London in July

[KKD]

We are planning our family Paris-London trip this summer and trying to book our Airbnbs. H is insistent on air conditioning which limits our options. Will we really need it in London in July? The best fit I found with a/c appears to be in Newington/Elephant and Castle; the building also has a gym which my H appreciates. Without a/c I found an apartment near Covent Garden which is my preferred location. Is a/c worth sacrificing the better location?

Also, our kids are all Harry Potter fans. If we do the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, is it overkill to also do the Tour for Muggles? Harry Potter is what the kids are most excited about in London.

Finally, where should we do tea? Our kids will be 11, 9, and almost 6. They are picky eaters but of course love sweets.

[mrsukyankee]

KKD , I'd get it after this past summer. Normally, no. But this last summer we had two months of almost 80-90 degree days with very hot evenings as well...and we're not built for heat as most places don't have air conditioners or even fans.

I personally would not stay in Elephant & Castle/Newington versus many other areas of London. It's on the rougher side for London. If you have questions about other areas, please do ask (I'm not sure I'd want to stay in Covent Garden either cause it could be very, very loud).

If the kids are excited about H.P., I'd do both.

And for tea - with kids, I'd try out the Mad Hatters Tea in Sanderson, 50 Berners Street, W1T 3NG or the B Bakery Bus 

[frlcb]

Last Summer was miserable. We flew home and it was literally 92 degrees outside. And that is not norm for London. I would go for a/c but also wouldn't stay in that area.

[KKD]

Thanks for the heads up about Elephant & Circle mrsukyankee frlcb RockNVoll. I knew it was farther than I wanted but didn’t realize it wasn’t a good area. The heat last summer is what worries him, and he does not tolerate sweating while trying to sleep very well. The Sonder site looks promising – it looks like there are a couple affordable options in Westminster which is where H and I stayed our previous trip.

[mrsukyankee]

If you want to look north London as well, I can give you yays or nays. I've lived up that way for almost 15 years so I know how lovely and easy it is.

[erbear]

We used Sonder to book a place in London in October and it was great. We stayed right by the British Museum (Bloomsbury?) and it was a great location for getting wherever.

I'd do both HPs and put a plug in for a walk down the HP wand alley by the Millenium Bridge. Also thought Borough Market was fun. The British Museum is worth a day, IMO. Have fun!

[sandipluschris]

We were in London last July and were so grateful to have a/c in our hotel! It was warm!

We did Warner Bros. And a Harry Potter London walks tour. Both were amazing!

We did a Charlie and the chocolate factory afternoon tea at The Chester Mayfield Hotel. I’m not sure they are still doing it as i don’t see anything on their website but they have a similar tea with lots of sweet fun for the kiddos!

www.chesterfieldmayfair.com/afternoon-tea

[Miss Phryne Fisher]

Make sure you take a trip to Oxford if you can! We toured it a few years ago (and will again this coming July!) and even though I am not a huge HP fan I recognized everything. It was very cool! It is also a very nice little town, worth the trip.

[npmg]

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We were in London this past July and yes, air con was a necessity. Our hotel (Novotel, Tower Bridge) didn't have air con like home, but it was cooled enough that we weren't dying.

I second the Mad Hatter tea at the Sanderson - it was amazing!!