phillycheese

Hi all - I am taking my two teenagers to London the second week of March - we are looking to stay in the Bloomsbury area near a station hopefully, Seven days arriving Sat. AM and leaving the next Sat PM.

Anyone have any ideas/info on places to stay - I am looking for B & B's, Rooms or family hostels - trying to go as cheap as we can.

Also, since we only have 7 days, what should we not miss and what can we just pass by or skip?

I am thinking that we will go to Bath for one day - we are "use every minute travelers" so we are up and out by 8 am ususally and stay out till whenever.

This is our 3rd backpacking trip to Europe so we do have some background getting around

Thanks in advance for all your help. The info I received from all of you for our last two trips helped me make great plans, easy travel days and lots of fun!!

jent103

I've stayed at the Morgan Hotel (http://morganhotel.co.uk/) just around the corner from the British Museum. The rooms are small (it's London, though, so don't expect too much!) and ours was a bit dark, but the location and staff made up for that for me. My stay was three years ago, so you may want to check Tripadvisor reviews that are more current. There are lots of b&b/small hotels in that area, though. I've also stayed at the Holiday Inn Bloomsbury and liked it very much.

You might also try Londontown.com - you can get some very good deals there, and you can see the exact hotel you're booking, unlike Hotwire and Priceline.

A week is a great amount of time for London. Have you been to London before? Do you have specific interests? In general I really recommend London Walks (walks.com) - they have a ton of walks that are both general, like the Westminster walk, or cater to specific interests like the Beatles or Harry Potter or other things.

oh2doula

I will be in London March 14 - 19!! With 4 young people!!

I went in 2009 with two teens and we stayed at the Travelodge on Old St Road - it was fine but if you can stay closer to central. Premier Inns have been recommended. we are staying in a flat in Pimlico this time - super excited!

We are "use every minute travelers" too!! We were out of the hotel by nine and back by nine and you can do alot in 12 hours!!

We ate at Marks &Spencers - CHEAP!!
Tea was at St Martins in The Fields at Trafalgar Square.
We also bought goodies at the markets to eat in the room.

I highly recommend Ceremony of The Keys - its at the Tower of London - you DO have to request tickets well in advance but its FREE and incredible!! We will be there Friday March 15.

I have a trip report on here from march 2009 or if you would like I would be happy to email the plans I have so far -

There are plenty of online interactive maps the will show "attractions" and you can plan from there - I like to do an area a day.....

What are the ages?? 13 or 19?? Boys? Girls??

You will love this forum!! Good luck - have fun and let me know if I can help!!!

[email protected]

nytraveler

Highly reco at least one boat trip. Depending on the ages/interests you might go down the river to Greenwich to see the naval museums, prime meridien etc - or up the river to see Hampton Court Palace - which is fascinating (esp if you have seen the recent Tudors series on PBS

janisj

The boat trip to HCP in March would be very iffy - since it takes 3 pretty 4 hours and that's a long time in likely cool/wet weather. (but I don't even think they run that early in the year)

phillycheese: What is your actual budget? Renting a flat is often the best option for a family. You get more space and a full kitchen. But there are also hostels w/ family rooms & kitchen privileges. And does it have to be in Bloomsbury? Bloomsbury is a great area but there are just scads of other places w/ good transport.

phillycheese

Kids are 17 and 19 so they are very excited to go. One loves art and history, the other......shopping!

Budget - I would like to stay clean and cheap so I can spend our money on outings. Open to any suggestions right now.

Renting a flat sounds like a good idea for the kitchen

I know the weather can be a bit cool at night -

janisj

"<i>Budget - I would like to stay clean and cheap </i>

That doesn't help very much. What $$/££ amount do you want to spend? At least a 'range', otherwise anything we recommend could be totally irrelevant.

"<i>I know the weather can be a bit cool at night -</i>

Day vs night really isn't an issue. The weather is very changeable and can be cool/cold/warm/wet/dry at any time of day - and might be all of the above during your week.

dorfan2

I am planning a trip for the second week of March and have found these available day trips:
With London Walks - Day trip Sat., 3/16 - Windsor Castle & Eton and Sun. AM Walk to Greenwich (boat trip there)
With International Friends - Day trip Thu., 3/14 - Oxford, Cotswolds, Stratford

I believe there is also a day trip to Stonehenge, Bath & ? from International Friends on Sat. or Sun., however, nothing available from London Walks till later in the month for Bath. Int. Friends limits their tour groups to 16 people.

janisj

Just to clarify - London walks in-town walks cost £9 (or less for concessions) and their out-of-town day trips cost £12-£16 plus train fare. International Friends are a totally different animal and their tours are in the £90 range.

dorfan2

Plus, you need to pre-book with International Friends or any other tour company, while you just need to show up at the designated tube station spot at the designated time to go on a London Walk day trip.

ElendilPickle

Check www.yha.org.uk for hostels. I think the closest one to where you'd like to stay is the King's Cross location.

Lee Ann

oh2doula

there are tons of markets for your shopper!! I have one of those too!! We are www.londontown.com search markets - she will love it!! Last time my daughter bought a hot pink HUGE bag for 5 pounds - among other things but markets are the way to go!!!

Any and all museums will be great and most are free!!

Personally I dont do the walks - I plan my own but searching you can find lots!! you can also get the 2for1 deals for Tower of London, London Eye etc.

phillycheese

if I can get away with finding a place for $100 a night or less I would love it - hostel, room in a house, B & B, etc

BigRuss

You want 65 GBP/night for a triple? That's going to be difficult in the center of London.

BigRuss

And what are your teens? Girls or boys or one of each? That helps determine what to see and what to miss.

ElendilPickle

Here's a link to Travelodge. Their family rooms are pretty decent. http://www.travelodge.co.uk/search_a...n_9=0&x=84&y=5

Also, do check into the YHA hostel link I posted a couple of days ago.

Lee Ann

PalenQ

if I can get away with finding a place for $100 a night or less I would love it - hostel, room in a house, B & B, etc>

Yes TravelLodge and Premier Inns may have modern rooms (all flats do not) and modern plumbing (all flats do not) - check for special deals.

sofarsogood

"modern plumbing (all flats do not)"

you mean tin baths and outside toilets????

phillycheese

Travelodge is great ! Thanks

oh2doula

you will have a great time!!