First visit to London

Old May 22nd, 2017, 11:22 AM
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First visit to London

Hi, I'm planning to travel to London this summer Likely July 2017 for a first visit. I will be traveling with my sister, my daughter 15y and niece 7y.

We are interested in maybe staying in a flat and curious about what location is best for a main hub. We also would be Interested in traveling outside of the city to some small village/towns. Stonehenge, Bath, Caimbridge, even to the coast maybe LandsEnd etc.... how on earth will we manage getting around and I can imagine the city is fine but we are from the States and driving will be a scary experience if we are forced to drive to the other towns. ��

Even if we are able to get a bus to the villages, how could we get around once we are in that region?
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Old May 22nd, 2017, 11:50 AM
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For day trips to those places definitely go by rail - www.nationalrail.co.uk has all the fares and you can book often discounted fares yourself on it. For general info on British trains check www.seat61.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

How long do you have in London? Oxford and Windsor are two other possible easy day trips as in Hampton Court Palace. All closer time-wise to London than your other wish list places.

For Stonehenge take a train to Salisbury - wonderful cathedral and then bus from the train station to Stonehenge and back.
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Old May 22nd, 2017, 11:57 AM
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Unlike the States, people get around just fine on public transportation. The places of interest you mention are basically walkable from train stations, or at least not far by taxi or bus.
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Old May 22nd, 2017, 12:37 PM
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Driving isn't all that bad. Having a good road atlas, a navigator and/or a GPS helps, but we've managed just fine without a GPS. If you get lost, just think of it as part of the greater adventure!

As PalenQ said, there are plenty of trains and buses to help you get where you want to go.

How long will you be in the UK, and what is your lodging budget (in dollars or pounds) per night?

Lee Ann
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Old May 22nd, 2017, 01:01 PM
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>

People get around just fine on public transportation in many of "the States." But your overgeneralization is appreciated.

To the OP: you need to acquaint yourself with www.nationalrail.co.uk, with londontown.com, and with daysoutguide.co.uk.
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Old May 22nd, 2017, 01:14 PM
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"People get around just fine on public transportation in many of "the States." But your overgeneralization is appreciated."

You are welcome. My apologies if I somehow offended you.
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Old May 22nd, 2017, 01:55 PM
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If visiting in July you really need to make your bookings ASAP especially if looking for an apartment. You don't say how long you are planning to stay and that's important. London really makes a good base as there is plenty to keep you busy for however long you stay. It is also easy to make any number of day trips by train. All the places you mentioned can be done as day trips or even an overnight if you want to stay longer. The exception to that is Land's End which many years ago was fine, but it has become extremely touristy. Much better places to visit IMO.
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Old May 22nd, 2017, 02:12 PM
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We take a train from London to where we would like to visit, then use taxis and local buses to get to the attractions we want.

This takes a bit of research. Once you have specifics people here can help, but most attractions will include directions.
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Old May 22nd, 2017, 04:16 PM
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Although most info is on line, if you do not know what to look for, it is easier and better to pick up a couple of guide books - today! One with more info on sights to see and one with more info on logistics like transportation, how best to get tickets, etc. would be good. Fodors, Fromers, Eyewitness, Rick Steve's and books that list Top Ten places, etc. are useful.

How much time will you have? Exactly how many nights or days on the ground?

What are you most interested in? History, art, palaces, theater, major tourist sights? What are the girls interested in? Harry Potter? Jane Austen?

There are so many things to do and see just in London, you could spend days and not run out of interesting things.

You mention Bath as a possibility. I love Bath and think the girls would too, so ideally, take a train and stay there at least two nights.

If you have time and have not booked tickets yet, you could fly into London and out of Paris and take the train in between.

They would probably enjoy Hampton Court as an easy day trip.

There is so much wonderful theater, you could see a play one evening or even a play at the Globe, depending on what is playing.
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Old May 22nd, 2017, 05:17 PM
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No advice will be all that helpful without a bit more info. Exactly how many days you have, what dirt of budget, etc.

