American Need Help Doing London

[carolsherman]

My boys and I are going to do London I finally just booked the hotel Premier Travel Inn near County Hall (tips from Dis readers). Now can someone please direct me how to get from London Heathrow to the hotel. As a woman alone with 2 kids I am looking for the safest cheapest way to the hotel. I assume I can use the tube to get to attractions after that.

Also what are the best attractions to see for a mom, ds 15 and ds 12.


Help?????

 

[lisaj]

Sorry not sure about transfer arrangements to your accomodation. The tube is generally safe during the day, I do know of a few bag snatches but in general I travel on it and have been fine.

Wouldn't recommend tube travel after about 8pm though, take a black cab.

Do the main sites by taking a tube to Piccadilly circus, walk down from there to trafalger square to see Nelson's Column, cross the road and walk down the mall to Buckingham Palace and then back through the park to see the changing of the guard at Horseguards (usually 11am). Walk through the Admiralty and turn right past the cenotaph and down to Westminster Abbey/Houses of Parliament and Big Ben and then go on the London Eye. This walk will literally only take about 90 minutes.

If your children are interested in the War there is a great exhibition under the Admiralty called the Cabinet War Rooms which is basically the underground rooms used by Churchill in World War two.

A bus tour is a good way to get your bearings of the main sites and is fairly cheap about £12 per adult and you can hop on and off as many times as you like.

Another excellent trip is to go to the Tower of London to see the crown jewels (teenagers will probably love the gore of seeing where various people had their heads chopped off!!) Then jump on a thames cruiser and get off at Greenwich to see the maritime museum and the line of Greenwich Mean Time. Back on the cruiser and cross tower bridge and have a look around a British battleship 'HMS Belfast'.

Lots of other fantastic things to see and great shopping too but I would definitely give Madame Tussauds a miss. None of the models actually look very much like anyone and most teenagers will be bored within minutes.

The main museums are great (and free). At the top of Trafalger Square is the National Gallery (for art lovers). The Natural History Museum has a number of dinosaur skeletons, the Victoria and Albert Museum (furniture, social history, toys) and the Science Museum are also really good. Finally the Imperial War Museum is excellent (has the smallest boat to cross to Dunkirk in World War Two, early tanks etc.) but DON'T take the tube here the area in which the IWM is situated can be highly intimidating if you don't know London.

Any more requests ask away! Hope this has been of help. Enjoy your trip. Which month are you visiting?

 

[carolsherman]

Thanks for the tips. We are coming in August right before we do the repo cruise back to Florida

 

[Andrew Bichard]

can someone please direct me how to get from London Heathrow to the hotel. As a woman alone with 2 kids I am looking for the safest cheapest way to the hotel. I assume I can use the tube to get to attractions after that.

Both Heathrow Airport and Waterloo Station (nearest subway station to your hotel) are on the subway system. Cheapest way to make transfer if you don't mind hefting your luggage on and off subway cars on your own. I wouldn't attempt it unless you are travelling carry-on only.

More expensive, but the only reasonable way to go is by taxi. Have a porter take your luggage down to the taxi rank then take a 'black cab' to your hotel. They will easily be able to take you, your children and all your luggage door to door.

Your hotel is very well located. You are within walking distance of many tourist attractions (if the weather is good). Subway and taxis will get you everywhere else. The London Eye is right outside your hotel and not to be missed (unless the weather is foggy). There is a tourist bus that runs all day, linking all the major tourist attractions. One of the stops is the London Eye.

Andrew

 

[carolsherman]

Thanks for all the help. What do you think a taxi would probably run?

 

[paulh]

if doing the eye would recomend pre booking a time slot,so you dont have to wait 2 hours in line,plus you can have a guide to tell you a lots of info
Paulh

 

[yo-ho-yo-ho]

The Cabinet War Rooms is a must !! Imperial War Museum and the Tower of London !!

 

[TracyK]

I would recommend the tube from Heathrow, very straightforward journey with only one change. I always use the tube when in London either travelling on my own or with my son. I also love the buses as these are good for sightseeing. you can buy passes to cover travel on both. Travel information here www.tfl.gov.uk

Other links that you may find useful
www.londontown.com
www.thisislondon.com
www.londoninformation.org.uk
www.visitlondon.com

London is a great city with so much to see and do. I'm sure you and your boys will have a great time. Your hotel is in a good location with much to see close by. Happy planning.

Tracy

 

[AlanUK]

Just popping this one over to the Community Board

 

[Graeme]

The Cabinet War Rooms is a must !! Imperial War Museum and the Tower of London !!

These three, plus Westminster Abbey.

 

[joemo]

London Eye, open top Bus Tour (expensive but worth it) and a show - we loved Mary Poppins.

Had a great day at the Science Museum and the British Museum - so much to see and both free!