Any Londoners about??

[annie0000]

Thinking of maybe coming down to London for a couple of days with OH and kids (boys age 11 and 10) in February and I want to take the boys to the Imperial War museum and maybe the Museum of natural history - wont have time for too much else but does anyone have any "must see" things that we shouldn't miss? We don't like musicals and aren't interested in shopping either.

We will be coming by train to Kings Cross so an idea of a good area to stay would be handy too. :o)

Thanks.

[Davethedog]

Annie:

This is the place to go http://www.londontrocadero.com/

You can take a walk uo lower regent street to Hamleys and you might want to have a look in Fortnum and Mason, just across the road. Or you can walk down the Haymarket to Trafalgar Square then into the Mall to see the Queens house.

[Buenchico]

I've just taken a look at the rail fares. (NB: I've assumed that Bridge of Allan is your nearest station)

I assume that you've got a Family & Friends Railcard. If not, you definitely need one. £28 for a year's discounted travel (or £25.20 if you but online before the end of the year):
http://www.familyandf...railcard.co.uk/online

To maximise your time in London you could catch the 0710 train from Bridge of Allan on 15/02. That gets to Edinburgh at 0817, leaving you just 13 minutes to wait before the 0830 departure to Kings Cross (arriving at 1254 and thus giving you the afternoon and evening to explore London). The total one-way fare (for 2 adults & 2 children, with a Railcard) is currently £50.10.
(That fare is also available at 0801, getting into Kings Cross at 1355)

However leaving a little later takes the total fare down to £32.50. (The 0831 service gets to Edinburgh at 0932, with the 1000 connection to Kings Cross arriving at 1446).

To maximise your time in London on 17/02 you could take the 1700 service from Kings Cross, arriving in Edinburgh at 2127. However you've then got an hour's wait for the 2233 service to Bridge of Allan, arriving at 2329. The total one-way fare is £81.60. (The 1600 and 1630 services are also available for the same fare, with better connections at Edinburgh).

For economy you could take the 1300 service for £63.80. (Arrives Edinburgh 1725, with the 1801 service to Bridge of Allan arriving at 1859).

So you could do the return trip for around £100 (for all four of you) but another £30 or so gives you more time in London.

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

(Remember that 'Advance' fares can go up dramatically - or simply become unavailable - as the date of travel approaches. I recommend booking a.s.a.p.).

Chris

[annie0000]

Thanks Guys,

Good work Chris, that is our best station as the parking there is free :o) However, if we get the train back to Stirling instead it works out slightly cheaper/better time. so we would probably do that get a taxi from the station and pick up the car at BofA the next day :o)

Unfortunately we cant get the earlier train in the 15th - the 3 oclock ish one would be the earliest as I have to work that day due to lack of holidays. We have however looked at maybe staying until the staurday and coming back Saturday afternoon if we can get the hotel at the right price.

I ordered our F&F railcard last night so should be able to book soon - got the go ahead from Mr A that he is happy to book it up. so all systems go!!!!

[annie0000]

Hi all, just wanted to let you know that we are now booked up! Decided to stay until the Saturday as the train was cheaper so wasn't too much extra to stay the extra night. Cant actually believe the price of the train - paid £74 return for 4 of us from Scotland to London. :o) I'll be looking at all your suggestions to work out our plans soon.

Thanks again.

[JonnyBoy12]

This is a very good hotel to stay in on the Picadilly Line, although it is cheapest if you stay 5 nights or more. I have stayed in in about 8 times.


http://www.georgehotel.com/english/index.html


Hope this helps.

[jno]

I don't know if anyone's metnioned the Duck Tours by land and water

http://www.londonducktours.co.uk/

The Belfast is closed because a gangway collapsed, so it's as well you're not trying it.

I wouldn't bother with the Trocadero, half the things seemed to be shut when I was last there, and the rest is tacky.

[annie0000]

Aww Thanks JB - that looks really nice, unfortunately I've booked up already - we have booked a holiday inn that has really good reviews - it's a wee bit cheaper than that one, but not that much. Maybe next time. If we enjoy it and the train is so reasonable, we will probably do it again.

[jno]

oh, I meant to say the the London Eye feels fine - you're well encased in solid glass - but if you can't face it, why not just send the rest of them up and wait at the bottom by the river? It only takes 20 minutes once you're on it (queue lengths vary).

[MarkRae]

I agree re the Trocadero - tacky and nasty.

[annie0000]

hey jno - talked to the other half about the London Eye - he doesn't think he could manage it either, or boy No2 so I think we may give it a miss this time. We might try the big wheel in Edinburgh this weekend and see how that goes.

[jno]

was it February you were going? Anyway, check here for current events

http://www.timeout.co...on-events-in-february

[JonnyBoy12]

The London Eye is like a parachute jump. Very scary the first time you do it but once you have done it then you just can not get enough of it. Noone is a worse coward than me when it comes to heights (good points on request) but I forced myself to go on it and have never looked back.

I would recommend the London Eye to anyone, young or old.

[MarkRae]

I was hugely disappointed with the London Eye. I suppose if you are enthralled by miles and miles of roofs, then you might enjoy it...

[jno]

slightly more to it than just roofs

http://imageshack.us/...entwestminsterbr.jpg/