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About London
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LONDON is a big city. This may sound obvious but it does mean that wherever you stay, even in the very centre, you will still need to use public transport. Nearly all our homes are located near an underground station (the tube) and often even closer to a bus stop (which can be a more pleasurable way to travel around London). The most central area in London is zone 1 on the underground, and zones 2 and 3 where we have some very lovely homes are only a 10-20 minute tube ride to the centre. SOME OF MY FAVOURITE MARKETS Portobello Road near Notting Hill Gate underground station. A mix of antiques and bric a brac, suitable for the serious collector or browser, and some shops and stalls open during the week but Saturday is the day. Camden Lock in Camden Town. Busy on Saturday and mobbed on Sunday, an eclectic mix of antiques, modern and vintage clothes, modern, 60-70s and ethnic furniture, wide range of meals to purchase, great buzz. Borough Market near London Bridge underground- a marvellous selection of organic and fresh food. Buy or just look. Covent Garden - shops, restaurants and an undercover market of quality goods and bric a brac. Columbia Market - famous flower market in East London open only on a Sunday. Also charming antique and bric a brac shops to browse in. Spitalfields
market, open 6 days a week, Sunday is the largest market day 9am-5pm
and closed on Saturday. Brushfield Street, Spitalfields,
London E1 SOME OF MY FAVOURITE ART GALLERIES and MUSEUMS The National Gallery in Trafalgar Square - go to Leicester Square, Charing Cross, Piccadilly Circus underground. The Royal Academy of Arts - near Piccadilly Circus and Green Park. Always several interesting exhibitions to view. The Victoria and Albert Museum, also called the V&A, near Knightsbridge and South Kensington underground stations. Beautiful building, interesting exhibitions. The National Portrait Gallery in Leicester Square. SOME OF MY FAVOURITE PARKS Regent's Park near Baker Street. It is wonderful to watch the changing seasons, wander around the glorious Rose Garden, have a boat ride on the pond and find the secret garden. Holland Park with its Japanese garden and well-manicured lawns. Hampstead Heath is just the place to enjoy a good walk - to Kenwood if you can with its stately home, occasional indoor soirees over the winter months and open air concerts in the summer. Kew Gardens which is vast and wonderful and yes, I know that strictly speaking it is not a park (you have to pay to enter) but it is special and has marvellous trees and plants and is a constant reminder of the changing seasons. Richmond Park which is lovely to drive through and a delight to walk in. I can highly recommend the magnificent Isabella Plantation in the park and which I only discovered a few years ago. However you need to visit in late April or early May when the azaleas and rhododendrons are in bloom and you can imagine yourself in the middle of a painting. WHAT'S ON IN LONDON 23 June-6 July, Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships 8-13 July, Hampton Court Palace Flower Show 31 July-29 September, Buckingham Palace open to the public 24-25 August , Notting Hill Festival in Notting Hill Gate 13-14 September, Mayor's Thames Festival, Southbank centre - on the banks of the river between Tower Bridge and Westminster
IF YOU ARE TRAVELLING ON YOUR OWN PLEASE LOOK AT OUR SINGLES PAGE which you will find under Accommodation & Prices. If you wish to stay only one or two nights, please look at HOW TO BOOK. Our A CATEGORY homes are located in zones 1 and 2. The prices are £37, £42 and £47 PER PERSON PER NIGHT for two visitors sharing a double or twin bedroom. The price for a single visitor is £42-£60 (and occasionally £70) per night depending on location and facilities.
B+ CATEGORY homes offer private or en suite bathroom or shower and are located in zones 2 and 3. The price is £33 per person per night for two visitors sharing a double or twin bedroom, and £50-£60 per night for the single visitor.
B CATEGORY homes are £28 per person per night sharing a twin or double room and £34 per night for the single visitor in a dedicated single bedroom. These homes offer shared facilities and are in zones 2 and 3.
C CATEGORY homes are £25 per person per night sharing a twin or double room and £27 per night for the single visitor. These homes offer shared facilities and are located mainly in zones 3 and 4. We are sometimes able to negotiate a special price for a single visitor staying in a double or twin bedroom. A single additional £5 administration charge is added to the total price. Just to add - some visitors have asked whether host families expect a tip or gratuity. Staying in a private home is not the same as staying in a hotel and most of my host families would be embarrassed by any monetary tip. If you wish to show appreciation, then a bunch of flowers or box of chocolates is always a lovely gesture. Hosts provide bed linen, towels and soap, and we suggest you bring other personal toiletries with you. Hosts generally make the beds, empty waste baskets and give the room a quick clean every day. If there is something specific you need, then just ask.
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