no, probably not that important, but thanks for the info.

The brass rubbing table in the crypt of St. Martin-in-the-Field was a lovely, calm space the day I visited--though it was a mid-morning on a weekday. Not sure what it's like other times--the table space was somewhat limited. I'd visited the cafe for a snack and saw only one mature couple creating their art and thought I'd like to do that myself. Would be a nice, inexpensive keepsake to frame, but for carrying home, you may want to pack a small mailing tube to roll your paper into. Or a stayflat envelope, but then you'd need to be sure your paper is on the smaller side. The difficult part will be choosing which brass plate to choose, so the girls may want to think about that beforehand. A mailing tube that fits in your suitcase or carryon is a good idea in general. I'm always picking up papers that I don't want to crease. The V&A and other places sell lots of pretty prints.

Ask your grands if they’d be interested in walking under the Thames - a quick ten minutes and you’re in Greenwich anyway.
Google “Greenwich foot tunnel.”

yes, i think they would be good with that.
So, I am working on a hotel now. I was looking in Bloomsbury because that was a recommended area. I am finding many of the hotels only have rooms that will allow three persons. That is not going to work great for us. I see a Holiday Inn near the British Museum, which could be a possibility. It is being remodeled, so will be noisy. More than likely I would love any suggestions and certainly would consider other areas. Thanks so much.

I would take a look at Citadines. They are an aparthotel group that have a property in Holborn (adjacent to Holborn) Its a while ago now, but occasionally stayed there when I worked out of an office in Holborn and lived out of town and had to stay over when working late. Has teh added attraction of some self catering facilities. If you are up for considering a different area, then they also have a property close to Trafalgar Square which is arguably even more convenient for getting around town.

I would definitely be agreeable to staying at a different area. I originally found something on the south side of the Thames from Westminster. I don't expect that we will be at the hotel much and I'm very doubtful that we will be out very late. So, convenient to the sites and some restaurants in the area for the evening would be ideal.

I did just find a Premier Inn in Holburn area, 27-29 Red lion st. I have not booked it, wanted to see what you thought of that area.

We stayed at the Hoxton Holborn 4 or 5 times and like the area. Around the corner was the Travellodge Convent Garden that might work for your group.

OK -- Holburn is essentially Bloomsbury -- they are immediately adjacent.

Re Premier Inns. They will allow up to two children in a room with parents -- however the ages have to be UNDER 16. They are very strict about that including requiring proof of age. So the 17 yo could complicate things.

The Holborn Citadines would be more expensive -- but they have larger units so you'd need fewer rooms.

OH -- didn't see macdogmom's post. Be sure to read all the small print - Not sure about the Hoxton but TravelLodge will have similar age rules to the Premier INNs

Yes, the 17-year-old creates a challenge. Actually several places I've looked at. They have a maximum of only three people in the room. I just booked a Holiday Inn Bloomsbury on Coram Street. It is being renovated so could be a bit noisy. I can cancel it until two days before so I'm going to continue to look and will appreciate any other advice. Any thoughts on this room? The other location that I had looked at a week or so ago was the Park Plaza at Westminster Bridge. What do you think between the two locations?

I can make the premier Inn at Holburn work. One room would have the two adults with two children, the second room would have two adults with one child (my daughter, the 17 year old and the 14 year old, both boys) and the third room would have two adults and one child. (my husband an I and 1 granddaughter, 15 years old). With that said, what do you think between that? It does not seem possible, but the premier Inn is about £1600 less.

$1600 is a lot of money but really only $160 per person difference. Between the HI and the PI the rooms are actually quite similar. The HI is slightly nicer and has a bit more amenities. If the budget is at all important tough the Premier Inn would seem a no brainer. (BTW the Premier Inn County Hall very near the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge would probably cost hundreds more than the Holborn PI)

I've stayed close to both your choices. The Holiday Inn is slightly better location wise, closer to the tube, opposite the Brunswick Centre with a big Waitrose and some shops/cafes. But for such a big saving, go with the cheaper hotel. I guess you've had a good look at reviews?

how did you find local guide? Sorry but I can't remember who had done this and made the suggestion.

You might have already booked your London accommodation but if still looking - the Tavistock Hotel in Bloomsbury has triple and quad rooms. I stayed there last year and the room was small and plain, but clean. Breakfast was good. The hotel is large and impersonal but in a good location, it is part of the Imperial Hotels group which has other London hotels. I haven't checked prices.
https://www.imperialhotels.co.uk/hot...ck-hotel/rooms

I have made one reservation, but I'm able to cancel it until the day before. I will look at your other selection, Tavistock, and Bloomsbury. I have been putting together all of the information that each of you have kindly given me about sites to do. I have looked at them on the map and so then we'll decide where we should stay. I am curious why so many of you suggest either Bloomsbury, Holburn, or Trafalgar. Why is the Westminster area not recommended since it is so close to many of the tourist sites?

OK -- when checking 'Westminster' properties you need to carefuly differentiate between the area around Parliament, Westminster Abbey and such -- the area most visitors would consider to be 'Westminster'. But the actual Borough of Westminster covers most of west central London -- Paddington, Regents Park, Hyde Park Knightsbridge, Maida Vale, St John's Wood, Mayfair, Victoria, Pimlico, Covent Garden and many other neighborhoods are all in the Borough of Westminster.

Bloomsbury and Holborn are fine, central-ish places to stay but so are about 20 other equally convenient, central areas. Bloomsbury has a lot of fans, the main draws being the British Museum, a few other sites, and being on the Piccadilly Line in from LHR. St James's, South Kensington, Marylebone, Mayfair, 'Westminster', Covent Garden and other areas also have fans.. No one location is close to more than a handful of major sites. Extensive travel will be required no matter where one stays.

For me, staying close to at least one tube station, preferably two stations with different lines, is crucial. There are sometimes closures on the lines so having another option is good if possible.

The reason why "tourist" Westminster is not so well thought of is that so much of it is government offices, with not so much in the way of nightlife unless you go nearer Victoria or Soho or Covent Garden.