UK on a budget !

[limeydal]

Whatever happened to the cost of living in the UK?
Looking at returning home for a vacation next year, along with my wife and 2 boys.
The missus went Google happy,eagerly checking out accomodation/car rental/ eating out etc.
WOW!
Looks like things are more expensive, than here in southern California !
Was thinking of a week in London (boys are castle/ arms mad ) then off to Cardiff for a week and then to Wolverhampton.

We thought of an RV rental (as parents dont really have the room ) Gees ! could buy one here cheaper ! thinking of putting tubes around one and driving it there

So any inside scoops on the best deals or inside information would be appreciatted.
Meanwhile we are re-financing our house , so we can afford to eat chinese at our old haunts
cheers Dal

[PeterR]

Yes ,I do know what you mean.What time of year were you thinking and for how long and what age and boys/girls are the kids.Have you thought of house swop.But you might have to throw the boat in as well.Dont forget next year would be good but 2012 its the olympics here in london.From us its 45mins by train.

[Nasher]

Travelodge hotels are very resonable, yet also comfortable, clean etc.
Although the four of you are in one room.

http://www.travelodge.co.uk

They often do deals if you move from one to another where you get the second one at a much reduced rate.

The four of us have used them occationally, and do rate them, but have only ever done a couple of nights at a time.

Nasher.

[SDGANDER]

I frequently go the other way and none of my friends in California can believe how expensive the UK cost of living is.

Although I think this year is the first time I have seen cheaper UK to US fare than US to UK...

SDG

[limeydal]

thanks guys; keep the ideas coming !
Nasher, thanks for that link ,as they don't seem too bad.
(it's the cost of eating out that seems way up !! )
Sd , a frequent flyer ?? who do you find has the best deals?

And house swap hmmmm ;have to think on that.
We are 20 mins from downtown/ seaworld/ zoo etc .
Have two boys 11 and 13 , but may need to be more mobile , as a lot to try and fit in. Good thoughts though and did check out several exchange sites last night.

And just how much is gas Oh my
We whine at $3.00 a gallon.
cheers Dal

[SDGANDER]

I prefer to travel Virgin Atlantic as direct LAX to LHR but they do tend to be a little bit higher priced.

Normally use either kayak.com or pricefinder.com but not sure how competitive they are for advance bookings. Got LAX to Michigan for $79 return this time last year with one lay over each way, with Priceline.

SDG

[Pikey Dave]

Try Tripadvisor for good reports on hotels & B&B Find a good B&B (bed & Breakfast) & you will pay half the comparable hotel rate & it will be far friendlier. You need to be selective though. I have stayed in some cracking B&B's at very reasonable rates & I've also dropped on some sh1t0les. Tripadvisor is very good for sorting the good from the bad.

[9D280]

On the subject of cheap hotels, Premier inn and Ibis (google'em) also have deals a plenty.

For london, there are a selection of hotels at Wembley Arena / Stadium, plenty transport links into London, and unless there is something big happening at either place, cheap as chips. (and still in the Travelcard Zone so cheap transport to / from London).

If you can put up with a caravan and come "off season" you could probably rent a static van for not a lot of money & self cater.

[John Kennett]

I've not been very impressed with Travelodge, but Premier Inn are OK. Other budget hotel chains to consider are Ibis as 9D280 mentioned, and Novotel. All impersonal, characterless and dull, but clean, reliable and not too pricey.

Originally Posted by limeydal

And just how much is gas Oh my

About $5.50 for one of your little gallons. Not even twice the US price any more!

So when are you thinking of coming over? And why are you going to Cardiff and Wolverhampton!

[Poly]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

About $5.50 for one of your little gallons. Not even twice the US price any more!

Have you made an arrithmetical error?

3.8 (L / US gallon) * 1.20 (GBP / L (ish)) * 1.59 ( USD / GBP) = $ 7.25 per US gal.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Polwart

Have you made an arrithmetical error?

3.8 (L / US gallon) * 1.20 (GBP / L (ish)) * 1.59 ( USD / GBP) = $ 7.25 per US gal.

I happen to know that Mathaymattickal Calkulayshiuns are not his Forté.

He's much stronger in the Smiting Department though. Anyone standing next to you Polwart? No?

Thought not!

