London in February -- suggestions
 

Getting excited about our upcoming trip to London in February...The hubs and I have been to London twice, but this time we're bringing DS17 and DS11, plus our 17-year-old nephew. We're staying in a flat near the Notting Hill Gate tube station and will be there about eight days. On the agenda -- football match between QPR and Reading...

I've been in London in summer and fall. What's February like, weatherwise? If you had to pick one play or musical to see right now, what would it be?

We're thinking of going to Cambridge for the day, as well as Stonehenge. (We've been to Stonehenge, and our sons have, too. But our nephew specifically requested that trip.) Pros/cons of Cambridge? Other suggestions that would appeal especially to teens?

Thanks in advance.

Count on cold and wet and count yourselves lucky if it isn't.

As for Cambridge and Stonehenge -- I'll throw out this suggestion:

I'd maybe 'eat' one night in the flat. Rent a car and visit Stonehenge, drive up to Oxford (very similar the Cambridge and better in some ways), stay the night. You can walk around Oxford one afternoon and the next morning and then either drive back to LHR to drop the car and take the tube back into London . . . or drop the car when you arrive in Oxford and take the train or bus back to London the next day.

You will lose one night you are paying for at the flat but can still be back in London early enough to do something in the late afternoon/evening . . . and the car and a motel on teh outskirts of Oxford probably wouldn't cost as much as paying for five tours to Stonehenge and the train to Cambridge.

This place for instance is right at the Wolvercote park and ride lot so you wouldn't have to deal w/ driving/parking in Oxford. http://www.pumahotels.co.uk/hotels/the-oxford-hotel/

Oh - forgot to mention -- between Stonehenge and Oxford you can visit Avebury too.

The route could be done in either direction . . . London or LHR > Oxford > Avebury > Stonehenge > London or LHR - or - London or LHR > Stonehenge > Avebury > Oxford > London or LHR

Thanks. Can you elaborate a little on the differences between Oxford and Cambridge -- that is, why you prefer one over the other? Just trying to decide...

If you're staying near Notting Hill Gate, there's a nice farmers market on Saturday morning, just behind the Waterstone's. Look for the signs, there's a passage right next to the shop.

Weather in February is hard to predict, but probably cold and wet.

Thanks. Can you elaborate a little on the differences between Oxford and Cambridge -- that is, why you prefer one over the other? Just trying to decide...>

You can ask this question to 1000s of folks who have been to both and get about a 50-50 answer - flip a coin - though they are not peas in pods they are similar in the experience and a fantastic experience no matter which one you chose.

If driving like janis suggests then Oggsford would be much better for driving from Stonehenge of course.

Driving was a great suggestion, but we won't be doing that. We don't want to rent a car.

>>Can you elaborate a little on the differences between Oxford and Cambridge -- that is, why you prefer one over the other?<<

The core of the two cities is very VERY similar. Medieval and newer colleges scattered throughout the center - some almost identical architecture since they were built at the same times, a river through the town/colleges, just a very similar experience. Now, Oxford is a much larger city - but the parts a tourist would go is very compact just like Cambridge. Plus Oxford has the (IMO) superior museums.

Cambridge does have the Kings College Chapel, but Oxford has several equally magnificent buildings. Plus if any of the kids are interested, there are the Harry Potter connections in Oxford.

Other than the fact I personally prefer Oxford (Cambridge is very nice too) the main reason I suggested this is Stonehenge and Oxford are both west of London and can make a really great 'two-fer', whereas Cambridge is in the opposite direction.

You'd be able to knock off Stonehenge/Avebury/Oxford in a little over a day and a half.

Just saw your last post -- driving would be best. The guided tours to Stonehenge are VERY expensive and try to squeeze in Windsor and Bath on the same very rushed coach trip.

But if you really don't want to drive (it really is very easy as long as you collect the car at LHR and not in central London) You can take the train to Salisbury, a local tour bus to the Stones and be back in London on the train by late afternoon. In this case, another day I'd do Oxford by train from Paddington or bus from Marble Arch. Much quicker than getting to Cambridge from the Notting Hill area.

I'd prefer Oxford in the winter, Cambridge in the summer. Oxford is a small city with more to see indoors, museums, the covered market, etc. Cambridge is smaller, the university more parklike. In the summer you can punt on the Cam.

Other winter-appropriate sights for the teens kinda depends on their interests. There's a wide variety of museums in London. Boys usually like the Imperial War Museum but it will be closed. The Tower's good for everybody. Maybe the tour of the Globe Theatre would be of interest. You can go up the Eye (pick a clearer day/evening), climb the Monument, St. Paul's dome.

I'm a great fan of London Walks (www.walks.com). Maybe you could let the boys each to choose a walk.

