We're coming to London in July!!!

[pklein09]

DH has business that will take him to London the second full week in July. As fate would have it, we weren't able to book our Disney vacation because we were waiting for DD to be accepted to a summer college program for high school juniors. She was accepted yay and will be in Savannah, GA for 5 weeks, which coincides with London. I did some number crunching, and we can manage a trip to London for DH, me, my father, and the other 3 kids (DD20, DS18, and DS15) instead of Disney this year. DH's company will cover his airfare and some of his food. I'm looking into renting a flat instead of a hotel that will accommodate all of us. As long as it falls in the same price range as a hotel, DH should be able to expense it. So, some expenses covered.

DH will be working in the Vauxhall station area of London, and we hope to find accommodations in that area. It appears to be walking distance to a lot of major sites!!! During the day DH will be working (no vacation for him ), but my father and I and the kids will have our days free. DH will take some time at the end of the trip for family sight-seeing.

We want to visit the Tower of London, Harrods, London Eye, Buckingham Palace and the changing of the Guards, Westminster, and Trafalgar Square. I KNOW there is LOTS to do and see. I want to take the kids to a manor house/castle. I've looked into Eurotrain tickets to go to Paris for the day because we don't know if we'll ever make it back with the kids. I know a little about the Oyster Card. Is there a museum pass?

Any help and/or suggestions are welcomed!!! DH and I have been to England, but it was in 1993.

Oh, we won't have a car but train/tube travel is very manageable.

Thank you in advance!!!

 

[Dimplenose]

Most London museums are free apart from special exhibitions. There are some specialist ones that do charge but the British Museum, V&A, Science Museum, Natural History Museum, National Gallery .... (the list goes on) don't charge.

Churches on the other hand are quite expensive to visit. St Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey to name but 2 (they are however amazing places to visit.)

 

[pklein09]

Thank you!!! The only museums free here are the Smithsonian's in Washington DC, the rest usually charge a fee. Churches are typically free, so knowing St. Paul's and Westminster Abbey charge is good to know because I would like to see them.

 

[OrlandoBelle]

I'm going to London at the end of July (30th) too. I'm taking my husband on a theatre break to see the Lion King. I live about an hours drive away, although we rarely visit as it's so expensive. Parking is astronomical, and trains from the town where I live are expensive too. Then there's food and excursions when you get there. I do love it though; the hustle and bustle and how lively it is. It's so different from where I live. There are lots of things to see and do there and there are often deals over here to get 2 for 1 tickets to attractions such as the London Eye. They're quite often on the side of Kellogg's cereal boxes over here.

I'm thinking of taking DH for afternoon tea at the Covent Garden hotel and maybe dinner at Burger and Lobster as we've never been. My brother in law works in London and has lunch there all the time and raves about how good it is!

This website is good for free things to do in London....

http://www.visitlondon.com/things-to-do/budget-london/101-free-things-to-do-in-london

The Natural History Museum is a good place to visit. I have been there several times as a child, and have also taken my children there.

Not wanting to scare you or anything, but pick-pocketing is a big problem in London. Make sure you keep your valuables in a zipped handbag and keep it close to you at all times. It can get VERY busy, especially around the London Eye and touristy places. Don't let it put you off though. There are some amazing places to see and some of the buildings are amazing.

You can get a eurostar from St Pancras station to Paris for around £70 per person return for a standard ticket. Maybe you could sneak in a cheeky Disneyland Paris trip too I'm by no means an expert on London life, but if you have any questions for a Brit, i'll be happy to help.

 

[pklein09]

Thank you, Orlando Belle!!! We've ruled out the Eurostar to Paris...too expensive. I did buy the 10 day London Pass. I managed to get it on sale for 112 pounds. I thought that was a decent deal because we will use it for 8 days or so and a lot of the attractions on my list are on the London Pass. I'll have to look at the Kellogg's boxes for the London Eye tickets....thank you!!! I'm working my courage up for that one, but my kids are very keen to experience it.

It's always good to be reminded of pickpockets. My handbag is zippered shut, so not a easy target. DH was pickpocketed at the Lotus Temple in New Delhi. When he realized what happened (they got his work mobile), he remembered someone bumping him but really didn't feel anything and he said it was quick.

DH has finalized the dates with the client, so I can look for airfare and lodging. So excited!!!

