You could easily spend 5 weeks in London and still not have seen all the sights. Five days is a minimum for a first trip - to see the most important sights - IMHO.

If you have given G and E 2 days each that's not bad - 2 days for both is a rush.

In fact - you really have too many places for a trip of only 10 days. We have been to the UK numerous times and you are barely scratching the surface - and I would focus on fewer places so you have more time seeing sights than just getting from one place to another.

For london stay in one of the yha places to get your costs down.http://www.yha.org.uk/ the areas you are suggesting are ok but at those low prices the hotels may not be.

London will consume a lot of time and the trip to Oxford or Cambridge is ok but you are missing out on say (in no order) Salisbury (and old sarum), Winchester, Bath, Stonehenge (near Salisbury)

"While being in York, we are thinking of touching Leeds and Manchester. I heard Sheffield is also beautiful. Any suggetions?" It's good to see that the Old British sense of humour has already hit you. Sheffield is close to some very pretty countryside but the place (even after multiple rebuilds) is a dump.
Both Leeds and Manchester are worth a train journey (I would not recommend driving to either and I live in Leeds). Given that York and the countryside around is world class (start surfinng on monesteries and UK national parks) I would not get on that train unless you also fit in a visit to Saltaire and you also have a thing for the Brontes. Maybe just Leeds for the Henry Moore, the shopping and the tight little city centre, restaurants etc.

Is it only big cities you're interested in? In fact, what are your interests? Why are you going to the UK?

And how do you plan to travel? Rent a car? Train?

At the end of March it will still be winterish, so a little early for the beautiful English countryside. But there are many interesting small towns as well as the big cities. From London you can do excursions to Windsor (Castle and town), Greenwich and Hampton Court Palace. A little farther are Salisbury and Stonehenge, Winchester, St. Albans, and Brighton. That's just off the top of my head. I'm sure there are more.

And remember 2 days in one place is 3 nights. You need to allow transportation time between stops. How many days total do you have?

At the end of March it will still be winterish, so a little early for the beautiful English countryside.>>

last year it was positively balmy down here in Cornwall at the end of March - in fact it was some of the best weather we had all year. and our countryside is glorious at that time.

10 days probably isn't as long as you'd need to do london and Cornwall, but don't write off the countryside. 5 days in London and 5 days in the cotswolds or yorkshire dales might be just the thing.

for places mentioned I'd take the train - British trains that not nearly as fast or modern of comfy IME as those on The Continent still make a great way to get around - simply because there are so so many trains going everywhere you mention.

for lots of great info on British trains check out these IMO superb sites - www.nationalrail.co.uk - schedules and fares for all British passenger trains with a limited number of discounted tickets that to get you should book well in advance and usually cannot be changed nor refunded for the deepest discount ones I believe - and also www.seat61.com; http://www.budgeteuropetravel.com/id11.html and www.ricksteves.com. And if traveling more than a few times and wishing to just show up at stations and hop any train anytime - as these type of fully flexible tickets can cost a ton of money investigate some kind of BritRail Pass that does allow you to hop on any train anytime - for pass prices check out www.seat61.com's commercial link to RailEurope in the U.S. if from the U.S.

Very much like bilboburgler, I would avoid Sheffield. In fact, I would think about concentrating on York rather than going to Leeds or Manchester (and I live near there). There is enough to keep you happy there

Sheffield is a dump. Do not go there. Manchester and Leeds are large industrial cities with a huge ethnic population. I would not touch them with a barge pole. With all the free museums in London, you could spend your entire time there. The Victoria and Albert museum, for example, has 10 million exibits on display!! As for hotels that are reasonable and convenient, look at those in Belgrave Road in Pimlico. Most are around 50 Euros per person and the location is a ten minute walk from Victoria station. A more ideal spot is hard to beat.

I personally think your plan of dividing London into two stays unnecessarily chops up/complicates things. And you have too many sites for just 10 days (not too many stops but too many other excursions). You don't have NEARLY enough time for all that.

