dwd - are you talking about London? I lived in London for many years and still spend a month or more there every year - I think that advice is completely over the top.
Can I ask where you are from?

dwd's advice isn't for London, it's general.

But I've carried a wallet in my front pocket in pickpocket havens like Florence, Madrid, Paris and Barcelona without incident. In Barcelona, we had two small distractions who look like my wife running about in our vicinity and still no problems. I wear the "do not F--- with me" face when needed, but I'm also a man who is far thicker than the average European.

Sorry - have been to London at least 20 times - several traveling alone after a meeting or congress - and the city is VERY safe - as long as you don't wander into unpleasant neighborhoods (off the tourist trail).

Carrying a purse is absolutely fine - I have never had a problem (just as I have never had living in NYC for more than 30 years).

The couple of notes that make sense are:

Do NOT stand around looking confused. If you need to reorient yourself get to the side of a building - or into a shop or cafe - and pull out your map or guidebook there.

Always walk briskly and as if you know where you are going.

Be aware that the tube has very limited hours (I believe stops even before midnight) - so after a show and a snack or drink you may have to taxi back to hotel.

Do NOT carry a back pack - besides being a PIA it's the easiest thing to steal something out of.

And naturally avoid deserted streets and don't give anyone the opportunity to roofie a drink (but it doesn't sound like you will be in a lot of bars/pubs alone late at night).

All-- sorry if you thought my comments--which were prefaced, by the way, with a statement that London is safe and you'll probably be fine--were over the top or unnecessary or hysterical. Must be because of my inclination as a lawyer is to write that way.

zoobiechick says she's a rural, small town dweller. My usual advice would have been (and generally is) "don't do anything you wouldn't do at home but wear a moneybelt" But having grown up in a small town myself, I thought I should expand on it. We're not doing zoobiechick a favor by saying "don't worry about it." She is worried about it--rightfully so--and I'll bet you all were too on your first trip.

I've reread my advice and stand by it. My advice was based on the experiences of my spouse and me and our friends who've traveled all over the world and reported their experiences, and my advice is meant to help someone going alone to a large city for the first time.

My wife had a bag snatched in Rome, one friend of mine had her purse snatched in Barcelona, another a wallet taken on the train from CDG to Paris, and one a day bag taken at Gatwick by a "friendly stranger" while she was waiting with her children for a flight. Ergo, don't carry a shoulder bag or purse, even in London.


Although it's easy to take stuff FROM a backpack, it is next to impossible to TAKE a backpack, and thieves are not going to be interested in making off with an umbrella or a guidebook, etc, while they are willing to snatch a bag or purse to see what's in it--happened to us where the only thing of possible value they got was an old camera.

While the "don't accept eat or drink from a stranger" may seem over the top, and is probably not applicable to London, this happens. Not often perhaps and maybe not ever in London, but why take a chance? It only takes one incident like that to ruin your entire life. Don't believe this happens? Read Corriere della Sera.

And if you're saying don't bother to wear a moneybelt, to leave your valuables at home or in the hotel safe, to take the Underground and plan your route in advance, to book hotels near an Underground station--which is really the second thing I look at after the price no matter where we go-- and go ahead and drink too much and stay out too late, well then, we disagree.

BTW I live in Atlanta, where I follow all my advice most of the time (except re the moneybelt).

Don't accept drinks from strangers, don't fall out of a pub drunk in the middle of the night, be aware of your surroundings, don't flash your valuables, don't leave your Iphone on the table - common sense.
Wherever there are large numbers of people, there will be pickpockets and thieves.
But telling someone who is going to London with her family, about gangs raping women on trains in Italy and Peru - how is that helpful?

Well everyone I know carries some sort of purse/bag in London every single day, and the only ones who have had problems are the ones that leave it on the floor or on the back of their chair when in public. My 60+ year old parents use over the body bags for the month they visit every year and they are from a town of 17k people in rural Canada and have no problem keeping it safe. If you dont carry a bag of any kind where do you put your transit pass, wallet, guide book, bottle of water, camera, maps etc?? Just pay attention to your belongings and dont leave them unattended.

Staying in Dartford really makes no sense and to be honest would be about the last place I would want to stay. Stay in London and do a day trip to Dartford.

London is very safe, especially central London where you will be.

What would you do if you went to New York or LA? Take the same precautions here in London and you should be fine.

Tubes do close early here - shortly after midnight in central London so keep that in mind.

