Advice on areas to stay in London that are not dull or rough...

We used to live in Blackheath:

Pros:

Pretty place with big green space 

It's pretty safe to walk around 

Plenty of nice pubs and eateries

Feels like a village more than London

Cons:

Not on the tube. Overland to London Bridge is about 20 mins

Feels more like a village than London, so you're not getting the full London experience

Somewhere like richmond for me, good transport links in but loads of things to do locally, river, richmond park, kew gardens.  If I was doing things in central London I d stay centrally, you can't beat walking from your hotel.  Some really good pubs in richmond too.

London is pretty large and presumably you want to minimise time on the tube so what are you actually planning to do in London as this may assist with recommendations.

I've not been to that London since I was 11(!), but my wife and daughter stayed near in a Premier Inn Hub near Kings Cross just before Xmas. They didn't feel unsafe and really liked Coal Drops Yard as a place to get something to eat in the evenings.

https://www.kingscross.co.uk/coal-drops-yard

Yeah, want to be fairly central, but not in the congestion charge zone, we're driving, I know... (wanted to train, but is too bloody expensive and takes too long. We also have to drop the dog off on route, was just becoming a pain in the ....)

Some of things we have in mind are Camden market, borough market, south bank, science museum, Covent Garden, tower of london....

We'll be staying in an air B&B or aparthotel type thing.

Depending on where you are driving in from, maybe park in outskirts and tube in to stay central. Bankside is pretty trendy and safe, handy for Borough south bank etc. Camden is, imho, a shit hole, so I wouldn't stay there . Pimlico is ok, maida vale also. 

Tbh you might be better looking at areas and prices that suits you and your journey to London and then asking opinions.

Yeah, we don't really know anything about London, although we have been on a couple of days trips before.

Driving in from Leeds via Leicester. Would be happy to park outside and get the tube/train in, but as always trying to stop costs spiraling. Although tube in versus Ulez charge is probably the same.

We've seen nice apartments in Stratford and Canning town but both seem either a bit dull or (used to be) shit holes...

I'm not bothered about staying in a really fancy area, but some character would be nice.

Go to London, I guarantee you'll either be mugged or not appreciated. Catch the train to London. Stopping at: Rejection. Disappointment. Back-stabbing Central and Shattered Dreams Parkway

If you're coming from the North, maybe the Kentish Town, Tufnell Park kind of area. Easy access into the center and nice pubs locally and in the more extended local area (Hampstead/Highgate/Islington). Very broadly speaking, outside of the center, London isn't really nice/rough areas, it's very much mixed up, with roads of 10 million pound houses next door to nasty estates. 

If you're coming from the North, maybe the Kentish Town, Tufnell Park kind of area

I was gonna say somewhere like this, maybe West Hampstead rather than Hampstead itself.

No idea where the congestion charge zones are these days though.

If leaving the car and stopping more central, I'd always recommend Fitzrovia.

OK, I’m going to weigh in here as I live in Leeds and although I am not a super-regular visitor to London, being a musician and having driven and gone by train, I have spent more time in London than most Northerners.

First of all, London is pretty safe these days, it’s incredibly gentrified, even the bits that don’t look it. It is true that there is a problem with cycle by phone snatchers, but, if you are careful with how you wield your phone and are aware of who is around you, then you shouldn’t get bothered by them.

If you have secured parking at either of the Canning Town or Stratford locations, I think these will be good bases from which to explore. Neither are super central, but they aren’t mega far out of town either. Neither of them is going to provide any spectacular local thrills. Stratford is a bit of a newbuild no-man’s land and Canning Town is a bit non-descript (but slightly better connected to other fun areas close by). Stratford has a massive shopping centre, which although soul-less does have good food option and decent cinemas. Also, there might even be some bits of the old Olympic Park to explore.

Both areas have good transport links to other parts of London, though, so if you have a good price on a hotel and cheap or free parking to go with it, then I think they will be good choices.

The other thing that makes these locations good, is that from Leeds you will be going to bits of London that are some of the easiest to get to by car from Leeds. Blast down the A1, then the M11, a few seconds of the North Circular, then the A12 pretty much delivers you pain free into the part of East London you are planning on staying in.

