London Travel Forum

I am looking for a quiet hostel in London that welcomes older travelers. On a list of 64 hostels, so far in my checking details it looks like many specify they do not WANT anyone older than 35!!!! And I am an ancient 50 year old!! With slow dial-up internet, I'd appreciate a suggestion on quiet hostels rather than searching each title.... THANKS!!!

I just visited All Saints Parish Church in Kingston-upon-Thames and felt bewildered by its history and somehow I connected with the past of that place.

What I find really sad about London is its tragic history of the Great Fire in the 17th century, the further destruction of old city's layout by king George in the 19th century and the German bombings in the 20th century.

Are there any historical sites left in London? I don't mean the famous historical sited in Westminster or Tower of London where you pay horrendous entrance fees to feel something ancient and spiritual.

Is there anything left?

I would appreciate some tips from the natives of this ancient city.

I want to connect with the local historical past and feel it within my heart.

What day and hour are these book markets open in London or the Southbank. I'm mostly interested in Illustrated books. Nothing to expensive. Thanks,

lurkerm1e

We found a hotel next to the Kings Cross tube which is costing about $300 a night. Any suggestions about any other accomodations that would cost less around the same area or closer to Covent Garden area?

We couldn't get home after the Dolly Parton concert and all the hotels we called were booked, eek. Someone gave us the number of a pub nearby that had rooms to let - 80 pounds a room - up to four people. Ok, it wasn't the Ritz but the beds were clean and comfortable - what a blessing! If anyone gets stuck like us it might be worth a try, it was 15 minutes on a 486 bus from the 02 and the bus stopped almost outside. The pub was called The Woodman, SE7, tel. 0208 317 1531, hope that might be of help to someone.
Ali

Based on the following details I have 2 questions:

1: The Snowdrop bus leaves from Bay 11 at the Stansted Bus Terminal. I have tried to figure out where the bus terminal is but still am not sure. Is it in front of the airport terminal? Are there 2 terminals at Stansted now?

2) Do you agree that a bus service that gets me to W. Kensington, close enough to walk to my apartment, is a good value at 60 GBP for two adults?

I am considering using Snowdrop Travel Service to go from Stansted to my apartment in W. Kensington. The service drops me off near my apartment at Earls Court Station. The apartment is located on Gunterstone Road (near Barons Cour), which I think is within walking distance from Earls Court. I will have 2 backpacks and 2 small suitcases and therefore do not want to try the underground at 6pm. Snowdrop charges 60 GBP for 2 adults RT. They may even drop us off at the apartment.

I calculate 28 GBP for 2 adult RT trip tickets on the Stansted Express, plus
40 GBP RT for a taxi to and from my apartment to Liverpool Street Station. That would be 68 GBP. I don't trust Stansted Express as the last time I visited London they were unable to get me back to the airport. I had to transfer to a bus halfway through the trip and almost missed my flight back.

As always I would like to thank everyone in advance for taking the time to respond.

My wife and I are going to visit London for the first time.
We are staying for 8 days.

1)Is it possible to visit the Windsor Castle and the Hampton Court Palace on the same day?
2)What’s the best way to make the trip: London (near the parliament) - Windsor – Hamptom Palace – London?
3)What’s the cost? Is the transport included in the London Pass?

We are planning to buy a “3 day London Pass”.
If this trip is not included, maybe we’ll buy the London Pass without travel card.

Hi we are an Australian family of five looking for cheap accommodation near Heathrow airport on our last night after two months travel. We have a 9am flight to Australia and was initially thinking of staying at the St Pancreas Youth Hostel (have family rooms) after arriving from Paris on Eurostar. However I'm thinking that it may be a difficult task getting to Heathrow early to catch the 9am flight. We would probably need to be at the airport around 6am. My options are catching an early train to heathrow from St Pancreas if this is possible (with three tired kids in tow) or finding cheap (our budget will have certainly been blown by this stage) accommodation near the airport. I would appreciate any advice. Thanks Mike
(PS Have read the good advice detailed in Neweuropetraveler's posting below)

