London travel/attraction advice

[FeedTheArf]

Wondering if UTC can be the font of all knowledge once more.

I’ve booked a couple of nights in Watford at the beginning of August with my wife and 6yr old. What’s the best/cheapest way of getting from Watford into central London? Train or tube? Is there any type of travel pass, either for one day or three days?

Also we’ve booked to see Matilda one night but otherwise nothing else. 6yr old seems to be allergic to walking, so are there any recommendations for attractions/sights that are clustered together and don’t involve loads of walking in between? Or would one of those open top buses be better?

Grateful for any tips!

[MrTopTier]

Harry Potter World is near Watford and is definitely worth a visit.

[Tricky Trevor]

Was there in April and travel was far easier than I expected. Didn’t get an Oyster card(£7 for card alone) but tapped credit card for buses, trains and underground. If it came under TfL there is a daily maximum in place. Can’t say if Watford comes under TfL but guessing I would think yes.

[claret wizard]

Watford is tfl, train into Euston on London Overground services. All counts towards your daily cap.

[FeedTheArf]

Watford is tfl, train into Euston on London Overground services. All counts towards your daily cap.

So I’m better tapping in and out with contactless than buying a one day travel card?

[nil_desperandum]

So I’m better tapping in and out with contactless than buying a one day travel card?

Don't think there's any advantage to a card, since using your contactless card it won't charge you above the daily limit.

[LDNBFC87]

So I’m better tapping in and out with contactless than buying a one day travel card?

I'd recommend using an Oyster/Contactless bank card for all train tap in's/out's. Buying a ticket each time will be 3-4 times the price.

[Croydon Claret]

Easier to just tap in/out with your card than messing around with paper tickets. At the end of the day it works out where you've been and charges you the cheapest price. Just remember to tap out at the end of each journey or you'll get charged the max fare instead. Some stations do not have physical barriers and the machine is off to one side somewhere so it's easy to forget

Watford is too far out for the Underground so you'd have to use the Overground, which is a glorified tube train that doesn't go through tunnels, or the main line trains. Don't confuse Overground with the National Rail trains, two different things

Kids under 11 go free on most TFL options apart from National Rail(some exceptions but none that go to Watford)
https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/tickets- ... in-london/

Main line train into Euston takes around half the time as Overground but you'd have to pay for the youngster.

There's various apps you can get to figure out the routes across London. I use "London Transit" but there are many others.

Not really up on things to do with kids but the Science museum and Natural History museums are always swarming with 50million kids so they must be popular Best of all - they're both free and right next to each other. Could easily spend a full day in each of them. Go to South Kensington tube and it's a 10 minute walk via the dedicated pedestrian tunnel

[pompeyclaret]

You can walk from Buckingham Palace, to Trafalgar Sq and Leicester Sq (lego store if of interest) and is only a mile. Houses of Parliament/ big ben/ Westminster Abbey & London Eye all in close proximity too, and should be ok for a little stroll with breaks.

Lots to see, would recommend the London Eye, can get a very good view up high, and normally offers on the 'fligts'.

[FeedTheArf]

I’ve just been looking up prices for the London eye - £110 for the 3 of us!

Best get shopping around for some vouchers!

[Darthlaw]

Natural history museum and science museum are across the road from each other and both free entry, if you’re looking for something to do.

Imperial war museum is the same.

About 5 minutes walk from the tube stop too.

[Scampi]

Watford does have tube as well as overground, though the tube station is a bit out of the town centre. Whereabouts are you staying?

[Burnley1989]

You'll have a fantastic time, I'm planning to take my children down at some point for some sightseeing, might wait until the 2 year old is a little older though as she'd be a nightmare.
Londons one of the best cities in the world, but I'm happy dipping in and out for a day or 2, couldn't live there, too fast and hectic me for a soft agoraphobic like me

[FeedTheArf]

Watford does have tube as well as overground, though the tube station is a bit out of the town centre. Whereabouts are you staying?

Watford Croxley Green Premier Inn

[Scampi]

Watford Croxley Green Premier Inn

About a mile away from my house!

From there you're closest to Watford underground station - maybe 5-10 mins walk (for an adult). That's on the Metropolitan line which will take you all the way into central London. It's slower than the overground line (which goes from the stations in Watford town centre) but it's the last station on the line so at least you're always guaranteed a seat! If you did want to use the overground to get into London, you'd need to get a bus from the Premier Inn to either Watford Junction station or Watford High Street station.

You're also right next to Cassiobury Park which is great for kids (mini train, splash park, big playground etc)

[FeedTheArf]

About a mile away from my house!

From there you're closest to Watford underground station - maybe 5-10 mins walk (for an adult). That's on the Metropolitan line which will take you all the way into central London. It's slower than the overground line (which goes from the stations in Watford town centre) but it's the last station on the line so at least you're always guaranteed a seat! If you did want to use the overground to get into London, you'd need to get a bus from the Premier Inn to either Watford Junction station or Watford High Street station.

You're also right next to Cassiobury Park which is great for kids (mini train, splash park, big playground etc)

We thought we’d be able to park at the station (train or tube), do you think they’ll fill up early doors with commuters?

Thanks for the park, sounds perfect!

[Scampi]

We thought we’d be able to park at the station (train or tube), do you think they’ll fill up early doors with commuters?

Thanks for the park, sounds perfect!

