Would it be a pain to stay in Greenwich for visiting London

[Tootops]

2 adults, 2 teens. Ideally want interconnected rooms as planing to stay 6-7 nights but prices are expensive obviously. Wondering would it be. PITA to stay in Greenwich? Otherwise any recommendations welcome.
Would like maybe a step up from premier inn as we hope to stay for a week.

Stayed in the Novotel with teens and it was good. There’s stuff to do in Greenwich as well as travelling into central London, and transport links are good. This was 10 years ago so not sure if Novotel still a good option!

It depends what you mean by a pain and what you want from your trip. Greenwich is beautiful, lovely pubs and places to eat. Maritime museum and grounds are great, the market is nice for pottering around, great views of London from the observatory. Cool to run along the river. But I’d say it’s probably enough for a day trip, no need for longer there . As a base, it would take you up to an hour to get into central London via public transport if you’re wanting to get the west end etc. that’s what most Londoners would do getting in and out of London for work etc so wouldn’t necessarily bother me and there are some cool means of travel like the Thames clipper - but you may be wanting something more walkable/better connected than that . The surrounding areas of Greenwich are a bit dodgy and not really tourist destinations. You could also look at places to stay in Richmond which is also further out of London but on the tube so a bit easier to get to the west end for day trips into London and lovely to be by the river and park.

what would you like to do whilst in London and I can perhaps recommend a good base ?

It wouldn't be a pain at all. It's quick and easy to get to central London from Greenwich (DLR or train) and it's a very nice place in its own right with lots of sightseeing, eating and shopping of its own. Be aware that there is now an area called North Greenwich where the O2 is. It's quite well connected to central London on the Jubilee Line but it's quite a long way from proper Greenwich and has none of the picturesque things to do. It's just the 02 and a bunch of modern chain shops and restaurants. Book accommodation in Greenwich rather than North Greenwich.

I think it's fine. 1. Lots of transport options. 2. Wherever you stay you will need to travel at least some days. 3. Easy for 02, Canary Wharf etc

@Muthaofcats I have lived in both Greenwich and Richmond and don't agree with your advice at all! Richmond is a great deal further away from central London than Greenwich and while it is very attractive it does not have the array of tourist things to do that Greenwich has.

It doesn't take an hour from Greenwich to central London! Plus Greenwich has a gorgeous park with a fabulous view plus The Observatory, Meridian Line, Maritime Museum, Naval College, riverside which is far more attractive than Richmond plus great market, riverside pubs etc. The riverbus goes really frequently from Greenwich Pier and gets to central London far quicker than from Richmond. Most importantly everything is walkable whereas in Richmond they are quite spread out. I love Richmond but it's much more suburban than Greenwich and there is far less to do.

Greenwich in itself is lovely - and has regular trains into town. But are there any specific things you are looking to do? If so whereabouts and are you ok with getting on the tube?

Type Greenwich to Covent Garden into google maps now and look at how long it says: 1 hour. If can take up to 1 hour to get in and I know because I lived there :)

I agree Greenwich is an amazing Location and lots to do, but think Richmond is also a good shout depending what you’re into: for instance it’s much better for cycle rides or runs around the park if the teens are active, great for boat trips on the river, petersham for lovely lunch, a great day spa - regular trains into London Waterloo make it very easy to get into central London. I’d say both are probably enough for a day trip so could choose a more central base but it’s why I asked what sort of thing the OP fancies.

If they want more of a buzz / cool restaurants and bars etc then they’re better off closer to the city for sure

Public transport from Greenwich to central London is quite slow. It depends if you want to stay somewhere lovely or if you want a base to come back to. If it's just a base, then there are loads of hotels around Excel, and on the Elizabeth Line, you are central in minutes, but there is nothing worthwhile when you arrive. Canary Wharf may also be an option, I'm not sure if there are many hotels round there.

Sorry, I think that’s too far. Greenwich is great for a day out but hacking in and out to central London is pain especially late at night. You won’t be nipping back to your accommodation for a break for certain.

