Tips for a London vacation

[M5]

We're planning a month-long trip to Europe next summer, including about a 10 day stop in England. For at least a few days we're staying near Highclere, but looking for the best advice on places to stay in London for a few days. It'll be myself, my wife, and our almost 2 year old daughter. I've read that South Kensington is great, especially if you stay near the station. We found a great AirBnB on the NW corner of Hyde Park as well... Any other recommendations?

[alfie333]

While you are near Highclere you are less than an hour's drive from Stonehenge (wouldn't recommend trying to get there on public transport).  In Highclere there is the memorial chapel with some really special artwork: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sandham-memorial-chapel

For London, Kensington is great but not especially mustachian, the public transport is really easy to navigate so I'd say look for anywhere in zone 3-4 if you want to save a few ££s. 

[M5]

While you are near Highclere you are less than an hour's drive from Stonehenge (wouldn't recommend trying to get there on public transport).  In Highclere there is the memorial chapel with some really special artwork: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sandham-memorial-chapel

For London, Kensington is great but not especially mustachian, the public transport is really easy to navigate so I'd say look for anywhere in zone 3-4 if you want to save a few ££s.

Thanks for the advice. Stonehenge is definitely on the list since it's so close! Think we're going to spend some time in the Cotswolds as well.

[Hula Hoop]

Not sure if I can highjack this thread.  Now that Covid numbers are down a bit, we're thinking of going to visit our friend in London for a long weekend later in the year.  We have 2 kids ages 14 and 10.  The 14 year old is completely obsessed by all things music - especially British punk bands from back in the day.  We're going to be staying with our friend in Bethnall Green right near the tube.

Any recs for places to go, things to see particularly for the music obsessed teen and a 10 year old who loves Harry Potter? 

Also cheap eats?  Younger kid particularly loves Chinese food - and we gorged ourselves in Chinatown and Flushing in NYC when we were visiting my family earlier this summer.  Our friend says that there is a ton of yummy Bangladeshi food in her area so that will also be good.  We want to avoid Italian food as we live in Italy though.

Older kid also loves modern art.  My husband and I love art in general so museum recs would also be helpful.  Neither of us knows London at all.

[PhilB]

While you are near Highclere you are less than an hour's drive from Stonehenge (wouldn't recommend trying to get there on public transport).  In Highclere there is the memorial chapel with some really special artwork: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sandham-memorial-chapel

For London, Kensington is great but not especially mustachian, the public transport is really easy to navigate so I'd say look for anywhere in zone 3-4 if you want to save a few ££s.

Thanks for the advice. Stonehenge is definitely on the list since it's so close! Think we're going to spend some time in the Cotswolds as well.

If you're doing Stonehenge, I'd recommend a visit to Salisbury.  It's a beautiful medieval city with the tallest cathedral spire in Britain.  If you like your history, then while there stop off at Old Sarum just to the North of the city, park for free and walk round the outside.  It's an iron age hill fort that became a saxon stronghold before the Normans built a castle (ruined now - English Heritage) and a cathedral (gone apart from it's foundations  - free).  You have great views down over the city.

https://www.historyhit.com/locations/old-sarum/

[Kwill]

While you are near Highclere you are less than an hour's drive from Stonehenge (wouldn't recommend trying to get there on public transport).  In Highclere there is the memorial chapel with some really special artwork: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sandham-memorial-chapel

For London, Kensington is great but not especially mustachian, the public transport is really easy to navigate so I'd say look for anywhere in zone 3-4 if you want to save a few ££s.

Thanks for the advice. Stonehenge is definitely on the list since it's so close! Think we're going to spend some time in the Cotswolds as well.

If you're doing Stonehenge, I'd recommend a visit to Salisbury.  It's a beautiful medieval city with the tallest cathedral spire in Britain.  If you like your history, then while there stop off at Old Sarum just to the North of the city, park for free and walk round the outside.  It's an iron age hill fort that became a saxon stronghold before the Normans built a castle (ruined now - English Heritage) and a cathedral (gone apart from it's foundations  - free).  You have great views down over the city.

https://www.historyhit.com/locations/old-sarum/

You can go to Stonehenge by bus tour from Salisbury, and the bus also stops at Old Sarum and the Cathedral. My sister and I went a few years ago. We went to Salisbury by train from London, walked around the town, and visited Salisbury Cathedral, Stonehenge, and Old Sarum. We just stayed one night in Salisbury and travelled to Bath by train the next day, but that seemed enough time.

[M5]

While you are near Highclere you are less than an hour's drive from Stonehenge (wouldn't recommend trying to get there on public transport).  In Highclere there is the memorial chapel with some really special artwork: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sandham-memorial-chapel

For London, Kensington is great but not especially mustachian, the public transport is really easy to navigate so I'd say look for anywhere in zone 3-4 if you want to save a few ££s.

Thanks for the advice. Stonehenge is definitely on the list since it's so close! Think we're going to spend some time in the Cotswolds as well.

If you're doing Stonehenge, I'd recommend a visit to Salisbury.  It's a beautiful medieval city with the tallest cathedral spire in Britain.  If you like your history, then while there stop off at Old Sarum just to the North of the city, park for free and walk round the outside.  It's an iron age hill fort that became a saxon stronghold before the Normans built a castle (ruined now - English Heritage) and a cathedral (gone apart from it's foundations  - free).  You have great views down over the city.

https://www.historyhit.com/locations/old-sarum/

Salisbury wasn't on the radar, but it is now! The cathedral looks incredible and will be awesome to see the medieval architecture. Coming from the US (where "old" buildings are typically from the last 200ish years) it's amazing to see structures that are several hundred, if not thousands of years old.

[Howdotheyriseup?]

Not sure if I can highjack this thread.  Now that Covid numbers are down a bit, we're thinking of going to visit our friend in London for a long weekend later in the year.  We have 2 kids ages 14 and 10.  The 14 year old is completely obsessed by all things music - especially British punk bands from back in the day.  We're going to be staying with our friend in Bethnall Green right near the tube.

Any recs for places to go, things to see particularly for the music obsessed teen and a 10 year old who loves Harry Potter? 

Also cheap eats?  Younger kid particularly loves Chinese food - and we gorged ourselves in Chinatown and Flushing in NYC when we were visiting my family earlier this summer.  Our friend says that there is a ton of yummy Bangladeshi food in her area so that will also be good.  We want to avoid Italian food as we live in Italy though.

Older kid also loves modern art.  My husband and I love art in general so museum recs would also be helpful.  Neither of us knows London at all.

Harry Potter world (I haven't been) seems an obvious shout for those who love Harry Potter!
My sister said it was fun but warned that butter beer is not as delicious as JK Rowling makes it sound.

Public museums are free, except for certain exhibits. There are loads, for art recommend Tate Modern, British museum, V&A. I think science museum and natural history are pretty good for kids also.

If your son likes punk music history, maybe a visit to Camden town?
https://www.londontopsightstours.com/punks-to-drunks-a-guide-to-camden/

London is expensive (hot take I know) - you'll really save if you bring a packed lunch instead of eating out centrally.