26 year old Canasian, first time traveller to London, going with my boyfriend. I have no concept of navigating London. I would like to see the usual tourist sights (architecture, london eye, Changing of the guards, Harrod's), party, etc. Would 4 nights in London suffice? I want to stay in the city close to all the sites, what area would that be considered? I don't mind staying at a nice hostel to save money, but my boyfriend does. On the other hand, if I was to find a nice hostel near all the tourist sites, he might consider it. I have a budget of no more 100 pounds for lodging.
London Waterloo Days Hotel, (54 Kennington Road, London) was one of the places I found online, has anyone heard anything about this place?
And at the risk of sounding ignorant, just wondering how long it takes to travel to Bath/Stonehenge from London and what the best way to do so is.
To recap:
1. What area is most central to being a tourist in London?
2. Will 4 nights be enough or too long?
3. Know of any great hostels with private rooms, ensuite bath?
4. Heard of London Waterloo Days Hotel? Know of any good budget hotels?
5. Trips to Bath and Stonehenge from London, and best way to get there.
THANKS!!!
A hotel within your budget is the Tavistock Hotel, which is in Bloomsbury and very close to the British Museum. I have stayed there (for a conference) and it was fine. Another suggestion (a place I have not experienced) is called the Alhambra, near King's Cross.
Other than that, read the FAQs and/or get a guide book. Four nights is nowhere near enough: you really need four years to see most of what London has to offer.
Stonehenge is likely to be depressing, because of the large fence, ghastly visitors' centre and general lack of atmosphere.
Once you are near the tube, you'll be fine. The AA City Pack for London is extremely handy and tells you what tube stop, bus number or train goes to an attraction.
Bath is quite far and trains in the UK are reallly expensive. Stonehenge, not too sure. You will be able to get a tour to there I am sure.
Hotels in London are quite expensive, so the Days hotel should be fine. Is your budget £100/night or for the 4? If it is a night, there will be plenty of places for you to pick. Also, www.travelodge.co.uk have great offers on CERTAIN dates, from £15 / room / night.
Hard to get at that price though, esp in London.
www.octopustravel.co.uk is great for looking for hotels and sometimes great prices. However, check the actual hotel website too for better prices.
4 days in London is plenty. You could spend weeks there and still not be bored though. But the main sites in 4 days, more than enough. Take in a show while you are there. Check https://oyster.tfl.gov.uk/oyster for any special meal or theatre offers. You dont need an Oyster card to get the offers, but they are VERY handy anyway.
Don't know the area too well, and haven't been down that way for a few years, but Kennington might be described as a little bit 'rough and ready', and is not in the centre by any of the sights. So the streets around there will be fairly typical south London streets with cafes, a few pubs and bars, grocery stores that kind of thing. It's probably described as 'up and coming' which in London typically means there will be a speciality deli, or a few really decent coffee shops or maybe a great restuarant tucked in among the more usual stuff. Head up a short walk or bus ride towards Waterloo (towards Lower Marsh and the Cut) and there are lots of bars and cafes and restaurants and a small street market, a real mix up of stuff in a few streets. Would be an interesting place to stay and will give you a different view of London than staying north of the river.
Not like the comparative 'glamour' of staying in say Bloomsbury where you can walk to Covent Garden, the British Museum etc etc.
OK just had a closer look at where it is. Bit further up Kennington Rd than I thought. You could walk to parliament from there, the London Eye, the South Bank. A good place to stay, I'd think. Near the Imperial War Museum too - recommended.
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