Hello - We are taking a train from Windsor to London and are spending two nights at Vancouver Studios, near Paddington. The National Rail website shows trains from Windsor/Eton Riverside or Central changing at Slough or Waterloo or both. From Vancouver Studios, it looks like an easy walk through Kensington Gardens and the Victoria and Albert museum. (These activities are planned for the afternoon of arrival). We'd like to have afternoon tea in the William Morris room at the Victoria and Albert. I didn't see anything on the website about reservations and it looks like a beautiful setting. Question: Any opinions about the afternoon tea experience there? We will be there on a Saturday. On the second day, which is our only full day of sightseeing, we were planning on a highlights tour of Sir John Soane's Museum and then seeing the Wallace Collection. These two are over an hour's walk from the hotel, so not that convenient. But, we can look into the bus routes. The next day, we are taking a train to Salisbury. We'd like to be within walking distance or a short bus ride from the hotel to the railway station. Not interested in the tube. Paddington will get us to Salisbury, albeit with having to take a connection at another railway station. The other thing we may do while in London is get over to the river (Big Ben which was covered up last time we were there, etc.) just to have a look around. Question: Are there any suggestions for where to stay in lieu of Vancouver Studios given our itinerary and preference for walking or taking a bus from A to B to C? Direct trains to and from our locations are also preferable. It may be best to stick with our accommodation, but there could be a better situation for us.... Thanks for any suggestions and opinions.
Posted by
London
358 posts
If staying with the place booked you need to be going from Windsor and Eton Central to Paddington via Slough.
Windsor and Eton Riverside will only take you to Waterloo (and other places in that area).
Have to say the last time I read anything they had stopped doing AT at the V&A - you can still get tea and cakes in the cafe though. Perhaps that has changed although it might explain why you can't find reservation details as the standard cafe is probably just a walk up. I have had need to contact the V&A and found them helpful - you could try [email protected] if no-one else here can confirm.
Based on the booked accommodation, for Sir John Soanes take the Central line from Queensway to Holborn. Then return on the same line and get off at Bond Street for the Wallace Collection. I really wouldn't take the bus for these as it means going along Oxford Street for most routes and that Underground route is very easy with not too much walking.
If you want a new location somewhere in Fitzrovia makes sense as it is more or less the area between Soane's and Wallace.
Direct trains to Salisbury come out of Waterloo but that area doesn't help with your other places - for the sake of a change on a train I would probably stick with the place you have if you are otherwise happy with it.
Posted by
Camano Island, WA, usa
1526 posts
I may be wrong but it seems that most of the V & A is closed until September 2023 as they are installing new exhibits that will open sometime after that. I could not find any recent postings on the Morris et al. menus. In 2019 Friday Tea was L30 per person. Some of the National Trust sites have Tea Rooms.
Posted by
UK
769 posts
Last time I was at the V&A cafe, it was all just self-service. If you were lucky you could grab a seat in the Morris Rooms if you could. But only the same self-service cafeteria food as the rest of the cafe. You can get a cream tea but it was self service.
On the other hand, the Wallace Collection does have what looks like a nice afternoon tea menu, so is that an option for you?
https://www.heritageportfolio.co.uk/cafes/our-cafes/the-wallace-restaurant/
Posted by
OP
21 posts
Thank you, Kathleen and jdgh. I'll look around Fitrovia for accommodation options, but will keep Vancouver Studios for now. We don't have to have tea in the William Morris room, but would like to see it at least. We'll look into the suggestion for tea at National Trust sites in London. Thanks!!
Posted by
Bristol, UK
1451 posts
@Kathleen The V&A is definitely NOT closed. I don’t know what you have seen but it’s a very large museums and sections can be closed for remodelling plus temporary exhibitions change frequently. However this will not affect your visit as there is far too much to see in 1 day anyway.
Posted by
Land of La
9261 posts
Vancouver Studios are fine. Don’t move.
Over decades of London visits have stayed there more than once.
The area has evolved as I remember the Prince Edward was a true pub before its gastro pub evolution.
What I liked about the Vancouver Studios was all the shops, cafes and restaurants on nearby Queensway. One Christmas had the best kebabs in a small cafe on Queensway. Not sure if its still open.
Enjoy your trip.
EDIT: removed remarks about tube stations near the property. OP prefers walking and busses.
As Bayswater Road is a main thoroughfare they’ll find good bus routes for the sites they are interested in.
Posted by
OP
21 posts
Thank you all. Golden Girl, we are likely to take our meal break at the Wallace Collection cafe on our second day. Good idea, thanks. Nice to know the Vancouver Studios neighborhood has a good selection of eateries. We're interested in pubs and afternoon tea (cream or otherwise). Self serve at the V & A sounds good, too. Thanks, again.