I would 100% forget about a flat. It is VERY late to be finding available apartments in London. And it may be late even to find a hotel . . . That greatly depends on your budget. Tourist class/budget properties seem to be booking up even earlier than normal.
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Old May 22nd, 2017, 05:18 PM
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First time to visit London? Oh, you are so lucky! Wonderful city, and the first time is just wonderful.

Look for an apartment rental on flipkey.com We are actually going to be in London in August and have found a great rental through them. We used them for another London stay, as well as in Madrid, Prague, and Seattle on other trips. You pay through Flipkey and they return your security deposit in a very timely manner.

If you look on vrbo or homeaway, be aware there is a surcharge they tack on at the end.

Yes to Hampton Court as a day trip - take the train. Also Kew Gardens - you can use the tube for that half-day adventure.

You don't need to take taxis - the underground (tube) is easy to navigate and you can get just about anywhere in the city with relative ease.

Go online and look for London walking tours. There are many to choose from, and they are free to inexpensive. A really great way to explore the city.
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Old May 22nd, 2017, 05:20 PM
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Also - as far as guide books go. Often you can find them in your local library. See which one is the best for you and then buy a copy of that one.
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Old May 23rd, 2017, 08:38 AM
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I copy the relatively few sections of several guidebooks from the library to take along and throw out as I go -no heavy guidebooks and several takes.

Now you probably can print off online stuff.
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Old May 23rd, 2017, 09:31 AM
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See which one is the best for you and then buy a copy of that one.>

Or if not going for more than 3 weeks or so simply check that guide out and return it upon your return. Our library has used book sales with many slightly old guides for a pittance - rip out pages relevant to you and take only what you need.
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Old May 23rd, 2017, 10:04 AM
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>

So does airbnb - it's a booking fee for the service. VRBO and homeaway are functionally the same - homeaway owns both. Flipkey is a trip advisor company.

>

I'm thinking the SORT of budget you have is more important than the cleanliness of your money (unless the US Treasury is about to cut you off). ;-)
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Old May 23rd, 2017, 11:31 AM
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We also would be Interested in traveling outside of the city to some small village/towns. Stonehenge, Bath, Caimbridge, even to the coast maybe LandsEnd etc.

We take a train from London to where we would like to visit, then use taxis and local buses to get to the attractions we want.


You don't need a taxi to get around Bath or Cambridge, walking is for the most part all you need

As for Stonehenge, there's a bus service to Stonehenge that leaves from outside Salisbury Station - and you don't need a taxi to see Salisbury
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Old May 23rd, 2017, 03:43 PM
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>>I'm thinking the SORT of budget you have is more important than the cleanliness of your money (unless the US Treasury is about to cut you off)
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Old May 24th, 2017, 12:39 PM
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We also would be Interested in traveling outside of the city to some small village/towns. Stonehenge, Bath, Caimbridge, even to the coast maybe LandsEnd etc...>

check out the London Plus railpass that gives unlimited days of unfettered train travel throughout SE London including to Bath and Bristol and Stratford and all of Kent, etc. No blackout periods -just hop on any train anytime - great for day trippers who do not know when they want to return.

check sites I gave in my first post above for details -not sold TMK in Britain. also gives return travel on airport express trains outside the validity period of the pass.
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Old May 24th, 2017, 01:12 PM
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Educate yourself how to use the subway. It can be very frustrating for a beginner.
Get an EARLY start each morning and head to the most popular sights first. You will be shocked to see people standing in 90 minute lines-even in the rain-on a weekday. Prepare for rain at any time.
Good idea to take trains or buses to outside the city attractions.
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Old May 24th, 2017, 01:18 PM
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Buses are great and great views from the upper deck - they move at a snaikl's pace but no long descents into Tube and will go right by where you are going -for loner treks the Tube is much faster.

And note that in UK Subway means pedestrian underpass - so ask where is the Tube!
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