For affordable hotels consider looking for a triple at some of these places (I composed this for a friend a few weeks ago):

There are several great choices at Premier Inn (basic chain hotel, very clean, but no charm in the hotel – we have stayed at this chain many times and really like it) although don’t be tempted by the really cheap ones out of centre!!! The ONLY ones I would recommend are: http://www.premierinn.com/en/london-...|match|e|plid|
o Country Hall – excellent location right on the river from Westminster (Big Ben) and on the same side as the Eye
o Victoria – near to Buckingham Palace and easy transport to Gatwick if you are coming in from there
o Southwark (Borough Market) – in our favourite area of town, if you are coming in from Gatwick take the train to London Bridge and take a taxi as it’s a very short drive but will be a trek with bags over cobblestones etc
o London City (Tower Hill) – on the far eastern side of zone 1-2 right by the Tower. A bit of a trek if you want to see most sites on the western side of the city
• Other good affordable options are Ibis, again ONLY these locations: http://www.ibis.com/gb/booking/hotels-list.shtml
o London Blackfriars – close to Southwark station so a taxi from London Bridge makes sense if you are coming from Gatwick
o London Southwark Rose – again a short taxi ride from London Bridge from the airport
• Or Novatel – ONLY these locations http://www.novotel.com/gb/booking/ho...pMiddleContent
o London Blackfriars – close to the Ibis London Blackfriars
o London Waterloo
o London City South
o London Tower Bridge
• Holiday Inn – ONLY these locations: http://www.holidayinn.com/hotels/us/...d=1935&dp=true
o London – Mayfair
o London – Southwark
o London – Victoria
o London – Oxford Circus
o London – Regent’s Park (Probably not the most convenient for transit)
o London – Bloomsbury
o London – Kensington Forum (great if most sites you want to see are west London)

Hi there:

Wouldn't stay in Dartford (40 mins to London Bridge).

You might however find something within your budget in Greenwich, which is about 10-15 mins by train to London Bridge and is also on the DLR. You can also take the Dartford train from North Greenwich station.

http://www.visitgreenwich.org.uk/

regards

Here's a list of hotels in Greenwich

http://www.visitgreenwich.org.uk/accommodation

Small correction - North Greenwich is not on a train line, it is on the Jubilee Line and is not connected to trains to Dartford. The trains to Dartford leave from Greenwich station.

You are right jamikins :)

Okay, now we're really getting places with the information! Thanks to all for the very specific advice. I don't mean to sound like a bumpkin--I've lived in big cities and traveled to different parts of the world, including living several months in the Paris area and other areas of France. It's just the idea of going alone to a HUGE city in a foreign country where I've never set foot. But hey, I've been to Albuquerque lots of times. What could be more dangerous? (haha) Everywhere I've traveled I've met kind people anxious to be helpful, and I'm sure London would be no different. Even when I forgot my camera on the subway in Paris someone ran after me to return it.

It's very helpful to know what train line would make an easy connection to Dartford, and to know specific areas to stay. The information is definitely helping me to focus in on options. I always use tripadvisor and other sites, btw, and read reviews out the wazoo. Always good advice.

I don't drink. Several problems avoided there. :o)

Maybe I should start a new thread with this next question, but I'll throw it out anyway. Is there any advantage in using either Gatwick or Heathrow? Does it matter?

zoobiechick :

Don't stress: London is a VERY safe city.

Re airports; Identify the best deal possible you can get to either airport. The decision will be based on your airfare, not your limo fare.

Then call justairports.com to get a price on fares to your destination.

>>But hey, I've been to Albuquerque lots of times. What could be more dangerous? (haha)<<

Hey! :-))

Lee Ann, Albuquerque resident

Lee Ann, I wondered if anyone from ABQ would see that. --I'm in the Durango area.

LGW has cheap/fast trains to central London.

LHR has even cheaper but slightly longer tube/Underground to central London.

From LHR a car service like justairports.com is a good alternative - MUCH cheaper than a taxi, but more than the Tube. It would be door-to-door w/o having to schlepp luggage at all.

From LGW, a car service doesn't make as much sense - LGW is 30 miles south of London and a car takes forever and costs a LOT.

So - just take whichever airport gets you the best connections/fare/schedule. Once you get your flights and hotel booked, we can help you w/ the best way to get in from the airport.