If I am ever doing gigs at that side of London and am with the car, that’s the way I will be going into the city.

Furthermore, I think East London is total mega-fun, it is in no way as pretty on the eye as the more touristy central bits, but there’s more interesting things to do and it has the best “vibe” of all of London in my opinion. Rotherhithe peninsula has some old Victorian areas and nice pubs to walk around (and The Brunel Museum) and the river walk from there to Bermondsey and beyond is a cheap and little know treat. The river bus is fun at this end of the Thames as the speed limit on the river goes up and sitting out at the back of that on a sunny day is a proper blast, you can then get it to Greenwich and wonder around the museums, parks and nice bars they have there.

Anyhow, I think others will disagree but I think the Stratford and Canning Town options will be really good, just be prepared for a little train or tube journey if you want thrills and entertainment.

Although tube in versus Ulez charge is probably the same

Is your car ULEZ compliant? The ULEZ zone is huge these days so if trying to stay outside of it you'll be miles out of central London.  I'd not be looking to drive at all centrally, just park your car at the AirBnB and use public transport.

I live in Twickenham so have a SW London, but the Richmond area is really nice with plenty locally as well as easy train (or tube, though District Line is slow) into Waterloo, so easy to get central.

Posted by: BoardinBob

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Go to London, I guarantee you'll either be mugged or not appreciated. Catch the train to London. Stopping at: Rejection. Disappointment. Back-stabbing Central and Shattered Dreams Parkway

I take it you didn't get a second series?

I would suggest that Stratford is not particularly nice (a bit stabby at times). You probably won't get mugged in London but if you want to be Id say Stratford is the place to achieve that goal. Also if they're wandering unsupervised it's your kids who are more likely to get robbed than an adult.

It's got a big shopping centre but the area has a lot of low level crime and muggers on ebikes etc outside of the shopping centre. A former colleague who worked for a company as security manager based in the centre wasn't overly complimentary about the safety levels in it either.

Canning town always used to be a toilet but I've not been there for a while so maybe it's been cleaned up .

You'll probably be fine, as above London is pretty safe unless you do something stupid, like most big cities, but neither would be on my list.

Bankside +1. Somewhere between Southwark, Borough and London Bridge tube stations. Some good pubs and places to go to eat. You're on the river so can use the clipper to explore east and west and within walking distance of loads of cool sites. 

All great info, cheers. Car isn't Ulez compliant but that'll only cost me £25 or something so not fussed about that, will be parked up when we get there and not used until we leave. Will have a good look on Air B&B/Vrbo tonight, but I understand parking could be an issue we'll have to deal with.

I was joking about getting mugged though*, I'm a big boy and have been about a bit. Grew up in the ghetto's of Leicester!! 

*although good to hear about and be reminded getting phones swiped. Need to tell the kids to be vigilant...

If you have time and are going to use public transport take a look at discounted travel or even getting an Oyster Zip Card for the kids (just Google Oyster Zip / TFL).

Leeds has a significantly higher crime rate than London - maybe the Stratford locals will be running scared of your family;? 

Unless you walk everywhere (which is just about doable fwiw if you're staying in the west end) then you're likely running on travel cards or whatever as above so no additional expense to driving in. I stay over monthly for work and lived there 14 years. I like kind of round east of the city, but I'm thinking bars and venues.

If you're doing touristy stuff with kids and will basically be out for the day Stratford would work well. You just need a zone 2 card to get into town and it's under 15 mins on the Elizabeth line to Tottenham Court Rd (middle of the west end). 

Stratford is a dump still in places but the olympic park is worth a look and you will feel like you're in actual London. 

Here we go - crime in 2024:

Leeds Crime Rate:
Overall Crime Rate: 151 crimes per 1,000 people.
Violent Crime: Leeds has a high rate of violent crime, contributing significantly to its overall crime rate.
Specific Crimes:
Shoplifting is a rapidly growing crime type.
Burglary is also a significant concern, with Leeds having a high rate compared to the national average.
The most common crimes are anti-social behavior and bike theft.

