Visiting London as a family is just one of those must do experiences. However, when it comes to travelling as a family, does this mean a huge expense on just getting there?

1. The Family Travel Guide To
London
By SecretHotels.eu
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2. Getting Here
Visiting London as a family is just one of those must do experiences. However, when it comes to
travelling as a family, does this mean a huge expense on just getting there?
Car
This may seem an easy option and great for transporting luggage, but it is worth remembering
that London isn’t the easiest place to negotiate with no prior knowledge. If you are staying
centrally, don’t forget congestion charges and that parking is at a premium. For these reasons, it
is often worth considering the alternatives, and they can also often turn out to be cheaper than
the petrol costs and parking costs, even for the family unit.
Train
One of the most obvious ways to travel to London is by train. As a capital city, the networks link
in to the main stations and with the underground system being literally on your doorstep when
you arrive, travelling by train is a sensible option. Indeed, your onward underground journey
can be linked into your ticket cost meaning no fumbling in your luggage for change for the
underground, or you and your growing ever more tired children queuing at a ticket booth as
soon as you have got off the train from your main journey.
Do your research well and your journey won’t cost the earth either. Booking in advance is the
way to go. Train companies release their tickets a couple of months in advance and are keen to
get your business at that stage. Real bargains are there for the taking, but don’t forget that
family railcard. This idea has been going for what seems like a lifetime, but that’s because it
works. In just one journey, you can make back the outlay cost and even have money to spare.
One last tip – consider reserving your seats. For a small cost, you take away the risk if standing
or being separated on a long journey. Even if you get on an empty train, many seats will already
be reserved so it is well worth doing.
Coach
OK, so it may take a bit longer, but these are a very cost effective option. Catering for cash
strapped students and tourists alike, there are companies who will charge you almost literally
pennies. Today’s coaches cater well for their passengers, with refreshments and toilets that you
can use without fear of falling out of the side door or everybody staring. Drivers are legally
obliged to take breaks so you can utilise service station facilities too.
Plane
It may at first make you think of cost, but if you begin to do your research, it may not be as
costly as you believe. If you can make savings with accommodation and eating out for example
when you are in the capital, this option may not even ultimately work out more. The advantage
here is speed, as you can arrive in the capital in super quick time. Regular train and bus services
run from the airports and of course there are numerous taxis to hire.
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3. Accommodation
London is a vibrant capital city, visited by tourists from all over the world who flock to
experience its sense of tradition combined with an enviable edginess.
And catering for all tastes, the accommodation is varied and to suit all budgets.
The hostel
For those on a serious budget, the hostel offers basic but clean accommodation for those who
are happy to share all facilities. A great advantage of this type of accommodation is not only
cost, but also location. They are often in locations that other establishments would crave, and
run by people who are extremely enthusiastic about the city and more than willing to share
knowledge. This can include knowing information about places more off the beaten track –
hidden gems – so you get to know the London behind the tourist market. Don’t think hostels are
just for students and backpackers, as they are used to having families stay also.
Budget chains
If you prefer your own company but are not looking to break the bank, consider the budget
chains and you won’t go far wrong. Family rooms are spacious and clean and don’t cost a lot
more than a smaller room made for two. Many chains offer deals throughout the year that are
very appealing, and if you are happy to stay a bit further away from attractions, you can expect
to pay even less. The advantage of such accommodation is that more often than not, you know
what to expect and this takes the worry away of staying somewhere unknown.
Hotels
Of course, London has an amazing choice of hotel accommodation. With the internet being
readily accessible for other people’s opinions of accommodation, you can get some idea of what
to expect before you stay. However, always remember that people have very different
expectations and standards so it is always best to take a general overview of reviews as opposed
to take it is fact.
Many hotels combine deals with popular tourist attractions with their costs. This could be
combining with a West End show, and usually offers a genuine saving. Do your research or use a
site that specifically caters in providing you with the best deals available – for the daring visit
http://www.secrethotels.org/london for the very best secret hotel deals London has to offer.
Luxury
London is home to some of the world’s most iconic luxury hotels. If money is no object, or you
really are looking to indulge, then London is the place to do so. The people that have serious
money, and royal families from other continents, wouldn’t stay anywhere else, and the people
who run the establishments are used to looking after your every need.
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4. Top Tourist Attraction – London Zoo
London is a city that truly delivers something for everyone, so if you love your animals, you
need look no further than visiting London Zoo.
Like a lot of the capital’s tourist attractions, London Zoo has a lot of history to add to its
credentials. Indeed, London Zoo is the world’s oldest scientific zoo, opening for the first time in
April 1828. Originally meant purely for scientific study, it was eventually opened to the public in
1847, so has been doing what it does best for a lot of years!
Being situated near Regent’s Park, London Zoo is ideally placed for the city tourist wanting a
taste of what a zoo has to offer. Whilst all zoos went through a period of uncertainty due to
public opinion on keeping animals away from their natural habitats, this is now a very different
story as all zoos work very hard to protect endangered species, so are helping us retain wildlife
that may otherwise no longer exist.
