Holiday in London. How to do it?

[OrmIrian]

Can't go abroad. Older kids a bit bored of Uk holidays near beaches in Wales/Cornwall etc. Lots of things they want to see in London so thought maybe a week in our great and glorious capital might be the thing. I did it when I was about 8 and have fond memories.

But what is the cheapest and best way to do this? i am expecting accomodation costs to be horrendous but anyone have any ideas? Dh has family left in the east end but not sure we can all 5 of us dump ourselves on them for a week.

It's probably best to look at serviced apartments for the week, rather than hotels/B&Bs. Depending on what direction you're coming from, I'd suggest somewhere that is close to Northern/Jubilee/Victoria or Piccadilly lines for quick transfer into central London. Give me some more clues and I can come up with a few suggestions if you like, know it inside out.

I guess we'll have to do all the big museums, Kew gardens, various parks, shopping . I have no other ideas atm. Just trying to work out how feasible it is.

Sorry - we'll be coming from the south-west.

OK. I shall look into some places out in the SW of London - really easy for me as that's where I live! We have super easy links into Town and out to places such as Kew, Windsor etc (direct trains from Clapham Junction). Just need to pin down my small irksome urch and get her bloody sling on before she does herself more harm (broken collarbone) and then I'm on it!

Stay somewhere that isn't central London. Earl's Court has lots of hostel type places and cheap B+Bs, but a bit further out might do you well - just make sure you're near a tube stop that isn't a branch line. Get oystercards for everyone and don't get on buses/tubes until 9.30am, so daily travel will be not bad.

There are some camp sites in London - Crystal Palace I think still has one which would be a nice area, or there's Abbey Wood in SE London.
Premier Inns etc tend to have 'family' rooms for the same price as doubles, which could save you a lot if your family is the right shape.

Avoid the Olympic period

Yes, that occurred to me too

The Coach House just on the edge of Wandsworth Common is lovely, 3 minute walk from the train station (direct to Victoria or change at Clapham Junction to head to Waterloo/London Bridge or out towards Richmond/Kew/Windsor etc), three immediate bus routes, one straight to Sloane Square.

It may be worth looking at Premier Inns as notcitrus says, but to get decent discount it needs to be booked early... Also, have a Google first to see what online vouchers you can nab as well (although these usually mean paying it all immediately). There is also a Travelodge by the river, just along from Wandsworth Bridge (overland, lots of buses and river bus too).

Definitely get Oysters, it will save you a packet on travel. I'm always getting crap through my door with free this/mega deal that, for various places in Town as well so happy to keep these for you. Again, have a look at vouchers online. Certainly if you want to go to Madame Tussaud's, Tower, London Dungeons, Eye etc book in advance to save rotten queues and letting you do a lot more each day. Westfield in Shepherd's Bush/White City is definitely the best place for shopping and eating in one swoop - my three teens love it and, as one who LOATHES shopping, I actually can bear it for more than half an hour - that is saying something!

Remember also, that there are extra bank hols at the beginning of June for the Queen's Jubileee wotnot, so that will be a busy time too.

House swap?

Heather - if you know anyone who wants to come to Bridgwater for a week and also lives in a messy semi full of dog hair, we'd be up for it!

But thanks folks, we;ve had a family discussion. We're going for a cheap and cheerful Cornwall holiday (Hoseasons) this year. DD has been mollified with a riding holiday with her friend, and we've committed to 'Abroad' next year. Which gives us a year to buy 1 passport and renew the other 3. And save up!

I see you are sorted, but we just booked a house in Windsor for a week at Easter - much cheaper than finding accommodation in London. The plan is to go into Central London by train on a couple of days, to do museums, London Eye etc, and then do Windsor Castle, Legoland, Hampton Court, Kew Gardens etc. I'm still interested in any tips RockStock!

If you stay somewhere like Wandsworth with a railway rather than tube station you cab get 2for 1 deals on main attractions Aquarium, tower of london, etc.

The plan is to do a weekend in London - staying with DH's auntie.

My friend went to London as a family of 5 and stayed in a Youth Hostel. She said it was good value at £80 a night including breakfast and they had their own private room with en suite.

just seen this post, hope it's not too late to recommend Holland Park Youth Hostel...an all-you-can-eat cooked breakfast included in the price, a fantastic location (nearest tube High St Kensington) and a beatiful building in a fabulous park...they have family rooms too...