London Crime Rate:
Overall Crime Rate: 106 crimes per 1,000 people.
Most Common Crimes: Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent crimes in London.
Violent Crime: The annual rate for violent crime in London is approximately 88% of the average rate for England and Wales.
Key Differences:
Magnitude: Leeds has a higher crime rate than London overall.

Types of Crime: While both cities experience various crimes, Leeds sees a higher proportion of violent crime and burglary, while London struggles with violence and sexual offences.

.

Crikey John, I was only taking the piss. I thought using a fictional place from an 80's cop show would have shown that! Sorry if I offended you though.

All I meant was I'd like to stay in a gentrified area where I can walk into a pub and order fizzy brownish drink that is both overly hoppy and over priced, rather than Nelson Mandela House....

And yet another option - I stay in the Premier Inn at the end of the A4/Hogarth roundabout in Chiswick a few times a year.

Basically near the the Fullers Brewery.

You can park your car under the Premier Inn (at additional cost of course....). Nice walk along the Thames (go to the Mari deli for good coffee) and easy walking distance (10 mins) to District Line (Turnham Green).

My take on this, stay on the outskirts, my go to is the Premier Inn at Hayes, can park there or next door at ASDA, book online. 5 minute walk to the Elizabeth line, straight into London. Also 2 junctions down the M4. Spend your time in London, sleep where it's cheap. Alternative Ibis at Earls court, some half decent bars and restaurants there. Trouble with driving is the parking is difficult and expensive.

Posted by: johnx2

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You just need a zone 2 card to get into town and it's under 15 mins on the Elizabeth line to Tottenham Court Rd (middle of the west end).

Does anyone actually use Oyster or tickets on public transport these days? Whenever I go to London, I just double-click my phone on the yellow pad, , although that’s a bit trickier with kids in tow, I guess. Borough Market was mentioned, in which case, if the weather is good then I would absolutely recommend The Shard. Other than a helicopter ride, you will not get a better view of the city - you’re just shy of 1000 feet up, and you only have large sheets of glass between you and a lot of fresh air! The views are spectacular!

Cool, more good options. The shard looks good.

Does anyone actually use Oyster or tickets on public transport these days? 

Yep, probably 95% of times I use the tube, saves waving a phone or bank card about, Mrs Kilo is the same. In fact I tried the phone last week and I've topped my oyster card up today and am going back to that.

Coming from Leicester I’d park at Luton parkway if you can get a decent train and parking deal from there. 

Do not stay in Canning Town. It’s on a par with the worst places in East Leeds. Stratford is not much better. The pubs on the Westfield side of the track are crappy shopping centre bars and the other side is just grim. It is very well connected though.

I’d go with Doug D’s idea of Southwark / Bankside. Farringdon could be good if budget allows. Remember that the financial centre is dead at weekends and maybe avoid that.

If you find some accommodation that suits post up the area and somebody will know it.

Always use my phone on the tube, its brilliant. The Shard is good but not cheap.

8 bishopsgate for views of the shard, went there for a work meeting, the lookout you need to book but I think it's free? Shard is pricey!

Well, in true STW fashion, I asked a question, said what I wanted, listened to your responses and did something else!!

TBH, we got sick of looking for places and found a nice looking apartment on the riverside in between Wandsworth and Battersea for a decent price with balcony and river views. Walking distance from Clapham junction so should be able to get about. And it has on site parking, although we have to pay extra for it.

Thanks for all the info and tips peeps.

Good choice!

Battersea Power Station is worth a visit, it's a load of extremely posh shops and apartments now but the building is cool and there's some history, archive footage, old bits of machinery etc around the place. There's also an enclosed glass lift that goes up one of the chimneys and pops out the top for a panoramic view:

https://lift109.co.uk/

If you want a day out in green space, you're not that far from Richmond Park. Lots of deer there.

And you can nip over the river to Chelsea, natural home of the SUV, you can observe large packs of them in the wild. A beautiful sight indeed... 😉

Good choice, Clapham, by CJ station, is quite dynamic, lots of life and eateries. Battersea Power Station is surprisingly good for. shopping centre and the lift mentioned by crazy-legs is worth doing. You can also pick up the river bus there and it’s a nice run up to Tower Bridge or on to Greenwich if the weather is good.

