Why do so many on DCUM prefer South Kensington in London for trips with kids?

[Anonymous]

Are there more activities in that area?

[Anonymous]

I think it's because there are a lot of hotels, there are some attractions there, and it has convenient subway connections.

[Anonymous]

it's pretty and looks like what American think London looks like

[Anonymous]

It’s centrally located while still being reasonably priced, lots of hotels in the area, near to the Museum of Natural History and V&A, tube station on three main lines (including the one directly from Heathrow)…

[Anonymous]

Would South Kensington still be preferable if you were using cabs/uber no Tube? Or only if you use the Tube?

[Anonymous]

Don’t take kids to London and not use the Tube! It’s fun and safe and part of the adventure.

[Anonymous]

Agreed- you have to use the Tube. It’s ridiculously easy and straightforward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would South Kensington still be preferable if you were using cabs/uber no Tube? Or only if you use the Tube?

The traffic in London can be bad. Timothee Chalamet abandoned his car and took a rental bike to get to his premiere on time.

It's much faster to use the Tube. If you want a slow scenic ride you can sit up the top of a double decker bus.

London is spread out. You'll need to take something unless you want to do 50,000 steps.

[Anonymous]

The museums are amazing.

[Anonymous]

South Kensington is not cheap. But you can walk to major museums, HARRODS and much more. If I weren’t being cheap, I would stay there. But I stay anywhere on the Picadilly line, Gloucester Road or Earls Court.

[Anonymous]

Why would you not use the tube??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would South Kensington still be preferable if you were using cabs/uber no Tube? Or only if you use the Tube?

Do you realize that cabs/Uber are usually *slower than the Tube*. Not faster.

[Anonymous]

City of London /Aldgate/Spitalfields is another neighborhood close to the sights. You are near the Tower of London, St Paul's etc. You can hop on the DLR to Greenwich. Spitalfields Market or Brick Lane for easy lunch. You can walk easily to the Southbank. It's more urban, with tall buildings and some grittier neighborhoods, but it's generally fine.

Another reason to pick Kensington, though, with little kids, is the playground at Holland Park.

[Anonymous]

It’s hard to find hotels that sleep 4 without two rooms and extra money. I ended up booking a Hilton near Paddington Station. Is that a bad area? It at least seemed convenient to Heathrow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s hard to find hotels that sleep 4 without two rooms and extra money. I ended up booking a Hilton near Paddington Station. Is that a bad area? It at least seemed convenient to Heathrow.

Definitely not "bad", just sort of an in-between place that isn't really a neighborhood, so not a lot of good restaurants, shops, etc right nearby, but that's totally fine. Plenty of basic options of course, you are still only a few blocks from Hyde Park, and yes with the station right there, and especially because of the Elizabeth Line, you can get to most places you need to on the EL/Tube in 15 minutes. You will be fine.