I’ve noticed that I get an enormous number of enquiries for our 3 bed central London apartment which we can only swap in August but very few for our very large house just 1 hour from central London.
I fully understand that a couple with no children or grown up children might want to be in central London for the convenience or visiting theatres and eating out late, sightseeing but I don’t really see why families with children under 16 want central London instead of a much larger family home in the outer burbs just 1 hour away by car or public transport which runs from 5am to 1am. Realistically if you spend 2 weeks in the South East of England I think you can do everything worthwhile in London like the best of the museums, art galleries, tourist stuff in 4 of those 14 days.
There’s lot of things to see and do in the home counties. Harry Potter World, theme parks, castles, stately homes which are easier to do if based in the home counties with a car than in London using public transport.
Can anyone not from London explain to me the appeal of holidaying there? I was born there and frankly I am glad to be out of the place. 1 day per month is enough for me.
Hi Greg! Having literally just returned from London yesterday, I feel like I can give a good perspective on this. We stayed right in the centre of London and it was SO easy. No time at all spent on trains and busses, we walked everywhere and it was superb. I also lived in London for nearly 10 years - so I also understand your view of wanting to escape the city too. But when visiting for a short amount of time…the draw to be able to see everything easily without the commute…is very strong.
Not to mention how expensive public transport is in England. If you live an hour from London, you end up spending a fortune on trains and the Underground. And you can’t drive into London either 
Of course. I understand for 4 days. But a 2 to 3 week holiday in the summer?
Home counties are a much nicer place to be. People leave London and go to the beaches.
I always do London and the museums on a Sunday.
Public transport is not that expensive. With a railcard and leaving after 10am it costs £15 per adult per day. Children are half that. Inside London you’re going to spend £8 if you use public transport. It’s too big to walk everywhere. Most fit adults could walk about the area of half of the circle line during the summer. Paris and Rome are tiny by compassion. And when you leave London, which I would assume you would want to during a 2 week holiday during the summer you have to use public transport to get out, since the one thing you are very unlikely to get in a swap is a loaner car with a parking space.