What I would do is upon landing at Heathrow, fly up to Edinburgh (or possibly Glasgow - if that is your major interest). Allow at least 4 hours between landing and your flight north. Spend 2 nights Edinburgh -- you don't have time for BOTH cities unless you cut something else.

Then take the train to York for one night. That would give you 1.5 days there. Forget Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield.

Then an early evening train to London for the rest of your time - taking maybe ONE day trip (Oxford or Bath or Windsor or ??)

That would be a pretty rushed but doable 10 days. Remember -you need to account for jetlag and travel time.

Manchester and Leeds are large industrial cities with a huge ethnic population. I would not touch them with a barge pole>>

that's a bit rich, almcd. London, FYI, has a huge multi-cultural population, and none the worse for it.

I would suggest to the OP that jj, as ever, has some very good ideas, but i would cut it down still further - 3 stops max.

Annhig - "but i would cut it down still further - 3 stops max."

we agree. To clarify, I meant only 3 stops (which is still rushed). Edinburgh/York/London. Glasgow was mentioned only if they are more interested in Glasgow than Edinburgh.

And to be clear, Edinburgh would be my choice.

"Manchester and Leeds are large industrial cities with a huge ethnic population. I would not touch them with a barge pole"

crikey, I wouldn't like to tell all the lawyers and bankers we have up here that their city is industrial.... As for ethnic, what a thing to say, is that a good thing or a bad thing???

I think York will give you enough to do but in March with the weather as it may be it is good to have a back-up city to spend a day in and Scarborough does not hack it in March

A disgraceful comment almcd, shows how much you know about the UK - can't even get the currency right

Sheffield is a dump. Do not go there. Manchester and Leeds are large industrial cities with a huge ethnic population

Racist and moronic

"Sheffield is a dump. Do not go there. Manchester and Leeds are large industrial cities with a huge ethnic population

Racist and moronic"

Perhaps - but it doesn't really matter since the OP simply doesn't have enough for any of the three.

"Manchester and Leeds are large industrial cities with a huge ethnic population. "

Neither place has been "industrial" for 40 to 50 years. Sounds like he got hold of a very old guidebook. Ethnicity? New York is full of Mom and apple pie is it? What a prat!

My apologies to New York. I now see that this idiot is a typical Southerner with little or no experience of the rest of the UK.

Thanks to all; your suggestions are really helpful. Infact I have rebuilt the itinerary - first am on a budget trip and second not sure when next time would be able to visit UK again; that's the reason for many citites at one-go. Train travel is what I will prefer and that too advance purchase to minimise the cost.

Now, the itinerary is like this:-
Day 1- Landing at Heathrow and tube to Birmingham (stay for a day)
Day 2- Leaving for Wyndermere, Lake District (stay for a day
Day 3&4 - Leaving for York (stay for 2 days) maybe Leeds for half a day
Day 4&5 - Leaving for Glasgow (stay for 2 days)
Day 6 - Leaving for Edinburgh (stay for a day)
Day 7,8&9 - Leaving for London (Stay for 3 days in London)

I have dropped Manchester and also Sheffield as there is nothing much to do there, also am not too much of a football buff.

I hope the above appears good at least on paper.

If possible please suggest any interesting things which I must not miss in York/Leeds, Glasgow & Edinburgh.

Thanks again,

Well you could search each city on this site. "Morgana" also does a great North Yorkshire guide. For me
1) walk around the walls
2) Visit the cathedral, and the older buildings to the East
3) walk down the "shambles"
4) Walk up the little norman mound with castle ruins on the top
5) visit the York museum
6) visit the expensive Yorvik centre (well no but have a look on the website
7) And visit the railway museum (no really it is worth a good look around)

If it is fine try and get out to one of the monestry ruins. Fountains is the best in my mind

http://www.visityork.org/information/
http://www.visitleeds.co.uk/
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fountains-abbey/

oh and you need this thing to get around
http://www.transportdirect.info/Web2/Home.aspx?&repeatingloop=Y