Janisj suggested Travelodge. I highly recommend them. Three of us stayed in family room/triple room - son was 17. No problems booking. Ours was at Waterloo - great location as close to station, Old Vic, Covent Garden, Globe theatre, Trafalgar square. We paid $AUD160 for 4 nights total in February 2013. Obviously very good special with advance purchase. Wouldn't hesitate to return

i stayed at the millennium bailey's last fall and it was quite nice and cost about u.s. $125 for 2 adults with big breakfast. travelzoo has a special on this hotel every several months... with an upgrade if you book quickly. (we got an upgrade and the room was huge.) however, they are having a special right now and the price is quite a bit higher at u.s. $150 and a little higher with breakfast. (119gbp) but check in from time to time... and you may pick up a special. even the celtic hotel (which we love-- but no sort of luxury) is showing 120 gbp for a triple with a bathroom.

what i like about both of these hotels is that they are both within 1 minute walk to the tube. (millennium is literally across the street from a tube cross-section so you can go most places from there without transfer. this is something i would look for-- there were so many times when travelling that i felt i just couldn't walk another step as i exited the tube.

if you are serious about keeping the $100 u.s. limit, definitely try airbnb as suggested above. i really scoured london for cheap options last year and $100 gbp is about as low as it goes for a great neighborhood stay. we have had really good luck with airbnb... but haven't used it in london.

Thanks Susannah & kawh. I'll look into those options. Having recommendations on lodging that is close to the tube or other transportation without worrying about transfers is extremely helful. Janisj, the airport info is much appreciated.

I'm willing to up the budget a bit for a better location on lodging and will most likely go ahead of the family for a few extra days of personal research. Excited!!!!!

Years ago my local library had a reference book called the London Encyclopaedia. Couldn't check it out so I would go in and read it from time to time. I wanted to learn about what London was like before the Blitz. I found the book has been reissued and can be found on Amazon; it maybe useful to you.

http://www.amazon.com/London-Encyclo...n+encyclopedia

Thanks, scootoir. Will take a look.

Stay at Bed and Breakfast accommodations in London it would be affordable for you. In London you can take help of cab or taxi driver to find the affordable accommodation for you in your desired area.
You can hire a cab or taxi for transport and you can get the help from taxi drivers to fining good B&B or any kind of accommodation where would you like to stay.

I would never hire a taxi to find me a hotel on arrival...I don't know anyone they does that...

I visited London solo (my first solo trip abroad) last fall and stayed above the Fleet River Bakery in a studio apartment run by the woman who owns the building and the bakery. The Bakery is at Lincolns Inn Fields, the largest public square in Central London a one minute walk to the Holburn Station on the Picadilly line. I took the Picadilly Line directly to Holburn Station from Heathrow Airport when I arrived and directly from Holburn to St Pancras Station to catch the Eurostar to Paris. A room at Fleet River Rooms, with one double and a pullout sofa runs 130 pounds for three people and includes a yummy breakfast of anything you want each morming from the bakery below.

In addition to the close proximity of Holburn Station, the studio location is walkable to many interesting sites including Sir John Soames Museum on the square, Seven Stars Pub dating to 1602 (escaped the fire of 1666), the Lincolns Inn Court and the Royal Courts of Justice. I loved the Hidden Pubs of Old London Town Walk with London Walks offered on a Tuesday evening. A highlight was Ye Olde Chesire Cheese pub, rebuilt in 1667 and fairly unchanged since.

http://www.fleetriverbakery.com/bookings.php?navid=4
http://www.walks.com/London_Walks_Ho...ult.aspx#12849
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ye_Olde_Cheshire_Cheese
Ann Marie

Just a caution, the bathrooms are very small at Fleet River Rooms but showers have good pressure and hot water. I was very happy with the great location at an affordable price. The area is filled with university students and professionals such as Solicitors and Barristers as the Royal Courts of Justice and Inns of Court are nearby.
Ann Marie

One more comment, Fleet River Rooms fill very quickly due to the excellent price for the location. Book now or forget it. There is an availability calendar on their website. It appears they also have one king size bed with a pullout sofa and rates have gone to 120 pound plus 15 additional for third person. Read their terms of rental, you pay in full at the time of reservation but the reservation is fully cancel able with 100% refund provided you give a minimum of 14 days notice.
Ann Marie

Hi Zoobiechick,

You wrote: “…my forbears were high-profile Puritans who helped organize the migration from England in 1630 and founded Boston, Mass. I'm trying to reconstruct the England part of the story from the tumultuous 1500s to the 1630s when they left--hence my desire to walk where they walked and see what they saw in any way possible.”

