London in Spring
 

I just bought my tickets to London for April 2015 for me and my kids, and I dont know if Spring feels like here in the US, so any help would be appreciated. What to wear? Will I need and umbrella? does it rains a lot? What are the best attractions? We will be there from April 12th to the 18th. I am in the planning phase so I will be bothering you a lot :-D
Thanks,
Viri

Dress for chilly and rain.

It may be chilly and rainy or it may be beautiful. So plan for rain but also bring something for warmer weather.

As for what to do, get a good guidebook to London and its environs and see what is there depending on your interests. London has something for just about everyone except surfers.

Could be nice and sunny, could be rainy and chilly, no way to know until a few days before you go.

Get a map, a guidebook, see what the kids and you want to do and come up with an itinerary. And if you need recommendations on places to stay, let us know what budget you have in mind. For 6 days with kids I would go for an appartment rather than a hotel.

I LOVE Fodors, thanks for the prompt replies... in that case I will be bringing umbrellas and layers... Tulips I will be looking for a flat for sure...
I am thinking to spend in between $1000 to $1500 max on a flat rent, if any of you know where are the best more central places to stay, please let me know...
thank you for your help...
Viri

You will always need an umbrella. I think April in London is mild - but that's in comparison to NYC - we can still get snow in end March/early April.

for sights - get a couple of guide books and check them out. London can keep you busy for months and without knowing you or your interests how can we tell you where to go?

The parks and gardens will be beautiful at that time of year.

In the past few years there's been a heat wave and snow.

Ask us in May what the weather will be in April

How fun! Be sure to include your kids' interests in your trip planning. Have them read and figure out things they want to do.

Lee Ann

<< I dont know if Spring feels like here in the US>>

What exactly DOES Spring feel like here in the US considering we live in the third-largest country on earth and have climates ranging from Fairbanks, AK to Honolulu to Miami to Seattle to San Diego to Duluth to northern Maine.

State the following: (1) when in April? There's a difference between early and late. Do not expect 70 degrees (>20C). During the April 2009 London Marathon it hit 65 and runners were dropping from heat exhaustion (not the toughest marathoner lot).

(2) Where do you live? Can't draw a parallel to the US in general because it's about 50X the size of the UK.

(3) Always be prepared for rain. Because: UK.

(4) "where are the best more central places to stay" - you need to get some concept of London. It's the largest city in Western Europe and "central" means different things. From a tourist perspective, you cannot be close to all of London-area sights because there are too many. Do as well as you can. There are TONS of rental flats. In your price range, Fitzrovia, Bloomsbury, South Kensington and St Katharine's Dock may all work.

$1000-$1500 is approx £600-£900 which is not really a lot in London.

You might want to check these out - they are VERY reasonably priced. Next door to the Tower of London. http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~hamlet_uk/

Thank you everybody...BigRuss, I live in Connecticut, and we will be in Londo from April 11th to the 18th...
janisj, yesterday I reserved this beautiful place and if I am not mistaken is very central and in a good area....it cost me only $1277, still in my price range....http://www.tripadvisor.com/VacationR...n_England.html

Thank you all for your help, I am looking at Fodors choice for the sights too...I can't wait for my trip :-)
Viri

That's a decent location. And it's walking distance to Waterloo (Hampton Court, Windsor trains).

I live in Massachusetts, so close to your location and weather, and our several trips to London have been mostly in April due to my husband's work schedule. I find the weather similar to here....sometimes warm enough to carry my jacket, other days rainy and a little cool. I bring a goretex jacket and layers. I also throw a pashsima scarf in my bag. Wrap it around my neck when it is chilly, throw it over my shoulders in restaurants if I have a chill.

Thank you Bette. I will def bring scarfs and a jacket. Thank you for the advice :-)
Viri

I can;t tell exactly where this place is, but you should note:

The apartment is TINY (look at the shower)

It is second floor (US 3rd floor) and doesn't mention an elevator so assume it's stairs.

That flat is in a fun location near the borough market, etc. but I'd never ever book it for four. Tiny bathroom and no space except the kitchen area when the sofa bed is opened. No comfortable seating except for the love seat sized sofa.

IMO too much $$ for the size.

nytraveler thank you, the apartment is listed for 4 but we might be just 3, my two kids and myself. My daughter is 5 so, she can sleep with me, and my son who is 19 on the couch... I was born and raised in a 3rd world country and Im not picky, just need a bathroom and a pillow.... :-)
When I went to Paris I rented a studio on a 5th floor without an elevator.... and I survived it ...he he

janisj thank you.... I just went by the customers reviews and they all were excellent, I just want to have the same experience I had in Paris, I have no problem with walking since I do it all the time in NYC and Boston, I am allergic to public transportation and plan to do it as little as possible ;-)

Sorry but you will definitely need to take public transport in London at least some - or you will be very limited to what you'll be able to see/do. The distances are enormous (major tourist sites are much more spread out than in Paris ). Distances are simply too far for a 5 yo to walk.

But from your info, that flat will be fine.

Unless you are planning to take taxis, you'll have to use some public transport. You could use the bikes, but your daughter is too small for those.
Use the busses rather than the tube - if you avoid rush hour, travelling by bus in London can be pleasant. You'll get stuck in traffic and will take more time to get around London, though.