 

[chelynnah]

Check out this as a great way of seeing the city http://eng.bigbustours.com/london/home.html?src=ppc&gclid=CPGC0qz_hcwCFUmeGwodc_kGJw (there is also an app). You can get a 24 or 48 hour hop on/hop off ticket. I seriously love these tours (no I don't work for the company, but i take my visiting family on them). If I'm doing a 24 hour one I'll but a ticket for the last bus of the day and take the whole tour without getting off, and then plan which places to visit the next day. Make sure you get an open top one, and they're best if you have the live guide rather than the recording.

 

[pklein09]

Check out this as a great way of seeing the city http://eng.bigbustours.com/london/home.html?src=ppc&gclid=CPGC0qz_hcwCFUmeGwodc_kGJw (there is also an app). You can get a 24 or 48 hour hop on/hop off ticket. I seriously love these tours (no I don't work for the company, but i take my visiting family on them). If I'm doing a 24 hour one I'll but a ticket for the last bus of the day and take the whole tour without getting off, and then plan which places to visit the next day. Make sure you get an open top one, and they're best if you have the live guide rather than the recording.

Thank you!!!

 

[Lyricallie]

I'm living in London now, I moved from Glasgow, Scotland. It'll be hot hot hot in July which was something I didn't expect. So make sure you have plenty of water for the tube, really silly thing but lots of fainters! Vauxhall is actually a little outside the central touristy areas but not by much.

Also Hyde Park is great if you have kids, with the Diana memorial and swimming in the lidos!

 

[pklein09]

I'm living in London now, I moved from Glasgow, Scotland. It'll be hot hot hot in July which was something I didn't expect. So make sure you have plenty of water for the tube, really silly thing but lots of fainters! Vauxhall is actually a little outside the central touristy areas but not by much.

Also Hyde Park is great if you have kids, with the Diana memorial and swimming in the lidos!

I don't think the heat will bother us too much....we usually go to Disney World Florida in July/August. Vauxhall isn't our choice...that's where DH's client is located. We are having issues with accommodations....DH's company won't let us book a flat for security purposes. We have to book a hotel which is proving to be interesting. There are places on the Wharf right near the Vauxhall Station, but the reviews are lousy.

 

[Lyricallie]

I don't think the heat will bother us too much....we usually go to Disney World Florida in July/August. Vauxhall isn't our choice...that's where DH's client is located. We are having issues with accommodations....DH's company won't let us book a flat for security purposes. We have to book a hotel which is proving to be interesting. There are places on the Wharf right near the Vauxhall Station, but the reviews are lousy.

So do I, lol we used to always go in June/July to WDW. But the tubes are a little bit different as they're so crushed in.

Yea, fair about Vauxhall, it was more a heads up you'll need to get a train in then swap onto the tube.

 

[Dimplenose]

Vauxhall has a tube station and depending where you are staying within Vauxhall I think plenty of sights may be within a 30 minute walk. Not my first choice of location for sight seeing, but not that remote.

What sort of price/quality of hotel are you looking for (I associate Vauxhall with more bargain/value hotels)?

 

[AdamEfimoff]

Thank you, Orlando Belle!!! We've ruled out the Eurostar to Paris...too expensive. I did buy the 10 day London Pass. I managed to get it on sale for 112 pounds. I thought that was a decent deal because we will use it for 8 days or so and a lot of the attractions on my list are on the London Pass. I'll have to look at the Kellogg's boxes for the London Eye tickets....thank you!!! I'm working my courage up for that one, but my kids are very keen to experience it
Are you going to Windsor Castle?

 

[pklein09]

So DH was finally able to book our hotel...in the northern part of Southwark. Not a bad location...at least in my opinion. It seems to be near a lot of major attractions. Now for airfare!!!

 

[Jon84]

So DH was finally able to book our hotel...in the northern part of Southwark. Not a bad location...at least in my opinion. It seems to be near a lot of major attractions. Now for airfare!!!

Yeah Southwark near the river will mean you are not far from anything.

Be sure to have a wander through Borough Market (Just near the South side of London Bridge). Theres some amazing world street food there. Very busy with city workers at lunch time so just pick your time Nice place for a relaxed evening out too

 

[Mortie]

Check out the guys below. They are fab and we have done walks with them. You do not have to book in advance just turn up. Most are blue badge guys

Check out http://www.walks.com

I work and travel in London all the time and agree that the tubes can be full and hot, try to avoid rush hour morning and afternoon

 

[pklein09]

Check out the guys below. They are fab and we have done walks with them. You do not have to book in advance just turn up. Most are blue badge guys

Check out http://www.walks.com

I work and travel in London all the time and agree that the tubes can be full and hot, try to avoid rush hour morning and afternoon

Thank you!