[wiLlfish]

Originally Posted by willk

He's much stronger in the Smiting Department though

yew mus bee jowkin. hee cudunt smyte iz waiy owt ov a wett payper bagg

i reemember dat fyve fut scrorny nobbur wot iz yewgo muntgummery swonn eejectin im fromm de ribekks eksibishun

yewgo woz tryin too kikk de torl bastuds arrse butt hee cudunt gett iz legg upp dat hie.

bitt lyke anny widdicum onn strikkly.

[tony t]

Was thinking of a week in London (boys are castle/ arms mad ) then off to Cardiff for a week and then to Wolverhampton.

could not of picked a better town to visit (up the wolves )

make sure you visit the golden palace .!!

[limeydal]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

I've not been very impressed with Travelodge, but Premier Inn are OK. Other budget hotel chains to consider are Ibis as 9D280 mentioned, and Novotel. All impersonal, characterless and dull, but clean, reliable and not too pricey.


About $5.50 for one of your little gallons. Not even twice the US price any more!

So when are you thinking of coming over? And why are you going to Cardiff and Wolverhampton!

John,
Actually the wife is from just outside Cardiff (Michaelston-y -fedw ) and myself from Wombourne (close to Wolves-land _) So trying to visit both sets of parents, as they havn't seen the boys in quite a while.
Probably shoot for Easter as cheaper travel than the summer , even though the weather will probably kill us.
Then trying to get in Penzance/plymouth (i taught school there for a while ) Wonder if they still have Ivor dewney pasties ?? and maybe the Tank museum at Bovington (if its still there !) in fact anything with castles/armament is high on their list.
Also love to do St Michaels Mount if time and have to fish off Mousehole jetty (it's a boyhood memory thing )
So a bit of a mix of touristy things , with a little adventure thrown in.
Can you get RIB rides up the Thames ??

Thanks to every one for the tips,we are busily checking them out.
cheers Dal

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by Polwart

Have you made an arrithmetical error?

Yep. But at least I can spell!

Dollar/Sterling rate is better for us than I had realised (and worse for limeydal!)

[John Kennett]

Tank museum still very much alive, and recommended too. Make sure you don't miss the live driving demo! www.tankmuseum.org

There are two companies doing RIB rides on the Thames now, and you have a choice of colour:

Yellow www.thamesribexperience.com
Orange www.londonribvoyages.com

Talking of RIB rides, if your itinerary takes in Bovington then you should really head on to Poole and take a ride with Poole Sea Safari www.pooleseasafari.com

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by limeydal

And just how much is gas Oh my

About £50 for 47kg propane

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by limeydal

Can you get RIB rides up the Thames ?

Just back after 3 days in London. We stayed in the Tower Hotel. It's 4-star and part of the Guoman group. We got a deal and flew from Aberdeen for £300 per person, including connections from Luton airport. Although room prices are advertised from £150-£250 per night (bed and continental breakfast), it's possible to get a deal, especially at weekends, and during off-peak times (avoid children's holidays in England). It was worth every penny. Situated next to St. Catherine Dock, with luxury yachts moored next to the hotel. http://www.guoman.com/hotels/united_...FVhc4wodlVSVKg

It's also right next to the Tower of London. The kids got chatting to a Beefeater at the main gate and he let us in for free. How good is that - that would have set us back £70 for the 5 of us! There's an exhibition on about armour, including suits of armour for King Henry VIII - that was fascinating. Eating out in London is quite expensive with main courses around the £12-16 per person. If you're looking for a nice Italian restaurant, then I can thoroughly recommend Zizzi on St Catherine Docks. 3 adults and 2 kids, two bottles of wine, for under £100. Excellent meal. http://www.zizzi.co.uk

Regards the trips up the Thames, there are a number of companies operating. If you go on the London Eye, for an extra £10 per person, you can add the river cruise too. Tickets are £27.50 per person, however it's on one of the multi-seat barge things! You might be able to get cheaper by booking in advance. Details here for RIB rides: http://www.thamesribexperience.com/?...FYw14wodIFczLw

[willk]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Yep. But at least I can spell!

Ouch!

[SDGANDER]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

About £50 for 47kg propane

64.9p a litre at the local Shell garage (gas station)...

W.