CapsL0ck

Hey,<BR>I'm planning a 5 night trip to London , at the end of November.<BR>Does anyone know of a cheap flat in central London that me and my family (4 ppl) could stay in? I'm talking no more then 550 Paunds a week.<BR><BR>Thanks!

Sam

This question was just recently asked on this forum. Do a search and check it out- many people had very good information. 550GBP sounds a little low- I hope you get it though!

Don

CapsLOck<BR><BR>You may wish to consider:<BR><BR>[email protected]<BR>1BdrmFlat-550pounds/week.<BR>The hotel is located close to Marble Arch. A two block walk to an airporter bus stop. One block to Edgeware Road bus stop. Two blocks to a Safeway market.<BR>I stayed there for a week in 2000.<BR><BR>Enjoy <BR>Don

Laurie

Hello, I found this website. Unless I did something wrong, this website was not posted correctly. It is www.parkwest.co.uk. If I found the right website, the prices are low per week, but the minimum rental time is 3 months.<BR>My family of 4 is renting an apartment this summer near the Tower of London. While they are not centrally located, these apartments are on the circle and district tube lines and will cost us 550 pounds per week. The name of the website is www.hamletuk.com. These apartments were recommended on this Fodors site. Good Luck! Laurie

TTT

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Lori

Laurie,<BR>We stayed in one of those flats a couple of years ago. Price wise they are great, convenience wise not so great. We had a one bedroom with balcony &amp; view of Tower Bridge &amp; the marina - it was very nice! There is a large Safeway about 5 min. walk. The Tube (Tower Hill) and #15 bus are about 15 min. walk away and it is VERY VERY dark at night in this area. Be aware of that if you will be coming&quot;home&quot; in the dark. It's safe enough as far as we could tell,but we felt uneasy just the same because no one was about and it's very dark, except around Dickens Inn.<BR><BR>The apts are small, but adequate. Decent kitchens, fully stocked. If you don't mind the walk to the tube and a rather long ride on the tube to anyplace it is OK. If it were closer in I'd not hesitate to stay there again but we found it a little to far, altho the price was sure good!

V

Take a look at Oxbridge Apartments, 011-44-20-835-1611 (there is an 800 number but I don't remember it)in Kensington. Five minute walk down a busy street to Gloucester Road tube, nearby supermarkets and laundry, small rooms tackily decorated but reasonably clean and functional, about 450 bps per week for a one bedroom that will sleep four using the couch in the living room. We just came back from a four week stay. To find their website search on Oxbridge Apartments London.

Laurie

Lori, Thanks for your input on this apartment. I think it is the exact one we will be staying in. We will have 4 people so we will have to make use of the sofa bed. Do you know if it was fairly comfortable? <BR><BR>We will be there in June, so most nights when we come back, it will probably still be light out. Thanks for letting me know about it being dark though, since we do plan on going to the theatre and will be getting in late at least a couple of nights. I guess we could bring along a flashlight.<BR><BR>Did you find that the apartment was roomy enough for 4 people? My kids are teens. What was the balcony like?<BR><BR>I knew that we would have a bit of a walk to get to the Tower Hill tube station, but I read that it was about a 5 minute walk. Is it really a 15 minute walk? Are there any shortcuts? Thanks again for your help. Laurie

karen

Laurie<BR><BR>There are 2 different routes from Tower Hill tube into St Katharine's Marina. One is a kind of a short cut but I dont know how late it's used into the evening (it's around the outside of the Tower of London, through a short underground pass which leads directly into the marina). The longer walk is via the main roads, which are sometimes difficult to cross. I'd say 10 minutes if you walk fast.<BR>It really depends on what time you get back as to how quiet it will be. Tower Hill tube is still busy around 11/11.30 pm as people are still leaving restaurants and pubs at that time. I walked across Tower Bridge a couple of years ago around 10pm and there were still people around - there are now quite a few restaurants on the opposite site. <BR>I came out of the Dickens Inn around midnight earlier this year and although it was quiet there were still people and taxi's around. I didn't feel unsafe. <BR><BR>In June it shouldnt be dark until 9 - 10pm.<BR><BR>If you really dont fancy the walk in the dark then pick up a taxi outside Tower Hill (there is a taxi rank literally right outside the tube station), they are usually waiting and shouldn't cost you more than &pound;3-5).<BR><BR>Or....... the 100 bus looks like it drops you off nearer to the marina (on East Smithfield). You can pick up this bus from nearby Liverpool Street station. I've never taken this bus and dont know how frequent they are, I just noticed it when looking at the bus map:<BR>http://www.londontransport.co.uk/buses/pdfdocs/centlond.pdf<BR><BR>

