Need info from London folks

[wmw999 2,589]

I'm traveling with my son and sister-in-law to London for 1 week (them) and 2 weeks (me) in late November/early December. Using my usual no-plan-before-its-time technique, all I have so far are airline tickets.

I'm looking for suggestions on
1. what parts of town are good to stay in (I don't think camping in the Crystal Palace campground will cut it this time)
2. suggestions on hotels etc. where we could stay.
3. ideas on where to rent a car for a day or so (a trip to Stonehenge at least is mandatory -- or are we better taking a canned tour)
4. suggestions on things to do that no one would think of. The last time I was there (1977) I found plenty to keep me busy for almost 2 weeks, so I don't think finding enough stuff will be a problem. But every city has things that are cool that many people don't know about.

What makes a hotel desirable is habitability (no bugs, linens washed before new guests, beds that resemble beds), 2 rooms or some sort of sitting room/bedroom combination (there is a 20-year-old male among us), and price. I'm a skydiver -- my standards are the same as most skydivers, so we're not talking a lot of stars here, but on the other hand, it's a vacation.

And anything else I haven't asked that I should...

thanks
Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[Amazon 7]

RAIN GEAR.. they have similar weather to Seattle in Winter.. mild but WET

If packing parachute for making jumps there... HOP AND POPS Pack for subterminal openings

Amazon

[Remster 30]

London, price.. lmfao!!!!!

Sorry Wendy, but hotels in London are ridiculously expensive. 5 years ago, we spent 70 pounds per night on a 1 room B&B (it was clean, and 1 was quite nice, the second one we stayed in was sillyly small). My guess is prices have gone up since.

2 weeks in a hotel is not gonna be cheap. I’d suggest B&Bs, and then, still, its not gonna be cheap. Have a look on the AA website http://www.theaa.com/getaway/hotels/hotels_home.jsp for B&Bs in London.

As far as rental cars, do you have corp rates with your rocket scientists management company?

Things to do: last minute ~cheap~ theater tickets, Jack the Ripper walks, Candem locks market... but they're all pretty much on the tourist trail.... (I wasnt a local, I was a tourist living in suburbia)

Have fun!

Remster

[BBKid 0]

I don't live in London, though a lot of my family do, so I've visited many times:

1 + 2. Try doing a search for either Trusthouse Forte, Travelodge, or Ibis hotels - they're all pretty big chains and so the standards and prices are pretty similar wherever you go. Obviously London is much more expensive than anywhere else in the country, and central London is more expensive than the outskirts, but you'll make up the difference in travel costs.

Gonna be there in November/December?
BOOK NOW! THEY'LL BE FULL!

3. As for cars, try Easycar.com

4. Erm, I'll have a think and get back to you.

Nick
---------------------------
"I've pierced my foot on a spike!!!"

[Remster 30]

Oh.. I almost forgot the most important thing.... Stay away from North London.... some smelly, burgundy clad freefliers hang around there...

Remster

[skreamer 1]

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3. ideas on where to rent a car for a day or so (a trip to Stonehenge at least is mandatory -- or are we better taking a canned tour)

No, you won't. I can fit four of you in my car. As long as it is on a Saturday or Sunday I will be happy to drive you guys to wherever you want to go. Personally I wouldn't even bother bringing a rig that time of year - not worth the amount of time you will waste on time better spent site-seeing on the ground.

Now, as for accomodation for four, let me give it some thought and get back to you.
Will

[Remster 30]

I rest my case...

Remster

[Muenkel 0]

Well Wendy, first of all, London hotel rooms are notoriously small...I mean SMALL. I know this is probably a sacrilege, but I actually stayed in a brand new Holiday Inn Express. I was very pleased with the cleanliness and service, plus breakfast is included. I'm in the hotel business btw. You're also close to the tube which can get you anywhere very cheap. As for renting a car..eeks. I could not get used to that "other side of the road thing." I too was there in November and the climate was fairly moderate...although I am comparing that to New England. I found very little temp. fluctuations between night and day. It can be a little raw, but then warm. Nice time of year to go.

Do your research and enjoy!!! Did you try hotels.com?

Cheers,
Chris

_________________________________________
Chris

[TheBile 0]

In answer to :
4. suggestions on things to do that no one would think of.

Forget England for a day and drive the short 3 hour trip to Wales. We have better scenery, less crime, friendlier people and fresher air. Ok, so I admit we have worse hookers but I don't think you and your family would be interested in that.

Visit Cardiff Bay for a contemporary coastal view, the Brecon Beacons for a countryside walk or go further west to The Gower Peninsula to combine the two.

Gerb

I stir feelings in others they themselves don't understand. KA'CHOW !

[vt1977 0]

I live about half an hour out of London, but actually very rarely go there, but here are a few websites to get you started:

www.touristinformation.co.uk

www.visitbritain.com

www.londontouristboard.co.uk

http://www.londontown.com/

As for car hire in London, try www.easycar.com and if you do decide to go and visit Stonehenge make sure you bring your rig as Netheravon is only a couple of miles away! (www.netheravon.com)

hth!

Vicki

[Jessica 0]

For budget traveling, I'd suggest getting one of those guidebooks primarily marketed to students. Since you're going in the mega-off-season, the businesses (bed and breakfasts, pensions) listed won't be full of frat boys on summer vacation, and those books really are well researched and helpful.

Let's Go, for instance, tells you step-by-step what to do to get where you want to go, from tube stops to walking directions, etc. Frommer's is good too.

And take advantage of Skreamer's hospitality! He's a nice guy, but I wouldn't let him navigate.

Skydiving is for cool people only

[mr2mk1g 10]

I hear that theres no better view of stonehenge than from the jump run of Netheravon DZ.

[Remster 30]

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And take advantage of Skreamer's hospitality! He's a nice guy,

Jess... come on.... its one thing to say things like that in PMs, but in public???!!!???

Remster

[wmw999 2,589]

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Let's Go, for instance

I used them extensively in 1977 -- they were awesome then, too. Except that the hotel I got in Paris (called a "fading flower" by the Frommer guide) was godawful, even by my rather basic standards.

And Muenkel, London hotel rooms can't be any smaller than the one I stayed in on Times Square -- I had to turn sideways to get into my single bed. B&B is fine, and if I weren't too old for IYH, I'd consider a hostel.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[alanab 0]

I pm'd you wendy... any info yet?

[usedtajump 1]

Quote

4. suggestions on things to do that no one would think of. The last time I was there (1977) I found plenty to keep me busy for almost 2 weeks, so I don't think finding enough stuff will be a problem. But every city has things that are cool that many people don't know about.

.

If you are into historical novels, read London, The Novel by Edward Rutherford. It chronicles the history of London from pre Roman times up to 1996 through the lives of several fictional characters. It's amazing how much of the places and artifacts from ancient times are still there and cost nothing to see.

The older I get the less I care who I piss off.

[juanesky 0]

Hey Wendy,

As a tourist you should prioritize what type of things you want to do, historically there are a lot of places to go to, but it is up to you what you want to do.

However, you should try to find a bed n breakfast (breakfast is the only nice local meal in London), and passes for the underground.

Also you should try to get to the stonehenge, are worth seeing and take pics, just as Machupichu, and the pyramids.......

Have fun and don't forget that water is their favorite seasoning....

"According to some of the conservatives here, it sounds like it's fine to beat your wide - as long as she had it coming." -Billvon

[Remster 30]

Stonehendge is OK... I realllly loved Tintangel (sp) (its off in Cornwall's north coast)... Its just awsome in its beauty, and considering the size of the contry, its not that far away.

Remster