Agreed, Clapham is a good choice.

On the Oyster thing, as an adult yes ApplePay for public transport, but for the kids the Oyster Zip saves a fortune.  My 16y/o is terrified of losing her free bus travel. 

That will be very pleasant, just don't forget to wear your rugby (union) shirts so you blend in with the locals.

I'll make sure I pack one of my Tigers shirts, I'm sure they'll love that!

We'll get oysters for the kids and wife and I will use our phones.

Sounds perfect. Clapham locals bracing for incoming northern crimewave....

I'm not sure you asked for suggestions on what to do, but as few tips as a long term Londoner -

- don't take the tube everywhere.  The centre of London isn't huge and you'll see a lot more if you walk

eg - take the bus from where you are to Vauxhall and then it's only about an hour to walk along the south bank as far as London Bridge (though you could easily make it take all day.  Some decent boozers along the way, loads of places to eat, Tate Modern, Borough Market)

Likewise in under an hour you can easily walk from Green Park Tube through Soho, Chinatown, Covent Garden on on to the British Museum.  (Again, stop to shop, eat and at the museum and that's easily a day of entertainment without getting on public transport) 

Download CityMapper to navigate when you are using Public transport as it's far better than google. 

If your partner and kids ride bikes then get some rental bikes.  

Lime e-bikes are a load of fun (but quickly get expensive even if you buy passes).  But the trad Boris-bikes are £3 a day for unlimited rides up to 30 minutes.  If you're smart you can use them all day and pay no more than that - 30 mins is long enough to get between most places in zone 1 and if you're just riding round then you do a F1 style change every 29 minutes (we did this with some mates and kids when they were over).  After about 20 minutes you look for a dock, dock the bikes and take them back out again).  

I've never tried it but the best/cheapest longer term option appears to be renting Brompton's for £5 a day(!) https://bromptonhire.com/

https://santandercycles.tfl.gov.uk/map?intcmp=48337

if you're nervous about the family riding in traffic then https://safecycleldn.com/ shows all the safe routes - either on protected cycleway, through parks, shared paths or on truly quiet areas of streets (Low Traffic Neighbourhods) 

From where you are you could ride up to Hyde Park (theres a gap, but the purple line connects it and I'd ride it with anyone), round Hyde Park, down to Westminster and all the way along the north bank to the Tower of London.  I'd walk across Tower Bridge personally as it's properly nasty on a bike (if you're on hire bikes just pick up new ones on the south bank).

The next bit you can't do on Santander bikes without paying for a time but theres now a proper protected cycleway all the way to Greenwich. (I didn't know the newest bit was open yet). And you'll see on SafeCycleLdn theres also a riverbank route you can follow nearly all of the way.  

From Greenwich get the Thames Clipper/Uber boat all the way back to Battersea Power Station (or get off somewhere central).  Sit in the open by the engines at the back for the noise and brilliant views of the city - and it's actually even better to do after dark as all the bridges are lit up now.   https://illuminatedriver.london  (you can take your bikes on the Thames Clipper for free and they take up to 14 per boat so I've never been turned down but that's only really relevant if you've got your own or are renting by the day).  The other interesting way to get to Greenwich is of course via the DLR.  

Posted by: b33k34

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- don't take the tube everywhere.  The centre of London isn't huge and you'll see a lot more if you walk

This is very true. Tube if you need to get somewhere quick. Literally anything else if you actually want to see London.

Just be aware that with your kids aged 14 & 16, you won't be able to use Lime bikes but you can use Santander.
https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/terms-and-conditions/santander-cycles
https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/santander-cycles/how-it-works

Arrive at a terminal, you can hire up to 4 bikes in one transaction. It's a bit of a time to present your card each time and punch in the release codes but it's all pretty straightforward. Key thing is to be prepared so you can release all the bikes and go, not faff around with packing things away or standing around working out which way to ride.

The Santander Cycles app is worth downloading before you go, that's got a built in route planner and will how you quiet routes and the cycle parking provision including how many docks are free, how many bikes are available and so on.

