Westminster or S. Kensington
 

Still planning the London sojourn in March. We have a choice of two apartments. One is in Westminster - a 10 minute walk to Victoria or Pimlico tube stations. The other is in S. Kensington. The former is walking distance to westminster cathedral, buckingham palace etc. The latter to the tube and the great V and A and Hyde Park. We are with our two teenage boys and plan to visit as many sights as we can and also go to Bath and Oxford on day trips.. Given all this, what would you recommend for our week long stay? We will be booking justairports for the trip back to Heathrow for our early morning flight to ORD. Thanks in advance for you suggestions.

see my post on your other thread . . .

South Ken; Westminster's dead at night

Thanks Sheila. The apartment is on the first floor (ground in the uk) and right opposite the SK tube station. Will it be too "lively" :)

To clarify a bit -- The Westminster flat isn't in "Westminster". Well it <i>is</i> officially, but its not in "officialdom Westminster". It is in Pimlico.

Its closer to Chelsea Hospital or Sloane Sq than it is to Parliament or the Home Office.

And what would YOU do in Pimlico in the evening?

South Ken opens, from memory on two sides of a sort of large built on roundabout. The Streets are busy, but it's not likely to be party central.

Had a look at a map. Given your description is right, the first one is fundamentally a residential neighbourhood, so definitely quiet at night

Actually - I don't do that much 'at night' in either S Kens OR Pimlico -- I usually am in the west end at the theatre or or on the Southbank at a concert and afterwards supper and then take the tube 'home'. When I'm in Pimlico -- that usually ends w/ a short walk from the tube station to Goya for drinks (or Tapas if I haven't eaten earlier). When I'm in S Kensington -- the same sort of thing -- a drink in a pub or cafe and home to bed.

But I don't really see where the OP is looking for wild nightlife . . .

Janis - you are right. We are planning to sightsee/ visit London until we drop :) and then take the tube 'home.' I just wanted to make sure there were some places to go to for food in an emergency or for a drink/snack if needed. Looks like there is enough stuff in Pimlico to keep us from starving. Goya sounds like a place to visit for a sense of the neighborhood. Thanks for your help. Sheila - appreciate your point of view.

Curious ...what does OP mean?

Original Poster.

And I still think South Ken is the better option

Thanks Sheila.

Janis - my map says that it is a 22 minute walk from the apartment to Westminster Cathedral. It is about 1.3 miles. That to us is a nice walk. So though I agree we are really in Pimlico looks like some of the 'royal' attractions are within walking distance. And the river 5 minutes away. Am I right? Thanks for your seasoned insights:)

Assuming you mean Westminster Cathedral and not Westminster Abbey (different places) and where exactly it is along St George's, it is only about half a mile from St George's Drive to Westminster Cathedral. The Abbey is another maybe .75 mile farther. Buckingham Palace is maybe a mile's walk at most

The river is quite close - again depending on exactly where on St George's Drive. from the Lupus Street end it is about 2 blocks.

Janis - We are more towards the Lupus St end. Sounds like all the royal sites are within walking distance. Sounds great! I also did searches and as you said, there are many little eateries in the area close by. The Pride of Pimlico will be a definite stop! :)

Thanks

If it matters, there is a 24 hour mini mart just down the road from South Ken tube station and Janet's is open until 4 AM if you need overpriced drinks ;-) I would definitely choose S Ken over Pimlico, no question.