I am traveling with three friends to Europe, we will be four nights in London. One of the others has taken on accommodations and has come up with a location near the Tower - a VRBO place. It is in between Monument and Tower stations.
Are there large disadvantages of this location? The price is right - among four of us, it will be < 200 pounds per night.
It is not near all of the main attractions/museums, but being so near the tube should compensate?
Thanks in advance for any thoughts!
That location should be fine. The only disadvantage is that the City is very much a weekday business district - at weekends there will be very few local shops or eating places open.
I agree with Philip, 'the city' area is quiet at weekends, but you're at most a 30min walk or a £10 Black Cab ride (or a short tube ride) away from all the most popular stuff. St. Paul's Cathedral, Millennium Bridge, Tate, Globe, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Borough Market, for example, are probably only a 15min walk away. The area is safe and clean with stuff to do around every corner. Hope you have a great time!
Margaret, my wife and I stayed at a VRBO location about 100 yards west from Tower Hill tube station in 2012. The neighborhood felt very safe, even at night. As mentioned in other posts, it is quiet mostly at night after the bankers finish their beers and the pubs empty out. While it is not close to many of the biggest name attractions (other than the Tower of London), the tube makes it easy to get around to any tourist area quickly. Also, the area there is better than you might expect, with interesting little spots apart from the Tower of London. For instance, at Tower Hill tube stop there's a piece of the Roman wall that once stood at the settlement of Londinium; the vastly underrated All Hallow's Church has a wonderful history and a museum in a crypt area that makes it great for a short visit; the Tower Hill area is where the public executions took place (not really in the Tower of London) and there's a little marker on the spot of the gallows, and so on. If you have a good flat to stay in, I would certainly not let that area deter you - we certainly enjoyed it! Cheers and happy travels!
Thank you all so much - I appreciate your experience and feedback - sounds like it would be an OK place.
Be sure to visit the glass covered Leadenhall Market. Dine, shop, explore. Find the door leading to The Leaky Cauldron from the Harry Potter and the Philopsher's Stone (now an optician's office). The market is nestled amidst some of the more modern architecture of London, including the Regus Lloyd's office building. Great dichotomy of old and present day London. Can also see the London Fire Memorial and if you love art deco have a pot pie and a pint at the Blackfriar pub across the road from the Blackfriars tube station. Might also check out the Spitafields' Market website to see when the tea dances are scheduled. Great fun to watch and listen to the music. The tube will be your best travel buddy.
Thanks, Claudia - good suggestions!
