Which area for summer vacation rental: Marylebone vs. Bayswater vs Clapham vs Barnes ?

[shwang]

We are an American family with 4 girls ages 6 to 17. Due to husband's work (commute to Bracknell, ugh), we will be in London twice this summmer; first 10 days will be staying in Maida Vale and will have done many of the Central London sights during that stint. Second 10 days we will be more relaxed in our sightseeing and undecided as to where to stay; we appear to have short-let options in the above 4 locations, chosen for walking proximity to rail stations for husband's commute (we'll have no car). Each flat is roughly equivalent size but the Marylebone place costs twice as much as Barnes and Clapham !! Bayswater rate is in between but neighborhood seems very low on charm. Girls enjoy art, parks, animals, and oldest would love to walk to shops/cafes easily. Would appreciate your sage advice, mums.

I am in North London so not an expert on any of the areas but I would opt for Marylebone as it is so central (even more so than Maida Vale). Girls can walk to Top Shop, you can also walk to Regents Park and the Zoo and all of Central London for National Gallery etc.

Barnes is almost suburban, quite villagey, charming but really quite far from the the centre of London.

Clapham is similar.

Lots of families in both areas.

Bayswater is more - shall we say? - gritty...

I'm sure other who actually live in the ares will give you more specific info, but that's my view.

Clapham is quite a big area - bits of it are not that pleasant.

I would go for Barnes. Lovely place, and right on the river too. Rail links to town.

If cost not a significant issue I'd say Marylebone - shopping/cafes all excellent (both Oxford St and the more unusual places on Marylebone High St); zoo/canals/Regents Park (Regents Park really comes into its own in summer - flower gardens & the outdoor theatre); quick trains out from Marylebone into the Chilterns (less beaten-track bits of charming Englandery). Every transport link you could need. Some of the less beaten-track museums too - Wallace Collection; Wellcome Collection along the Euston Road. Wigmore Hall if you like world-class chamber music.

By the way, Bayswater varies massively (I live there). Where I live isn't gritty, but round a couple of corners it gets so. So specific address will be relevant.

I would either plump for Marylebone or Barnes; Marylebone is very walkable to central London, while Barnes has a nice green feel to it and you have the pleasure of the river. It's a little further out but more villagey. I have to say that given that Marylebone is TWICE the price then I personally would go for Barnes and spend the remainder on some really good excusions or restaurants For other general advice there's a good site aimed at US tourists (vactioners?) to London - but obviously ultimately you know your own budget etc better than we do. Your 17 year old sounds sensible but she can get into less trouble in Barnes than Marylebone if that's a consideration too.

Finally if commute time is an issue for hubby then Clapham and Barnes are likely to be quite a lot faster than Marylebone www.nationalrail.co.uk is the site to look at.

Thank you so much, mums. Very helpful insights. The Bayswater flat is around 1 Queensway which seems to be a sea of tacky touristy shops. The Clapham flat is in "Old Town Clapham" which sounds charming but seems the wrong mix of isolated + gritty. Marylebone is a corporate flat part of the Leonard Hotel, generic and very pricey. The Barnes flat is on a street called "The Terrace" right on the river but also right next to Barnes Bridge rail station so I worry that the train noise will be deafening.

Leaning toward Barnes based on your sage advice, especially like the part about applying our savings toward a divine night out ! Actually ideal place would be Richmond right by the rail station, but still have not found such a short let...any leads for me, mums ?

Bayswater location is right around the Queensway Central line tube stop ... super-convenient I suppose but rumble rumble from 6am to midnight or later. If train noise is likely to be a problem (re your Barnes comment), then don't.

Queensway itself is a bit of an artery, but don't mistake the area as being all like that. It's like one of those streets in a bazaar where all the shops for a particular thing come together - all the tacky stuff clusters on Queensway, which leaves other places round free of it.

From your summaries, though, I agree nothing is sounding perfect yet.

My choice would always be Marylebone. I used to live there - before it was poncy - and it's so ace. So LONDON. Excellent food shops, great other shops, lvoely museums, near park as sold above.

Barnes I know less well and it might suit if you don't want such an intensely Londony experience, but the schlep into town might do your nut in. Eldest girl could walk to local shops/cafes but from Marylebone she could walk to Selfridges.

Actually, Marylebone is starting to sound more and more expensive!!!