But it all depends on the weather. Everybody needs rain- and windproof jackets, waterproof shoes. And you need to be willing to go out in the rain. But it doesn't rain that hard in London, usually.

Yes chose between which Oxbridge town to go to on such factors as janis suggests - which one is easiest to get to from your locale.

Yes, we love London Walks. Already planning which ones we'll partake of.

Will the Churchill War Rooms be closed? Hubs, DS11 and I did that in 2011, but the older son went shopping instead. However, he and the nephew now have taken a couple history courses and would appreciate this experience.

How about theater? We saw War Horse in London in 2011. I was hoping for The Light Princess but see that it's closing a week before we arrive.

Anything new that's a must-see?

I'm wondering if they'd enjoy a (covered) boat ride up the Thames to Greenwich while you're in London? And a brief (given ages) sojourn to British Museum and V & A (cool and odd artifacts there, if memory serves). Others will mention Hampton Court, Windsor, etc.

Personally I prefer Oxford to Cambridge; both are lovely but just seemed livelier given the brood you're bringing along, and an easy train ride.

We generally take trains everywhere when in the UK but maybe that's why we haven't made it to Stonehenge.

Why would the War Rooms be closed? There opening times are here and they should definitely be open in Feb: http://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/churchi...oms/directions

Highly recommend them!

You can see whats on at www.tkts.co.uk

Have you considered the 2for1 offers at www.daysoutguide.co.uk? Remember these dont work with Oyster cards, but a paper travel ticket bought at a national rail station. Do a search for Oyster here above to get more details.

Some other things they may enjoy:

Tower of London (1/2 day to do this)
Lunch at Borough Market (Thurs or Fri - Sat is horrendously busy)
Spitalfields market
Museum of London - great free museum by St Pauls/Barbican. Very easy for all ages and well done.
Hampton Court Palace (1/2 day to do this)

Hope this helps!

Thanks for the suggestions, jamikins. We've already done much of those, and the kids loved them, especially Museum of London. However, might do that again for the nephew...

I have checked out the theater offerings but just wondered if there's a show that someone feels passionately about --

the Victoria and Albert (V& A) museum is sure to please anyone - eclectic collection such as copies of many famous Greerk and Roman statues and others thru the ages

http://www.vam.ac.uk/

Hmm as for shows, the popular ones right now seem to be Bodyguard and the Book of Mormon. Not sure they would be right for your group though. Wicked is always a great crowd pleaser if they like big splashy musicals. Mousetrap and 39 steps are classics.

I think you'd get a much better experience of Stonehenge by going under your own steam rather than on a rushed tour in a large group; it needs to be seen in the context of the whole surrounding landscape. But you will need to book a timed ticket slot:
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/d...es/stonehenge/

In the past visits to Stonehenge, we took a train to Salisbury and then the bus to Stonehenge. Worked out OK. Last time, my DS11 (who was 9 then) listened to EVERY stop on the audioguide. Took a long time, so we had plenty of time to contemplate the stones. However, it was summer. And still chilly. Can't imagine what it'll feel like on that plain in February, but I know my nephew really wants to go there.

The Mousetrap is a good idea --

Thanks so much for all suggestions.

How long is the bus ride from London to Oxford? Thinking that does sound like a better option than Cambridge, especially since the kiddos love HP.

Is there a reason for bus over train to Oxford?

London Walks does an excellent tour of Stonehenge and Salisbury. They provide all the transportation (train then bus to the stones), a walking tour of the stones. Then transport back to Salisbury and time to eat or shop. Then a walking tour of the cathedral and the magna carta there...then back to London. We always send guests on this tour and they love it.

>>Will the Churchill War Rooms be closed? <<

No -- it is the Imperial War Museum that is closed during your stay. It has been partial closed for quite some time for refurbishment but now it is closing completely til the summer reopening and commemoration of the start of WWII

Here is the Oxford Tube (not a tube but the name of an express bus from central London)

http://www.oxfordtube.com/londontube.aspx . . . And I see it has a stop at Notting Hill Gate tube station so even MORE convenient.

Maybe Charlie & the Chocolate Factory? My 15-year old enjoyed that. I wouldn't advice Book of Mormon if you have an 11-year old with you.

I've seen the Oxford bus at Notting Hill Gate, very convenient indeed.

teens will love the London Dungeon, one of the most popular London attractions - one of the very top paid attractions in spite of its steep price but one place teens will love.

http://www.thedungeons.com/london/en/

No particular reason for bus over train to Oxford, except variety. Just researching all options.

Um. maybe I'm missing something here - but aren;t 17 year olds about to start college? People are talking about them in the same breath as the 11 year old - as if they are little kids and not adults.