Lori

Laurie,<BR>I just typed a long response and Fodor's ate it.<BR><BR>The apt. we stayed in was on the 7th fl (not the bldg on Thomas More St, sort of inside the complex). We had a one bedroom. The bedroom was very small, just 2 twin beds, chest of drawers, nightstand and wooden towel rack (large closet tho). <BR>Didn't open the couch so I can't say if it was OK for sleeping. The dining area was combined w/livingroom, just table &amp; 4 chairs. t.v. was small,about 13&quot;. Kitchen was well stocked with dishs, etc. The bathroom was painted pink and seemed kind of dark (one window up high, didn't open). The balcony had 2 chairs &amp; a small table. You could sit out there but 4 people might be tight There was 2 other closets in the entry and hallway.<BR>The bldg. requires a key from the entrance area and then you take the elevator to your floor. It was all very dark and quiet at night. Most of the people go to work, it's a residential area for the most part.<BR><BR>Taxi's cannot get into the apt. area, there is a barrier across the entrance. You would have to walk from there. If you took a taxi to the entrance on Thomas More St. you would have to walk if you were in where we were, closer to the marina.<BR><BR>The apt. is OK for the money, but it's not fancy or anything. We loved the marina but not the hike to the tube. It is NO WAY 5 min. walk - minimum we did it in was 12 min. - usually 15.<BR><BR>I'll continue this in another posting so it doesn't get eaten again.<BR><BR>

Lori

I'm afraid I must disagree with Karen, there were no taxi's what so ever near Tower Hill Tube at night .. ever. It is extremely dark around there with bushes on the sides of the walkways (I kept thinking someone would jump out and mug us -- I'm a city girl). The &quot;tunnel&quot; she refers to is lighed but I felt uneasy in it at night, we basically ran through it. The entire marina area is very quiet,mostly boats and the shops are closed. The Dickens Inn is busy at night, more so on weekends, but during the week even that was fairly quiet with few people around (I think they close at 11 during the week). <BR><BR>If you did take a taxi from the theater (we did eventually) they cannot get into the marina itself, so you must walk from the barrier into the complex, or else get off on Thomas More St. and walk in that way. Either way, it will not get you to do door of the bldg. <BR><BR>I'd take a flashlight, we did. The owner tells you it is 5 min to tube, that's only if you are a marathon runner. It's not -- no way! The only bus we used was #15 from Tower Hill, it goes into central London. We loved the marina but felt it too inconvenient for us, we like to be able to run back to the apt. during the day to rest a minute, or drop off shopping, etc. This was really impossible to do that. The Circle &amp; District Line are also the worst (I think) in London, they are slow going with many slowdowns and stoppages when we were there. <BR><BR>There are office bldgs on the far side of the marina and people walk during rush hour from the tube to them (quite a hike) so there is plenty of activity in the day. It was just the nighttime that I felt uneasy there.<BR><BR>If you are dealing with Renata she is very efficient and cooperative. I'd suggest taking the car driver service she can arrange for you too, this is no place to try and take the tube and drag luggage to the apartment.<BR><BR>Let me know if you have other questions.<BR><BR>

Lori

Laurie,<BR>I forgot that you asked if I thought the place was roomy enough for 4 .. well, I guess so - but if the teenagers are big kids I'd opt for 2 bedrooms I think. There is still one bathroom but they are a little bigger. You could manage in the1 bedroom tho, it might be a little tight, depends on your family of course. Incidentally, there is a small washer/dryer -- don't plan on a lot of clothes washing, it takes forever and does about 1 lb at a time. The dryer sort of just sucks the water out of the clothes so they are never really dry. It's Ok for a few things at a time.<BR><BR>There are some nice places to eat across Tower Bridge on the south bank - over near Butler's Wharf. In fact we were over there this past spring when we were back in London and really enjoyed it. We actually took a stroll back across the bridge and walked around the marina (daylight tho!) because we did like it when we had been there previously.

karen

Lori<BR><BR>I used to work in a building opposite the taxi rank, and I can't remember ever not seeing taxi's waiting, even late at night.... maybe it's in a different place to what you are thinking, as there is a separate exit and entrance at Tower Hill. The main exit gets shut after rush hour and the entrance is used for both. The taxi rank is outside the exit which gets closed early, around the corner from the other. This area is fairly light as it is floodlit by the Tower at night. <BR>I don't find this area unsafe, and have walked around on my own before, although I naturally feel better when I am with other people. Maybe it's because I know the area really well......<BR>Taxi's also park at the Tower Thistle Hotel, which does actually take you into the marina. Or, instead of the bus you can take a taxi from Liverpool Street Station, which is always very bright and busy and quicker to reach from central London (fare would be around &pound;5). The one thing I agree with you Lori is on the Circle line - it is notoriously crap and best avoided if possible. The District isnt as bad and is very frequent, but has the misfortune of sharing the same line as the Circle for part of the way!<BR><BR>Maybe this site will be useful. www.stkaths.co.uk

Sandy

This is to &quot;V&quot; . . . can you please give me a little more info on the Oxbridge Apartments? I looked at their website and it does not say much.<BR><BR>What was the nearest tube stop? How long to walk to it? Was the apt in an alright location? Did you take any pictures of your apt? Would you stay there again? What was the worst thing about it . . . the best?<BR><BR>Please feel free to write to me directly, just take out the nospam part of my address.<BR><BR>Thanks in advance,<BR>Sandy

