London in February -- suggestions

Old Jan 2nd, 2014, 06:40 AM
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London in February -- suggestions

Getting excited about our upcoming trip to London in February...The hubs and I have been to London twice, but this time we're bringing DS17 and DS11, plus our 17-year-old nephew. We're staying in a flat near the Notting Hill Gate tube station and will be there about eight days. On the agenda -- football match between QPR and Reading...

I've been in London in summer and fall. What's February like, weatherwise? If you had to pick one play or musical to see right now, what would it be?

We're thinking of going to Cambridge for the day, as well as Stonehenge. (We've been to Stonehenge, and our sons have, too. But our nephew specifically requested that trip.) Pros/cons of Cambridge? Other suggestions that would appeal especially to teens?

Thanks in advance.
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Old Jan 2nd, 2014, 06:52 AM
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Count on cold and wet and count yourselves lucky if it isn't.

As for Cambridge and Stonehenge -- I'll throw out this suggestion:

I'd maybe 'eat' one night in the flat. Rent a car and visit Stonehenge, drive up to Oxford (very similar the Cambridge and better in some ways), stay the night. You can walk around Oxford one afternoon and the next morning and then either drive back to LHR to drop the car and take the tube back into London . . . or drop the car when you arrive in Oxford and take the train or bus back to London the next day.

You will lose one night you are paying for at the flat but can still be back in London early enough to do something in the late afternoon/evening . . . and the car and a motel on teh outskirts of Oxford probably wouldn't cost as much as paying for five tours to Stonehenge and the train to Cambridge.

This place for instance is right at the Wolvercote park and ride lot so you wouldn't have to deal w/ driving/parking in Oxford. http://www.pumahotels.co.uk/hotels/the-oxford-hotel/
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Old Jan 2nd, 2014, 06:56 AM
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Oh - forgot to mention -- between Stonehenge and Oxford you can visit Avebury too.

The route could be done in either direction . . . London or LHR > Oxford > Avebury > Stonehenge > London or LHR - or - London or LHR > Stonehenge > Avebury > Oxford > London or LHR
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Old Jan 2nd, 2014, 06:56 AM
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Thanks. Can you elaborate a little on the differences between Oxford and Cambridge -- that is, why you prefer one over the other? Just trying to decide...
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Old Jan 2nd, 2014, 07:02 AM
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If you're staying near Notting Hill Gate, there's a nice farmers market on Saturday morning, just behind the Waterstone's. Look for the signs, there's a passage right next to the shop.

Weather in February is hard to predict, but probably cold and wet.
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Old Jan 2nd, 2014, 07:09 AM
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Thanks. Can you elaborate a little on the differences between Oxford and Cambridge -- that is, why you prefer one over the other? Just trying to decide...>

You can ask this question to 1000s of folks who have been to both and get about a 50-50 answer - flip a coin - though they are not peas in pods they are similar in the experience and a fantastic experience no matter which one you chose.

If driving like janis suggests then Oggsford would be much better for driving from Stonehenge of course.
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Old Jan 2nd, 2014, 07:11 AM
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Driving was a great suggestion, but we won't be doing that. We don't want to rent a car.
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Old Jan 2nd, 2014, 07:13 AM
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>>Can you elaborate a little on the differences between Oxford and Cambridge -- that is, why you prefer one over the other?
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Old Jan 2nd, 2014, 07:18 AM
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Just saw your last post -- driving would be best. The guided tours to Stonehenge are VERY expensive and try to squeeze in Windsor and Bath on the same very rushed coach trip.

But if you really don't want to drive (it really is very easy as long as you collect the car at LHR and not in central London) You can take the train to Salisbury, a local tour bus to the Stones and be back in London on the train by late afternoon. In this case, another day I'd do Oxford by train from Paddington or bus from Marble Arch. Much quicker than getting to Cambridge from the Notting Hill area.
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Old Jan 2nd, 2014, 07:21 AM
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I'd prefer Oxford in the winter, Cambridge in the summer. Oxford is a small city with more to see indoors, museums, the covered market, etc. Cambridge is smaller, the university more parklike. In the summer you can punt on the Cam.