I’d work out what you want to do, which side of London you want to be on and look for an Airbnb.

Thank you all! So many replies already. I have been to Greenwich before and agree it has much to recommend it in its own right and for me I would be happy enough. On the list is V&A museum, Natural History Museum, Imperial war
museum and just general ambling about. Are there places to eat in Greenwich? We do like to get back to a hotel and relax for a bit before dinner, rather than keeping going all day.

I’m thinking it’s a bad idea, an hour would definitely be too long !!

Lots of places to eat in Greenwich. All the usual chains but I would also recommend the old brewery and the trafalgar tavern. Or take a walk over the park to Blackheath too. Or the DLR to Canary Wharf which is worth a trip to itself!

I think you could do with finding a more central base if you’re not prepared to stay out all day as those destinations you mentioned are a good hour from Greenwich by public transport so you’re not going to want to be going back and forth. There are lots of chain type restaurants in Greenwich and the food market has some great options. I’d be inclined to look for somewhere like battersea if you can afford it as that’s closer to the places you’re interested in and the power station is absolutely amazing now, well worth a trip, and close to the park and river. Can hop on northern line to really excellent food places in soho in less than half an hour.

Greenwich is about 8 mins from London Bridge on the train. Quicker than many places on the tube. Lots of lovely restaurants around London Bridge/tower bridge/more London, Bermondsey street.

If you're staying that long would an air BnB not be better? Hackney, London fields, haggerston area. Broadway market, swim in the lido, nice cafes/restaurants, easy access to Shoreditch, brick lane, columbia road. Also easy to get into central.
I am a Londoner by origin but live further out now, stayed in a nice two bed Airbnb in this area for a two day event.

Ah this thread just makes me smile thinking how great London is and how there are too many cool areas and places to recommend ! I’m half inclined to suggest they split their stay up in two different locations over the week as you’ve just named some excellent options to the east of the city although I note they’re more focused on activities in the west

I’d say yes for the river bus and Greenwich is nice

@Muthaofcats the east is in my blood, and I struggle going south of the river almost as much as the cabs 😁

North Greenwich yes as right near tube. Central Greenwich you'd have a 10 min bus ride to get to tube. Perfectly good options.

V&A and NHM are both West London, so Richmond (or Hammersmith/Ealing?) would be better for those. IWM is right over the other side so Greenwich probably better for that.

I'd try and stay as central as you possibly can within your budget.

There is so much misinformation about Greenwich on this thread! For example, I don’t know why on earth you’d be getting a bus to get an underground train to central London. The underground just goes to North Greenwich which is a new area which mainly consists of the O2. I already said that would not be a good place to stay.
Central Greenwich to London Bridge is 8 minutes by train (look it up!) There are 3 hotels right next to the station. From there it is just a few minutes walk to all the attractions (river,park etc). There are very few other areas of London that are closer to the centre whilst having their own attractions.

Greenwich is really well connected. As others have said the trains take 8 minutes to London Bridge and then about another 10 to Charing Cross. From there you are right by Trafalgar Square and a few minutes' walk from Leicester square or Covent Garden. Or can connect with the tube. I'd say it is a good place to stay.

My ex lived there and I used to live nearby so have travelled around that area a lot by public transport.

what @Elvanseshortage and @eurochick said. It absolutely does not take an hour to get to central London from Greenwich!
I also used to live there for 10 years, it’s SO quick and easy to get into central London!

@crackfoxy I am mystified as to why anyone would get a bus from Greenwich to the underground? Literally nobody who lives in Greenwich does that. There are two train lines from central Greenwich going to central London. 8 minutes from central Greenwich to central London. No need at all to get the underground. It’s complicated and takes an awful lot longer. If you want to get the underground you would have to go 15 minutes on the bus and then spend 20 minutes on the underground to get to central London. Why would you do that?!

I don’t understand why people post misinformation on here!

Depends how good the teens are at getting up in the morning. My teens are atrocious so I'd want to stay more centrally so that a) as soon as they're up we're on the move b) if the awake members of the party want to go out early then you can leave the asleep ones and go back for them.