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Where to stay in London - late June with a 16 year old

Posted by (New York) on

Hi. I know others have asked this question, and realize it is easy to get places with the tube. Still, wondering if responses might be more specific if I detail a few objectives:

  1. Price is important (not looking for high end - hopefully sub $200/night).
  2. I'll be traveling alone with my 16 year old son - so need more than 1 bed.
  3. Don't need to cook so Airbnb seems unnecessary (if we did one, would need to be a separate space - not a room in a bigger place)
  4. Plan to go to the normal first timer sights with a 16 y.o. (Warner Brothers Harry Potter, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Churchill War Rooms)
  5. End of June

Thanks, Tamara

Posted by
9910 posts

Look at the Premiere Inns or Travel Lodges twin rooms.

Use google maps satellite view to see their locations. Then figure what works best for what you want to see while there.

You can use the tfl.gov.uk website to see what travel times are from wherever you decide to stay. Simply note the closest tube station and plug in from there to Westminster ( which is at Parliament Square...i.e. Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Churchill War Rooms and the London Eye across Westminster Bridge.

Hope you’ve booked you WB HP tickets already because at this late date doubt you’ll find any June availability.

Posted by
68 posts

Yes the HP tickets are the first (and so far only thing) I’ve booked! Wouldn’t go if those were not available.

Posted by
9910 posts

Great! Smart move.

Friend just returned from a week in London and tried the Stylotel budget hotel near Paddington. She loved it. Liked the price and location. Might check on a twin room there.

Posted by
68 posts

Booked at the Stylotel! Thank you both so much for your quick replies. Very helpful! Now I have the HP tickets, the room, and the airline tickets! Looks like this has turned into a trip!

I mentioned the highlights we will see. We're only going to be there from Sunday mid-day (overnight flight from the states gets in 8 am) to Wednesday mid-afternoon. Monday will mostly be the WB HP trip. Should be able to fit the rest in. Had thought about Windsor Castle but not enough time. Any other must see/do things or tips/tricks for seeing the other sights I mentioned? Thinking about doing a City Wonders tour which covers a lot of those sites I mentioned all in one. I know I could do it myself (I've been to London before a few times) but might be easier to just have a tour take us? Thoughts welcome.

Also, best to take the Heathrow Express to St. Pancreas and then tube from there to and from airport? Thanks, Tamara

Posted by
9910 posts

The Heathrow Express DOES NOT go to St Pancras. It goes to Paddington Station.

I know you have a short visit and with crowds, queues etc you will need to take in account opening and closing times at the Tower. Same with the Abbey. The War Rooms are extremely popular and have timed entry tickets. you need to look now for availability.

Tower of London is easily a good 2 hour look see.

Yes you can “see” as in not go inside many iconic buildings. In Parliament Square, Elizabeth’s Tower covered in scaffolding and I don’t believe Big Ben the Bell is chiming, Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Churchill War Rooms, short walk through St James Park to see the Palace.

Can definitely take loads of photos of Tower Bridge.

Posted by
68 posts

Paddington even better since our hotel is right there!

Is it worth getting a tour of Parliament do you think?

Posted by
68 posts

actually just looked and looks like no tours of Parliament are available on the days we'll be there.

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