How to cut costs on a family trip in London

Although London can be very costly, a family holiday to London doesn’t have to be expensive: there are many ways to save money on a family trip to London.

To help you get the best out of your holiday, we have thought on how to cut costs during your trip.

• Using an Oyster card

If you stay for more than one week this card is what you are looking for. You can use it for all London’s public transport and it’s cheaper than buying every time a single ticket. 

For example, paying cash for a single Underground journey in the centre of London is more than double that paying with an Oyster Card.

Alternatively, if you are staying one week or less, you could still save money doing the Travelcard ticket for 1 day or for 7 days.

• London Pass

With the London Pass you can get free access to 55 major London attractions for as little as £15.83 per day (£11.33 for child) and also allows you to skip lines at some attractions.

• Free museum 

You and your family can enjoy and discover the beauty of some of the most attractive and interesting London’s museums for free. They also organise (often during weekend) free workshops and family activities designed exclusively by professionals and devoted people. 

• Stay with us 

Whether you are looking for a short term or extended family accommodation, Boutique London Lets have a lot to offer. Our accommodation prices are competitive. When you book one of our apartments you don’t have to pay per room like you would in a hotel and you will have all the confort like in your house. 

Kitchen essentials like milk, tea, coffee, sugar, oil, salt and pepper are also provided for free taking the hassle out of family meal times. 

All our apartments are located in central London, easily accesible with close proximity to transports, museums, and London's popular tourist attractions. 

Our apartments will make you feel at home and you get all of this at significantly cheaper prices than comparable hotel accommodation.

Check our blog post regarding ‘Apartments Vs Hotels: A Comparison’ to discover the undeniable advantages to stay in one of our accommodation.

by Sara Laccone

Exploring Bloomsbury: one of London’s oldest and exclusive area

Today here at Boutique London Lets it is a very big day as we are thrilled to introduce you our brand new apartments, The Albany Serviced Apartments, magnificent studios and one-bedroom apartments.

The Albany Serviced Apartments

They are located in Bloomsbury, one of London’s oldest and exclusive area, location of the British Museum, the British Library and many more attractions.

Let’s begin our fantastic journey and discover this amazing district.

King's Cross Station

We are in King’s Cross station, a major railway and underground station in London. There are 6 underground lines (the Piccadilly line is the same line which can bring you directly from Heatrow Airport to here in 40 minutes) and also St Pancras International Station for the Eurostar service. Eurostar operate all train services through the Channel Tunnel to Continental Europe. It is also a great example of Victorian architecture and a triumph of nineteenth century architecture inside. 

King's Cross Station is also near many tourist attractions including The British Library and Regent's Park.

Located just 5 minutes from it you will find our Albany Apartments. So, there is no need for a taxi once you will arrive in London! 

Brunswick shopping centre

Right on your doorstep there is the Brunswick shopping centre that allows you to shop, eat and meet in the glorious surroundings of Bloomsbury. It has all you need just next to your accommodation. 

Heading to the British Museum, we passed through Russell Square, a great public place, completely redeveloped last year. 

Russell Square

The spring is coming and the café is perfect to enjoy the atmosphere of surrounding Bloomsbury back into the area's biggest central square. There is also a small ground-level water fountain and a statue attesting to the permanent status of the Russell family. 

Café in Russell Square

We also found this small green huts called cabman's shelter. The Cabmen's Shelter Fund was established in London in 1875 to run shelters for the drivers of cabs. By law, cab drivers could not leave the cab stand while their cab was parked there. This made it very difficult for them to obtain hot meals. Most of these shelter were staffed by an attendant who sold food and (non-alcoholic) drink to the cabbies and were provided with a kitchen in which the attendant could cook this food.Thirteen of the shelters still exist and are still run by the Cabmen's Shelter Fund and the one in Russell square is one of them.

Cabman's shelter in Russell Square

Nearby there is also Torrington Square with its great market where, every Thursday, you can find right in the heart of Bloomsbury, a good selection of farm products and hot food to take away. This fantastic market could represent a valid escape from your office or meeting for an hour. You can pop down and grab some fresh food and fresh air. 

Our journey has finished now and we hope you have enjoyed this virtual trip in Bloomsbury and we look forward to seeing you in London! 

by Sara Laccone

Five family adventures in London

A visit to London does not need to be restricted to just a day trip. Why not consider planning a fabulous weekend adventure in our capital city it’s easier than you think! Booking an apartment or house offers you many benefits including: freedom – cost effectiveness – flexible locations – ability to keep the all-important routine for younger children.