Visit London Zoo and you will be instantly struck by the passion the employees have for their
vocation. Not only do they care for the animal’s welfare as their utmost priority, but they want
to share their knowledge with you. Gone are the days of visitors walking past cages and looking
in, as there is now a more interactive feel to the whole attraction. There are regular talks and
animal shows, which provide the chance to get close to the animals and truly find out more
about every aspect of their lives.
Of course, if you really want to get involved, there is now the chance to actually enter certain
enclosures and meet the animals. These are a truly fantastic gift idea for the genuine enthusiast
and provide life long memories. There is even the chance to experience being a zoo keeper for a
whole day, and yes, that does include mucking out! But if you prefer your animals from a
distance, why not adopt an animal and receive regular information on how it’s getting on?
As a tourist attraction, London Zoo offers a full day out for the family. With dedicated picnic
areas, you can enjoy quality time together relaxing with one of the most amazing backdrops you
will ever have, or indulge in the zoo’s wide variety of eat in or eat out refreshment stations.
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5. Big Ben And Houses of Parliament
London is a capital city that is famous throughout the world for its strong sense of tradition
and long established history. And when it comes to combining both of these strengths under
one roof, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament surely over deliver on both counts. Here you
can witness one thousand years of history whilst absorbing what is surely some of the most
stunning architecture to be found anywhere in the world.
Perfectly situated on the banks of the River Thames, the Houses of Parliament used to be a
royal palace, and this explains why they are so visually striking. Known also as Westminster
Hall, this is the place where the important matters for the country are debated and decided.
Whilst you would therefore imagine that it is a no go area for the London tourist, access is
actually encouraged with not only regular tours, but also the opportunity to get involved in
what is happening. Visitors can attend debates as well as witness committees in session, so
this is a real interactive experience like no other.
Proud of our tradition and heritage, the tour is keen to share all the facts that have made it
the place it is. As such, not only is it an interesting place to visit as a family, but you are also
enhancing your child’s education at the same time.
That very British sense of tradition, sprinkled with a quintessential amount of English
eccentricity, is very apparent when it comes to the tourist who wants to visit the Parliament’s
clock tower, Big Ben. The name Big Ben refers to the bell that sits in the clock tower, and
can be accessed by a staircase consisting of 393 steps. Overseas visitors are unable to visit,
but with prior agreement from your own MP, you may be able to ascend. If you make that
effort, this may well be the best family trip ever.
The bell itself weighs 13 tons, or 13760 kilos. Each dial in the clock face is seven metres in
diameter, the minute hands are 4.2 metres long and the numbers are approximately 60 cm
long. Big Ben is keeps regular time by a stack of coins placed on the pendulum, and it is an
extremely rare event if it ever doesn’t chime. It is this type of fact that will fascinate both you
and your family, making it a must see attraction on a family visit to London.
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6. Madame Tussauds
Name of London’s most famous attractions and Madame Tussauds will be mentioned again and
again.
As the name suggests, Madame Tussaud was from France, and in the 18th and 19th century, was
known for her artistic skill using the medium of wax. At one stage, she even made the death
masks for executed aristocrats, but eventually used her talent to make likenesses of more
popular historical figures. This was the start of what we know today, although Madame Tussaud
could never have envisaged how her idea would develop and that it would still be in existence
almost 200 years on.
Situated in Marylebone Road, Madame Tussauds has been in its present location since 1884, and
has attracted visitors in large numbers ever since. It mixes figures of not only celebrities but
also politicians, world figures, sporting giants and of course the Royal family. Not only is there
literally someone for everyone, but the eclectic mix under one roof adds a quirkiness that
portrays the English eccentricity to perfection.
Madame Tussauds has ensured it has remained popular by ensuring its waxworks are always of
people who are of current interest. By making sure that no exhibits are yesterday’s news, they
have avoided appearing stale. But another way they have remained popular is by adding
interactive features. This is no longer a place to simply walk around and take photos, but
exhibits are now placed into realistic sets and you have the opportunity to become part of that
scene. For example, in post-Olympic Britain, the heroes that made the event so special are
actually exhibited in action, so you may actually be next to them on the starting blocks. It is
these touches that make visiting Madame Tussauds less of a passing attraction and more of a
family day out.
As with most of London’s top attractions, it pays to do your research when it comes to entry
prices. Family tickets will bring you immediate savings, but London is all about deals. You can
purchase tickets to a few attractions up front, either via the internet, from your hotel, or from
agencies that specifically deal in saving you money, and buying in bulk can give you instant
savings. Or look out for money off coupons on money or coupon sites – this is the new savvy
way to shop.
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7. Open top busses
The London double decker bus is one of the capital’s most iconic items. Visit the city’s souvenir shops
and you will most certainly find an item related to the red buses to take home and remind you of your
trip.
