I am considering renting a flat from an agency called One Fine Stay for our family of 4 located in North London in Highgate for about 156 pounds per night. I understand Highgate is quite posh but is it too far away for sightseeing? The flat is on Broadland Road and about a 10 minute walk to Highgate Station . I'm wondering if something more centrally located would be better perhaps Kensington or Chelsea? Any thoughts would be great. We certainly don't mind exploring a neighborhood and living like locals....Thanks!
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5848 posts
Highgate is a nice residential area with some lovely houses, a large cemetery, and some nice green space. While I certainly think that staying there would work, you will be taking the tube or bus to virtually all the sites. That is not a big deal. It is about a 20 minute tube ride from Leicester Square plus your walk. While I prefer a bit closer in, it could work. Two things you should check 1) Take a look at tfl.gov.uk under the live travel news and check to see if there are any future track closures or station closures for the time that you are in London. If there were track work on the Northern Line or if the Highgate station were closed, it would certainly make it less convenient. 2) On the same website there is a journey planner. Look at a couple of places that you plan to visit and find out how long the trip journey is from Highgate. This might help you decide. If you do stay there (or even if you don't), London Walks (www.walks.com) has a nice walking tour of the area.
Posted by
Washington, DC, USA
571 posts
Jane Ann, On one of my earlier trips to London I stayed with friends in Highgate and didn't find the commute into the tourist areas to be terrible. We did decide to start late and head home early so as to miss commuter rush hour as much as possible, so it did (slightly) cut into our time in London. Also, be sure to plan your days well and try to avoid having to go back to the flat at midday to cut down on unnecessary travel. The neighborhood itself was lovely. I particularly remember enjoying evenings in one of the pubs (wish I could recall the name) because we were in a real "local" as opposed to the more touristy ones in town. As Laura mentioned, there is also Highgate Cemetery in the area. I visited there on my most recent trip (2009) and highly recommend it.
Matt
Posted by
Arlington, WA
993 posts
And if you are interested in seeing the cemetery be advised the the older part is by reservation only.
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
Highgate is a nice area, can get to London by Tube - or, if you are adventurous, by bus. However, to me it is more convenient to be more central, so we can get back to the hotel and rest for a few hours after sightseeing and before evening theater or dinner