Thanks bilbobourgler

Hi
The negative comments above regarding Leeds and Manchester are some of the most absurd (and incorrect)I have ever read on here!
I'm fortunate enough to work 3 days each week in Leeds and its a lively, vibrant and exciting city. The shopping is superb, and the restaurants first class. However I actually think you'll have plenty to see and do in York itself, but if you do decide to visit Leeds then it's only a quick trip by train, a regular service.
I can't better Bilboburgler's suggestions for York - the Minster (cathedral) is one of the most spectacular buildings you will ever see. There's more than one museum in York and my favourite is the Castle Museum. It has a terrific Victorian street (indoor) amongst its attractions.
http://www.yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk/Page/Index.aspx
I'd also suggest afternoon tea at Bettys, a Yorkshire tradition.
http://www.bettys.co.uk/bettys_york.aspx
Fountains is amazing, a World Heritage Site, but an absolute beggar to get to via public transport. Would you consider hiring a car? Castle Howard is also a highlight and easier to get to from York using public transport. It reopens for the season in late March.
http://www.castlehoward.co.uk/House-and-grounds/Directions-and-Public-Transport.html

Hi Morgana and Nakuls
I thought I'd try the public transport link I offered just to see.

Basically Fountains is an hour's drive by car from York (depending on car pick up and variable traffic)
mixing bus and train you can take between 1.5 and 2 hours to get there by public transport in February 2013 and this takes you through Ripon which might mean you could take a break and visit the Minster (where the pews have many of the "Alice" creatures carved into them, though obviously carved before the books were published) Now an extra 2 hours traveling is not a bad return from a days car hire??

Good research! I live pretty close to Fountains and I know that there are buses that go there. In fact we were going to go for a walk there today via the deer park but it hasn't stopped raining!
It's also walkable from Ripon through Studley Park and the Watergardens but that's a fair hike.
Hiring a car would mean they could go to Fountains (it opens at 10) and then maybe explore the Dales or the Moors on the same day.
However, they have very little time up here in North Yorkshire so a few difficult decisions will need to be made about what they decide to see and what they miss out.

Don't wish to be a party popper but is there any reason you're visiting Birmingham? I'm sure it's a fine city but wouldn't be on most visitors essential places to see. Plus you're only there for one night en route from London to the north.

Which begs another question do you have to fly into Heathrow? Far better to fly into Manchester then head to the Lake District, up to Scotland, down to York then London.

Travelling from Birmingham to Windermere by train will take 2 1/2 to 3 hours. You'll be there probably by midday at the earliest, go to your accommodation, walk around for a couple of hours, have an evening meal, crash out and leave the next day. Hardly worth the effort.

I think you should devote more time to Edinburgh at the expense of Glasgow.

A better trip would be
Days 1 & 2 Lake District
3 & 4 Edinburgh
5 & 6 York
7, 8, 9 London

Even the above is hectic but staying somewhere for 1 day is often a waste of time.

You cannot "Tube to Birmingham" - the Tube only goes as far as the London suburbs. Know your terminology or everyone gets confused. The Tube is the London Underground, so named for the shape of the tunnels for the deeper lines (Northern, Jubilee, Bakerloo, Piccadilly, Victoria, Central).

Definitely don't get Birmingham.

Devoting more time to London is a better way to see more of England - Windsor Castle, Hampton Court Palace, Salisbury, even Dover Castle are all a short day trip from London. Do not underestimate the size and scope of London - it is the largest city in Western Europe and the runners-up (Berlin, Paris, Rome) are not close.

sorry nakuls, but I just don't see the point of stopping off in all these places for a night or two. you are going to have a far too high travelling to seeing/doing ratio. Sofasogood's itinerary is much better but still involves a lot of moving about.

before you book please work out what you want to see in all these places, and whether you've got the time to do it. The Lake district is a place for walking, taking boat trips, exploring - yet you have no time to do this. Edinburgh is full of culture, enough to keep you going for several days, but you will see very little in the 24 hours you are giving it.

if you want some countryside, combine York and the places around it as day trips as suggested above, otherwise stick to Edinburgh, York and London.

Honestly, you'll be glad that you did.

Your new plan is if anything more difficult that the first one.

Why Birmingham??? (and yes, there is no tube to B'ham)

• Start by flying up to Glasgow (you seem to REALLY want to see it for some reason) and stay 1 night.

• then train to Edinburgh - 2 nights

• train to York - 2 nights (skip Leeds)

• train to London stay 4 nights - fly home.

This is still pretty hectic/crazy but is doable. And if you book ahead flying up to Glasgow will not be any more expensive and could be cheaper than taking the train.

Don't know that I get the concept of Glasgow over Edinburgh - that's generally true in football matches but not for tourists. Did Craig Ferguson make Glasgow seem that lovely on his trip to Scotland last year?

Stay three nights in Edinburgh and if you get bored, you can catch a train to Glasgow for the day and ride back that evening.

They're closer than New York and Philadelphia so staying in both is just more hotel switching than necessary unless you're doing a loop starting at one and ending at the other.

Thanks again for all your comments guys. Sorry but I need to touch Birmingham as I have a cousin living over there so can't avoid it, only thing I can do is to keep it minimum as a day.

2 days - York, 2 days - glasgow, 1 day - Edinburgh and finally 4 days - London. This is what I am planning now.

Yes sofarsogood, I am landing in Heathrow and infact got my return from same place.

Thanks again for making it clear that there are no tubes to Birmingham. I believe I checked some train connection which leads me to B'ham from Heathrow. Also wondering for last 4 days in London - should I go for an Oyster? Would it be useful in cost-cutting as we both would be travelling most of the time sight-seeing in London.

Nakuls

Since you're traveling by train, you could take advantage of the 2-for-1 tickets for certain London sights: www.daysoutguide.co.uk/2for1-london. You have to print out the vouchers ahead of time, then show them and your train tickets at the site's ticket booth. (Make sure to keep your train tickets by going through a manned exit gate from the track.)

This half-price discount applies to the Tower of London, the London Eye, and Hampton Court Palace among other sites. And a good many of London's museums are free.

Fodorites, do the 2-for-2 tickets apply elsewhere in Britain?

I don't think so but "bogoff" buy one get one free is very common. You also find that at some entertainment parks/houses that the price of entry is the same as the price for year round access, so if you are going for two days...

. Did Craig Ferguson make Glasgow seem that lovely on his trip to Scotland last year?>

Agree with BigRuss in that Glasgow rates a day trip from Edinburgh - but disagree that Glasgow is not a charmer - certain parts of very Victorian in looks with vast parks and lots of imposing old brick buildings - and great museums. But a day at most for the average tourist.

Thanks again for making it clear that there are no tubes to Birmingham. I believe I checked some train connection which leads me to B'ham from Heathrow. >>

no direct train that i can find [unless Pal knows different]. either get the Heathrow tube to Euston and get the train to B'ham or get the H'row express to Paddinton, the tube to Euston, and then B'ham as before.

once you've paid your courtesy visit you can get back on the train and go straight to Glasgow.

As a general rule, the earlier you book train tickets the cheaper they are.

One quick question friends:- Is it difficult to reach Excel or Docklands area from Central London? Why I am asking is because I am getting some serious good hotel deals in that area but I am wondering why the cost is cheaper as compared to that of other surroundings of London. Should I go for it??

Because these areas have no atmosphere and are pockets of new builds in industrial areas or large conference centres. Docklands is likely the area around Canary Wharf which reminds me of downtown Vancouver and houses the banking towers. They lack charm and you can't walk anywhere else plus there are not a lot of places to eat outside of the Canary Wharf area. They are on the DLR into either Bank or Tower Gateway. I personally would not find the savings worth it. CW is also on the jubilee line...but be careful of location to be sure you can easily walk to a station.

Bookmarking

Thanks jamikins for a quick one

Another quick one - howz greenwich; I believe DLR runs through it; is it feasible to stay and visit London via connected train and tube?
Thanks,

I was going out of time so booked one in Kensington; hope that is fine friends.

Thanks ahning, I note the route to B'ham and am keeping a watch on ticket rates also. I would be able to book only by Jan - end for my travel of March -end.

I think you will enjoy Kensington. Depending where in Greenwich you were looking makes a huge difference. In the village is fine and you could have taken the train into London bridge. The DLR takes about 30 mins into bank from there...farther than from the Docklands. Anywhere outside the village I would not recommend for tourists.

Thanks Jamikins, as I said I have booked a place in south Kensington so I believe I am somewhere in London itself and not so far as compared to either docklands or Greenwich.

Thanks all for making it so smooth; I value all your comments and really appreciate them all.

My next question is again related to London and is about getting around in London. Would like to know more about the Tube and metro. I have travelled in Metro rails of Paris and Italy so I just need basic idea about the same. Also, I have been listening about Oyster - is that really helpful for a 3-day stay in London; please comment.

Finally, booking an advance ticket for all my travel should help me in minimizing the travel cost between those cities. However, I think only need to take a hit in regarding punctuallity of a given timetable to catch a train. Hope nothing else.

Thanks

Which is the simpler yet cheaper way to reach Birmingham from Heathrow via train/tube/underground?

The tube and underground are the same thing. Two people have told you the tube doesn't go to Birmingham. I guess I am the third, now.

Your options are train or coach (Intercity Bus). See www.nationalrail.co.uk for the former, www.nationalexpress.com for the latter.

Well maybe they mean Tube to the train station to catch trains to Birmingham?

Thanks Morgana and Bilboburgler for your suggestions in respect of York. I am looking into further details and shall certainly come back to you to gain more knowledge about this area.

I based a few times in the York area and there are many many neat day trips to do from there.

Harrogate is one of Britain's premier spa towns - lovely park-like setting and old thermal houses (the water itself tastes terrible - stinks!) and Harrogate is also a lovely old town - the original Betty's Tea Shoppe (not sure official name) is in Harrogate I believe - Betty's in York is a famous tea emporium that IMO should not be missed for its uniqueness and experience

and also day trips to Haworth (sp?) - home of the Bronte sisters and Bronte country with the desolate Yorkshire Moors backdropping the town and providing a unique walking place - you can take an old steam train up there from Keighley ('Keetley') - on a main rail line or bus from Keighley is sans car.

Leeds of course is an easy day trip

And I did walk from Ripon as Morgana says possible thru Studley Royal Park to Fountains Abbey and back - a lovely but long walk - there were no buses going to the abbey ruins the day I took a bus to Ripon from Harrogate so instead of a cab I walked and love to walk in any case - an interesting walk but a longish walk.

And the North Yorkshire Moors Railway - not sure of official name runs from a train station east of York - a great ride - at the other end you can get a bus or train to Whitby - Dracula's home town and see the famous Whitby Castle on the sea - from there you can take a bus to Scraborough, a classic but fading seaside resort for buses back to York.

Or take a boat ride from York to the Archbishops' Palace.

In York itself do not miss the National Railway Museum, right by the main rail station - which is also a remarkable piece of Victorian architecture in its own right - one of the few curving train sheds I've ever seen.

So much to see and do in York itself and lots of neat easy day trips.

Terminology is important.

THERE IS NO METRO IN LONDON.

The public transportation system for London is London Transport. There are various pieces of this pie: (1) London Buses, (2) The Underground, which is known as "The Tube" and NEVER as "metro"; (3) the Docklands Light Railway, which is covered by Oyster and Travelcards; (4) London Overground, which connects various parts of the outskirts of London to each other and is basically irrelevant if you are staying in central London.

NONE of those options go to Birmingham.

South Kensington is in London.

Big Russ says that terminology is important. Also important is that current terminology is preferable to obsolete terminology.

London Transport was the operational brand for the various London Travel Authorities from 1933 to 2000. Since 2000, the name of the authority and the brand is Transport for London, abbreviated as TfL.