Park at Hemel Hempstead station, easy quick train into London, stay in any central hotel of your choosing/budget and walk/tube to your sights

Well, in true STW fashion, I asked a question, said what I wanted, listened to your responses and did something else!!

TBH, we got sick of looking for places and found a nice looking apartment on the riverside in between Wandsworth and Battersea for a decent price with balcony and river views. Walking distance from Clapham junction so should be able to get about. And it has on site parking, although we have to pay extra for it.

Well you've certainly done far better than the Stratford/Canning Town options you were looking at previously!

I don't go to London often at all these days, avoid it at all costs in general, but had to go to Excel at the Docklands last week with my GF and we had to walk through Canning Town (stayed near Canary Wharf) and it's an absolute homogenous concrete monstrosity of a place! Nothing there except new build flats and soulless hotels, rows and rows of the bloody things... And being London, nobody can afford to do anything except sit at home or go to work, so there's absolutely sweet FA going on there too!

MUCH prefer South London as a rule if I have to go to London... Still has its bad bits no doubt, but on the whole would rather stay south of the river and get the tube up into the city if I needed to for the day. You're far more likely to find a pub that you'd rather sit in (or heaven forbid, outside!!!) in South London, especially if you head east to Greenwich... In fact, spend some time in Greenwich, the parks and University grounds are a welcome green respite from the concrete monstrosity of the city, there's plenty of good pubs and old school pie&mash shops, the observatory is pretty cool etc... Wandsworth/Battersea where you're staying is pretty decent, and being on the river you'll have some decent views, and you're not far from the London Eye I expect...

Wow, some great detailed info there. Cheers guys.

from where you’re staying I’d be planning an evening / sunset stroll around Richmond and planning to have a pint at the roebuck if the weather is nice.

- don't take the tube everywhere.  The centre of London isn't huge and you'll see a lot more if you walk

 

 

This is very true. Tube if you need to get somewhere quick. Literally anything else if you actually want to see London.

Yeah true, but at some point, normally around 17000 steps for me, your legs or your kids will give up and demand to know why you're walking down yet another boring street of mansions. Then you'll turn a corner and see a blue plaque saying that the Beatles played on the roof of the building, your kids will say 'who are the Beatles', your knees won't be as impressed as you want them to be and you still have another 30 minutes of walking before you reach your destination. London isn't big but it's big enough - that's why they have a great public transport transport system.

If you want a day out in green space, you're not that far from Richmond Park. Lots of deer there.

If you enjoy spending your time in real green spaces then a trip to Richmond Park is the turbo trainer in the garage equivalent of MTBing. I lived a couple of miles from it about 30 years ago and remember being puzzled about the people setting off from the carparks equipped as if they were seeking the source of the Nile. Nothing had changed the last time I visited, about 8 years ago, except more cars and infinitely more bikes. But, there are deer, that is true. I always preferred the wild area on the edge of Hampton Court but that's probably not there any more.

Yeh, it is, Bushy Park to the north of the river / HCP is quite manicured through the main avenues but either side, particularly the eastern half towards Kingston Bridge have some quite wild bracken areas where herds of deer can hide away.

South of the A308, Hampton Court Home Park is part accessible but not as much fun IMHO.

Loads to see around Fleet St and Inns of Court, often behind wicket gates but accessible and some very interesting areas where the lawyers have their premises; real step away from the bustle of the city despite being in the heart of it. Almost Oxbridge College like.

And a quick google and you can find some shortish walking or biking tours with different themes. You don't have to do them all either, as they're self guided

https://www.aladyinlondon.com/2024/04/unusual-walks-in-london.html

And if you get a little homesick you can always see the acclaimed photography exhibition "Nothing Lasts Forever" at the Photographers Gallery - https://thephotographersgallery.org.uk/whats-on/peter-mitchell-nothing-lasts-forever  

Posted by: crazy-legs

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Just be aware that with your kids aged 14 & 16, you won't be able to use Lime bikes

lol, I reckon at least 50% of Lime bike users I see are well under 18! Granted, a lot of them are also using it without the app by doing the 'bounce on the back wheel' unlock thing so it's bleeping away the whole time 🙂