I'm going to a concert in the o2 arena in canary wharf on thur 17th july. I need to get back to heathrow for early flight (0630) next morning. i guess the concert will finish about 2300hrs. What is the best way to get back to the heathrow area at that time. I'm guessing it would be better to head back and get a hotel near airport rather than get hotel in center of london and have to make my way back next morning to heathrow. Is there a tube running around midnight. Any help would be appreciated

Thx D

Hi,

I am planning to visit UK in coming Sept. As I will be arrived on 16:00 by plane at Heathrow and will stay in Oxford for one night. After check through the immigration and custom and get the car, is it feasible to drive to Oxford before before 19:00 or the sky getting dark

Has anyone attended the Chap Olympics (presented by Chap Magazine) in the past? I'll be back in London next Saturday and I was wondering whether it would be worth checking them out. Please let me know what you know. Thanks.

Where is the best area to stay in London that is walking distance to Oxford street and other attractions? At the moment I'm only looking at the Paddington/Bayswater area as this is where we stayed previously and it was very convenient. Any other area where the accommodation price will be reasonable?

Thanks!

I sent a note to an e-mail address at the Buckingham Palace website at least 2 weeks ago and have gotten no response. The question is if I buy tickets for the Palace on the web how will I get them? There is nothing that said I would print them out myself, get them in the mail or have to go somewhere once we are in London to get them. I don't look forward to standing in a long line somewhere thus the reason for the question. I'm about to go ahead and buy them and take my chances. Before I do that anybody know the answer?

Thanks again to all.

My wife and I will visit London for 5 nights and 6 days in October 2008. Day 1 Thursday: Stansted: We will fly to Stansted, take the train to Liverpool Station, arriving around 6PM, and a taxi to our apartment (Gunterstone Road Apartments, located in S. Kensington (SW5). If we only visit South Bank,Soho, and Kensington Gardens, do we really need a travel card? Do we really need an Oyster Card? Would buses be cheaper than the tube?

Day 2 Friday: South Bank: Boat from Tate Britain to Tate Modern. Walk to Shakespeare's Globe, Borough Market, walk across the Tower Bridge to Tower Hill Station. Home to S. Kensington from there. I am 61 years old and can probably walk 2 miles comfortably 3 if I stop for a pint. If I start at Tate Modern will I be able to walk to Tower Hill Station? Do you know a good pubs along the way? We really like locals.

Day 3 Saturday: Kensington: Most of our plans are to enjoy Free London. We will visit the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, and if time permits the V&A Museum. If the weather is good we will take our lunch to Kensington Gardens because we want to see the Princes Diana Memorial. Can we walk this from the SW5 area? Dinner, drinks and entertainment will be around the Earl's Court area. Do you have any places you really like in this area? Our budget allows for about £40 for dinner and drinks.

A word about entertainment. We have discussed concerts and plays as a possibility, but the cost of £60 to £80 is at the top end of our budget and we are traveling light so the tux stays home. I think London must have some great music and theater hiden away for much less money, but finding it is another matter. Can you recommend some places to catch some good live entertainment cheap? We like all types of music but please remember I am 61 years old. Blues, rock, international, classical, and folk are all great.

Day 3 Sunday: Soho: Can we get from S. Kensington to Soho by bus? We will visit National Gallery and NPG. We will eat and drink in the Floral St. and Flower Market areas. Can we walk there from the NPG?

Day 4 Monday: We will go home on Tuesday so this will be a "take it easy" day. I have no plans at the moment. We have seen the London Eye, Madame T., and Greenwich on a previous trip. Do you have any ideas for this day?

As a VT member you know that planning for a trip is important but flexiblity is also a must. Nothing here is cast in stone. All comments and recommendations will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help. Lee and Maria

Hello,

Can anyone tell me if it's possible to purchase an audio tour of the palace? It appears that if I purchase an entrance ticket alone, there is no audio tour included.
Your advise is appreciated

many thanks
Jim

Hi, I want to go from Victoria to Kings X on Thursday morning (this week) by cab. Can someone advice me please how long this should roughly take? Thanks.

Myself and a fellow thirsty traveler are hitting London this Friday and Saturday night.
Can anyone recommend any good pubs/clubs around the Chelsea area or any area that's kicking off right now with good bars and clubs?

