Finding cheap places to stay in the UK (ala hostels)

Visitor Q · $25 whore Joined: 30 Apr 2004 Karma :

Hi guys,

I know this is one of my (many) threads in danger of the big 'Use google, you moron!' type .jpgs flying up but...

I have to visit the UK in February for a week, near London, and am loathe to stay actually with my family. Within spitting distance is fine, but considering my last meeting with them, I really don't want to stay in their house and be 'trapped' there the whole time... especially with jet-lag.

Has anyone got any hints for finding cheap accommodation for a week or so? I've checked t'internet, and maybe Stevenage doesn't have any, or maybe I'm retarded... but I can stay long term in any city in Australia for cheaper on a day rate than I can the UK.

What am I missing...

(again, idiocy I know, but I'm struggling to solve it myself, and I need to slap my company with the expenses stick asap, so want to get a ballpark quote)
____________________
China traffic/travel bike vid - When I make a sweeping statement, please add the word 'statistically' in to the sentence before you bitch...
From September 2014 to January/February 2015 I will not be using any English, nor reading any. As such, I won't be on here. PM at will, but I won't be checking/posting unless in emergencies. Certainly not for the first couple of months. Please berate me savagely if I break that rule...

nowhere.elysium · The Pork Lord Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Karma :

I have nothing to contribute, other than to say "gizzashout when you're here, and we shall have beers".
____________________
'10 SV650SF, '83 GS650GT (it lives!), Questionable DIY dash project, 3D Printer project, Lasercutter project

hellkat · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Wot Gerry said.

Meantime, have you tried something like AirBnB, or similar sites?
Not sure they are so cheap, but you could probably get yourself lodged in the required area for x number of days, but still be away from the source of frustration.
____________________
Not nearly as interesting in real life.

oldpink · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Karma :

did you try here Book London Hostels
____________________
I have become comfortably numb

Theory & hazard 24-may 2016, CBT 8th June 2016, MOD 1 2nd Aug 2016 Mod 2 2nd-Nov 2016 - Current bike CBR 600 RR

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

What about 'couch surfing' or similar if you're on a decent budget.
May not be so great for getting wasted and the like.
(Suspect Londoners may get quite a lot of requests.)

Incidentally, I should be down Kent way (Gillingham) then and might be able to workout something very cheap/free if 'limited' in facilities.

The Artist · Super Spammer Joined: 06 Jan 2008 Karma :

You can stay in MK for £8 a night on my sofa. Thumbs Up

The Artist · Super Spammer Joined: 06 Jan 2008 Karma :

Obligatory

https://i.imgur.com/Ovv1B1R.jpg

Visitor Q · $25 whore Joined: 30 Apr 2004 Karma :

Artist, I'd be keen on the action Wink

Nice of you to offer both a room and entertainment Laughing

Anyway, I kid.

I guess I’m just in an odd situation. My company stuffed up my Chinese visa application, and elected to send me to Oz rather than UK to get my work visa (as they’re based in Oz). Quel Surprize that didn’t work, and now I’m being shipped off for a family reunion in deepest darkest winter, jet lagged to balls.

Initially they offered to chuck 500 quid at me, and call themselves generous (it was my contracted travel allowance for fun stuff… it doesn’t cover airfare to UK). After toys were displaced from my parambulator, they’ve now offered to pay full airfare, and costs exceeding 250 quid while in the UK. I really don’t want to collect (and scan) hundreds of receipts trying to prove hardship… I’d sooner just say, “a room costs this much, pay the room (and visa) too and I’ll be quiet”.

Father has just had hip op, grandma is old and birthdaying around that time, so they want me camped under the stairs like Harry Potter for the whole week. My last trip swore me off that idea.

I’ll be in the UK for a week or so, sans transport and with limited spending, but would be delighted to see anyone who can be arsed seeing my ugly mug.

Cheers for the sites, I’ll have a look tomorrow when awake/sober.
____________________
China traffic/travel bike vid - When I make a sweeping statement, please add the word 'statistically' in to the sentence before you bitch...
From September 2014 to January/February 2015 I will not be using any English, nor reading any. As such, I won't be on here. PM at will, but I won't be checking/posting unless in emergencies. Certainly not for the first couple of months. Please berate me savagely if I break that rule...

deadwolf · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 24 Jan 2013 Karma :

Stayed here when I went to London to sort out my passport.

https://www.palmerslodges.com/hillspring/hostel/

Cost £15 me a night for a shared dorm (about 8 other beds with you), good facilities (showers, computers, parking etc), decent bar and food. And they also happen to have a yard full of old motorcycles that everyone there somehow manages to completely ignore.

It was the cheapest thing I could find at the time, other alternatives were Travelodge which asked the princely sum of £100+ a night.

Main issue with them is that they are insanely popular and bookings can be hard to get. I tried to extend my stay from 2 to 3 days due to my crash but no luck was to be had. If you do book with them, try to stick to what you've booked and have backup accommodation.
____________________
Motorsapien Art

Visitor Q · $25 whore Joined: 30 Apr 2004 Karma :

deadwolf · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 24 Jan 2013 Karma :

Have you tried those hostels that are part of the Youth Hostel Association? Despite what the name says they cater for everyone. Have stayed with them in Venice and Kielder when I was in uni, pretty damn luxurious for the price as they all seem to have really hot, powerful showers in place and the Venice one included free breakfast. You can become a member and get discounts etc although I never went through with all that.

Frankly I would just keep staying in these sorts of hostels till I'm 40 and loaded or something like that, they're just such good value for money and are done to a decent standard.
____________________
Motorsapien Art

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

https://i42.tinypic.com/118psog.jpg
Should be plenty of big cardboard boxes and plate scrapings in bins at Xebusmass time, you'll be fine.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike