7-10 days in England with kid/teen (repost)
Oct 31st, 2016, 05:06 AM
#1
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7-10 days in England with kid/teen (repost)
Hello! I am looking for trip ideas for my little family of 4 (girls ages 10 and 15). I am a bit limited in my dates as my work only permits me to travel between Dec 1st and March 15th. We are not very big on outdoor winter activities but dont mind the cold as we live in New England. My 10 year old loves history (all things harry Potter-ish and greek/roman mythology). My 15 year old loves cities/bright lights and/or the beach so we are looking to incorporate a little of something for both. Hubby and I are looking to get in a bit of history/and bit of landscape and some good food/beer. I am looking for budget friendly travel ideas. After posting in the travel ideas forum it seems that England might be the way to go for us. I am looking to find advice on central accommodations and general getting around while we are there plus must see's as it will be my first time that country as well!
Thanks for any advice and tips you can send my way!
Thanks for any advice and tips you can send my way!
Oct 31st, 2016, 05:37 AM
#2
Ok, lets see
The weather is generally not so good with sudden high pressure weeks when the air chills, the sky turns a watery blue and it becomes chill and sunny. Snow is unusual but wet is very much the norm. London is normally a bit warmer than the rest of the country due to its shear size and urban makeup.
Harry Potter, there is a https://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/plan-...t/getting-here out at Luton which is easy to access from Central London. Also Kings Cross has a place to drop by.
Generally roman stuff is at ankle level throughout the UK but Bath is a train ride away (a full day required) and has a full Roman Bath with added scones and tea.
Greeks, you need to go to the British Museum to see the bits that we bought and brought back, as the Greeks themselves seldom made it this far. See also a fair bit at the VA
Most of the public museums are free which will keep the costs down.
Places to stay, I'd look to rent an appartment, but you can rent family rooms in the yha http://www.yha.org.uk/things-to-do/f.../region/london which are very clean and safe.
Trains you need to read seat61.com to understand the trains.
The London underground is beyond me today but someone will come along with good advice on this. Needless to say the actual use of the thing is dead easy.
This website links up all the public transport http://www.traveline.info/ in the UK but there are loads of apps for London transport that give you real time movements/changes etc.
Bright lights, well Christmas lights may be up into January and the whole shopping experience in the evening can be pretty. London has an extensive theatre area and places to buy deals.
Castles, well start with the Tower (get there early in the am) and then see what else you want to stretch out to. Windsor castle is easy to get to but you might also like a more modern version at Hampton court.
Beaches in winter are for walking the dog. You may find getting to such a place not worth the candle.
The weather is generally not so good with sudden high pressure weeks when the air chills, the sky turns a watery blue and it becomes chill and sunny. Snow is unusual but wet is very much the norm. London is normally a bit warmer than the rest of the country due to its shear size and urban makeup.
Harry Potter, there is a https://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/plan-...t/getting-here out at Luton which is easy to access from Central London. Also Kings Cross has a place to drop by.
Generally roman stuff is at ankle level throughout the UK but Bath is a train ride away (a full day required) and has a full Roman Bath with added scones and tea.
Greeks, you need to go to the British Museum to see the bits that we bought and brought back, as the Greeks themselves seldom made it this far. See also a fair bit at the VA
Most of the public museums are free which will keep the costs down.
Places to stay, I'd look to rent an appartment, but you can rent family rooms in the yha http://www.yha.org.uk/things-to-do/f.../region/london which are very clean and safe.
Trains you need to read seat61.com to understand the trains.
The London underground is beyond me today but someone will come along with good advice on this. Needless to say the actual use of the thing is dead easy.
This website links up all the public transport http://www.traveline.info/ in the UK but there are loads of apps for London transport that give you real time movements/changes etc.
Bright lights, well Christmas lights may be up into January and the whole shopping experience in the evening can be pretty. London has an extensive theatre area and places to buy deals.
Castles, well start with the Tower (get there early in the am) and then see what else you want to stretch out to. Windsor castle is easy to get to but you might also like a more modern version at Hampton court.
Beaches in winter are for walking the dog. You may find getting to such a place not worth the candle.
Oct 31st, 2016, 06:53 AM
#3
For reference here is the original thread:
http://www.fodors.com/community/trav...th-kidteen.cfm
If possible I would try to visit either a week or so before Christmas, or at the very end of your travel window in mid-march.
Before Christmas you will see all the holiday lights, plus Christmas concerts, Christmas markets/festivals, and Pantos (you <i>must</i> see one). Pantomimes are not what the word means in the States - not charades-ish. They are mostly Fairytales played for satire and slapstick often w/ a famous male comedian/personality playing the female comedy lead (think Cinderella's Stepmother/step sisters)
If you travel in March -- the days will be longer and there is a 'chance' for nicer weather.
http://www.fodors.com/community/trav...th-kidteen.cfm
If possible I would try to visit either a week or so before Christmas, or at the very end of your travel window in mid-march.
Before Christmas you will see all the holiday lights, plus Christmas concerts, Christmas markets/festivals, and Pantos (you <i>must</i> see one). Pantomimes are not what the word means in the States - not charades-ish. They are mostly Fairytales played for satire and slapstick often w/ a famous male comedian/personality playing the female comedy lead (think Cinderella's Stepmother/step sisters)
If you travel in March -- the days will be longer and there is a 'chance' for nicer weather.
Oct 31st, 2016, 07:09 AM
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The phrase "budget-friendly" is meaningless. Speak in terms of a nightly lodging budget in dollars or pounds.
And central where? You haven't even stated what city you want to visit. Everyone is assuming it's London, which is the obvious choice, but clarify.
And central where? You haven't even stated what city you want to visit. Everyone is assuming it's London, which is the obvious choice, but clarify.
Oct 31st, 2016, 08:46 AM
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Good point @BigRuss, I am thinking London (as that is where most of the suggestions are coming in for) with maybe a day or an overnight trip out somewhere. The WB studios for Harry Potter looks like its worth it also. Trying to stay around $5k USD for a family of 4 for our holiday.
Oct 31st, 2016, 09:21 AM
#6
>> $5k USD for a family of 4 for our holiday.<<
If that includes airfare I don't think it is possible. Even if you found dirt cheap fares - that would only leave maybe $2500 for everything else. If you stayed a week (which means a 9 day trip in total) you'd have to manage on about $85 or $90/around £70 per person per day all in.
Your HP tour alone would eat up a full days budget by the time you factor in the train fare and food.
And I did just check and the WB studio tour is entirely sold out for December
If that includes airfare I don't think it is possible. Even if you found dirt cheap fares - that would only leave maybe $2500 for everything else. If you stayed a week (which means a 9 day trip in total) you'd have to manage on about $85 or $90/around £70 per person per day all in.
Your HP tour alone would eat up a full days budget by the time you factor in the train fare and food.
And I did just check and the WB studio tour is entirely sold out for December
Oct 31st, 2016, 11:52 AM
#7
meant to add - no guarantees but airfares will likely be lower from mid Jan through mid March so that could stretch your budget a bit.
It seems because the £ is so low vs the $ that <i>everyone</i> and their cousin is visiting the UK, making flights very full w/ few bargains. But if you are flexible you might find a deal.
It seems because the £ is so low vs the $ that <i>everyone</i> and their cousin is visiting the UK, making flights very full w/ few bargains. But if you are flexible you might find a deal.
