jennifero35

Hello all! Just booked some cheap tickets($200) to London for spring break. We will be going March 15th-23rd. We have never been to London before so I need all the advice I can get. It will be hubby and I,and our two young daughters.
First, I've seen an area called Slough(sp). The Holiday Inn is near a train station to be able to get into town. Is this a good area to be in? If not, where should I be looking?
Second, what would be the easiest and most cost effective way to either get to Rome or Paris?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jennifer

Back2Sabi

I've stayed in several different areas (Baker Steet, Camden, Kensington) but my favorite is by Victoria Station. It's affordable, safe, and VERY well located. Tons of small hotels, and some big ones, too. We loved having a three-line station within seven blocks and could easily walk to Buckingham Palace (which is just a short walk from Trifalger Square, which is another short walk to Picadilly Circus, just down the road from Leicter Square, a hop from Covent Garden, just down the street and across the river from The Globe Theater... you get my drift...)

jennifero35

Thanks so much for your quick reply! Jenn

halfpint

You are just going to have to start a lot of research for your trip for instance there is no such thing as getting into town, etc, London is massive, so many areas, you will have to look into your budget see what you CAN spend on lodging and then see what will fit in, what you want to see, etc. Just put London into where you want to search and you will find it endless. Good luck and it will be wonderful. However start saving lots of money as that will most certainly be needed. Halfpint.

janisj

Slough is out near Heathrow airport - and <b>no</b>, it is not a good place to stay.

What is your budget - staying in central London is much MUCH better.

Easiest way to Paris (though not if your are staying anywhere near Slough) is the Eurostar train from central London to Central Paris in a tad over 2 hours.

It <i>might</i> be cheaper to fly - but then you have to add the cost of getting out to the airport.

There are cheap flights to Rome - But you have less than 7 days free so you really don't have time for Rome. You lose one day flying to London. Your first day is going to be awfully tiring/jet lagged.

Then you need a day to get back to London to fly home. Even squeezing in Paris would take some doing since you will want to be back in London the night before your flight home.

thursdaysd

Forget Slough - it's not London. If you're flying into Heathrow consider staying in Bloomsbury, which is on the Piccadilly line and walking distance to the British Museum, Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square... I though the B&amp;Bs there seemed a bit better than the ones round Victoria. Plus it would put you a short bus ride, or even walking distance, from St. Pancras, so you could consider a day trip to Paris by train, although there's more than enough to do and see in London to keep you occupied.

Suggest you head to the library and borrow a bunch of books....

stfc

Please don't go to Slough. It's a dormitory area for London. 'The Office' with Ricky Gervais is based in Slough which says it all, if you are familiar with that TV series.

Good advice above to go more into the centre. Eurostar is hands down the best way of getting to Paris from London.

If this is your first time to Europe, Paris and Rome are not side trips from London.

Cholmondley_Warner

Slough is shite. It's where the British version of The Office is set if that helps. It's also the subject of one of the few bits of poetry that most Brits can recite:

&quot;come friendly bombs and rain on Slough.
It's not fit for humans now&quot;

&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;Second, what would be the easiest and most cost effective way to either get to Rome or Paris?&gt;&gt;&gt;

Rome - low cost Airline (there are loads). Paris - the train. Buy ASAP to get the best price. There are buses that are dirt cheap but they are a bit of an ordeal.

PalenQ

I've been to Slough - a dud - a nothing and a long commute from central London.

Whatever you find in Slough you can find at that time closer in i'd think

slough would be close to Windsor Castle however.

CindyW

We stayed at a Travelodge (brand new) in Southwark. It was a short walk across the bridge (wait, how young are your daughters? It was about a mile or so) to St. Paul's Cathedral, where we ate at Yo Sushi, which my boys love, and we got a great deal on the internet (80$ a night). Also, there's a little grocery right down the block where you can buy cereal and croissants.

We were stunned by the prices in London. The subway, and even the buses. And the parking? Oh, my gosh! We rented a car, and then were charged for driving in London. We had just been to Ireland, and I did all my research about that, and then wasn't prepared for London! So just be ready.

One thing that I think your daughters would love is the Princess Di Peter Pan Park in Hyde Park.

Oh, another idea for lodging (we stayed here the first time we went) is a Travel Inn, I think, that is right next to the London Eye. I'm sure you can find it if you google it. It was inexpensive, and a great location.

Both of the hotels I mentioned are close to subway stations.

