Question re: apartment rental in London
Nov 19th, 2008, 12:52 PM
#21
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Re: Getting to places listed by Lauratg
<i>Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, British Museum, Changing of the Guard, London Eye</i>
The Lambeth/Vaxuxhall apt is walking distance to Westminster Abbey & London Eye.
Definitley not walking distance to Tower of London, British Museum, Buck Palace.
Eurostar train leaves from ST Pancras, not Waterloo.
Anyway, I agree with janis that there are other neighborhoods that will be more convenient, and I personally would not stay in Lambeth/Vauxhall if I can find something N of the Thames.
There are plenty of neighborhoods that have more tube stations (hence more tube lines) to choose from, and/or with tube stations more close by.
since she and her family are going in March/April, Weather can still be cold'ish. May not be ideal weather to be walking back and forth Lambeth Bridge and/or Vauxhall Bridge.
<i>Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, British Museum, Changing of the Guard, London Eye</i>
The Lambeth/Vaxuxhall apt is walking distance to Westminster Abbey & London Eye.
Definitley not walking distance to Tower of London, British Museum, Buck Palace.
Eurostar train leaves from ST Pancras, not Waterloo.
Anyway, I agree with janis that there are other neighborhoods that will be more convenient, and I personally would not stay in Lambeth/Vauxhall if I can find something N of the Thames.
There are plenty of neighborhoods that have more tube stations (hence more tube lines) to choose from, and/or with tube stations more close by.
since she and her family are going in March/April, Weather can still be cold'ish. May not be ideal weather to be walking back and forth Lambeth Bridge and/or Vauxhall Bridge.
Nov 19th, 2008, 12:59 PM
#22
zeppole: You are a bit confused about access to parts of London from Lambeth/Vauxhall.
Of the things you list - the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, British Museum, Changing of the Guard, London Eye, and taking the train to Belgium, the only one w/i a short-ish walk is the Eye, w/ Westmnister Abbey just a bit farther on the other side of the river.
There are simply no direct tube journeys from Vauxhall to any major tourist attractions. Sure they can get anywhere from there w/ changes - but there are 6 of them traveling together and it would add logistical "issues" just about every day.
Just about anyplace along the Piccadilly line or near Victoria/Sloane Square would be preferable for convenience. If the Albert Embankment flat has amazing views and maybe a balcony - it might be worth the trade off. Otherwise, not, IMO.
Of the things you list - the Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, British Museum, Changing of the Guard, London Eye, and taking the train to Belgium, the only one w/i a short-ish walk is the Eye, w/ Westmnister Abbey just a bit farther on the other side of the river.
There are simply no direct tube journeys from Vauxhall to any major tourist attractions. Sure they can get anywhere from there w/ changes - but there are 6 of them traveling together and it would add logistical "issues" just about every day.
Just about anyplace along the Piccadilly line or near Victoria/Sloane Square would be preferable for convenience. If the Albert Embankment flat has amazing views and maybe a balcony - it might be worth the trade off. Otherwise, not, IMO.
Nov 19th, 2008, 01:07 PM
#23
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forget the Tube as your measure - often the myriad of London buses go from right near your hotel to many sights all over London - you never know the routings until looking at the bus maps
and buses require no plodding down flights of stairs and braving at times too crowded Tubes, etc. See if there are bus lines from Vauxhaul before ruling it out - all in all they could be quicker than the Tube and all involved in it. And up top at least there are almost always six seats empty - not always but not for long and on buses people always are getting off.
And from the top of a London bus you can see a whole lot more than in the Tube. www.tfl.co.uk i believe is the Transport for London site with bus info. That said perhaps Vauxhaul is blackhole for bus service - i don't know but i'd check it out before abandoning it as a convenient base.
and buses require no plodding down flights of stairs and braving at times too crowded Tubes, etc. See if there are bus lines from Vauxhaul before ruling it out - all in all they could be quicker than the Tube and all involved in it. And up top at least there are almost always six seats empty - not always but not for long and on buses people always are getting off.
