Hello, all.

I am relatively new to this forum (which I'm already addicted to!) and would love to get your input on this.

My husband, my parents and I will be travelling to the UK this September. We are only staying in London for two nights and specifically want to attend Evensong at Westminster Abbey (actually, that is the only thing on our London itinerary this time - we have visited most of the major sites on previous trips, but Dad missed Evensong last time we were in London, so we're going to make sure he gets to go this time!).

I'm looking for a place to stay as close to Westminster Abbey as possible. Price up to GBP110-120 per couple per night (with cheaper being better).

Mom's hips and knees aren't what they used to be, so using the Underground is decidedly difficult. We'll have a rental van (for the rest of our trip, to northern England and Scotland), but would prefer not to do much driving in London itself.

Obviously, we can (and will) use a taxi if necessary, but we'd love to be able to stay right near the Abbey and just walk over for the service.

Any thoughts or suggestions (or places to avoid)? Thanks to this group, I did manage to skip booking what sounded like a great apartment right near the Abbey...it is apparently actually a hugely overrated place, with employees that don't care whether you get your room or not.

My thanks in advance.

Gayle Troy

The Abbey is sort of in the middle of mostly Gov't buildings, Royal palaces/Parks, Businesses. The closest hotels are probably the Marriott (fairly expensive but worth it) and the Travel Inn (relatively inexpensive but very popular so you'd need to book early). Both of these are in County Hall directly across Westminster Bridge from Big Ben, Parliament and W. Abbey. The hotels up near Trafalgar Square and Charing Cross are not that far - but farther than County hall. And over near Victoria would be somewhat longer walks.

I think the Jolly St Ermins Hotel on Caxton Street (St Jame's Park tube) would be a bit closer to the Abbey than the ones in the County Hall. Probably not in your price range, tho.

I agree - the St Ermins Hotel is probably about 200 yards closer to the Abbey. But I think their rates are in the £250 to £300 range. Maybe you could get a special tho'.

Try the City Inn Westminster. The hotel is next to the Tate Britain and is about 10 minutes walk from Westminster Abbey (by my best estimate). It has good reviews on www.tripadvisor.com. I got a room there in June for around 80GBP booked through British Airways holidays www.baholidays.com (this rate was MUCH cheaper than any other site for this hotel).

Thank you, both janis and ron.

You're confirming what I thought from previous visits - there really aren't a lot of places in that exact area. I will look at the ones you suggested, and will try to figure out the best place overall to stay for our short stop in London.

I appreciate your help!

Gayle

And thank you, too, Cer10 - I'll look into that one as well.

G.

Try the:

SANCTUARY HOUSE HOTEL
33 Tothill St., London SW1H 9LA, England
Phone: 020/7799-4044
Fax: 020//7799-3657

It's very near Westminster Abbey. Since it's located in a business area, it's very quiet on weekends. I think it was cheaper on weekends as well. I have stayed there twice and it's very nice but not fancy.

I wasn't aware of the B&B Prairie recommends. That would be the absolutely closest one since Tithill is just across Victoria St from the Abbey.

Sorry, but the City Inn is a lot farther than any of the others mentioned so far.

Just a note about the County Hall Travel Inn. Just made reservations for family of 4 in July. I think it was very reasonably priced - 80 pounds per night. Location looks great.

I can't help you re hotels, but since you're interested in attending Evensong, i thought you might be interested in St. Bartholomew the Great church in Smithfield, which is one of the oldest churches in London, begun in 1123, and holds lovely Evensong service on Sundays at 6:30. Here's the website:
http://www.greatstbarts.com/

I highly recommend this if you can make it.