 

[thksphoenicians]

Loads of fantastic suggestions already, but I thought I'd jump in late with a few more:

Since you'll be here in summer, I'd recommend a ride on the Thames clipper river-bus service from Southwark to Greenwich (lovely park, beautiful views of London, several museums). Oystercard and Travelcard are accepted, so you shouldn't need to worry about additional paper tickets to get onboard.

Regarding visiting a palace or manor house, Hampton Court Palace is one of the most easily accessible from London; you can take the train from Waterloo station and use your Oystercard or Travelcard for the journey. It looks like trains from Waterloo to Hampton Court usually stop at Vauxhall as well, which could be handy if you're closer to that station. If you're feeling more spendy, there's also a boat service that goes from Westminster Pier to Hampton Court in the summer.

If you and DD20 are enthusiastic shoppers, I'd add Fortnum & Mason and/or Liberty to your list.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[pklein09]

Thank you everyone! DH, my father, and I just got back from 8 days in Barcelona (DH has business there). We rode their metro quite a bit, and I understand the advice to bring water when riding the Tube. It was in the 50s and rain almost the entire time (2 days of sun....the day we arrived and the day we left). When we were in the metro, it was stuffy and hot. If that was any indication, I can see how the Tube will be stifling in July.

 

[jeffbear]

We want to visit the Tower of London, Harrods, London Eye, Buckingham Palace and the changing of the Guards, Westminster, and Trafalgar Square. I KNOW there is LOTS to do and see. I want to take the kids to a manor house/castle. I've looked into Eurotrain tickets to go to Paris for the day because we don't know if we'll ever make it back with the kids. I know a little about the Oyster Card. Is there a museum pass?

Any help and/or suggestions are welcomed!!! DH and I have been to England, but it was in 1993.

American just back from two weeks and change in London ... with a side visit to Liverpool thrown in.

As someone else mentioned, the museums are your best value as most are free. The British Museum is so cram packed with stuff to gawp at that you could spend 2 full days there. The Victoria and Albert Museum is a favorite of mine ... more quirky and Victorian era specific, but terrific.

You mentioned the London Eye ... know that the tickets for this are stupid expensive, but it IS an awesome 30 minutes or so. The crowds will surge and shrink during the day for this, so don't be put off by a big line. Go have a pint or an ice cream and give it an hour.

Harrods is a particular highlight for my family as Harrod is our family name ... no connection obviously as the store is owned by the Fayeds. Still, it's a wonder of the modern world, that place. My tip, unless you REALLY want to pay London prices for a specific luxury item, is to pick up the store guide (yes, you'll probably need it to navigate) and head for the in-store gift shop. They have their Harrods branded keepsakes there. Then go to the Egyptian Escalator and find something yummy in the food halls and get out before you spend too much.

Oyster cards for Americans ... easy peasy, really. The street entrance level of any Underground or Overground station will have kiosks where you get get and load up an Oyster Card. We used the tube pretty much exclusively during our trip and budgeted 10 pounds a day per person. You can load that up and then check the balance as you go. Topping up is as easy as getting the card in the first place. Those cards get you on under and over ground trains and buses. Also note that there are several apps for Iphone or Android that feature London Tube maps and travel information. I fond one of those to be quite helpful. If you have time before your trip, you can go ahead and order Visitor Oyster Cards before you go. All the info is here ... http://www.visitlondon.com/traveller-information/getting-around-london/oyster#k6GpxHzeUBypScl5.97

For budget purposes, know that the big ticket churches and the like charge 15-20 pounds per head with no family discounts if everyone is an adult. Westminster and St Pauls are worth every penny to me, but that's me. At that price do your own research ahead of time and see if it's worth it to you. Most big attractions have relatively informative websites these days.

Also ... EVERYthing is NYC level expensive and the exchange rate isn't helping matters. Remember that if you're on a budget.

 

[Jon84]

Also ... EVERYthing is NYC level expensive and the exchange rate isn't helping matters. Remember that if you're on a budget

Still a great city though

The Oyster card can be used on the bus too