Yes Transport for London since 2000 - 12 years now since the London Transport name was sent to the scrapheap of history. Tsk tsk!

And tsk tak for your pronounciation of Keighley which is most definitely not 'Keetly'!
It's Keith Lee. Or if you fancy giving it a bit more of a Yorkshire accent go for Keith Lah!
I think the North Yorks Moors Railway goes right to Whitby these days, or that could be just during the summer months (you'd need to check the timetable if this appeals to you).

Morgana - one diffference - mine was a typo - I knew it was Keith-ly but type Keely - I would never have dreamt it were Keith-ly until I asked about trains to Bronte Country at train information in York and they said "Keithly".

North Yorks Moors Railway>

tsk tsk it's the North Yorkshire Moors Railway!

'Yorks' is an abbreviation of 'Yorkshire' commonly
used by us over here in England, especially Yorkshire locals. For instance on my address I write that I live in 'North Yorks' as opposed to 'North Yorkshire'.

PQ - WTH?? tsk tsking for that?

(even you should know that is correct - Yorks, Oxon, Bucks, Hants, Herts, and so on. . . common 'shorthand' for various counties.)

Thanks all for giving nice inputs regarding London transport and York related information also.

Moors yes I know is an abbreviation of Yorkshire but the name of the railway, tsk tsk is the North Yorkshire Moore Railway - tsk tsk!

And in York do not miss the ghost-inhabited haunted Treasurer's House (not sure of exact name but Janis will correct if wrong.

Oops North Yorkshire Moors Railway - I see no North Yorks Moors Railway vernacular of the official North Yorkshire Moors Railway!

heaven forfend that you should be accused of pedantry, Pal!

yup that's me annhig - I will always say "Yorkshire Pud" instead of Morgana's "Yorks pud" or "Yorkshire Terrier" instead of Morgana's "Yorks Terrier" and such. I am a stickler for correctness as you know!

Anyway just having fun, not seriously taking morgana or other Yorks to task - tsk tsk!

Hi friends - Its a question regarding London - please tell me if an accomodation near Shoreditch High Street overground station would be a good place to stay and would it be possible to use that railway line to connect to tube.

Infavt the Old street station is also 10 minute walk away on northern line (black); hows that/

Shoreditch high street is a short walk to Liverpool street station and also connects with whitechapel station. Old street is on the northern line. Not sure what else you want to know...

Thanks Jamikins. Yes I came to know that Liverpool street station is there but it is around 10-20 minutes walk from the hotel which is located at Shoreditch high street. Hence, I wanted to check if Old street station (whcih is 8-10 minutes walk) would be convenient to roam around central London or not. In that case Liverpool would be the only option available to me.

Liverpool Street station is on four tube lines. Old Street station is on a different tube line -- so you are w/i a about a 10+ minute walk of 5 tube lines. Which you use will partly depend on where you are going -- Livepool Street will be more convenient to more places but is a longer walk. Sometimes you'll prefer Old street.

But don't forget buses - many times they will be better than either tube station.

Shoreditch and Liverpool Street Station areas would not be my choice to stay in London unless it was much cheaper than many many more desirable and better located areas IMO.

Thanks Janisj, I wanted to be close to south bank of bigben area so that I can spend some time there in evenings.

PalenQ - please tell me if there is any risk in this Area; actually being a club member I got a good deal at Crown Plaza, which I think is certainly a good hotel as compared to other small hotels in central London (I read too many bad things about such 2/3 star hotels, underground rooms, very very small, bad bugs - can't believe they have a place in this city, wi-fi issues, no luggage keeping, etc. etc.) That is why I choose to stay here in Shoreditch which is not too far from central London.

Thanks guys

No I do not think there is any especially dangers in that area - just IMO not the nicest looking of areas not very conveniently located - I would stay in the area in a heart beat if I got a good deal and the area as all of East London in general has been spruced up a lot with the Olympics and all. Especially at night it seems rather deserted compared to most other parts of central London.