Perfect for the tourist who wants to see the best London attractions that no trip to the capital city
should be without, the open top bus trip means you can beat the crowds and avoid the tube, whilst
having the perfect vantage point for taking those essential photos. For the family looking to explore
London, not only is the open top bus an exciting element of your trip, but it is also likely to take in the
landmarks that will form part of your child’s education as some point. It is also a safe option, meaning
you are not having to access public transport multiple times and ensuring you are together with no
fear of the busy London crowds separating you.
Like in most major cities, there are now many companies trying to get your business, and it always
pays to do your research.
There are many advantages to seeing London from the top of a bus the unpredictable UK climate
allowing. One of the main ones has to be the information that the tour provides. Quite often, this will
be by audio via a headphone set, and for international visitors, translated versions are available.
Children find the headphone option very appealing. It is a proven way of both absorbing and retaining
vital information, and of course it means they are not having to ask you constant questions. Some
tours have a tour guide who is there to not only explain where you are and what to look out for, but is
there to answer any questions also. This interactive experience can be a memorable one, and quite
entertaining if you get the host who likes to perform his words!
And if you want to spend some time at the landmarks, look out for tours that give you the option to get
on and off. This offers the ultimate in flexibility – spend as much time as you like at preferred places
(the tour timetable allowing of course), then simply get on the next tour bus for your chosen company
that passes, all at no extra cost.
Of course, all open top bus tours aren’t about the famous and expected landmarks. If your family’s
interests are more unusual, then there is likely to be a tour for you! But always be aware of street
sellers who are looking to take your money off you. Scams exist in any major city, and London is no
exception. Always look for official selling points, and if things don’t seem right, simply walk away –
your gut instinct is probably correct.
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8. London theatres
London is renowned the world over for its theatres and shows, and many a trip to the capital is
made specifically for that reason. So when you are looking to spend time as a family, why not
include a trip to a show and make the visit something that you will never forget.
London is the place to be to see both the latest musicals and plays, and of course those that have
stood the test of time. Seeing your favourite show in London takes it to another level, with
technology and sets that will literally astound. Of course, the top names in musical theatre and
acting are drawn to London theatres so you can expect to watch world class performances that
you wouldn’t get in any other UK city. This obviously comes at a higher premium but there are
ways to ensure you get the best deal.
If seeing a show is a priority, it is worth considering a package that includes your hotel
accommodation and tickets, and sometimes travel. Often this means that whilst you can’t choose
your specific seating, you will get a position in the theatre that whilst many not be front row, is
likely to not disappoint. To save on costs, there can be an option to choose the rating of your
hotel without knowing the exact place until you arrive. Knowing that the standard is guaranteed
and it will be within a reasonable distance of the theatre is reassuring for the family visit. At the
end of a busy day in the capital and the thrill of seeing a show, it is good to know that you can
soon be back in the comfort of your hotel room.
If the purpose of your trip is to see a specific show, it is wholly advisable to book in advance,
especially when it comes to the possibility of disappointed children. However, if you are happy
to take a risk, savings can be made by waiting for last minute returns. If your children are older
and happy to be separated maybe whilst seeing the show, visit one of the capital’s many ticket
agencies to see what availability they have. Newer shows and plays often try to pull in the
audience by selling off tickets at very low prices for a very limited period. If you are happy to get
up early and potentially queue, a number of cut price tickets for as low as £5 each can
sometimes be obtained on the day of the performance. Whilst it may not be the most popular
show in the city that day, it may be the one to break records tomorrow.
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9. Restaurants
Visit UK’s capital city and a world of gastronomic excellence and diversity is literally at your
feet.
Like many of the world’s capital cities, London is a literal melting pot of cultures, and this is very
much reflected in the diversity of the food that can be obtained here. Don’t expect to find just
great British food, as world class food such as French and Indian to name only two are easily
found. But if it is British food you are after, and the very best of what there is, London is home to
many of the top chef’s eateries. For example, Gordon Ramsay has more than one restaurant
here, but perhaps the most well-known would be ‘Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s’, the world
famous luxury hotel.
Jamie Oliver now has restaurants to suit differing tastes, but if Italian is one of yours, one of the
better known names under Jamie’s ownership is ‘Fifteen’. This flagship restaurant was set up
with the purpose of introducing people who were unemployed to the career of being a chef, and
true to its word, has continued to take young people and give them a successful career within
the food industry.
If you like to know what you are getting, London is home to the majority of well-known chains.
Catering for tastes such as Mexican and Italian, they cater for different price brackets and are
often ideally located. It is often worth browsing the internet before you leave to see if the
restaurant is offering any discount vouchers or family meal deals, and often eating within
certain hours can save on cost. For example, eating ‘early doors’ at around five o’clock is quieter
in general, but can be ideal for families looking to get an earlier night.
For families wanting to spend every possible second experiencing what London has to offer,
there are a lot of fast food establishments conveniently located. The major chains are very well
represented but there is a growing trend for street food, with the emphasis very firmly being on
supreme taste and quality. These street vans are setting up in the outdoors whilst being far from
cheap and cheerful, and this is often where food diversity really comes to the fore. Experience
authentic worldwide cuisines without the expense of paying for a table and service and dine in
the real streets of London.
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