Choosing Between 3 Lodging Locations in London
 

My family (me, DH, kids ages 14 and 12) are going to London in June 2017. I currently have reservations at an apart hotel in Trafalgar Square, which is fine. But I really do like staying in flats and have these other 2 options:
1. Shepherds Bush Market--very near the market and tube station
2. NottingHill--very near the the Nottinghill Gate Tube Station

Both have the bed configurations I want etc. I am just wondering if the Shepherds Bush location is ok for families--not going out at night really (certainly not past 9 or 10). It has a nice garden. I assume the NOttinghill location would be nice if a bit out of the way????

Then I will have to decide the trade off--nice to be in a flat, in more of a neighborhood vs. a centrally located apart hotel near every tube station necessary.

I would really appreciate your thoughts on the locations of the flats. Thanks!

Notting Hill would be nice -- a bit far/inconvenient to sites but a really nice area.

Trafalgar Sq is central, central, central . . . (why would you not be out in the evenings BTW?)

I wouldn't stay in Shepherds Bush if I was on a mainly sightseeing visit.

I stayed in the Notting Hill area for a number of years and liked it and found it convenient. You'll have the Central Line and Circle/District Line at Notting Hill Gate. Would not stay in Shepards Bush.

As the others said stick with Trafalgar Sq or Notting Hill. We rented a flat in Notting Hill 4 years ago and liked it very much, did not feel out of the way. Lots of shops and restaurants to walk to and found shops your teens might like. Trafalgar Sq is very central and could seem very busy and crowded.

Why on earth would Shepherd's Bush not be "ok for families"? Who do you think lives there?

And why would anyone visit, or live in, a real city and not go out after 9 or 10?

It's London you're visiting. Not some socially divided, gun-crazed, corruptly policed, third world shanty town.

The problem with a location "very near Shepherd's Bush tube" is that it's also very close to a humungous shopping mall, which means it lacks London's characteristic urban - well, Londonesque - vibe. Otherwise, it's merely two minutes further away from most sights than a location "very near NHG tube"

Shepherds Bush is fine for families, but not as nice as Notting Hill.

Trafalgar Square is more central. Notting Hill is more residential, still with lots of shops and restaurants, and easy transport. It's a bit greener and more quiet than Trafalgar Square. If you're in a flat; Notting Hill has some very nice food shops.

As others have said; why on earth would you not be out and about after 9 pm? It's light until very late in June, and in any case, London is quite safe.

Didn't mean to imply there was anything wrong with Shepards Bush. It's fine just a bit further out and with a little less London vibe as flanner put it.

>>It's light until very late in June, and in any case, London is quite safe.<<

I can't imagine being in for the night by 9 PM even in winter -- but in June when the sun doesn't set til 9:30 . . .

Depending on how near "very near" is, you might be right on top of a busy traffic artery or in a pleasant enough residential side street, in both Notting Hill and Shepherd's Bush.

If the Shepherd's Bush place has a nice garden, it might well be the second possibility. You'd need to check out the exact location on Google Streetview (never rely on someone else's idea of a generic neighbourhood, get the postcode).

But I don't see why you need worry about being out at night with the family: there might always be the odd noisy drunk or strange person hanging around any main road or tube station, but muggings and pickpocketing aren't that common in any of these locations.

Thanks for the input on locations. The Shepherd's Bush flat seems to be between A3220 and Ariel Way. the location looks busy, the garden pix look nice-maybe they abut the rail/trolley line?? The Nottinghill Flat is on Chepstow Villas between Ledbury Road and A4206.

We will be in by 9:00 pm because we will be going to bed at 10 pm so we can be sight seeing by 9am ish. We have children with us, we can't exactly go clubbing. Unless there are sight seeing opportunities at 10 pm???? That's fine if it is still light--we are from a northern latitude and used to that.

As for thinking areas are horrifically unsafe--no that wasn't my point. Last year we went to New Orleans as a couple and were advised by various sources to avoid quiet side streets in the French Quarter after 10:00 pm because there had been a rise in muggings. And no, I don't want to somewhere with a bar heavy scene. I need more food shops and a coffee place etc. Things that families with kids who are always hungry need :-)

Chepstow Villas definitely - very nice street. Quiet yet central, and lots of good food shops nearby.
Ariel Way is at the back of Westfield. Lots of construction going on there, with the expansion of Westfield.

Let me know if you book the Chepstow Villas flat, I can give you some info on local shops.

There's no need to go clubbing, but you can still walk around the area, come back from theatre or a restaurant, go to the cinema (Electric Cinema nearby is wonderful). If you come from the US, you'll be wide awake in the evening, the first few days anyway.

