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Short stay London with Aussie kids or not?

Short stay London with Aussie kids or not?

Old Apr 25th, 2017, 11:17 PM
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Short stay London with Aussie kids or not?

Hi fodorites,

I need some advice. We are about to embark on a 9 week trip to Europe from Australia with our 4 children (aged 5, 7, 9, & 12). The itinerary is all set with exception of the last 2 weeks (taking in small parts of Italy, Switzerland, Germany & france). We are taking it pretty slow with lots of days to just hang out if that's what we feel like.

The last 2 weeks I will be travelling by myself with the kids. I have a dear friend who is living in Henley on the Thames whose daughter is my 7 year olds best friend, and my very best friend is in Amsterdam. We will be flying out from Amsterdam and can stay with her for as long as we'd like. My friend in the U.K. doesn't have space for us (and it's regatta weekend). We will need to make our way from Paris either across to U.K. Or or Amsterdam (this seems pretty straightforward!).

I feel like we are so close it would be a pity to not see my friend in the U.K., and that after 7 weeks of foreign speaking countries the children may appreciate an English speaking stint- plus theres so many things they'd enjoy. So my thinking was to catch the Eurostar across to London and spend 5 nights there, then flying or training (likely at greater expense) to Amsterdam for outlet last 10 days. This gives us plenty of time for a day trip or 2 into Belgium.

However, then I tried to find accommodation in London and nearly fell off my chair. So expensive.. and very few Airbnb options for our dates. And then I discovered that train to Henley for all of us is almost £100. My knowledge of London and surrounds is very minimal- despite multiple readings of the guidebooks. I need some on the ground advice.

Is it worth staying in a suburb further out from central London that and if so any recommendations?

Or I could split the time and do a quick intro to London (the kids are not huge on big cities and we will definitely be back again one day) say for 2 nights staying central arriving early in the morning on day 1 and then pick up a hire car at Heathrow and drive out to Henley and then on to somewhere within 2-3ish hours of London for 3 nights and then get the cheap flights from Luton or Gatwick? Train cost from Gatwick to London ruined the idea of just getting cheap flights.

Or should quit the London idea and just spend 2 weeks in Amsterdam and spend more time exploring the Netherlands and Belgium?

I'm really stuck on this last bit of the trip.

Can anyone make some recommendations on locations? I feel well versed on the logistical options of getting around but not the bigger picture.


Thanks so much in advance!

Kind regards
Chris
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Old Apr 26th, 2017, 12:12 AM
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Rather than you taking four kids to U.K., then on to The Netherlands, could your friend in the U.K. meet you for a couple of days of beach time somewhere in Belgium (Oostende, perhaps) or the Netherlands, (take all the kids to Madurodam), etc?
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Old Apr 26th, 2017, 12:26 AM
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If the cost is going to take the edge off your pleasure in visiting the UK, is it possible for your UK friend to join you in the Netherlands or Belgium?

If you do go to the UK, check out the 2 for 1 offers for tourist sights. Not sure how well they work out for kids but worth looking into.

What sort of price bracket would you be happy to pay in the UK? You might be able to book an entire room in a hostel. booking.com also has lots of options but depends on your budget.
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Old Apr 26th, 2017, 12:40 AM
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If you come to the UK, a Family & Friends railcard would probably save you quite a bit depending on whereabouts you base yourself. It costs £30 and you can just fill in a form at the station. https://www.familyandfriends-railcard.co.uk

My other thought was would it be feasible for your UK friend and daughter to visit you in Amsterdam for a couple of days?
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Old Apr 26th, 2017, 02:28 AM
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I was thinking the same as CarrieAnn. We've gotten a Family & Friends railcard for just one journey and it already saved us money. London-Henley shouldn't cost you 100 pounds with kids.

London is a great place for kids, so much to do and see.
Do you have a budget/night? You could stay in an outer borough - perhaps Shepherds Bush, or Ealing Broadway. From Ealing Broadway you can take the train to Reading/Henley. Easy for Heathrow too. Don't just look at the low cost airlines from Luton and Stansted - sometimes you end up paying more just getting to the airport. And look at other airports. From Antwerp you can fly to London City for 59 euro one way.

Or stay outside of London; Henley is a lovely area. Or Windsor, with the castle, and Legoland.

You could look at the Flixbus too between Amsterdam and London - but's it's a long bus trip with small children..
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Old Apr 26th, 2017, 05:40 AM
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>>Henley is a lovely area.
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Old Apr 26th, 2017, 07:57 AM
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If you’d like some English-speaking chill-time in lovely surroundings, look at the region east of London, starting with
www.allaboutipswich.com
and
https://www.ipswich.gov.uk/touristinfo
and
www.suffolktouristguide.com/Ipswich.asp
and locations up and down the coast.

Lodgings, if you search early and diligently, should cost less than closer to London.

If that appeals, do two things:

1) See if you’d like to take the ferry to Harwich (near Ipswich), from Hook of Holland (near Rotterdam). Could be a lot of fun for the kids.

See www.stenaline.nl/en-GB-nl/england

2) If your friend from Henley would be willing to make the trip to come join you
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Old Apr 26th, 2017, 09:45 AM
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>

What's "expensive"? If 150 quid is expensive for needing 2-3 bedrooms (which it really isn't), then you need to stay further afield. You're going to the largest city in Western Europe. Assume the prices will match or surpass Sydney.

Check VRBO/homeaway and Flipkey for other options. Google London vacation apartments. There are a LOT of places to stay in London. But traveling with four hobbits and needing multiple bathrooms compresses the scope of available places.
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Old Apr 28th, 2017, 03:06 AM
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Thanks so much for the replies- sorry I've been slow getting back.

Re expense- part of the issue is the Aussie dollar buys less, but even so I was struggling to find anywhere that had decent reviews for less than $700 per night. Even Airbnb. But- on advise I've looked further out and there are definitely some options 25-30 mins to town. I think this will be a better fit with the children than staying in central London anyway.

Janisj- i may have meant to say $100 aud not £100. Thank you though for the tip on the family card... I will definitely look further into that! But even my friend in Henley says it's £70 return trip? But I did manage to run the schedule and get your number with the rail card.

We will be in London on Henley regatta weekend so there is really nothing available around there.

And thank you for the suggestions around U.K. And the Belgium beach- so many amazing places to explore! At this stage I think we will stay outer London and day trip around.

Thanks again for all the advice!
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Old Apr 28th, 2017, 03:31 AM
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Aussie, that's 400 pounds/night if I'm correct. You should have no trouble finding a place for that. Don't know about the Australian dollar, but Pound Sterling has dropped quite a bit in the past year.
Look at Homeaway. This is in Brook Green;
https://www.homeaway.co.uk/p6825920
It's a nice family-oriented area.
Look at Chiswick as well. Or Shepherds Bush.
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Old Apr 28th, 2017, 07:36 AM
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>>But even my friend in Henley says it's £70 return trip?
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Old Apr 28th, 2017, 08:24 AM
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>

Unless "decent" means "completely perfect" you should be able to find a flat on airbnb or vrbo in Central London (read: within the Circle Line's route) for 1/2 that 700 in plastic cash. Honestly, you're either not looking hard enough or not using the search functions correctly. We have four and we'll be paying a whole lot less than 700 Aussies/night in a flat @ Knightsbridge [OK, no Aussiebucks because we're American and were charged in greenbacks, but not 700AUD equivalent either].
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Old Apr 28th, 2017, 08:32 AM
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I agree w/ BigRuss -- every # you've posted (whether train fares or flat rentals) have been wildly extravagant. Even booking rooms at a full service hotel can easily be found for FAR under £400 a night
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