Have you read MAYFLOWER, The Story of Courage, Community, and War by New England author Nathan Philbrick? It is a fabulous read and covers a great deal of info about the Puritan forefathers who took such preparations to sail to Massachusetts in 1620. The narrative takes you through many decades of the Colonial period after the original landing including the barbaric King Philip’s War. Described here:

“The colonists were an unusual group. They consisted of families who sought religious freedom in the New World and were willing to endure the crossing to get it. The goal had begun in Leiden, Holland with a group of English Puritans. They rebelled against the Church of England and left the church, an illegal act in those days. The group was also known as Separatists and they were a radical group. They moved to Holland in 1608, seeking greater religious freedom. In Holland, he religious tolerance that they sought had...”

What is the surname of your Puritan ancestors, may I ask? Also, I love London as a solo traveler – going back in less than two weeks. I hope you find what you are looking for. If not, all the more reason to return…

I second SusannahT's suggestion. We have stayed at Waterloo Travelodge twice. Don't expect anything but the basics (seriously) but great deals if book early enough and it's always been very clean. The location, near Waterloo station and tube, is convenient. Plus tons of buses on Waterloo road. It was worth the effort to figure out London's buses, in addition to tube.

Laurie_ann’s recommendation for the Amateur Historian's Guide to Medieval and Tudor London is spot on. You will enjoy it, but they note that many of the areas/buildings that are referenced are no longer in existence. You might also want to look at the London Encyclopedia.

amwosu, latedaytraveler and others...

Thank you so much for the additional info. I've been following up on all the leads offered here--books, hotels, etc. so please know all suggestions are most helpful and taken seriously.

Annemarie/amwosu, I'll check into the Fleet River suggestion. Sounds intriguing.

latedaytraveler--I haven't read the book you referenced, but will follow up on it. It sounds great. Just FYI, the Puritans and Pilgrims were two different groups to begin with--separatists (Pilgrims, settled Plymouth 1620) and reformers (Puritans, settled Boston/Bay Colony beginning 1630). Won't bore with the details but the Puritan migration was much larger and lasted 10 years give or take, and eventually absorbed the Pilgrim settlement. My family were Puritans, key surnames being Dudley, Bradstreet and Wade.

I've tried to book at the Fleet River Bakery several times - usually months in advance and have never been able to get in. Just took a look at the website for a possible stay in October and it is totally booked solid.

If you are interested in it book immediately. I peeked at next May and there is availability during most of the month - but that may not last long.

I booked at Fleet River a year in advance. It's so popular due to great price at great location.
Ann Marie

<The colonists were an unusual group. They consisted of families who sought religious freedom in the New World and were willing to endure the crossing to get it...>

Controversial I know but isn't it the case that they wanted religious freedom for themselves but not for anyone else? They weren't after a haven of religious tolerance but a place where their religion was THE religion and no other would be tolerated.

Discuss.

Havana, no doubt you're right. I think religious freedom was a largely unknown concept. One was meant to conform whether with the king's or queen's beliefs or with those of the leadership in the colonies.

Hi Zoobiechick,

Thank you for your reply. Yes, I know the distinctions between the Pilgrims who landed in Plymouth and their Puritan brethren who settled the Bay Colony in Boston and environs. I have always lived on the “North Shore” in coastal Massachusetts, many of whose towns were settled in 1630.

You wrote: “My family were Puritans, key surnames being Dudley, Bradstreet and Wade.” Indeed you are in good company. Have you visited the historic areas around Boston or Salem? Have you been to the New England Genealogical Society in Back Bay in Boston? I am sure that you would find a treasure trove of info about these families (probably more than you would want to know.:))

Let us know how you make out in your research in the UK.

Havana128, true those early settlers who braved the new world for religious tolerance were loath to grant that same privilege to others. Hence, so many of them fled to establish their own communities such as Roger Williams who moved on to Providence, Rhode Island.

Interesting stuff…

I checked out the Fleet River rooms and would book today, except I'm not sure when exactly I'll be able to schedule my vacation time. Darn it! Sounds absolutely perfect.

We have to put the Puritans in the context of their time. As mmeperdu said, religious freedom was a concept in its infancy, and was allowed to breed and develop thanks to those brave pioneers who left their homeland and sowed the seeds of rebellion against royal authority in a new land--the seeds their children and grandchildren harvested to fight the Revolutionary War. They also still had the king and his minions breathing down their necks, and had they ventured too far away from the Church of England's practices, he could have withdrawn their patent and shut down the colony. That's one reason they were very worried about detractors. Context is everything.