depends on so many things
where in london? many places there is so much chance of the car being nicked or broken into i wouldnt park there even if i could get a space
depends on how much you love the car, if its a company car or hire car you have a lot more freedom
and if youre not used to driving in london be prepared for a shock, stopping at ped crossings is option, police motorcades with VIPs driving at speed down the wrong side of the road, and so on
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Sometimes, if I'm going into London for a day, I park next to Edgeware station. The car park is part of or at least right next to a Sainsburys. There is a charge but by London standards it's nominal. I want to remember that it's about £2.50 a day or something like that. Not sure about overnight charges. Anyway, from there you are a short hop on the tube from anything really.
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Thanks for the replies.
I think the hotel (Travelodge) is in Southwark (not my choice!)
The Edgeware option sounds worth exploring.
Any more ideas?
Ta
Pat
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Whereabouts in the Midlands are you starting from? (it could make quite a difference to the viabilty/price of rail options).
Engineering work over the festivities should be publicised by now but Network Rail are quite capable of springing a late surprise.
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1-2nd Jan , at least no congestion zone charging - free on those dates
I've been driving around N. London for 24 years now, lived there for 30, don't listen to all the doom - sayers, just drive to your hotel, check in, then find somewhere local to park - no Edgware nonsense
Don't worry in advance about nothing, it'll be ok and free when you arrive
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All nice and easy then. Great location - I take it that is the Union St one. There won't be traffic worth worrying about. If you want the easy way into town, go down the M11, then A12, then A13 and through the Rotherhithe tunnel. If you're driving in on New Year's Day there won't be any traffic at all in the morning.
You can park for free overnight in streets around there (6.30 until 8.30); and on Saturday too in most of these parking zones. www.southwark.gov.uk/Uploads/FILE_40810.pdf Park in Trinity Church Square if you don't fancy the council estates (I am perfectly happy to leave my motor there in amongst the Jaguars and Porsches). Beware zone F which also applies on Saturdays.
As Friday is a bank holiday, I think you'll find the parking will be free on that day too, but suggest you call the Council to confirm. 020 7525 7764 seems to be the number.
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Hello Pat,
I'm an avid reader yet an infrequent poster in this forum.
I live 5 mins walk from the Travelodge you're staying in. As you're coming down on New Year's Day, the traffic should be fine. Parking on that day will be free. As the next day is a Saturday, parking in my zone is free after 1:30 p.m. I can tell you a very good street to park on which is very safe, well lit, has minimal passing cars and people. Overlooked by an apartment block and which is only a few mins walk from where you're staying. The Southwark Travelodge is only recently opened and I'm not sure if they have parking in the hotel.
If we can arrange it, I'm more than happy to give you a visitors permit for my zone which will mean you're completely covered in any Resident's bay for the morning of the 2nd. It costs me £3.50 and as it's around £4 an hour to park, it'll work out a lot cheaper. If you know how to message someone through this site then contact me direct or nialguitar@hotmail.com
Only happy to help.
Nial
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Pat,
Once parked, you could do worse than take a look at the riverside area between London and Southwark bridges.
Just a few minutes' walk from your hotel in Union Street, you have Shakespeare Globe Theatre, Southwark Cathedral - a proper cathedral and an absolute gem, but almost invisible from two streets away, Anchor Bankside pub, Borough Market and the original Clink Street, as in 'locked up in Clink'.
There used to be some public toilets in a widened part of Union Street, known locally as Flat Iron Square, because from above, it looked like the outline shape of a clothes iron.
The area is a real slice of Dickensian London - he lived nearby for a good few years, hence Little Dorrit Court.
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Many thanks for excellent replies. Sorry for the delay in replying - I've been away from my computer.
Nial - that is a very kind offer. I'll email you tomorrow (going out for a curry with colleagues tonight!)
ifithelps - thanks for the tips on local attractions.
We're only staying one night (1 Jan), going to a matinee production of 'Warhorse' on 2 Jan. Going with two other families. Any recommendations for a family (all over 9) friendly pub or restaurant (pref Indian or Italian) nearish the hotel.
Not asking for much am I?
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Pat,
The aforementioned Anchor Bankside is family friendly - lots of small barrooms, you might be able to get one to yourself.
There is another, much newer, pub near Southwark Cathedral which has a riverside frontage, although it might not be the weather for sitting out.
Can't think of the name of that one, but you can't miss it, it's a big, comfy, pub which might suit.
More pubs and restaurants along Borough High Street, leading to London Bridge, although you could be anywhere and it's bit noisy and dirty.
My choice would be the riverside because it's a much more interesting area.
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There seems to be a lot of 'locals' here :-)
Pat,
The street you're staying on 'Union Street' turns into 'The Cut' at the east end. There are two traditional family friendly curry houses on this short stretch of road. Both recommended. The Cut is actually very well known for restaurants as there are a few good quality places to eat on the road. There is also an Italian called 'Paradisio' about half way down.
If you have time, take the families down to the South Bank, only a short walk. Amazing views of London. It'll be very cold this time of year down by the River though! :-)
Nial
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take the families down to the South Bank,
Yes, Pat. On the South Bank, just downstream of the hulking former Bankside power station, now a barn-like art gallery, is the beautiful little house Christopher Wren lived in while St Paul's was going up. He must have looked at it through a telescope every morning before taking the boat across to bully the workers.
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>>As the next day is a Saturday, parking in my zone is free after 1:30 p.m.
Not according to Southwark Council - see my link above to the controlled parking zones. If you're in London Bridge, the time is 6.30 on a Saturday; if Bankside/Newington/Borough CPZ, then free all day on the Saturday.
No need for a visitor permit. And I wouldn't be seen dead in the Anchor, Bankside. Pubs on Borough High St./the South Bank need no repeat business owing to the huge number of tourists, so are generally vile; the George is nice to look at (it belongs to the National Trust) but don't expect the food to be edible. The Royal Oak on Tabard St is the nicest pub in miles.
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Hi Mapmaker,
'My zone' is in the borough of Lambeth, and is free to park after 1:30p.m. on a Saturday. The hotel is in Southwark, but Lambeth starts a few hundred yards down the road on 'The Cut'
I'll check out the pub you recommended as I'm not a big drinker round these parts! :-)
Another little point, if no one knows already, is that there is no Congestion Charge in London from 25th Dec to 1st Jan, so a good time to drive into London if you needed too.
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Doesn't seem worth paying to park in Lambeth when he can park in Southwark for free...!
;)
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Travelodge website makes some suggestions - no on-site parking for this hotel tho'
www.travelodge.co.uk/search_and_book/parking_facil...2
Edited by JohnM52 on 14/12/2009 at 23:33
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