>>we can't exactly go clubbing. Unless there are sight seeing opportunities at 10 pm???? <<

I don't think anyone envisioned you clubbing. The Ceremony of the Keys ends at 10PM, several museums and galleries are open until 9PM one night each week, the Eye runs late, theatre and concerts usually end around 10:30-ish. Walking around places like Covent Garden or Trafalgar Square or the South Bank is fun. Sure hope you are planning some night time activities.

Why is it anyone's business if someone doesn't go out after 9 or 10 on vacation or at home? I often don't go out after that time, either. I don't find it unusual at all. Some people don't want to be out that late at night, particularly if you've been on the go all day and can be tired, and if you get up early, like I do.

Typical totally unnecessary and unsoliticed Fodors advice.

It's just friendly advice. I think this is Stantonhyde's first visit to London. He/she perhaps doesn't realise that there are lots of people about in the evening, some activities and sites are open in the evenings.

In any case, Chepstow Villas will be much quiter than Trafalgar Square at 10 pm, if you want an early night. It is a residential street.

Christina, everything annoys you. The OP actually asked if there were any sightseeing opportunities in the evenings and I provided a short list . . . OK with you?

I went for the Notting Hill flat and hoping for the best!!! Thanks for your input. I will probably be back once I know the exact address to get ideas for food stores etc. Thanks so much!!

Good choice!

>>And why would anyone visit, or live in, a real city and not go out after 9 or 10?<<

Those people probably have kids!!!!!

We were in Chicago a few weeks ago and were in by 9 pm each night. We'll be in London in a few months and the same deal. Why? Our 6 year old will be with us. If he doesn't get his 10-11 hours of sleep, we all suffer. Small price to pay to enjoy the great cities of the world. :)

Have a great trip, StantonHyde!

StantonHyde, I think you will like that area. We especially liked the Daylesford Farm shop on Westbourne Grove. Great tea and toast along with a grocery shop. A bit expensive but a lovely treat.

ttt

Do try to go to at least one play in London. There are so many options, and it's a wonderful experience for the whole family. Playgoing in the evening leaves the day for sightseeing. And the Tube is safe at night.

I can't help you with a choice of show, but, maybe closer to the date, others can suggest possibilities.

LMGSONIC: But you were traveling w/ a 6 yo. Huge (massive) difference between that and the OP's teen/tween children.

There is just so much fun stuff to do in the evenings in London. Sure, the family will likely want to be in and relaxing early a night or two. Heavy duty sightseeing can be exhausting. But w/ daylight until nearly 11PM and all of London on their doorstep you can be they will be out and about at least some evenings. Even if it is just to go to the theatre.

>> . . . you can be they will be out and about . . . <<

Should say >> . . . you can be<B>t</B> they will be out and about . . . <<

I will definitely look at some theater as the date gets closer. Otherwise, my kids need sleep--lots of sleep. So do I. But DH is a night person so we will see.

Hi StantonHyde, as it seems that this forum is going to close and move somewhere else, I though I'd give you some tips on the Notting Hill neigborhood now that I can still find this post.

There are so many great places to buy food, if you want to eat in.
There's a (almost) daily food market on Portobello Road - near the Electric Cinema
Food stores on Westbourne Grove; Daylesford Organic (pricey but nice), Carluccio do take-away food. Tavola is an Italian deli towards Chepstow Place.
There's a farmers market on Saturdays just off Notting Hill Gate - behind the Waterstones store.
There's a fantastic butcher on Kensington Park Road (sausages); Provenance. Near there are some excellent Italian restaurants.
Ottolenghi on Ledbury Road.
La Cave a Fromage on Portobello Road for cheese.
Best breakfast at Bill Granger and 202 Westbourne Grove.
Or have breakfast at Gail's on Portobello Road; go early on a Saturday and watch the stalls being set up.
The Electric on Portobello Road for a casual meal.
The Electric Cinema is wonderful; go to the early movie with the kids, get a nice glass of wine and some food and put your feet up.
There are a few small supermarkets on Notting Hill Gate, Planet Organic on Westbourne Grove and a larger Waitrose a bit further along, just past Queensway.

Hope you have a great time!

>>Hi StantonHyde, as it seems that this forum is going to close and move somewhere else, I though I'd give you some tips on the Notting Hill neigborhood now that I can still find this post.<<

All of the old/existing content will still be available -- and the exact layout hasn't even been determined yet AFAIK. The format change won't happen for weeks -- maybe months.

Precisely - your kids are 12 and 14 - not little kids that have to go to be early - who goes to bed at 10 pm anyway - at home or on vacation. Our usual is about midnight for a 7 am wake up.

Tulips--thanks so much for this valuable info!!