As for weather - yes, chilly with some rain (not REALLY cold - or it would be snow) but I have been in Feb when the temps were in the 50s.

If you can rent a car the Stonhenge/Oxford deal would work out much better. We prefer Oxford for the museums - esp Ashmolean - over Cambridge. Both are pretty in nice weather - not so much in midwinter.

The London dungeon ?!?

No, heck no!

Unless you run out of EVERYTHING else to do in and around the city.

You can easily do both Salisbury/Stonehenge via train and bus and Oxford by bus (about 70 minutes) just not both on the same day.

And Salisbury and its great cathedral should not be missed - a short walk from the Salisbury train station. Salisbury also has a nice pedestrian shopping street and neat walks along a small stream south of town into the cow pastures from which the artist who painted the cathedral's visage from here so many times often set up his easel (Constable I think but could be Turner or even someone else).

But do not miss Salisbury and also Old Sarnum on the edge of town - as historic in its own way as Stonehhenge.

http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/d...ies/old-sarum/

The bus to and from Stonehenge I believe passes by Old Sarum - a bout a mile north of Salisbury's centre.

<i>(Constable I think but could be Turner or even someone else).</i>

Constable - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sa...nds_c.1825.jpg

Turner - http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/...he-east-d00668

<i>What's February like, weatherwise? </i>

Grey, damp, miserable is a good bet - but don't be surprised at anything else, UK weather shifts at the speed of a pubescent teenager with ADHD after drinking too much coffee

<i>We're thinking of going to Cambridge for the day</i>

Pick a day that isn't "Grey, damp, miserable" in London as Cambridge is likely to be even greyer, damper and more miserable - complete with a wind that will cut your soul out of you.

<i>If you had to pick one play or musical to see right now, what would it be? </i>

War Horse, Billy Elliot, Matilda.

I bet you would all love One Man Two Guvnors at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. (Once you settle in and realize you can understand the accents.) It's on till March. I'd love to see it again.

www.onemantwoguvnors.com/

alanRow, don't let flanner see your weather forcast, or he'll think you're part of the anti-UK propaganda machine.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

We are not daunted by weather -- we visited Avignon in February 2010 and experienced the Mistral. But we loved it, especially how uncrowded everything was. I like to visit places at less popular times. Plus our kids always have a break around President's Day.

Grey, damp, miserable is a good bet - but don't be surprised at anything else,>

Yes indeedy - one February not long ago the weather for my 10 day stay was perfect, for the season - daffodils and flowers were blooming in all the parks - temps in high 50s and sunny - better than some summer days I have experienced in London.

And during that time London was hopping - it was during the time when French and German schools have long breaks and German and French school groups and families were everywhere - London was really busy which also surprised me - I mean really busy!

London is <i>always</i> really busy . . .

Regarding Salisbury, the view from which Constable painted the cathedral is known as the Water Meadows. There is a short walk through the meadows along the Town Path to the Old Mill. I don't think Turner painted the cathedral from this perspective, but I may be wrong. It's a short walk but very pleasant. You do not follow a stream. One is more likely to see sheep rather than cows in the meadows, and I've even seen llamas. Constable has cattle in his paintings, but I think he was partial to cows. ;)

If visiting the cathedral I'd recommend the Tower Tour. An excellent option for the entire family. The Cathedral Close has much more to offer than the pedestrian shopping street.

London is always really busy . . .>

Well I've been there several times in January and it was not nearly as busy as during those vacation times for Germans and French - though I guess I should say busier than normal in the off-season?

Not sure London even has an off-season anymore. As janisj said,"it's always ... busy" sometimes it's just busier than others. Now 15 or 20 years ago, it would've been different. No longer.

Ask the 17-year-olds to research the plays in the West End. Start by insisting that any show which has played Broadway and may creak into any fair-sized American city on a bus-and-truck tour be downgraded. Instead, look for a distinctly English comedy, or even a Shakespeare production.
And yes, at 17 the pair is likely to be sold a pint in at least half the pubs. Help them by treating them like the adults they are, at least in Europe. The youngest is welcome in pubs too and with luck will find a dog to pet.
Active stuff, like whatever double-decker buses Mayor Boris Johnson has kept running, or the cruise down-river to Greenwich and the flood barrier, may hold the youthful attentions. And the London area has plenty of war museums and relics. Also relics, but still kicking, are any places connected with the Beatles and other music of the Swinging 60s.

>>Start by insisting that any show which has played Broadway and may creak into any fair-sized American city on a bus-and-truck tour be downgraded. Instead, look for a distinctly English comedy, or even a Shakespeare production.<<

Yes! (except my candidate, 1Man2Guv, which played Broadway for a short time to rave reviews.)