Laurie

Thank you Lori and Karen for your replies. The apt. we have rented is on Burr Close. I checked on the Oxbridge apt. and it is 520GBP per week during the summer. I think we will stay at our first choice by the Tower, even though it is a little far to walk to the tube station. I have already paid a deposit and the savings from renting the other apt. would be about equal to what we would lose by cancelling the apt. from Hamlet. Also, it would be a hassle, I'm afraid.<BR>Lori, I appreciate your description of the apt. The area around the Marina sounds nice. <BR>I also appreciate the tip about the Circle Line. I guess we will try to take the district line whenever possible and maybe the no. 15 bus sometimes. Karen, thanks for the info about the shortcut through the tunnel. Most of the time we will all stick together and probably won't be out late very often,so I'm not too concerned about the darkness, As long as the area is safe.<BR>Again, thank you both for your help! Laurie

Lori

Laurie,<BR>Burr Close was where our apt.was,if yours is on the 7th fl it is the same apt. I think there is one on the 4th too. I am sure you will enjoy the marina, it's really very pretty with all the boats, ducks, etc. The #15 bus is really good too as a way to avoid the tube.<BR><BR>Enjoy yourself and post about the trip when you get back.

Laurie

Yes, Lori, this is the same apartment you stayed in. I read somewhere that the view of the Tower Bridge from the balcony is very pretty.<BR><BR>Karen, thanks for the info about the 100 bus. I went to the website you provided and my son and I looked it over. Very confusing, but I think we have it figured out. I have a difficult time seeing where the bus stops along the route. Can we get off whereever we want by summoning the driver or are there specific stops that the bus makes. It looks like a good option for us,though. Bus #15 and #25 look like they will work for us too. Thanks again for your help! Laurie

karen

Laurie<BR><BR>Unfortunately the bus maps don't mark the actual stops along the roads, that's something you will have to find out when you get there. No, you can't request where to be dropped off, there are specific stops the bus will make at certain points. The stops will usually have a little glass shelters with seats - don't worry they are instantly recognisable. This site has information on the buses/stops etc. http://www.londontransport.co.uk/buses/phb_general.shtml<BR>Don't worry, a lot of Londoners who don't use the bus regularly get confused about the routes. <BR><BR>The marina is very pretty, I love that area! There are some interesting little shops, the Dickens Inn pub is a beautiful building and quite a nice pub to drink in (and in the evening more likely to be populated by locals/commuters than tourists). They have an outdoor seating area overlooking the marina which is nice on warm days. www.dickensinn.co.uk <BR>There are also some bars, cafes and restaurants in the marina. The huge Tower Thistle Hotel has about 4 restaurants. Their carvery would be great place for a Sunday roast lunch.<BR>And as I think Lori mentioned, there are some restaurants on the other side of the River, across the bridge at Shad Thames. Some which have great views over the Thames from their outside eating areas. <BR><BR>http://www.streetmap.co.uk/ is my favourite site for looking up addresses/areas in London. It details St Kaths Dock quite well, including the road you mentioned your apartment as on. <BR><BR>Let us know if you need any more information. <BR>

Lori

Laurie,<BR>That view of Tower Bridge is mostly the top half of the bridge, but pretty just the same! Enjoy!

Virginia

Sandy:<BR><BR>Oxbridge is at 8 Collingham Road, right off Cromwell Road and about a 7 minute walk from the Gloucester Road tube station. Cromwell Road is a busy street with plenty of foot traffic at all hours. The Sainsbury Supermarket on the corner is a 24 hour operation.<BR><BR>We've been taking Flat 15 at Oxbridge for a month about every year and a half since 1994. Three years ago, I invited my in-laws to join us for a week. This year, six of our friends took studios for a week. Their rooms were very small, but our flat was large enough to house everyone for drinks and dinner.<BR>To give you an idea of how helpful the management is: our electric stove shorted out two days before we were scheduled to return home. They put in a new one, that night. They've loaned me an iron and ironing board. Some years ago, I brought over an old egg turner because that was one implement with which the kitchen was not supplied. It's still there.<BR>Our one-bedroom flat gives us: Reasonably clean rooms with reasonably comfortable twin beds in a tiny bedroom. London sized refrigerator, cooktop and oven, dining table for four, couch, daybed and television set in the main room. An interestingly eclectic range of plates, cups, saucers, silverware. A pot and a frying pan. En suite bath requires getting used to, but you can learn to live with it. Cleaning service and fresh linens twice a week. Garbage collection every day but Sunday.<BR>There is plenty of heat and hot water. No air conditioning.<BR>The best things about the apartment are location and price; the worst thing is that one year we had a tomato red couch, rose velvet drapes and rust covers on the daybed against a background of a navy and wine printed carpet. We tried not to open our eyes too much. This year, the couch had been recovered.