And from the top of a London bus you can see a whole lot more than in the Tube. www.tfl.co.uk i believe is the Transport for London site with bus info. That said perhaps Vauxhaul is blackhole for bus service - i don't know but i'd check it out before abandoning it as a convenient base.
Nov 19th, 2008, 02:24 PM
#24
the buses are fine - but for longer journeys, the tube is almost always faster. The best strategy for touring London is usually a combination of tube and bus transit. Other things being equal - booking a flat near a good tube station is better than not.
Nov 19th, 2008, 02:43 PM
#25
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Check out www.aplacelikehome.co.uk and also www.londonguestsuites.com
Both have flats that might fit your budget but nail down the exact location. I've found both sites to be helpful with any questions.
Both have flats that might fit your budget but nail down the exact location. I've found both sites to be helpful with any questions.
Nov 19th, 2008, 02:55 PM
#26
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I'm well aware you can't walk to the British Museum or the Tower, but I could certainly walk to the palace, the Abbey, etc. And the Vauxhall tube stop takes you straight to St. Pancras.
It's hard to know what other people's expectations are if they've never visited London, but if they are expecting short-ish walks in nice weather, I defy you to put them anyplace in London that's going to meet those expectations. I agree with PalenQ to check out the bus connections, because the tube is often more tiring for its deceptively long marches to connect between trains, including steep stairs, it's often terribly unpunctual and broken down and lastly -- you don't see anything!
And honestly, surely Lauratg is used to keeping her family of six together -- and the kids are plenty old to not have to tethered to keep in a group.
If "long" distances are the issue, I cannot see suggesting they put themselves further away just because the tube line is arguably better for a few things.
I will toss out that I think there is psychological block about the south bank, that it is somehow further away than it is.
BUT: I encourage Lauratg to look elsewhere as suggested. Why not? But I also encourage her to use Michelin maps interactively online to find out distances. If she and her family are not prepared to walk 30 minutes to get to sights, but would rather walk 3 minutes to a Picadilly line tube stop, up to them.
It isn't the views from the windows I'm recommending. It's just that I wouldn't have any trouble to doing the sightseeing they're interested in from that location. And apart from the British Museum and the Tower of London, I'd be walking.
Another thing somebody might try to them help figure out is, with six people for 9 days, whether the occasional cab ride is not an extravagance compared with overinvesting on public transport cards.
It's hard to know what other people's expectations are if they've never visited London, but if they are expecting short-ish walks in nice weather, I defy you to put them anyplace in London that's going to meet those expectations. I agree with PalenQ to check out the bus connections, because the tube is often more tiring for its deceptively long marches to connect between trains, including steep stairs, it's often terribly unpunctual and broken down and lastly -- you don't see anything!
And honestly, surely Lauratg is used to keeping her family of six together -- and the kids are plenty old to not have to tethered to keep in a group.
If "long" distances are the issue, I cannot see suggesting they put themselves further away just because the tube line is arguably better for a few things.
I will toss out that I think there is psychological block about the south bank, that it is somehow further away than it is.
BUT: I encourage Lauratg to look elsewhere as suggested. Why not? But I also encourage her to use Michelin maps interactively online to find out distances. If she and her family are not prepared to walk 30 minutes to get to sights, but would rather walk 3 minutes to a Picadilly line tube stop, up to them.
It isn't the views from the windows I'm recommending. It's just that I wouldn't have any trouble to doing the sightseeing they're interested in from that location. And apart from the British Museum and the Tower of London, I'd be walking.
Another thing somebody might try to them help figure out is, with six people for 9 days, whether the occasional cab ride is not an extravagance compared with overinvesting on public transport cards.