Sight Seeing

Tower Bridge

The tube experience is an interesting one and worth doing, if only to warm the children up on a cold day! For fun sightseeing take an open top bus ride touring the major sites and looking at the truly stunning architecture, old and new. My children always compete to spot the longest limo! On warmer days the river taxi is fun so many of London’s iconic landscapes like Tower Bridge are easy to spot and admire. You could end your journey at Canary Wharf and visit the O2.

The O2 

The O2

The British Music experience at the O2 is fabulous fun for all of the family with memorabilia spanning decades and interactive instruments such as Gibson guitars, pianos, drums and also a vocal booth to record yourself singing and release your inner pop star! With plenty of genres to enjoy this really is a fun family experience.

When you finally drag yourself away from all the musical fun and leave the O2 you could perhaps try a walk with a difference, walk across the roof of the white dome and take in the breath taking views.

If you really do have a head for heights…

The Shard

The Shard

You will find The Shard on the Southbank the tallest building in Western Europe at an impressive height of 310 metres. Travel up 68 floors in a Kaleidoscopic high speed lift the view will be exhilarating. Opening to the public on 1^st February and booking tickets is recommended. The Shard is the new ‘must do’!

Heading back towards the London Eye, as you stroll along the river be sure to have some spare change for the truly brilliant street acts that line the embankment. From incredible break-dancers to fire-eaters you will be wowed by the tricks and turns that make such a great show.

If it’s a live circus that takes your fancy… 

Cirque du Soleil

Cirque du Soleil

The amazing and intriguing Cirque du Soleil – at the Royal Albert Hall: one of London’s most iconic venues which opened in 1871 and was named after Queen Victoria’s late husband Prince Albert. This magnificent building hosts over 300 events a year from Classical concerts, Opera, Pop and Rock to charity events and now Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza. A story about “The Innocent” told using Acrobatic wonder and the art of clowning; taking you on a loners’ journey in search of his place in the world and told with humour and emotion. A visual treat for the senses so prepared to be wowed! Showing from 5^th January – 14^th February.

Sticking with the theatrical..

Matilda the musical

Matilda the musical is showing at the Cambridge theatre near to Covent Garden. Genuinely hilarious laugh out loud theatre (while I went with my son and his young friends I would happily go with adults this show is a must-see in my book!). I suggest a matinee showing and then look to head to Covent Garden to browse the market stalls and stop for an early supper. There are plenty of places to eat in Covent Garden or head to China Town for an oriental feast.

Museums for something educational and fun...

The Science Museum

Try one of the many museums that are spread around London. The Natural History  Museum  with its giant T Rex is always a firm favourite or next door The Science Museum with lots of interactive displays little fingers and minds will be kept busy and entertained. Both have free entry and with Kensington High Street and Knightsbridge nearby you could indulge in a spot of shopping after browsing the museums. Pop into Harrods the children will be in awe of the confectionary section, Willy Wonker eat your heart out! The café on the childrens clothing floor is great for kids my youngest son swears that the hotdogs are the biggest he has ever seen!

Planning a weekend in London really allows you to enjoy all that is on offer in this wonderful city.

This is a Guest post from Kirsti Banyard, a travel writer for Home Away. 

http://www.homeaway.co.uk/london/s/482/fa/find.squery

Borough Market: a unique corner of London

Why not visit the Borough Market, a unique corner of London and the country’s most renowned food market?

Borough Market

Right on the vibrant South Bank, our Southwark Serviced Apartments are conveniently just a short walk from the London's Oldest Fruit & Veg Market.

It is more than a place to buy and sell food. It’s a unique corner of London that captures its rich culinary history. A source of quality British and international produce, it is also the busiest, and the most popular for gourmet goodies. It’s a place where people come to discover the tastes, aromas, textures and colours that only fresh, seasonal food can offer.

Located in Southwark Street and Borough High Street just south of Southwark Cathedral on the southern end of London Bridge, the wholesale market operates on all weekday mornings from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m., but the retail market operates only on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Borough Market has become a fashionable place to buy food. It has been promoted by British television chefs and has been used as a film set. Notable films with scenes filmed in the streets around the market include: Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001), Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004). It also appeared in the Savage Garden music video for Hold Me.

Delights at Borough Market

The options of delights to try here are really endless, so... Buon Appetito! 

For more detailed information about Southwark area, make sure to check out our Southwark location guide. 

by Sara Laccone