London - Premier Inn, Day Trip
 

A friend and I will be travelling with a stopover in London for 3 nights. Each of us will have a child with us ages 7 and 9. Neither has been to London and realize there's more than 2 1/2 days of things to see there, but want to stay somewhere inexpensive, convenient and clean. We plan to spend most of our time out and about. I've narrowed it to the Premier Inn locations of County Hall, Blackfriars, and Borough Market. Each of these seem to have their advantages of location and costs are not much different. Knowing very little about getting around or the properties, what advice would anyone have? Interests primarily on History, knowing we'll have to keep the kids interested..:)

Additionally, I've been looking at a day trip and wondering if it's worth trying to see something else close to London to get a broader perspective - something like Hampton Court or Rye, or would the advice be to stay in London with so much to see?

Thanks in advance.

County Inn is at the very heart of tourist London, right by the Big London Eye Ferris wheel, London Aquarium and a short walk from Trafalgar Square - the other two are well down river from this one so if price is no difference County Inn cannot be topped IMO for location.

Everyone will say you should spend all your time in London with that short a time frame but kids will love Hampton Court about as much as anything in London itself (and HC is really a part of London - a short train ride from Waterloo Station which is very close to County Hall - they will enjoy the Maze at HC a lot - don't let them get lost however! You can in season even take a boat to Hampton Court that kids could also love.

County Hall Premier Inn for sure -- I am surprised you can get it for the same-ish rates. It is usually more expensive that the other two. So go for it.

As for Hampton Court Palace -- it is actually in London, you get there by a suburban train. And it is an amazing place -- but I would not plan on it. See what else you are doing and decide after you are in London if you want to devote more than half a day to it or not. Also -- you likely won't want to go there if it is pouring down rain. No need to pre-book. You are staying literally across the street from Waterloo station which is what you want for HCP. So wait to decide - and I wouldn't even consider going farther like to Rye, etc.

Thanks for the input - booked County Hall.

I'm intrigued by the Hampton Court idea even more after realizing it's that close. Any other suggestions for "must see"?

There are many more musts for families than you have time for -- your short list should probably include as many of the following as you can manage (probably only a few in 2.5 days -- especially if you/they are jet lagged):

• The Tower of London (an absolute must - an will take 3-4 hours by itself)
• The Natural History Museum
• The British Museum
• Watching the buskers in Covent Garden
• Westminster Abbey or St Paul's Cathedral
• A river boat ride on the Thames and/or boating on the Serpentine in Hyde Park.
• A musical or play
• the London Transport Museum
• A ride on a double decker bus (not the H-o-H-o tours -- just a regular double decker bus)
• A ride in a London taxi (kids I've taken to London think they are neat -- especially the jump seats)
• Possibly the Eye (you are staying right next door)

There are tons of others - but these are all family friendly

to me is London Eye is one of the best things you can do to orientate yourselves to London as places of interest are marked out on the cabin windows as you circle - a huge Ferris Wheel kids will especially love - I'd put that at #1 - boom first thing to do and right by your hotel.

Thanks for the info!

There are plenty of suggestions at

http://www.timeout.com/london/kids