Nov 19th, 2008, 03:12 PM
#27
"<i>I will toss out that I think there is psychological block about the south bank, that it is somehow further away than it is.</i>"
Not at all - at least not on my part. I've stayed on the southbank several times. But for first timers and especially for a family w/ young kids , I'd recommend a place closer to the "action/sites". And they may want/need to go back to the flat in the middle of the day. (I don't consider the 16 and 18 yo's "kids" and they aren't an issue one way or the other)
And I agree, they will want to take the occasional cab. A London "experience" for sure. But if I remember - you had not been back to London for quite a long time - pre Oyster cards, etc. The 9 yo will travel free on the tube and buses, the 12 yo will travel free on buses and at a discount on the tube, and the 16 yo will have reduced fares on the buses/tube. (they need to order TFL child Oyster photo cards ahead of time)
Not at all - at least not on my part. I've stayed on the southbank several times. But for first timers and especially for a family w/ young kids , I'd recommend a place closer to the "action/sites". And they may want/need to go back to the flat in the middle of the day. (I don't consider the 16 and 18 yo's "kids" and they aren't an issue one way or the other)
And I agree, they will want to take the occasional cab. A London "experience" for sure. But if I remember - you had not been back to London for quite a long time - pre Oyster cards, etc. The 9 yo will travel free on the tube and buses, the 12 yo will travel free on buses and at a discount on the tube, and the 16 yo will have reduced fares on the buses/tube. (they need to order TFL child Oyster photo cards ahead of time)
Nov 19th, 2008, 03:33 PM
#28
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Janis, the last time I was in london was June.
(Just as a side note, when I called up friends upon arrival to see if they were up for a visit, they said sure and then added; "You know to take a cab, right?" What they meant was not to bother with the pokey tube.)
I don't consider this a family with young children. They've got one 9-year old. Good luck to them finding a location that allows them to be tourists in London without having to walk for 30 and 40 minute stretches, and can go back to their apt in the middle of the day. Put them in Holborn next to a tube stop and unless they're willing to change lines, they're going to have to get off and walk 30 minutes to get to what they want to see.
But maybe it's doable! I haven't a dog in this, and I'm glad you love the South Bank, although I have no idea what you mean by "action sites."
Lauratg,
You might find this valuable even if you end up staying elsewhere than Albert Embankment.
http://notfortourists.com/search.asp...p;hoodID=50813
(Just as a side note, when I called up friends upon arrival to see if they were up for a visit, they said sure and then added; "You know to take a cab, right?" What they meant was not to bother with the pokey tube.)
I don't consider this a family with young children. They've got one 9-year old. Good luck to them finding a location that allows them to be tourists in London without having to walk for 30 and 40 minute stretches, and can go back to their apt in the middle of the day. Put them in Holborn next to a tube stop and unless they're willing to change lines, they're going to have to get off and walk 30 minutes to get to what they want to see.
But maybe it's doable! I haven't a dog in this, and I'm glad you love the South Bank, although I have no idea what you mean by "action sites."
Lauratg,
You might find this valuable even if you end up staying elsewhere than Albert Embankment.
http://notfortourists.com/search.asp...p;hoodID=50813
Nov 19th, 2008, 03:35 PM
#29
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http://www.apartmentsw1.com/
Hi Laura, we stayed in 2 of these apartments in Harley St in May 2006. We loved them, they were clean and very spacious. From memory we we daily maid service?? We were a 5 minute walk to a couple of tube stations and not far from Mdm Tussauds(?). Good luck with the search!! Cathie
Hi Laura, we stayed in 2 of these apartments in Harley St in May 2006. We loved them, they were clean and very spacious. From memory we we daily maid service?? We were a 5 minute walk to a couple of tube stations and not far from Mdm Tussauds(?). Good luck with the search!! Cathie
Nov 19th, 2008, 04:37 PM
#30
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This is a great site! I really appreciate everybody's responses-- I particularly like the "on the one hand, but on the other hand" discussions because they point out the pros and the cons. Much much better than a travel guide that gives a one sided viewpoint.
For what its worth, my kids will not whine about walking. They might whine about cold weather -- we live in Orlando-- so walking across the river is an issue that I hadn't really considered, but should. I will check out availablity at some other areas suggested and some of the websites suggested too. All in all, I'm getting the impression that the apartment I'm looking at is not the worst we could do, and not the best either, but definitely acceptable.
The advice about riding buses is helpful. Whenever we visit a large city, I've always studied the subway system, but I've never given much thought to buses. I think this time when I get my maps (already ordered), we'll find the best bus routes to the sites as well as the best tube routes.
