Advice on where to stay in London

Posted by nancydrane on 03/25/19 04:50 AM

We are looking at a few nice Airbandb homes to stay in for a week in April. The nicest ones are further outside the tourist area. If you have thoughts about which neighborhood would be appropriate for a family of four (kids are 7 and 11) and accessible to public transportation to go to the sights. Neighborhoods are:

Whitechapel (near Parfett Street)
Kennington
Clapham (near Battersea Park Road)

Also - we have a flight arriving into Heathrow at 10:45 p.m. Would you recommend a transport at that hour?

Posted by Frank II

Freedonia

03/25/19 06:43 AM

16413 posts

If those were my only choices, I would take Kennington. Better transportation and IMHO a safer area. (I'm going to get attacked for saying that.)

Considering the location of these three and the time you arrive, I would arrange for a car service to drive you. The tube shuts down around midnight and you don't know how long immigration lines will be at that hour. And after a long flight, with two kids and luggage, make life easy on yourself.

Be aware, Heathrow is west of London. All of the neighborhoods you chose are east or south of central london. Why not see if there are any good Air BNB's west of central London. Check out Hammersmith, Earls Court, Ealing, etc. Easy transport into the center for the sights and much easier upon your late arrival into London. You could also look into the Paddington area as you can get a train from Heathrow to Paddington that is fairly quick.

You might also want to delete the other posting to responses don't get split.

Posted by Frank II

Freedonia

03/25/19 11:57 AM

16413 posts

I would choose Kennington by reason of elimination. I never felt comfortable walking around Whitechapel (personal feeling) and the transportation options around Battersea Park Road isn't as good as the others.

Posted by Miranda

Central Indiana, USA

03/25/19 12:06 PM

357 posts

Your arrival time sounds like you are taking the American flight from Chicago. I take that flight when I can, and it's usually early, and unless something is really backed up, you will be through immigration before 11pm. It's one of the last flights to arrive and everyone working wants to go home.

I have stayed in Whitechapel and had no issues there. We also took a car service to our lodging there because it was a late arrival and that flight means a long day for me, and you have younger children.

Transport links were fine and the 205 bus was very handy.