard). It's also less hassle.

Yes, we've stayed in the Greenwich Novotel before - it was good. And the Maritime Museum is excellent.

My teens far preferred Spitalfields to Camden, although it may have had more to do with the fact that the weather was absolutely horrific on the day we went to Camden.

If your teens like quirky museums, then I really recommend the Hunterian for pickled brains etc. It's just a stroll from Covent Garden.

RemusLupin if you like Greenwich, it's worth signing up to get emails from DeVere Hotels. They occasionally do sales of hotel rooms, and their Devonport House hotel is smack bang next to the National Maritime Museum - it is amazing to wake up right in the middle of the World Heritage Site, with just a walk through the park to the Royal Observatory, or popping next door into the museum! Their rooms are usually very expensive, but we've stayed there before in the last few years for (per room, not per person) £22, £49 and £79 per night, having booked during a sale. (Though I don't suppose we will ever see £22 rooms again, alas.)

Apologies if this breaks any forum rules, but thought my blog might be relevant museummum.wordpress.com I review museums for families, with a focus on London. I've tagged all my free museum visits, and have lots more planned. As well as reviews, last summer I did an epic calendar of all free museum events for families in London. There were about 1000 in the end, and a good number would have appealed to your DC. I'm planning to do it again, plus if you contact me before your visit I give you some personal recommendations. Enjoy your visit!

wow. Really love your blog museumworker. Great job. Have book marked that for future reference !

Again, thanks. The blog is excellent museumworker.

I have actually stayed at the Devonport House, for the marathon, about 5 years ago

It's nice, isn't it, OP? (I've never stayed there full price!) We don't have breakfast in the hotel, although De Vere breakfasts are epic, but go down to the museum cafe at 10 when it opens.

Also, I'm pretty sure that we get back a lot of the value of the room in the amount of biscuits that DS eats from the free tea station in the lobby!

@museum, agree you write very well- engaging and nice eye for detail. Should do it professionally, seriously!

Nancy66, needastrongone and OxonConfusedDotCom Aw shucks and thanks for the compliments. Any tips on how to make money out of it would be gratefully received!

As mentioned, do feel free to drop me a line nearer the time for some recommendations.

Could anyone give any suggestions as to good areas on the outskirts of London for hotels? Looking end of November/start of December. Friend has done the hostel thing before and was really put off so want to avoid that if we can.

I've looked and can get some decent rates from Premier Inn/Ibis for the dates we want, but they're near the Excel/Heathrow so probably a bit of a trek into the city.

Happy to do guesthouses/smaller hotels if the rates are good.

Greenwich Travelodge? Prices look reasonable, it's easy enough to get into Central London and Greenwich is fabulous.

Greenwich Traveldodgy is ok, but it's really Deptford. You're right on the DLR Deptford Bridge (??I think) stop, though

if you want more Greenwich/little bit posher, perhaps try the Premier Inn up the road. My sister can vouch for the breakfasts

Thank you! That one is coming in under our budget for the dates we want, as are some others a bit further into London :)

Going to show my friend on Wednesday and hopefully get something provisionally booked.

Google 'Time Out Cheap Eats' and keep it as a handy reference guide - I agree, avoid dull chains!

Pick up a free Time Out as soon as you arrive - from stations and tubes.

Sadly the Zip Oyster cards that someone mentioned down thread are only available to people who live in a London borough - and anyway they cost £10 to buy. But they do give free bus travel to U16s.

Be a Londoner: really do stand on the right on escalators - the L is for walking up or down.

You'll have a great time.

For your teens, go to this TfL page and read the part about child tickets.

And yes to standing on the right on escalators!

Can someone confirm, with the Oyster cards, after you've paid so much during a day, is it then capped? So, even if you were on and off buses all day, you'd only pay up to x amount? I'm a bit confused - if I've got it right, that's great!

Yes it is capped, but now uou dont have to buy an oyster card , you can register your debit card.
you can buy zip cards if you live outside of london as my dd had one and we live in herts. She didnt get free travel but it only cost her £1.50 a day under 16 ( it actually goes until august after 16) and now at 17 i think its half price.

Forgot to say for peak times it costs more to travel so try to avoid travelling too much in those times.

If you are near Trafalgar Square, The Cafe in the Crypt is lovely for afternoon tea or a meal. And inexpensive.

If you have clubcard vouchers you can use them for train travel to London. We've done it via Red Spotted Hankie and it's worked well.

If you are near the British museum, come out of the side exit, cross the road onto Malet street, walk past Senate house, SOAS and at the end of the road is the University of London student union. The canteen on the first floor does really decent meals for between £4-£6.

www.studentcentral.london/

Opposite the Parliament building is St. Thomas' hospital & there are a few canteens in there for cheap eats. Don't go to the expensive chains at the front of the hospital, go to/ Shepherd Hall which is further in, it's not bad for jackets & salads.

It/ should read 'opposite the Parliament building on the other side of the river....'

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