I know. Sounds like it's going to be great fun.
In one of my less sober/sane/awake moments, I foolishly agreed (ages ago) to take my sister and her mate to see some play at the Apollo (she thinks) theatre in London. Given this was in July, October seemed to very long away but it turns out it's next weekend so all I'm after really is advice on roughly the best way to take avoiding whatever roadworks and bad spots that you know.
Ideally it's going to be a case of go down, me do something while they're watching the play (suggestions would be good) which is in the afternoon and then come back. (I'm thinking the later it is the better so the return journey will be a lot quicker.) However, depending on how things unfold, we might stay at a Travelodge or something and come back on the Sunday.
I don't mind any weird and wonderful routes but bear in mind once I go south of Birmingham, I won't have the foggiest idea where I am. Any advice or suggestions on any part of the magical mystical tour (such as parking, things to do etc) would be appreciated as always. And if I see you around, I'll buy you.....something cheap to say thanks.
Thanks,
Adam
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The M40 is almost always okay, whereas the M1 tends to clog badly. The M40 also turns into the Westway, bringing you into London quite conveniently. If the signs on the M6 tell you that the M6 Toll is clear, then that means that the M6 is also clear, but free. They ALWAYS tell you of the slightest problem on the M6 proper.
If you're going at the weekend, the area around Pimlico (South of Victoria Station and Hyde Park) has plenty of free parking on the street and is still outside the congestion zone. It's pretty easy to find - head for the South Circular from the Westway (IIRC) then follow signs for Victoria Station. You'll go around Hyde Park etc.
Pimlico Station is on the Victoria line, so easy access to central London (3 stops to Oxford Circus) and loads to do.
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The easiest route would be via the Toll road to avoid Birmingham and straight down the M40, this will bring you straight into London on the A40 going past Euston and KingsCross station. I hope you are a confident driver as London has a fair share of it's manic drivers who take no prisoners , especially the black cab drivers.
If it's your first visit to the smoke, definately stay at a cheapish travel/ holiday inn, there is one just after Hanger lane station, this will avoid alot of the traffic congestion and parking costs( I had to park close to the Barbican on Monday just gone £1 for 15 mins!!!) though weekend after 1.00 many areas are free), and walkable distance to the tube where you should get a travel card for the whole day. Enjoy the sights and if necessary get a cab back to late at night. In the centre of London these hotels are more costly but the old town hall is now accommadation, near to Tower Bridge and then great access to all parts of the city and good for night buses.
Have great fun, but be aware and confident especially around Soho and Chinatown
Def go to the london dungeon and poss imperial war museum
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On the toll road you can unleash the power of the beast under the bonnet of the Focus as well. A cracking bit of road.
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Why don't you catch a train though ?
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Careful with that tho - they've got wise to the tendency to treat the stretch as Autobahn. There are a fair number of unmarked cars on there.
M6 Toll - complete waste of money unless there is traffic on the M6 proper.
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I used to do west London to Manchester regularly and would tend to go around the south side of Birmingham i.e coming south - M6, M5, M42, M40, the M6/M5 junction can get busy on an evening though once on the M5 it would be OK though should be fine at the weekend.
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Thanks for all the advice. The IWM sounds good! I went to the one at Salford Quays last week - I like war stuff.
With regards to the train PU, aside from the fact that getting a train on her own isn't a good idea (I won't go into it) it actually works out more expensive than the car!
It will be my first time in London for a long time. The last time I went we had the Mondeo which would make me about...11. So I can't really remember anything of use!
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Loads to do in London - if you don't want to pay a fortune to park the car the RAF Museum in Hendon is a good half a day visit and its free. It's handy for Colindale Tube station - Northern Line to central London about 30 minutes. Park up there, pop sister and friend on the tube, you do the museum, go and meet them, something to eat, tube back . Museum is close to M1.
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do be aware that if you do the M40/ A40 route, on a saturday it can get quite congested if any of following, Q.P.R, Fulham or Chelski are at home and depending on the oppostion, would make it busy from 11-3pm
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Ok. Its M40 down to London. The M1 around luton and south is a complete no no.
Given its the m40* its park at Uxbridge, and get the picadilly line into the middle of the west end (40 mins) There is a travelodge at uxbridge if you wish to spend the night. Uxbridge is just insdie the m25, on the end of the m40 so you get no london traffic hastle.
In town, to do while the girls are in the show, is HMS Belfast and/or Tower Bridge (you can go up the towers and see the engine room)
* i wont tell you how to get to the top (north) end of the m40, on my maps it says "edge of the world" with pictures of whales and dragons.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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Gordon and TVM have given good advice, M40. No need to park at Uxbridge but it might save you some hassle. No congestion charge after 1pm on Saturday, but West End Parking quite dear. However, on the peripheries of the West End there will be free parking after 1. Just don't get it wrong or they'll clamp you or lift your motor, big nightmare and very expensive.
If you like old stuff as well as weapons, the Wallace Collection in Manchester Square is wonderful, old weapons and armour, paintings including a couple of Rembrandts, snuff boxes, clocks, furniture... terrific.
Don't be afraid of the drivers, although they are worse at weekends. Go carefully.
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Just drop them off and then drive round to the elephant and castle and the IWM, last time I was there a couple of years ago there was on street parking just accross from the entrance, so you might get lucky - Is it still free to enter the IWM???
Also don't worry too much about london drivers, cabbies will always avoid an accident as they are not allowed to drive around in a dented cab (is this just an urban myth?) and the others will just move if you give them no other choice.
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(is this just an urban myth?)
No its not. A london cabbie will always back down at the vital moment.
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
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TVM - That would explain all the the F-ing and B-ing when a cabbie started to do a U-turn in the street and I piled into the side of him on my push-bike at about 20 mph. Decent sized dent in his driver's door, amazingly I was un-damaged.
I hopped on and rode off into the smog..
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Yes free entry to IWM.
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Adam, there are two Apollo theatres - three if you count the one in Hammersmith. If yr sister is going to see Tennessee Williams's Summer and Smoke she wants the real one in Shaftesbury Avenue. If it's a musical called Wicked she wants the Apollo Victoria.
It won't be easy (although not impossible) to find a parker within shortish walking distance of Shaftesbury Avenue, and it will be expensive. Don't try driving through Soho unless you are feeling gung-ho and have a bit of time to spare. Parking garage at perhaps 15 quid might be the best bet.
Victoria would be quite a lot easier if you wriggle about in the nearer edges of Belgravia and Pimlico.Do read what it says on the street furniture if you park in the street. Even natives can get caught out.
Have a good day.
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Thanks for all the advice. Sorry - I've negelected this thread.
I think she is seeing Wicked - that rings a bell. Turns out it's the weekend after next too! She is a good planner!
Thanks again - I'll let you know how I get on.
Adam
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Despite what has been said in earlier posts, there is no congestion charge at the weekend. (" Finishes at 1pm on Saturday " is wrong - it applies Mon-Fri 0700-1830).
However, parking restrictions can be a problem, even at the weekend. The rules vary from borough to borough, from street to street, or sometimes even between different sides of the same street. If you intend to park on the street, you need to double and triple check if it is legal.
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Meant to say Adam, bit of fine tuning if you see this and aren't going to Tomtom it, if you come in off M40 turn right at White City, just as the road climbs up onto an elevated section, and continue in that direction - South more or less - either picking up signs to Victoria or until you hit the river, which you drive along to the left until you see a sign to Victoria (left again) and nip up there. Find a parker in good time or drop the ladies at the place or nearby, and leg it.
Then you can find a pie shop or strip joint or indeed improving sight or two. Hope it goes well.
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>>straight down the M40, this will bring you straight into London on the A40 going past Euston and KingsCross station.
Way way too far. You take the Paddington slip road and then there are various routes south.
e.g. Sussex Gardens and through Hyde Park and across The Serpentine.
( this avoids Edgeware Rd, Marble Arch & Park Lane)
My suggestion for the southern end of the M40 route would be.
M40 to junction 4
A404 / A404M to M4 J8/9
(You will find TRAFFIC lights on the roundabout over the M4. You ignore the 1st motorway on your left and just take the M4 to London)
M4 brcomes the A4
This will bring you into town a bit further south and further in than the M40.( A40 has lots of traffic lights)
You can turn right down Earls Court Road, along the Embankment and then left at Chelsea Bridge to Victoria.