If we're talking about the Crowne Plaza in Shoreditch High St, I know nothing about the hotel, beyond the fact that it seems to be quite big (I think a converted office block of some sort), right beside a series of bus stops with a good range of destinations and within 5-10 minutes' walk of Liverpool St station for the tube.

It's not the most visually attractive, let alone "quaint" or tourist-oriented area, but it's hardly an area with muggers round every corner. The most dangerous thing about it is that it's a busy intersection of several main roads, and pedestrians need to keep their wits about them crossing the road. It is basically a fairly humdrum workaday area on the edges of would-be alternative/arty Shoreditch/Hoxton, and within walking distance of Spitalfields, which is where you'd find the better places to shop and eat.

If you're interested in the South Bank or around Westminster, that's the other side of the centre. If the Crowne Plaza brand is the attraction, there's one at Blackfriars, which would fit that objective much better. There are also hotels on the Southwark side, that might suit your tastes better. But you said above you had booked somewhere in South Kensington, which you would probably prefer better.

Thanks Janisj, I wanted to be close to south bank of bigben area so that I can spend some time there in evenings.>>

if you want to be able to spend time near Big Ben in the evenings, then Shoreditch is not the best place to be situated.

as Patrick has said, Westminster, South Ken, and even Blackfriars are going to be a better bet.

I know that I'm late to the party - but not sure why someone would want to spend evenings near Big Ben - unless the area has changed a lot in the last 3 years.

well, nyt, the OP hasn't explained that, but s/he does say this:

I wanted to be close to south bank of bigben area so that I can spend some time there in evenings.>>

and i think that it's a safe bet that there are more things that are likely to interest the average tourist around the Westminster area, than there are in Shoreditch.

"know that I'm late to the party - but not sure why someone would want to spend evenings near Big Ben - unless the area has changed a lot in the last 3 years.


I maybe wouldn't take things quite that literally - standing under Big Ben every night.

But why in the evenings 'near' Big Ben? well - to see Big Ben/Parliament/Trafalgar Sq/The Eye lit up. To visit pubs on the south bank. Evensong at Westminster Abbey. A walk along either embankment. The National Gallery late opening . . .

nakuls83: I was really only answering about transport in Shoreditch. There is nothing wrong about staying there. I've never stayed in the area myself but have been to the nearby Geffrye museum many times and eaten at several restaurant thereabouts.

Would it be my first choice - nope. Would I be comfortable staying there if I got a REALLY good deal - sure.

You'd be able to get all over -but it will take longer than if you stayed more central. Just how good a deal are you getting?

Thanks all for so many useful comments. Yes, Crown Plaza name is a catch as I have stayed in few of their hotels and had good experiences. If I see the deal, whatever cost I am paying for a regular 3* hotel is the same of what I am paying for 4* Crown @ Shoreditch. I will once again try to locate if something is there at Blackfriars. I am getting 3* chain hotels like Premier Inn, etc. at similar cost in South bank district but the reviews about them are not so great.

Premier Inns generally get very good reviews and IMO are the best of the the "chain/budget" hotels brands. I've stayed in a couple of Premier Inns; basic rooms with very comfortable beds. They have rooms from £29, an absolute bargain for two people.

Don't be too seduced by the 4*/3* issue - the difference is the range of services on offer, many of which you'll never use.

The South Bank or Blackfriars are more central than Shoreditch, but if you're happy with Shoredith then that's OK too. I've stayed in that area and found buses handier than the Tube.

We use premier inns a lot. Absolutely nothing wrong with them...they are cheap, and basic with no charm but for the price they can't be beat. Always found them to have nice clean rooms, good beds and large rooms. The premier inn at bankside is in a fantastic location.

http://www.premierinn.com/en/hotel/SOUANC/london-southwark-borough-market

http://www.travelodge.co.uk/hotels/book/london-hotels

Travel Lodges are similar to Premier Inns and IMO are a great bargain and are all over London - the one near Covent Garden is in a great location and gets good reviews - some early bird specials and occasionally really cheap rooms.

