London has a fairly well-deserved reputation for being an expensive city to visit. If you don't have some insider know-how and few like-a-local tips, your London trip could be anything but cheap. We are Londoners, at times, we've lived and worked in London, our kids were born there, we've slow travelled in London and we've taken many a weekend or short holiday in our favourite … [Read more...]
5 Weeks in London, Costs and Experiences
The cost of living in London is billed as high and on previous visits taking rentals, lets or AirBnb apartments we've needed a lot of cash just to support ourselves. This time, our full 5 weeks gave us zero housing or accommodation costs, we've been taking care of friend's beautiful cats and borrowing their home while they're on holiday. We don't use a house sitting agency, so … [Read more...]
Where to Eat in London on Vacation
Where to eat in London for those of us who love good food and want to keep an eye on our spending? London is one city that could destroy your trip budget in food costs, if you're not smart about where you spend. Eating out 3 times a day here, as we would in Asia, just ain't gonna happen. Accommodation in London will likely cost you an arm and a leg. On the global scale, … [Read more...]
The Grant Museum of Zoology. A Great Free London Museum For Kids
You could spend a lifetime exploring London's free museums, particularly if, like me, you have kids to educate. I've already posted about London's biggest and best free museums that appeal to kids, The Science Museum, The V&A, The National Gallery, The British Museum, The Tate Modern and the V&A's Museum of Childhood, but here's another little gem for you, The Grant … [Read more...]
London’s National Gallery of Art For Kids
You will only see a collection of art this incredible, free, in London.( If you know of anywhere else let me know, we'd love to go.)London's National Gallery of art is simply AMAZING!They have them all, Van Gogh, Monet, Reubens, Stubbs, Titian, Botticelli, Van Dyke, Constable, Cezanne, Da Vinci, too many to list. Not just some lesser known work by the great artist, … [Read more...]
The British Museum with Kids
The British Museum is billed as a place to see the world without leaving London, and it's true. The museum is a treasure house of amazing art and ancient artifacts spanning all of human history and every culture, housed in a visually spectacular and historic building in Bloomsbury, Central London. I've lost count of the number of times we've been, one visit could never do it … [Read more...]
Best Areas of London to Visit
Are you coming to London? I hope so. I've been lucky enough to live in London for eight years with kids and now for 8 months as a professional traveller. The best areas of London to visit, you may be unable to visit them all, just take your pick of those that appeal to you most, the cool areas, the historic sites, the family neighborhoods, visit the parts of London that … [Read more...]
I Want to Live in London
To quote David Tennant "I don't want to go."I don't have Bernard Cribbins to save but I'm about to perform a little regeneration of my own. I'm preparing to transition from static London Mummy to Nomadic Globetrotter Mummy once more, just 3 months to go now and we'll be back on the road. Why Do We Really Travel? I've been wondering recently if my desire to … [Read more...]
Free Things to Do in London With Kids
Readers have been asking me for London itineraries for kids, some sort of plan to make best use of limited time in my home city. I can't really do that, the amount of time you'll want to spend at each attraction will vary enormously and the ages of your children may limit the amount of pavement pounding you can do.What I can do is give you a few suggestions, lets start with … [Read more...]
A Fun Look at London. Tourist or Traveller?
I had to share this infographic, despite living in London for a large chunk of my life, it seems I'm still a tourist! My Tourist v Traveller Score My usual coffee haunt is Pret a Manger, at least it's British! Although my coffee of choice is to be found at London's sensational Borough Market.I don't drink beer, so I can't make a call on that one. If I did I'd be happiest … [Read more...]