Accommodation during the Proms

[Eudaimonia]

Ooh, how about this one--three bedrooms in the basement of Royal Albert Mansions for 500 pounds a week! With two roommates, that could be fun, right? Er, maybe not.

http://www.nestoria.co.uk/royal-albert-hall/flat/rent

http://homes.trovit.co.uk/index.php/cod.ad/type.2/what_d.albert%20hall%20mansions/id.114913022/pos.2/

Personally, I've had it with roommates and hostel living, so I got a place in SW7 that's a nice relaxing walk down Queensgate Mews. Hopefully this year, I won't be so sleep-deprived...

[Serial_Apologist]

Ooh, how about this one--three bedrooms in the basement of Royal Albert Mansions for 500 pounds a week! With two roommates, that could be fun, right? Er, maybe not.

http://www.nestoria.co.uk/royal-albert-hall/flat/rent

http://homes.trovit.co.uk/index.php/cod.ad/type.2/what_d.albert%20hall%20mansions/id.114913022/pos.2/

Personally, I've had it with roommates and hostel living, so this year got a place in SW7 that's a nice relaxing walk down Queensgate Mews. Hopefully this year, I won't be so sleep-deprived...

I'm sure any one of your new-found friends from the old board, living in London and within easy reach of the AH would have been honoured to put you up gratis for the duration, Euda!

[prokkyshosty]

So this is the first year I've had a chance to come over for the duration of the Proms, and I've chosen to be a cheapo and live in Imperial student housing -- although not the ones people have mentioned, Beit Hall et al. I'm at Pembridge House, which is in Notting Hill, and seems to be much cheaper than their other options (£28, without en suite). It seemed to me that the nightly 20 minute walk (each way) around the Kensington Palace grounds would be... err, well, invigorating.
So, people in the know: what have I done? Should I regret my choice? Talk me out of it!

ps. Eudaimonia, that basement flat sounds perfect! Much like Python's Yorkshiremen, I'd DREAM of living in a basement. Or a corridor!

[Eudaimonia]

SA: Oh, thanks--what a nice thought! I'd be far too embarrassed to want to put anyone through all the inconvenience, though. And I'd hate to miss those long, cool walks home under the stars...the perfect way to gather your thoughts and unwind, isn't it. You said you're coming to a few concerts, right? I do hope you stop by to say hello sometime! And that goes for the rest of you too--don't be shy! It would be nice to finally put faces to names.

PK: Welcome! That sounds like a grand set-up and nothing to worry about at all; much better than the hostel I was at last year. Speaking as someone who did a lot of post-concert walking in the area, if I were you I wouldn't walk home through the park, I'd wind my way up one of the residential side streets. You're much less likely to run into shady characters, and it won't take long to figure out which streets feel perfectly safe, and which make you want to break into a canter.

Curious, will you be in the arena or the gallery? I was the novice Arena Prommer last year...after the gang jumped me in, I was fine. (Just kidding, heh. Well, sort of.) Just be very mindful of the fact that there are lots of unwritten rules some people can be awfully picky about, so when in doubt, ASK--most people are welcoming and friendly enough. And although your first few experiences with the Season Queue might seem uncannily like the Queen of Hearts Croquet Ground, once you get the hang of it you'll be as barking mad as the rest of us. And if you do have any questions, feel free to ask me: just look for the the apple-cheeked blonde toward the front left...I won't be hard to miss.

Cheers! ~E.

[bluestateprommer]

For housing during The Proms, interesting that no one seems to have mentioned looking on Craigslist. FWIW, this is the link to the page for London vacation rentals:

http://london.craigslist.co.uk/vac/

[prokkyshosty]

Euda: I'll keep my eye out for you! I'll be the Arena newbie this year, so I expect some sort of gang initiation is headed my way. Actually, I've already provided the season pass queue with some humor -- about four years ago I showed up about 5pm on the night that Domingo was singing in Die Walkure and asked them if they thought I would get in. Oh, they enjoyed that. :)

[Eudaimonia]

For housing during The Proms, interesting that no one seems to have mentioned looking on Craigslist. FWIW, this is the link to the page for London vacation rentals:

Thanks, but between the scammers and all the gross old pervs of the "have some madeira m'dear" variety, any woman travelling alone would be infinitely better off taking her chances at a ratty old hostel.

Seriously, you're not likely to get a Craigslist room any closer than Holland Park YHA, Baden-Powell House, or the infamous Acacia, so why go through all the trouble? If you're there for the full two months, the your most reliable bet is a short-term let on Foxtons:

Foxtons: Short-term Lets in SW7

http://tinyurl.com/3fw9vby

[Eudaimonia]

I'll be the Arena newbie this year

Oh, you poor thing.

Last year on the old board, Mr. T and some other Promenaders put together a nice guide for newcomers explaining some of the unwritten rules; I'll see if I can find a link to it. Above all, patience, a thick skin, and a sense of humor is a must. Welcome to the jungle...see you soon!

[Serial_Apologist]

Oh, you poor thing.

Last year on the old board, Mr. T and some other Promenaders put together a nice guide for newcomers explaining some of the unwritten rules; I'll see if I can find a link to it. Above all, patience, a thick skin, and a sense of humor is a must. Welcome to the jungle...see you soon!

Knowing directions to the nearest pub used to be de rigueur, too

[prokkyshosty]

I hope you can find the link -- I'd love to read it! Oh, and I should be easy to spot, at least by Prom 3. I'll be the fellow who falls asleep during William Tell and then has rude drawings marked on my cheeks. :)

A PUB!? I forgot all about those wonderful things. I'm humming 'Jerusalem' now...

[Flosshilde]

PK: Welcome! That sounds like a grand set-up and nothing to worry about at all; much better than the hostel I was at last year. Speaking as someone who did a lot of post-concert walking in the area, if I were you I wouldn't walk home through the park, I'd wind my way up one of the residential side streets. You're much less likely to run into shady characters, and it won't take long to figure out which streets feel perfectly safe, and which make you want to break into a canter.

Kensington Gardens closes at night anyway (Hyde Park is open all hours), & I think Kensington Palace Gardens (which used to be called Millionaire's Row, but is now probably Billionaire's Row) probably is as well, so your best bet would be to walk up Kensington Church St.

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=526149&y=180364&z=110&sv=kensington+Gardens&st=6&tl=Map+of+Kensington+Gardens,+London,+W_2&searchp=ids.srf&mapp=map.srf

[prokkyshosty]

Yes, looks like that's the way to go. Thanks, Flosshilde!

[french frank]

Last year on the old board, Mr. T and some other Promenaders put together a nice guide for newcomers explaining some of the unwritten rules; I'll see if I can find a link to it.

It wasn't this one, by any chance?

Or, if not, perhaps this one?

[Nick Armstrong]

Kensington Gardens closes at night anyway (Hyde Park is open all hours), & I think Kensington Palace Gardens (which used to be called Millionaire's Row, but is now probably Billionaire's Row) probably is as well, so your best bet would be to walk up Kensington Church St.
http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x...f&mapp=map.srf

That sounds like good advice Flossie. I live north of the Round Pond - I cycle home after Proms up the road that runs up between KG and Hyde Park over the Serpentine. In the hour or so after the concert there are plenty of people walking so it's safe but any later and it's a little dark and deserted. Plus it does shut at some point during the night. Ken Church Street is well lit and always full of folk.

[prokkyshosty]

It wasn't this one, by any chance?

Or, if not, perhaps this one?

Thanks FF for the links. I think one of those links is a trap! But since I am a gullible American, I'm just going to write everything down anyway, its safer that way. I must learn to snore in the correct key, apparently. :)