( Thus avoiding Knightsbridge / Harrods etc.)
Others may wish to comment on the above route.
The large number of Red Kites overhead between J7 & J4 of the M40 are not looking for you.
The A404 is a very fast dual carriageway road and much nicer than the M40
On the M4 you can wave to HM if the standard is flying on Windsor Castle.
You can wave at the 747s at LHR.
AS an alternative to the IWM
The Natural History & Science Museums are quite close to Victoria.
As far as I can see the show is scheduled for 2.45 / 3.00 hours starting at 2.30 according to
londontheatredirect.com/asp/Wicked.htm.
If you are reasonably on schedule you will not have a lot of time for a visit when you include navigation, parking and walking to your choice of venue.
Or you could just drive around the sights.
Come back if you want more details.
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Pay no attention whatsoever to this clown. He is the devil's tomtom.
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I don't mean he doesn't know his way around. I just mean he's the devil's tomtom.
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As a matter of fact Adam, the one useful thing henry k did suggest was that driving around might be a good way to pass the time. When you see something interesting or groovy, stop and take a look, or dial up what you want on yr machine and it will just take you there. Be cautious and meticulous when parking, which may be free in some places in the afternoon. . Just remember how long it may take you to get back if you go too far.
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Well....as you can see, I'm here. So something's wrong.
Apparently, unbeknownst to Amy abd certainly unbeknownst to me, her mate had bought two train tickets. So yesterday, very late in the day, I get told I'm not taking them at all!!!
After I'd calmed down, it didn't seem so bad - I could have a nice lie in and relax but ohhh no. How do you suppose they got to the train station in the centre of Liverpool at half six this morning?
Yep.
Rest assured though - I glared at her mate all the way there to express my displeasure.
Thanks very much for all the advice - I'm just sorry that it was all prety much a waste. Sorry to mess you around. If it's any consolation, I was really looking forward to driving my uncle's Warrior and now I can't so consider that my punishment.
Thanks (and sorry) again,
Adam
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Adam
you live in Wigan
which is on the West Coast Main Line
Glasgow - London
3.05 miles from the main line station
why drive 20+ miles to Liverpool ?
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Go on, get out of the car...
www.mikes-walks.co.uk
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Well....as you can see, I'm here. So something's wrong.
What work do I do? "Work"? I'm at Uni at the minute NOT studying I.T.
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Mike - I live in Wigan but her mate doesn't!
I'm sure there was another reason for it being Lime Street.....can't remember though.
Henry - my profile's a little out of date I think!
The day wasn't a total write off. I was still insured on my uncle's Warrior so I've just got back from driving that around Liverpool, Warrington, Widnes, Runcorn, St Helens and Knowsley!
I want one!
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"Liverpool, Warrington, Widnes, Runcorn, St Helens and Knowsley!"
Even a Warrior looks attractive after looking at those places!
"I glared at her mate all the way there to express my displeasure."
And so does she!
--
Phil
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What is a Warrior? Some sort of armoured personnel carrier?
Very suitable for Liverpool, if you come from Cheshire and fear the place.
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Adam,
You are the Harry Potter iof the back room. Anyone who can generate 30 posts on such a mundane topic must have the makings of a best seller.
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Thanks PU....I think!
Lud - close enough. It's a stupidly big pickup made by Mitsubishi. Quite fun actually. I'm not from Cheshire though - far too posh for me!
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I'm too late, but if you're aiming for Tower Bridge/Elephant & Castle as everybody suggests ( my patch) then I suggest a COMPLETELY different route into town. It'll be a fraction more miles, but provided you don't pass Huntingdon/Cambridge at rush hour it'll probably be quicker and it will certainly be much easier driving as you avoid all of the centre of town.
M6 until Stoke, A50, M1, A14, [or you can go M1, M25 until you reach the M11] M11, A12 as far south as Blackwall, turn onto the A13 & through Rotherhithe tunnel. Turn right towards Tower Bridge and left just after Bermondsey station, by the Gregorian pub. Cross Southwark Park road and there's loads of free on-street free parking 24/7 in Lynton road or somewhere similar where the car will be safe as houses (mine lives there) provided it's not an elderly Merc... Wander up to the Old Kent Road, and catch a bus heading towards town.
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