GBbabe

DH and will be spending a couple weeks in the London area. He researching and me sightseeing. He will be using facilities in Greenwich and Kew. For some odd reason, I would like to stay in the Docklands and DH wouldn't mind since his research is about the merchant marine and he would also like to explore what is left of the London docks. What is the best way to get to/near Kew from the Docklands?

Also can anyone suggest a place to stay in Kew for less than $110 a night if it looks like he will be able to do his research over several consecutive days.

Thanks
Barbara

chillout

The Docklands is only a few minutes away from Greenwich using the 188 bus or the Thames clippers.The quickest option from that part of London to the Kew area is probably the underground.

janisj

Don't know exactly where you are staying -- so using Canary Wharf as a 'for instance':

Canary Wharf to Kew will take 50 minites by tube -- Jubilee line to Westminster, transfer to the District line to Kew Gardens

PatrickLondon

You could stay in Greenwich and use the DLR to get to the Jubilee Line at Canary Wharf. That also gives your husband an option to use suburban trains to get to Kew (I'm assuming for the National Archives) - it sounds like a lot of changes, but it's likely a bit quicker than the tube (depending on the connections): Greenwich to Waterloo East, Waterloo East to Richmond, then tube or Overground to Kew Gardens.

If you haven't found it already, it sounds like you'd be interested in the Museum in Docklands, at Canary Wharf: http://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/docklands/

Some of these self-guided walks might be of interest (their links look rather out of date, but you may be able to find clues as to which originating organisation to look for, such as the local authorities for Southwark and Tower Hamlets): http://www.london-footprints.co.uk/traildocklands.htm

GBbabe

Thanks everyone. Since posting I found a map that has both railways and underground.

Right now, it looks like the best prices are for hotels near Limehouse, but it would be easy to get to Canary Wharf.

Thanks Patrick for the info on the Museum of London in Docklands. In 2002, I went to the Museum of London and spent 5 hours there. I would have spent more time there, but the 20th century section was undergoing repairs and was closed. I am looking forward to Docklands museum! And the walks look good too.

PatrickLondon

The only hotel I can think of in Limehouse is the Holiday Inn Express on The Highway, and I don't think you would be happy there. Basically, it's a main traffic artery, and I'm assuming its main business is for business travellers who just need to put their heads down before getting back to real life. Limehouse and round about has some very posh residential areas, but it's so dominated by the main roads going through it, it has no real shopping or social/entertainment centre, and plenty of areas awaiting or undergoing redevelopment. I live nearby, and it takes some effort to find it interesting. I think you would find it inconvenient both for research and for sightseeing - even if your interests are really offbeat.
http://autolycus-london.blogspot.com...limehouse.html