Other winter-appropriate sights for the teens kinda depends on their interests. There's a wide variety of museums in London. Boys usually like the Imperial War Museum but it will be closed. The Tower's good for everybody. Maybe the tour of the Globe Theatre would be of interest. You can go up the Eye (pick a clearer day/evening), climb the Monument, St. Paul's dome.

I'm a great fan of London Walks (www.walks.com). Maybe you could let the boys each to choose a walk.

But it all depends on the weather. Everybody needs rain- and windproof jackets, waterproof shoes. And you need to be willing to go out in the rain. But it doesn't rain that hard in London, usually.
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Old Jan 2nd, 2014, 07:32 AM
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Yes chose between which Oxbridge town to go to on such factors as janis suggests - which one is easiest to get to from your locale.
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Old Jan 2nd, 2014, 07:41 AM
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Yes, we love London Walks. Already planning which ones we'll partake of.

Will the Churchill War Rooms be closed? Hubs, DS11 and I did that in 2011, but the older son went shopping instead. However, he and the nephew now have taken a couple history courses and would appreciate this experience.

How about theater? We saw War Horse in London in 2011. I was hoping for The Light Princess but see that it's closing a week before we arrive.

Anything new that's a must-see?
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Old Jan 2nd, 2014, 07:53 AM
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I'm wondering if they'd enjoy a (covered) boat ride up the Thames to Greenwich while you're in London? And a brief (given ages) sojourn to British Museum and V & A (cool and odd artifacts there, if memory serves). Others will mention Hampton Court, Windsor, etc.

Personally I prefer Oxford to Cambridge; both are lovely but just seemed livelier given the brood you're bringing along, and an easy train ride.

We generally take trains everywhere when in the UK but maybe that's why we haven't made it to Stonehenge.
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Old Jan 2nd, 2014, 08:00 AM
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Why would the War Rooms be closed? There opening times are here and they should definitely be open in Feb: http://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/churchi...oms/directions

Highly recommend them!

You can see whats on at www.tkts.co.uk

Have you considered the 2for1 offers at www.daysoutguide.co.uk? Remember these dont work with Oyster cards, but a paper travel ticket bought at a national rail station. Do a search for Oyster here above to get more details.

Some other things they may enjoy:

Tower of London (1/2 day to do this)
Lunch at Borough Market (Thurs or Fri - Sat is horrendously busy)
Spitalfields market
Museum of London - great free museum by St Pauls/Barbican. Very easy for all ages and well done.
Hampton Court Palace (1/2 day to do this)

Hope this helps!
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Old Jan 2nd, 2014, 08:05 AM
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Thanks for the suggestions, jamikins. We've already done much of those, and the kids loved them, especially Museum of London. However, might do that again for the nephew...

I have checked out the theater offerings but just wondered if there's a show that someone feels passionately about --
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Old Jan 2nd, 2014, 08:06 AM
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the Victoria and Albert (V& A) museum is sure to please anyone - eclectic collection such as copies of many famous Greerk and Roman statues and others thru the ages

http://www.vam.ac.uk/
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Old Jan 2nd, 2014, 08:08 AM
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Hmm as for shows, the popular ones right now seem to be Bodyguard and the Book of Mormon. Not sure they would be right for your group though. Wicked is always a great crowd pleaser if they like big splashy musicals. Mousetrap and 39 steps are classics.
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Old Jan 2nd, 2014, 08:10 AM
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I think you'd get a much better experience of Stonehenge by going under your own steam rather than on a rushed tour in a large group; it needs to be seen in the context of the whole surrounding landscape. But you will need to book a timed ticket slot:
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/d...es/stonehenge/
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Old Jan 2nd, 2014, 08:18 AM
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In the past visits to Stonehenge, we took a train to Salisbury and then the bus to Stonehenge. Worked out OK. Last time, my DS11 (who was 9 then) listened to EVERY stop on the audioguide. Took a long time, so we had plenty of time to contemplate the stones. However, it was summer. And still chilly. Can't imagine what it'll feel like on that plain in February, but I know my nephew really wants to go there.

The Mousetrap is a good idea --

Thanks so much for all suggestions.
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Old Jan 2nd, 2014, 08:19 AM
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How long is the bus ride from London to Oxford? Thinking that does sound like a better option than Cambridge, especially since the kiddos love HP.
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