Last Minute London Apt - Need Help Deciding
 

We had rented an apt in Covent Garden but we can no longer afford it. Our two options now are a 1 bedroom near the Monument tube stop (post code Ec3r 8dr) or a 2 bedroom in S. Kensington/Earl's Court (?) (post code SW7 4NN). I know both are not necessarily ideal locations, but they are all we can afford. This is our 1st trip there and we want to do the usual touristy stuff. Thank you.

Other factors include:
1. we are planning to make several partial day trips to the NE part of the city (zone 4, off the central Red line) so in that case, the Monument apt seems better located.
2. Since we have 2 little ones, a 2 bedroom apt will be useful, hence the draw to the S. Ken apt.

There will also be days when only my husband will be away (in zone 4), so it will just be myself and the 2 kids. Which location is better for me to roam with the girls, walk around, find something to eat, go shopping, etc? I have no idea. It seems the Monument apt may be closer to most of the sights we want to visit (except for Buckingham Palace and the Natural History Museum), but I am afraid of the location being too business/financial district oriented, where all the restaurants and shops close down after business hours. Is that a correct or incorrect assumption?

The one by Monument (the post code you gave is for Monument station - what is the apartment PC? Or is it literally right above Monument station?) is definitely in the financial district and would be quiet after the evening rush hour with alot of the small take away restaurants closing late afternoon. Sit-down places will be open, but could be filled with business people. That could be a good thing, but with 2 kids probably not ideal. Not to mention that location is SUPER busy from about 7:30 - 9:30, 11:30 - 2:00 and 4:30 - 7:00 as most everyone that works in the financial centre goes through that station (monument and bank stations are connected). Also a lot of traffic throughout the day.

In saying that - it should be quiet at night for sleeping and is very convenient for the Central Line (red line) and NE London and most sites. Many tube lines go through Bank/Monument so its easy to get to most sites from there.


I am not as familiar with the other location, but I think a lot of fodorites recommend the Gloucester Rd/S. Ken location and I think it would be more family friendly.

I hope this helps!

Thanks. Yes, it does help. Apparently, the apartment is Octave House in Botoloph Alley (between Botolph Lane and Lovatt Lane). http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/england/E3078.htm

The other apartment is at 5 ROSARY GARDENS SOUTH KENSINGTON SW7 4NN

The Botolph Alley place will be as jamikins describes, but not exactly overburdened with through traffic at any time, but as you suppose it will seem very quiet at night and over the weekend. But there is a Tesco Express supermarket nearby for catering in the apartment.

For wandering with children in the hope of seeing something interesting, not so much: it's the historic mediaeval City, but it's more of an adult interest to tease out the interesting bits, which tend to be hidden vestiges. On the other hand, it's also right on the 15 bus route, which runs past several of the main sights, and the Tower is almost within walking distance.
Bus map:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaro...ument-2175.pdf

Rosary Gardens is in a posh and much more residential area, with plenty of tourists, and much more the area for shopping and restaurants (but you'd still have to get buses to the parks, South Kensington museums, etc). The added journey time for your Central Line trips is, say, about 15-20 minutes on the tube.
Bus map: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/gettingaro...road-10907.pdf

Thank you for that bus map! Very helpful.

Another question - would either area be less expensive than the other (groceries, eating out), or are they about the same? Sorry if that's a dumb question.

Not a dumb question. The first one will have cheap take-aways and sandwich shops open during the week for lunches, but mainly only sit-down restaurants open after about 5pm. Many of these catering to City Professionals so may be too formal or pricey for a young family. Almost everything is closed on the weekends, including pubs. Most pubs will be busy during the later part of the week after work until about 8pm, especially Thurs so it will be difficult to find places to sit.

But it is close to London Bridge giving you access across the river to lots of vibrant pubs and restaurants along the Thames, and Borough Market Thurs - Sat http://www.boroughmarket.org.uk/ (best visited Thurs or Fri as it is VERY busy on the weekend).

Also one stop on the central line will get you to Liverpool St with lots of pubs and restaurants open all the time and Spitalfield Market: http://www.spitalfields.co.uk/

S. Ken will have much more open on the evenings and weekends and lots of variety.

Also, just a footnote - many City pubs would not be a place to take children in the evening. They might not be serving food and may well be rammed with people drinking off the frustrations/celebrating the successes of a hard day's wheeler-dealing.

Meant to add - it's up to the pub landlord/manager who they allow on their premises. If they're not also selling food, children under 16 are basically not allowed in.

An update: We decided to go with the Monument/Bank apartment. Thanks for your help.