The idea of an interactive map site is good too. As soon as I sign off here, I'm going to google it. It seems to be a good planning tool.
Thanks so much again!
Lauratg
For what its worth, my kids will not whine about walking. They might whine about cold weather -- we live in Orlando-- so walking across the river is an issue that I hadn't really considered, but should. I will check out availablity at some other areas suggested and some of the websites suggested too. All in all, I'm getting the impression that the apartment I'm looking at is not the worst we could do, and not the best either, but definitely acceptable.
The advice about riding buses is helpful. Whenever we visit a large city, I've always studied the subway system, but I've never given much thought to buses. I think this time when I get my maps (already ordered), we'll find the best bus routes to the sites as well as the best tube routes.
The idea of an interactive map site is good too. As soon as I sign off here, I'm going to google it. It seems to be a good planning tool.
Thanks so much again!
Lauratg
Nov 19th, 2008, 06:00 PM
#31
Lauratg: If your kids are used to FL weather and are grumpy about cold/wet weather you really should look for a more central place. March/April can be nice-ish or very cold and very wet or anything in between.
zeppole: If those friends advised you to take a cab in from the airport - they screwed you out of at least £25 you would have saved using a car service . . .
zeppole: If those friends advised you to take a cab in from the airport - they screwed you out of at least £25 you would have saved using a car service . . .
Nov 19th, 2008, 06:48 PM
#32
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No, janis, my friends did NOT advise me to take a cab from the airport. They reminded me to take a cab from my hotel to their flat so I wouldn't be waiting forever on a tube platform. But I already knew that.
Londoners, please tell me the time of year when I can go to London and count on not getting hit in the face by cold, wet weather. After having lived there and repeatedly visited in every month of the year, I can't recall what month it is your talking about. What month could I be guaranteed a dry days to cross the Thames? What were the temps this summer?
Lauratg,
One thing that NTF site is good for is showing you where the nearest supermarkets are, which is useful if you are renting a flat. The apartment that cathies linked to is an area that I love and that is dense with marvelous food and shops. But I also love the south bank and the Thames, though it is not so rich in local services. Truth is, any London location is going to leave you slogging half the time to get to your target sightseeting excursions. You might consider picking, not on the basis of nearest-best tube stop, or can-we-walk-if-it's-raining, but on the basis of delightful neighborhood. Marylebone is definitely my pick, and it's hardly "uncentral." Others might have other ideas But there is no such thing as a "central" London location for tourists who want to do more than go to the theater. A lot of people suggesting that you stay someplace "central" may be presuming in interested in tourist sites your family is not interested.
Have a great trip!
Londoners, please tell me the time of year when I can go to London and count on not getting hit in the face by cold, wet weather. After having lived there and repeatedly visited in every month of the year, I can't recall what month it is your talking about. What month could I be guaranteed a dry days to cross the Thames? What were the temps this summer?
Lauratg,
One thing that NTF site is good for is showing you where the nearest supermarkets are, which is useful if you are renting a flat. The apartment that cathies linked to is an area that I love and that is dense with marvelous food and shops. But I also love the south bank and the Thames, though it is not so rich in local services. Truth is, any London location is going to leave you slogging half the time to get to your target sightseeting excursions. You might consider picking, not on the basis of nearest-best tube stop, or can-we-walk-if-it's-raining, but on the basis of delightful neighborhood. Marylebone is definitely my pick, and it's hardly "uncentral." Others might have other ideas But there is no such thing as a "central" London location for tourists who want to do more than go to the theater. A lot of people suggesting that you stay someplace "central" may be presuming in interested in tourist sites your family is not interested.
Have a great trip!
Nov 19th, 2008, 07:30 PM
#33
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"They reminded me to take a cab from my hotel to their flat so I wouldn't be waiting forever on a tube platform. But I already knew that."
What time of night were you doing this? In my several hundred times of using the tube, the only time I ever waited "forever" (meaning more than 5 to 10 minutes) was the time somebody threw himself in front of the train and it didn't run for an hour.