Nothing too pretentious or with crap service as both drive me nuts.

Thanks

Will

We will be traveling to London in October, staying over for 3 nights.

I need recommendations for Hotels or B&B's that wont cost an arm and a leg. Being from South Africa with the exchange rate at 16 Rand to 1 Pound we need to save every cent!

I'm looking for something in the Paddington / Bayswater area or somewhere that you can recommend that is walking distance to Oxford Street etc (+- 60 Pounds per night for a double room)

Any suggestions for Hotels, or even websites with good discounts, will be greatly appreciated!

Thank You.
Melissa

We (2 adults and 2 kids,11 and 9) wanted to make a day trip to Stratford-upon-avon and Oxford...which is the best way to go about it, on our own or take a tour. If on our own, how do we go about it? Any other suggestions for day trips that the kids might enjoy...

Hi

I would like to know how much would an i phone cost in London? In US the new launch i phone are being sold at USD199.

Thanks

Fern

Hi,

I'm trying to find the best way to get from London to Windsor castle. I know that there are numerous tours that do Windsor castle as part of a tour, however I would like to plan the better part of the day at Windsor. Is it far from London, by train or bus? Any idea as to cost to get there and back?

Many thanks
Jim

back in march my girlfriend and i schedule are vacation in london for july 5-12. however, we are no longer together. this will be my first time to london and was wondering if anyone else was traveling solo and wanted to hook up to see the sights.

i will be staying at the Sheraton Park Towers and was also what would be the best mode of transportation from the airport?


thanks!!

Hi
Do we need Photos for use with a 3 day travelcard and would we need to ask for a Zone 5 3 day pass or do they cover all zones

any ideas on prices would be good too

Do we need an Off Peak card for Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon or is it Peak Time during Friday 15:00(arrive Victoria Coach Station) and 19:00 ( need to leave hotel paddington area)

TIA
Julie

PS
I am more worried about coming to my own Capital City than i have been on any of the other journeys to Cities abroad - ( maybe because i am always seeing bad news from there and i don't see so much from other place)
Anybody else out there have the same feelings

We have an all-day layover at Heathrow in late July...do not want to
waste an opportunity. Any ideas for a day trip or excursion from the airport?
Four or five hours would get us back safely in time for our departure.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Jan

We are a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids aged 11 and 9) and will be be in London for 3 days....have been looking for a good hotel either on Leicester Square
or near any other tube station (close access to sightseeing spots)...having a problem finding a room which can accomodate all 4 of us. Any suggestions are welcome...thx

We are planning on flying in and out of London next month with a trip to Paris in between. After Paris, we will be coming back to London the day before we fly out of London. Does anyone have any suggestions for hotels near Heathrow airport so that it will be easy to get to the airport to catch our flight the next morning? Thanks for any help!

Hello again,


I found out there is a Barclays near my hotel in London. Will it be possible to exchange US Dollars to GBP and Euros without being a member? Is there a service fee? Is there a way to check the rate they are giving today? With the dollar so weak, I am trying to get the most for my money.

Thanks for your help,

Rick.

Hi there,

I am going to London with my husband for 5 days.
Should I buy the 7 days travel card which is 24.20gbp - am I right? - or an oyster?
If I have this card does it worth to pay for a hop on hop off bus?

I am looking for private accomodation, in zone 1-2 . Any recommendation?

Thank you for any comments

Hi,

Has anybody been in here before?
Is it easy to go from here to central London?

Thanks.
Rodrigo.

I know this has been covered, however everyone's situation is different, and Im hoping you guys can help me out.

We arrive this Sunday at Gatwick, and like Ms. Jamie who posted about this issue before me, our hotel is near Paddington Station (Sussex Gardens). Transportation will be Gatwick Express to Victoria, to Paddington.

Now, I am looking for advice on this Travel / Oyster Card. I will need to take the tube from Victoria Station on Sunday (9:30am) and use it until that Tuesday Morning (8:30am). That will be when we leave London. Which card will be the most efficient? We will be travelling through central London on our visit, most likely all zone 1.

Can someone please give their advice as to which card would be the cheapest according to our schedule.

Thanks for your help,

Rick.