gluvscats

Hi. When does the beginning of the off season start? September, October? What is the temperature? Warm? Any suggestions on places to stay that is in the heart of it all? It'll be for my husband and I. We don't want to spend no more than $100.00 night. For those of you who have been there what did you see and do? What was your favorite? Also, anyone know of any gift shops that have cat related items? Thanks.

janis

Well - there really is no "off" season in London. If you mean when are the best airfares - that would normally be from Nov to March except for right at Christmas. You can usually get decent fares in late Sept/Oct. But this year the fares have been REALLY low and may stay down.

Excpet for August don't expect warm weather in London. But August can be really uncomfortable since few places are air conditioned. The best weather is usually May to mid July and Sept to mid October. temps in the 60's and 70's F. But it can be cool and rainy any time.

As for the rest of your questions -- "what did you see and do? What was your favorite?" -- those are too tough to answer unless you do some of the work. There are literally thousands of attractions in and around London. Do a search and read over some of the hundreds of suggestions already on this board, let us know what besides cats interests you.

Charlie41134

Sept/Oct weather is usually mild and very pleasant. Stand Palace is smack in the middle of everything, just off Covent Gardens, 5 minute walk to theater district, close to the tube. It costs 100 pounds (about $160 ... you'll be very hard pressed to find accommodations near the center of things for $100). The Strand has a website and reserverations can be made over the net.
We go to London often and don't have a big budget but stay there all the time.
For your first visit I would recommend seeing all the major sights that all guide books recommend -- Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, Westminster,
Tower of London, etc. If you are interested in the arts, a performance at Shakespeare's Globe is a must, as is a visit to the British Museum.

rhkkmk

hotels are very expensive in london....there are cheaper ones but you will end up in a shoe box, literally...
try asking your airline if they can hook you up with a hotel...they buy so many that often they get great deals... the strand palace is a great location...my in-laws stayed there a few years ago and found it to be very decent...

rhkkmk

england is a dog place, but there are also cat motifs around so you should do fine...do a web search

JudyC

It is possible to stay in central London within your budget;especially off seson. If you check Londontown.com or Laterooms.com,there are 3-4 stars room near Trafalgar Square or South K. for 66 pounds even in May. I have booked through them for as low as 31 pounds at Victoria Thistle in early November.

RichardSpitzer

I leave for London this Sunday. I am staying at Imperial College for 42 pounds a night. The colleges let out their rooms which look very nice and very comfortable when their students are on break, and it is absolutely the cheapest best deal in the most centrally located spots in London. Imperial College is in South Kensington. Check it out.

The_Pixies

It isn't hard to find decent, central accomodation in London for $100/night. We stayed at the Arosfa B and B on Gower street in Bloomsbury and loved it. It was a basic hotel and was very clean. The location was excellent. We were able to walk to the West End for plays and dinner, and the tube connections were very good. There are many other good budget options in Bloomsbury. Check out budget oriented guide books like Let's Go.