And trust me there is NO month that offers ANY guarantee of weather. Period.
What time of night were you doing this? In my several hundred times of using the tube, the only time I ever waited "forever" (meaning more than 5 to 10 minutes) was the time somebody threw himself in front of the train and it didn't run for an hour.
And trust me there is NO month that offers ANY guarantee of weather. Period.
Nov 20th, 2008, 06:15 AM
#34
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Vauxhaul also has a mainline train station - and if you buy a one-day TravelCard there you will then be able to avail yourselves of the fabulous 2 for 1 entry at many London sites - this requires a rail ticket or TravelCard sold at a train station but NOT a tube office. Another advantage to staying in Vauxhaul perhaps - otherwise to get the 2 for 1 deal you'd first have to take the Tube to a train station to buy the TravelCard - spending at least 1.50 pounds per adult to get there.
If Vauxhaul is not central London then i guess i do not know what central London really is.
If Vauxhaul is not central London then i guess i do not know what central London really is.
Nov 20th, 2008, 06:22 AM
#35
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I am shocked, shocked to my core, to know that Flanneur knows the Queen Anne* and The Royal Vauxhall Tavern**. I'm suprised he didn't mention The Hoist***
CW - seeing Mr F in a whole new light
*strippers
**Drag queens
*** really really don't ask or google.
CW - seeing Mr F in a whole new light
*strippers
**Drag queens
*** really really don't ask or google.
Nov 20th, 2008, 06:31 AM
#37
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I don't think I've ever walked 30-40 mintues in London to GET TO an attraction. Yes, I definitely spent hours walking within an attraction, or if I wanted to do a walking tour of a neighborhood, but the last thing I would want, as a tourist in London, is to walk 30 minutes TO an attraction.
If the Vauxhall/Lambeth apartment is the best price and space Lauratg can find, then I don't see anything wrong with staying there.
However, if there are comparable apartments in areas like Bloomsbury, or Marylebone, or S Kensington, I would choose those first. All those areas have access to more than 1 tube line and/or more than 1 tube station nearby.
I am a huge fan of taking buses in London (if you've read London my trip reports, you'll see that I have recommended it over and over again). But as janis mentioned, buses are not practical if one has to travel long distances or if one is in a rush.
BTW, when I was in London Sept 07, I had great weather for the entire 6 days.
If the Vauxhall/Lambeth apartment is the best price and space Lauratg can find, then I don't see anything wrong with staying there.
However, if there are comparable apartments in areas like Bloomsbury, or Marylebone, or S Kensington, I would choose those first. All those areas have access to more than 1 tube line and/or more than 1 tube station nearby.
I am a huge fan of taking buses in London (if you've read London my trip reports, you'll see that I have recommended it over and over again). But as janis mentioned, buses are not practical if one has to travel long distances or if one is in a rush.
BTW, when I was in London Sept 07, I had great weather for the entire 6 days.
Nov 20th, 2008, 06:43 AM
#39
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One reason i started taking buses more - even though i love the Tube - was a few years ago when the day after riding the Tube a lot they had a huge electrical failure and folks were stuck down there sometimes for hours.
Made me think i'd rather be above ground. And yes buses can snake thru London traffic but for me - on the top deck, hopefully at seats right over the driver i could care how long it takes - every block is a thrill to see.
And buses are cheaper - 4 quid for unlimited bus rides throughout greater London - 3 tube rides cost more than that.
Made me think i'd rather be above ground. And yes buses can snake thru London traffic but for me - on the top deck, hopefully at seats right over the driver i could care how long it takes - every block is a thrill to see.
And buses are cheaper - 4 quid for unlimited bus rides throughout greater London - 3 tube rides cost more than that.
Nov 20th, 2008, 06:48 AM
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<i>And buses are cheaper - 4 quid for unlimited bus rides throughout greater London - 3 tube rides cost more than that.</i>
It's actually £3.50 if you buy a paper bus pass, and only £3 if you use Oyster PAYG for a one-day bus pass.
It's actually £3.50 if you buy a paper bus pass, and only £3 if you use Oyster PAYG for a one-day bus pass.
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