Thanks a lot friends.

Hello Friends - Could you please advise a little about 2 for 1 London which is attached with Railway tickets. I saw many fascinating 50% cost cutting using this 2 for 1 option. As I am already travelling by Railways, I believe it should be applicable in my case also. Basically, I am thinking of buying London Eye, some cruise, a brief city tour and couple of galleries & exhibitions.
Your comments/suggestions are invited.
Thanks in advance

"Basically, I am thinking of buying London Eye, some cruise, a brief city tour and couple of galleries & exhibitions."

You don't 'buy' the 2for1's. Go to the Days Out website and printout the vouchers for the sites you want to visit. Then present the voucher and show your train tickets at each attraction in London. They will only charge for one of you.

Thanks janisj. One more question, I know its a bit funny but do they allow many attractions to be chosen or its only one attraction when I show one train ticket (to London) for the two of us. I mean is it possible to show the same ticket to various attractions and get half the cost for both of us.

Janisj is probably asleep right now given the time difference, but I can answer. You can use as many 2for1 deals as you like on any given day, provided you have a pre-printed voucher for each and valid rail tickets for BOTH of you. IME, they usually, but don't always, ask to see the rail tickets at the attraction you're visiting.

yup - was asleep then (barely awake now )

Gordon_R has explained it. As long as you have a valid train ticket covering the day(s),you can use as many 2for1's as you'd like.

If you have a round trip train ticket - say into London on a Friday and out on the following Thursday - then you are covered for the whole time.

But if you have a one-way ticket you are only covered for that specific day. (If that's the case, the way to get around it is to buy a paper travel card in a train station to use for the tube/buses and to get the 2for1's)

Thanks Gordon and Janisj. I got it - I can take a few prints of the same train ticket and have some selected 2for1 pre-printed vouchers [both printed from my office printer]. I heard that they keep the train ticket copy so I believe I should carry a few copies of them.

I am travelling one-way, i.e. Edinburgh to London and then staying in London for 4 days before leaving via Heathrow airport. Does that mean I have only that one day when I arrive in London to avail 2for1 offer as I only have a one-way ticket?

"I can take a few prints of the same train ticket"

No - you use the actual ticket -- not copies.

"I am travelling one-way, i.e. Edinburgh to London and then staying in London for 4 days before leaving via Heathrow airport. Does that mean I have only that one day when I arrive in London to avail 2for1 offer as I only have a one-way ticket?"

Yes -- EXCEPT that you can get around that by buying daily travel cards in any train station to use on the tube and buses AND to get the 2for1's

(Or - to simplify things a little you can buy one weekly travelcard in a train station. The break even point on a 7-day travel card is generally just over 4 days)

Thanks janisj.

I heard that they keep the train ticket copy so I believe I should carry a few copies of them

No they don't keep them. Think about it - if they took your ticket (or at least the return portion) - how would you be able to complete your journey back on the train?

(Or - to simplify things a little you can buy one weekly travelcard in a train station. The break even point on a 7-day travel card is generally just over 4 days)>

Or I assume but not sure you can buy a paper train ticket from Paddington to Heathrow - Heathrow Connect if not more pricey Heathrow Express, which however is the fastest most comfy way to the aiport IME.

Q - does a paper ticket on Heathrow Connect or Express to airport then give you 2 for 1 rights until you leave London?

Folks coming in could buy a return ticket and get 2 for 1 the whole London stay - this I believe is true with Gatwick trains but not sure Heathrow - assume but anyone know for sure?

Thanks ahead of time.

PQ: "Or I assume but not sure you can buy a paper train ticket from Paddington to Heathrow - Heathrow Connect if not more pricey Heathrow Express, which however is the fastest most comfy way to the aiport IME.

Q - does a paper ticket on Heathrow Connect or Express to airport then give you 2 for 1 rights until you leave London?"

Unfortunately that is just confusing things for the OP. Neither the HEX or Connect qualify for the 2for1's.