Is it worth trying to park at the Science Museum?

[CarolEffingBaskin]

Sorry, didn’t really know anywhere else to ask.

We’d like to take a trip into central London for the science museum in a few weeks, because DS2 has ASD and will cope so much better whilst it’s limited/quiet. We’ll likely never have a chance to take him again without meltdowns!

We’re trying to work out the best way to get there though. We live about 1.5 hours away by train or car, coming from the south. I’d thought about driving to Morden and parking there but I’m worried there won’t be any spaces.

We do have a blue badge for DS though, so I was wondering what the chances of getting a space outside the museum may be, if it’s generally quieter than a standard August/summer holiday this year?

Many Thanks in advance

Haven't been near there since lockdown so no idea what it's currently like I'm afraid. I would say though that as parking is hellish round there at the best of times, I'd be more worried about getting there and him seeing the museum...then you driving round for 2 hours to find a space, which may cause the bigger meltdown.

If you are coming to Morden, is it worth you going to Wimbledon instead so you are only a few stops on the District line?

I dont know about the Science Museum but before lockdown had to drive in to central London to collect some art. I pre booked a space in an NCP parking lot. I just googled the nearest parking lot. There are a few disabled spaces near the museum but you can't be sure one will be available. Try ringing the museum to ask how busy it is.

We live a similar distance and often drive up and park there on a Sunday. I wouldn’t try any other day though due to parking restrictions.

We used to take the big kids, when they were little on a Sunday and park outside, Kensington side, but Iv not taken my youngest because he has ASD too and Iv not braved it.
Good luck we used to have a great time and picnic on the lawn before heading home.

Sometimes there is bookable parking at Imperial College ....

Spaces are limited, and most surrounding roads are permit only.

There are 3 NCP car parks not too far away that you can prebook.

Don't forget the congestion charge is now 7 days a week till 10pm.

We always drive there on a Sunday.... we get there for opening and have no problems parking within a minutes or so walk. Not sure about other days but I really think with a blue badge you would be fine.

I had a message to say they’re opening on the 19th August and you need to book tickets, so near that in mind.

Agree with PPs- you can usually get free on-street parking nearby on a Saturday afternoon or Sunday, or use the Imperial car park which is just minutes away.

Don't know about parking at the Science Museum, but we often park at Morden and get the tube - it's generally fine as long as you're not too late. BUT it's not a nice tube journey - especially all the way to South Ken. If you can find pre-bookable parking near the Science Museum, I think you'll find that a lot nicer.

Also worth pre-booking WonderLab if you can - tends to be quite busy but I assume it'll be limited numbers at the moment.

Sundays are good, go early and you'll find a parking place. We've parked a 5 minute walk away on side streets before. Defo get there by 9am. I've attached a pic of where we find side street parking every time. The yellow highlighted streets are good. Good luck

Sundays are good, go early and you'll find a parking place. We've parked a 5 minute walk away on side streets before. Defo get there by 9am. I've attached a pic of where we find side street parking every time. The yellow highlighted streets are good. Good luck

There are few spaces nearby bookable on justpark if you know when you're going. I wouldn't chance it with the disabled spaces outside the museum personally, so stressful for everyone!

Meant to say the Science Museum is just behind the Natural History Museum on map.

Whenever my son drives into London he uses a parking app on his phone.

Lots of people rent out their driveways/car parks by the hour/day and it works out very cheap.

When we went to the passport office we used the app and ended up parking in a church car park just around the corner. I think it only cost us £6 for a few hours.

Thanks all, wonderful advice. I should have said, we’ve already decided we’re going on the 20th, as we thought a week day would be quieter? It’s a Thursday. We’ve booked the museum entry, and wonderlab already. We’ve also booked the London Eye for the same day, so basing around Waterloo is an option too. Wimbledon might be a bit more awkward than Morden to get across to? We’re coming straight up the A3.

I might look at other car parks around Waterloo/Kensington that I can prebook. The NCP near the museums wasn’t available to book when I looked earlier. I don’t mind about the congestion charge, we’ve got 1 child old enough to pay on the tube so it would be similar in cost driving/tubing to be honest. I’ll check the Imperial too.

We booked a disabled parking space at the Natural history museum a couple of years ago so presumably you can still do that and that is next door I think . I did get a ticket for doing an illegal u turn getting to my disabled space so drive carefully as it’s all on camera although in my defence I didn’t realise my turn was illegal .

Never have a problem parking around there, but DH has lots of work in that area so knows the quiet streets.

Although like a PP said, don't forget congestion charge is now seven days a week.

look up blue badge parking in Kensington and chelse basically it s mostly no. Street parking or ncp will be expensive on weekday on top of congestion charge.
For London eye you can use blue badge nearby in lambeth but again check on each borough website.

www.justpark.com is your friend here. We use it every time we visit MIL in central London (Westminster area), and we usually manage to get a whole day for under £20. Plus having a booked space avoids hours of anxious circling and bitter squabbles about which street to try next