No parking at the tube station. Parking at Watford Junction station, or park in the town centre car parks for Watford High Street - should be room. (One way system, and traffic generally, is a bit of a nightmare though)

You're also dead close to Watford's ground on Vicarage Road, so you could pop down if you fancy being manager for a few days.

[aggi]

There's a train from Watford Junction that takes 20-25 minutes or the Overground (orange train signs, lots of stops) that takes about twice that. Price is about equivalent (overground is about half the train price) and you may not get child on free to the train unless you pretend they are under 5. There's also the tube which is fairly slow but is convenient if you are near the stop.

Just tap in/out with a contactless card. Child is free so go through the big gates with them (generally you have to hold your card down a little longer on them). Also use the same on buses (just tap when you get on) which can be quicker for short journeys and you can actually look around whilst travelling. You'll hit the cap pretty quickly with the return journey so most of the extra travel you won't be paying for.

Download the Citymapper app which will give you the quickest route and various options for getting around.

[TheOriginalLongsider]

Regents Park Zoo. There’s also a boating lake in the park.

[Sheedyclaret]

Premier inn at Hayes is a option to plenty of parking 5 min walk to station Elizabeth line in to central London

[Paul Waine]

Wondering if UTC can be the font of all knowledge once more.

I’ve booked a couple of nights in Watford at the beginning of August with my wife and 6yr old. What’s the best/cheapest way of getting from Watford into central London? Train or tube? Is there any type of travel pass, either for one day or three days?

Also we’ve booked to see Matilda one night but otherwise nothing else. 6yr old seems to be allergic to walking, so are there any recommendations for attractions/sights that are clustered together and don’t involve loads of walking in between? Or would one of those open top buses be better?

Grateful for any tips!

Hi FtA, just seen some news that, if confirmed, will change your plans: engineering works will shut both Metropolitan line and Overground line that run from Watford into London through most of July and August. However, I note that you have booking at Premier Inn. Perhaps you can switch booking to another Premier Inn that gives you easier travel into central London, assuming you chose Watford only as a place to stay.

I'd recommend finding a Premier inn that is near a station, saving looking for car parking when you are heading into London. Check also on Aslef and RMT dispute days, they have Industrial (non-)action in July, I don't know if any will continue in August. It maybe worth looking at somewhere West of South West London, Brentford, perhaps (though I don't know if Premier Inn is there - they are lots of places).

Natural History and Science museums are great shouts, my children when they were young and now my grandchildren always enjoyed. What you don't want to do with 6 year old is get them too tired, so as little walking as possible. If you can, I'd do a boat trip on the Thames. Ideal from Westminster Bridge (or Waterloo on other side), see Palace of Westminster and Big Ben, plus Trafalgar Square after boat trip. Matilda and a walk around theatre land for the other day. Covent Garden maybe a good place to pass through, always street entertainers that should amuse your youngster.

Enjoy.

[Paul Waine]

Premier inn at Hayes is a option to plenty of parking 5 min walk to station Elizabeth line in to central London

Hayes could be great, fits my thoughts, though I don't know Hayes.

[Paul Waine]

Edit: If course, I should have said Bakerloo line, not Metropolitan.

[kentonclaret]

Hi FtA, just seen some news that, if confirmed, will change your plans: engineering works will shut both Metropolitan line and Overground line that run from Watford into London through most of July and August. However, I note that you have booking at Premier Inn. Perhaps you can switch booking to another Premier Inn that gives you easier travel into central London, assuming you chose Watford only as a place to stay.

I'd recommend finding a Premier inn that is near a station, saving looking for car parking when you are heading into London. Check also on Aslef and RMT dispute days, they have Industrial (non-)action in July, I don't know if any will continue in August. It maybe worth looking at somewhere West of South West London, Brentford, perhaps (though I don't know if Premier Inn is there - they are lots of places).

Natural History and Science museums are great shouts, my children when they were young and now my grandchildren always enjoyed. What you don't want to do with 6 year old is get them too tired, so as little walking as possible. If you can, I'd do a boat trip on the Thames. Ideal from Westminster Bridge (or Waterloo on other side), see Palace of Westminster and Big Ben, plus Trafalgar Square after boat trip. Matilda and a walk around theatre land for the other day. Covent Garden maybe a good place to pass through, always street entertainers that should amuse your youngster.

Enjoy.

I use the Metropolitan Line quite regularly and there is no major engineering work planned (according to the TFL website) that will close the line during July/August 2023 and no notification at stations to that effect. The Metropolitan line is completely separate from the London Overground Line. The Bakerloo Line from Harrow & Wealdstone uses the same tracks as the London Overground Watford/Euston service.

[Paul Waine]

I use the Metropolitan Line quite regularly and there is no major engineering work planned (according to the TFL website) that will close the line during July/August 2023 and no notification at stations to that effect. The Metropolitan line is completely separate from the London Overground Line. The Bakerloo Line from Harrow & Wealdstone uses the same tracks as the London Overground Watford/Euston service.

Agree, as above I should have said Bakerloo line.

[JohnC]

We're in London at the moment and have used the
https://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/
website for discounts to attractions.
You need to have bought a train into London via National Rail. I believe Watford High Street to Euston counts. We travelled in from Bedford this time.
Register on the website, printout your voucher, and get 2 for 1 at various places in London (and around the country for other destinations).
We've just saved £33.60 on the entrance to the Tower of London today.
It looks like the London Eye is also 2 for 1. Good luck!