Advice re London trip

[ShesSoUnusual]

We're about to book a trip from Edinburgh to London with our 4 DC (5, 9, 11, 14) and have found cheapish flights to Stanstead from 17th - 22nd July.

We're not familiar with London. I've found an apartment in Balham, Wandsworth for £1069 for us for the 5 nights - I've not booked it yet though. I was thinking we could get the Stansted Express or is there a better way of getting there? Can anyone tell me what this area's like and whether that's a reasonable going rate?

Also, is there anything we shouldn't miss during our trip? We're hoping to do lots of walking and take advantage of the free things to do but what stuff is worth paying entrance fees for?

Thanks in advance

I am not sure about the area, so sorry I can't help with that.

I can however recommend somethings to do. We took our two girls to London last year and they had a great time. We bought a London Pass which worked out loads cheaper for things to do. It included a boat ride, the hop-on-hop-off bus, loads of tourist attractions and money off in the gift shop.

In particular they loved: The Tower of London, London Bridge exhibition and the Globe.

I can also recommend the Sky Garden, it is a free public space but you do need to book in advance.

Have a great time!

I don't know if that's a reasonable rate for London, sorry! I have never had to rent here. Balham is not a bad area, but it is a little far out of the centre and it's on the Northern line, which in this weather is pretty horrible! London is absoutely roasting at the moment. Of course, it might not be by mid-July, this being the UK!

I would say that Balham would be a bit of a pain to get to from Stansted. You'd take the train to Liverpool Street (there's not really a better way of getting to central London from Stansted) and then walk to either Moorgate or Bank to get the tube. There are other routes, but that would involve the least changes. It's still going to take you 90 minutes to get from the airport to Balham.

Have you looked at flights into City Airport? It's a much nicer airport and has better travel links.

In my view, things not to miss are:
the South Bank for walking, people watching and lots of free attractions;
Tate Modern and Tate Britain (both free)
V&A
Science Museum
A boat trip on the river
Greenwich for the maritime museum, cutty sark and the observatory
Houses of Parliament
Covent Garden is fun for mooching around.

Avoid Oxford Street
Harrods is a waste of time and money

The Elizabeth tower/ Big Ben is currently covered in scaffolding and plastic sheeting whilst they renovate it so you won't get to see or hear it, unfortunately, but the Houses of Parliament are lovely to look at (though bits also covered in scaffolding).

On one of your days I would recommend taking a tube to Westminster, walking past the HoP down to Tate Britain. Mooch around TB then catch a Thames Clipper boat to Tate Modern, then walk back from Tate Modern along the South Bank. Or do that in reverse!

I never pay to get in anywhere so can't comment on paid for things!

I hope you have a wonderful time. I love my city and hope others do as well. Inbox me if you want more info.

Hopefully people with younger kids can give you an idea of things to do that would work for you all as a family.

Most museums are free apart from special exhibitions. Some do charge for adults only (like Transport Museum).

Buses and Tubes are easily paid by contactless, children here normally have an Oyster card to avoid paying for buses/tube but I don't know how it works when you are not living her. Maybe www.tfl.gov.uk can help. The buses here do not take any cash anymore so you need to find a way.

The sightseeing buses are a nice way to travel but are very expensive. You can check out bus route 15, I think that goes through several central London areas and you can see a lot from this one as well.

Sky Garden - tickets are released every two weeks, so be fast and you may need a passport to go in (at least that was the case when it opened).

I would try and make a list of things you really want to do. Then look up how expensive they are, for example Westminster Abbey and St. Pauls cost a lot per person. You can get a neat trick, 2For1 gives you a free entry if you come by train. It can be a single stop one as far as I know, so Clapham Junction to Waterloo for example.
www.daysoutguide.co.uk/2for1-london

You can't pre-book tickets but most London state schools will not break for holidays until the 20th July, queues may be decent.

Also not familiar with Balham, Sorry, but so long as apartment is on a tube line you should be able to get around fairly easily.

Regarding things to do, I agree with most of what's already been suggested.

Sky Garden - free alternative to the Shard, and arguably as good.
Hop on hop off bus good to get bearings and see the main sights but can be pricey (we used Tesco Clubcard vouchers)
Definitely take a walk along the South Bank, you'll likely see lots of street entertainers along the way. Start at Waterloo near the eye & aquarium and walk in the direction of Tower Bridge. You'll pass The Globe, Tate Modern, Golden Hinde,Borough Market, HMS Belfast. Just past HMS Belfast there's an area called More London, by The Scoop and City Hall. They usually have stalls and events in the summer. There's also fountains for the kids to jump in if hot.
Tower Bridge Experience is good and good value if you get combo ticket with The Monument about 10 mins walk away.
Tower of London worthwhile if you can get a deal.
Take a trip along the river on a Thames Clipper to Greenwich from South Bank or Westminster Pier (quite cheap using Oyster Card). As well as Maritime Museum (free) and Cutty Sark, you can walk up hill to observatory in Greenwich Park for great views of London.
Covent Garden (more street entertainers!) and also has London Transport Museum. Leicester Square a short walk from there and has Lego Store with M&M World opposite. Soho is round the corner from Leicester Square with lots of Chinese restaurants. Trafalgar Square also in the vicinity.
Don't forget our many parks. Hyde Park is huge with Diana Playground and fountain and Serpentine. If you've time, take a trip to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford. 2 good playgrounds, climbing wall, the orbit and all the Olympic venues. You can swim in the aquatic centre (pre book) and go inside the velodrome and watch the cyclists for free if no events on.
Emirates cable car near the O2 (use Oyster card)
Lots of free museums - Science, Natural History & V&A all next door to each other near South Ken tube. Museum of London at Barbican, Museum of London Docklands at Canary Wharf. Didn't like British Museum but maybe that's just me!

This website is good for finding deals www.littlebird.co.uk

Enjoy!

Just a thought - have you thought about going by train instead of flying? We're doing the reverse to you (London-Edinburgh - see my separate post) and the train journey is to be one of the highlights (fab scenery!). The train will also bring you right into central London.