Have fun!

curmudgeon

Lots to do in London, especially if you add in a couple of day trips (Windsor, Bath, Oxford, Warwick might be options). As a first timer, I would definitely suggest central London as your base. If you get a map or guidebook, look for areas that are in &quot;zone one&quot; of the transit network, not way out in the suburbs.

You might consider looking for an apartment to rent for the week; use the search function in the forum to look for recommendations. You can make some of your meals, and have a bit more room to relax.

London can definitely get expensive, especially with the exchange rate (though that is getting a bit better now). I think there are some special deals on transit in London for families (search on travelcard), another option that I think is still available is the daily tourist pass (good for all central transit starting after the morning commute is done).

We used to stay in the small, cheap hotels which often include a hearty &quot;full English breakfast&quot;, which then lets you get by with a light lunch. Not everyone would like these places; they tend to be converted townhouses with lots of stairs, odd room layouts, and worn carpeting. Bloomsbury, Victoria, and Earls Court are areas with lots of these. Travel Inn might be a good option for a lower cost standard hotel (but you'll pay extra for breakfast).

London has various cheap airlines (Ryanair and Easyjet are two of the biggest), but I wouldn't try to break up your trip given that amount of time. You kill too much time getting to/from the airports, especially if you are routing back through London rather than open jaw. A daytrip to Paris on Eurostar train is possible, but not cheap.

walkinaround

if you like slough, you might also like staines.

one of my favourite quotes from the office:

&quot;My world does not end within these four walls, Slough's a big place. And when I've finished with Slough, there's Reading, Aldershot, Bracknell..&quot;

PatrickLondon

&gt;&gt;if you like slough, you might also like staines.&lt;&lt;

Wandering completely off topic, who of a certain generation can forget Daphne Whitethigh's domestic tip on &quot;Round the Horne&quot;: &quot;This week, how to get rid of unpleasant stains - well, you could start by blowing up the Town Hall.&quot;

Cholmondley_Warner

And if you get in trouble for blowing up the Town Hall you could do worse than employ those fine solicitors Bona Law. The partners are Julian and his friend Sandy.

Mind you, they do have a criminal practice that takes up a lot of heir time.

afterall

Jennifer,

You have the flight tix and that's brilliant. You know how to use the internet, so use it.

Get informed. Learn the geography.

If you do you will see that Slough is a long way from central London - and then you will know that it's NOT NOT a good place to stay!!

Suspect you are on a budget and don't go for the 5 or even 4 star places. Me too. There are other options.

I'd say look at renting an apartment, but lets are usually Sat to Sat, and that doesn't fit well.

Then I'd say check out the hostels (where I usually stay) but I am one and you are four. So you need to ask some specific questions here about accommo in London for a family. Start a new post.

As for Rome or Paris. Most cost effective is usually (sadly) to fly. Check out:

www.easyjet.com

Or there's the train via the Chunnel.

Barbara_in_CT

For a first trip with young children, you can't beat the Premier Inn County Hall. You don't get more centrally located than that and when the girls are tired, you are close to your hotel for a rest and then go out again.

The Eurostar to Paris is the least complicated way to Paris with children. Pick up food at the Simply M &amp; S in the station (before entering the Eurostar area).

Do a search, here and on Trip Advisor for 'London + children' and 'Paris + children' and you'll find a lot of good ideas.

janisj

afterall's info is good - but has one error. London apartment rentals almost never have a set starting day of the week. You can rent a flat for 3 nights, 6 nights, 7 nights - almost any length. Even a few rent 1-night stays. Flat rentals in London can start on ANY day of the week.

(he may be confused w/ cottage rentals in the countryside that often have a set starting day - usually Friday or Saturday - and must be for a full week)

Renting a flat would be a great option for your family since having a kitchen means you can fix snacks/meals for your girls if they are picky eaters. Plus you'd probably have a washer/dryer which is a huge help.

janisj

To clarify a bit. Different flats/agencies have different minimum stays. Some do require 7 nights, some less. But almost none require a specific start day.

ChicagoDallasGirl

Hi Jenn! Great find on airfare. I've gotten a wealth of info on London from Janis, Patrick and Cholmondley-Warner so you'll find tons of feedback.

I recall Pimlico being touted as a nice area, however, we found a beautiful little flat that, depending on how old your kiddos are, may work for you.

http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/ren...ing-hill/53635

jennifero35

Thanks again guys! I will start looking and researching the different ares. ChicagoDallasGirl- I'll definately look into the apartment rentals.