what is it like driving in central London?

[Lightatwinter]

I would like to go to an event in London tomorrow. I will be travelling 3.5 hours to get there. Thing is, I have a commitment on sunday which means by the time I start travelling I will only have 3.5 hours till the event starts.

So its really tight timing.

I am also quite an anxious driver and not used at all to driving in big cities. I am also quite good at getting lost, even with a satnav. What is driving in London like? Is it confusing and terrifying?

I really want to go to this event but worried I will travel all that way and just end up missing it anyway.

I did this route previously. Parking in Milton Keynes is your best option

I’ve done it a few times now thanks to ds2 going to UCL. It’s slow, confusing but not terrible.

I'm a fairly confident driver and actually really enjoyed being so close to iconic landmarks in my car.

We did get lost with satnav first time and then twat DH put UCL as the destination rather than the accommodation block so I got really muddled until I realised.

Parking will be the issue for you, particularly if you haven’t got much of a time cushion.

Definitely don’t drive in. Drive and park at somewhere on the Elizabeth line and get that into central. And honestly, that’s not enough time.

Private vehicles should be banned in zone 1 anyway, unless blue badge. Totally unnecessary

I think you’ve made the right decision, sadly, OP. With Sunday service problems and such a tight schedule, I don’t think it’s doable. I hope you manage to get down here for another event soon.

I live in london and regularly drive in the centre. To be honest I wouldn’t do it if you’re nervous - there are a lot of agressive drivers who give you no leeway whatsoever, and the road layouts can be really confusing.

@Takenwithtea

you have the option of moving out of a big city.

@Daisies12

feel free to go & start your own thread about it.

It’s exhilarating, aggressive and beautiful at night but you NEED To know where you’re going, if not don’t do it.

Is it the Solidarity with Jews march/March against Anti-Semitism?

If so, try and get a train to Charing Cross and walk from there.

If it is the march on the Strand, it starts at 1.30 so arriving from 2pm would be fine...

I’m a Londoner and have always driven but I wouldn’t attempt to drive to The Strand because it would be impossible to park. I agree about driving to Westfield and taking a tube to your destination. It will be much quicker and less stressful.

Aside from driving being pretty terrifying in London (speaking as a Londoner who drives as little as possible) and fairly impenetrable (it's easy to get yourself in the wrong lane and forced to turn as there's no way out leaving you to circle one way streets endlessly) it's slow. Much slower than you expect or any sat nav gives you.

Also even if you discount that where on earth will you park? There is no parking anywhere near the strand that won't either be full or excessively pricy.

Cardiff to Paddington by train.
Bakerloo line to Charing Cross.
Though Google Maps tend to be optimistic, it should take 2.5-3 hours at most.

It’s a Sunday, there is loads of free parking on the street.

I don’t know why pp are suggesting driving to Milton Keynes, it’s miles out of the way.

You’re not going to get anywhere near the Strand in a car tomorrow due to the march in support of the Jewish community. Security is going to be very tight, loads of roads will be closed and Tommy Robinson’s lot are threatening to show up again. Trying to drive in is a terrible idea.

I don't find driving a problem in central London but like others have said you will have difficulty finding parking.

Or use a tube car park. Hatton Cross or Hounslow might be good shouts. Get on the Piccadilly Line to Leicester Square station, ten minutes walk to the Strand.

List of car parks here https://www.sabaparking.co.uk/tfl

Oh sorry ignore this. Saww pp's pists about Paddington being closed. Apologies.

Avoid Elizabeth line and Piclcadilly line tomorrow as there are closures

I don't mind driving in London, especially weekends are not too bad. I'd drive to somewhere around Hammersmith or Vauxhall, or South Kensington around museums - usually enough on street parking (you can park on single yellows on Sundays) and take a bus/tube for the rest. All the way to Strand may be tricky, that part is very busy and no parking

Trains diverted to Waterloo (I've had a quick look and some are one change at Reading) would actually be beneficial to @Lightatwinter as Waterloo Station is literally the other side of the river to the Strand and therefore within a short walking distance.

I think it will be fine to get there at 2pm.

Honestly, I don’t think you’re going to make it to the event tomorrow.