Hi Jo Jo. Whilst the aquarium is not cheap, it is very good. The highlight has got to be the 2 ocean tanks, which go through the floor to the next level, so you can see how the fish swim in layers - fascinating. Kids love the touch pool, where they can stroke fish such as rays. You may like to visit the website at
http://www.londonaquarium.co.uk

Thanks for the reply

It sounds great, the cost isnt an issue (not that we're millionaires or anything!!) as this will be part of my daughter's present too.

A separate question - do you (or anyone else) know of any good restaurants for kids (not McDonalds!) in London? We've been to the Rainforest Cafe which was great, but wonder if there is anywhere different to try.

many thanks again.

Anyone up for a 'guess'timate of a taxi fare from Shepherds Bush Empire to Kings Cross at about 3 in the morning? Would booking be cheaper? How about a reputable cab company or do I ask at the Hotel?

Cheers....

Boothers..

probably best to do it through your hotel...I would say better off with a black cab...

can't give you a guestimite on price but if you use a black cab at that time of the morning...it will not take long to get to Kings X and it's on the meter.

Black cabs become expensive if they get stuck in traffic because the meter keeps ticking over when your sat still.

regards boaz..

Depends what they like really, Jo Jo. Unfortunately, there is a McD's as part of the aquarium complex but you may find Garfunkel's, TGI Fridays, or Planet Hollywood to be worth a visit.
The downstairs cafe at the Royal Festival Hall is very good, too.

Cheers Boaz

Going to London for a long weekend on the 27th January. We are wanting to go on the London Eye , have found the website. Was just wondering if it is best to Pre book, We are going to be in London for 2 and a half days so was going to see what the weather brings when we get there.

michaela

Hi, we did the London Eye last May (on a freezing cold Saturday !) - from what I can rember it was slightly cheaper to book on line and also gave you some deals with the river cruises and Mdm T's.

As we had pre booked, we did not have to queue so long as everyone else, and you can select a particular time window for your 'flight'.

That said the queue wasn't that long in even in May, early evening (15 mins max ?) and it did move smoothly and quickly...... and although we selected a late 'flight' time (6.30pm) ..we did feel restricted all day as to our activities, in case we missed it !

One bit of advice make sure you are standing (and smiling )on the INNER side of the wheel, nearest the river (but NOT in the section opposite the door), because as you near the end of the ride you get your photo taken on that side !

michaela

You might be better waiting until you get there. As you are spending two days here the weather might be better on one of the days and visibility would therefore be better. I would imagine the queues won't be too bad on a weekend in Jan.

If you get there early there is a shop (natch) and you can buy a card that points out what sites you are looking at as you go round plus its a bit of a memento of the trip.

We plan a short trip to London around easter and I have some problems finding good info on cheap hotels in London (rather central if possible)
We = 5 or 6 people (age 22-32) are used to not having much comfort (all of us camp at music festivals like Wacken, and can do with the bare minimum)
We search for a hotel that is not too far away from the centre - if possible with breakfast (continental is ok) for 3 or 4 nights ...
We would be ok with sharing 3 bed or 4bed rooms ...

I would be happy about every tipp or link for more hotel information
- it's not that easy to get the good info from Germany ...

LaMina

The Regent Palace Hotel has reasonable prices and is centrally situated.

Website at http://www.regentpalacehotel.co.uk

HTH

thanks for the link, this is good, but is there a possibility for a cheaper place ?
3 of us are still students and one just married and his wife is expecting already ...
so we are on a tight budget ...
it can be a bit less central, everything that isn't too far from a tube station zone 1 or 2 should be okay I think ...

My son also camped out at Wacken!!

Try St Christopher's Village or The Generator - might suit you better. The music is said to be good! (But I regret I don't share my son's taste in ANY form of Metal!)

Ive stayed in student accomodation in the past near to Euston but not sure if its avail all year round?

Will see if i can dig out an old copy of London on a budget as it was full of cheap digs.....................

This might help?
http://www.londontown.com/hotels/

http://www.londonnet.co.uk/ln/guide/accomm/budget.html

http://www.budget-hotels-in-london.com/hostels-in-london/hostels.htm

Have also stayed here but its 20 mins from the city in a rather 'interesting' at night area!
http://www.superbreak.com/hotels/hotel-299.htm

Alison

Paddington is the mot popular area or budget London B&B hotels. You should find a room for as ltle as £35 ppp night but don't expect luxury. The B&Bs are very near Paddingtn tube and close to Hyde Park. The West End is within walking distance (for fit young students).

http://www.royalnorfolkhotel.co.uk/

http://www.discountcityhotels.com/London/Hotels/Warwick-Hotel-Paddington-INFO.htm

http://www.cardiff-hotel.com/

A better bet might be national chains Travelodge & Premier Travel Inn. Rooms are dearer but you can share

For example the Travelodge at Kings Cross currently has family rooms at Easter for £65 per night AND you can get THREE adults in this. These are very comfortable rooms with ensuite / TV. You need to book quick as these will go quickly. The good thing is that you can cancel without penalty up to 12 noon on date of arrival.

http://www.travelodge.co.uk
http://www.premertravelinn.co.uk

be careful as some hotels are located in London suburbs.

http://www.mitrehousehotel.com/

I have stayed at the Mitre House Hotel quite a few times, it is located close to Paddington train station, the prices are reasonable, the hotel clean and breakfast is included.

Steer clear of the Cardiff Hotel its a hovel.

Sarah

I will be carefull to choose something that is not in the suburbs ...
It's not like I wasn't in London before, I never had to search for cheap hotels there ; we stayed near paddington station with a group a couple of years ago but it was rainbow tours, so both trip and hotel were booked over rainbowtours and we didn't know where we would stay, minutes before we arrived at the hotel add to that that Rainbow tours gets better prices because they book for big groups ... - so I already know I can deal with the not so comfy rooms - and we were there on election day so we got the worst of it, nearly double the amount of people for the room (we were 7 in a 4 bed room, they just put some extra beds into it - ) and things like that
We just need some place to stay that is near the city center because we want to go sightseeing and shopping and all that and not pay a fortune for the tube tickets

the other times we just got into the city per bus or train and were in hotels somewhere along the south coast ...

We have used this one quite often:

http://www.activehotels.com/servlet/xmlbrochure/index.do?hotelid=110267&day=&month=&year=&trkref=YLL&subid=&numrooms=&numnights=&language=&mode=

Quite cheap and located next to Earls Court Tube Station.

Sarah - agree with you on the Cardiff - but that's true of a lot of those Paddington B&Bs that lok OK from the outside. Trouble is, on LaMinas budget this is probably the most likely area. Personally I'd be tempted by that Travelodge rate - KC is only a few tube stops out of the West End.