AIBU to drive to Blackheath for the fireworks

[madnessIsay]

Just that, any tips on where to park? We are not far away distance wise (SW London) but public transport is a pain involving multiple bus/train changes. Plus will have one dc in a pram.

You might not get parked .

Not been for years but DD and her friends go each year . Roads are closed for quite a way around it and most roads nearby are Resident Parking only.

Where in SW London ? You could get a train to Blackheath Village or Westcombe Park and then walk , which might be your best bet.

Take it fro me. You will not get parked. There’s at least a mile corden in place. Get the train, but be prepared to be herded in Tranquil Vale by the police. It was awful last year so we are opting out for the first time in nearly 20 years.

Absolutely don’t take a prank.

Pram

I am 5mins away from the heath right now and it’s already busy. I definitely wouldn’t drive.

agree, take train to westcombe park/charlton or blackheath and walk. on the way back be prepared to not get to your preferred/closest station due to crowd control one way systems.

it's all residential parking only in that area and on days like this actually enforced...

Residential parking restrictions will stop at 6:30 so, assuming you can actually find a space, you should be able to park in streets in eg Lewisham and then walk up to the heath.

It’s a nightmare either way

It’s taken us hours to get home on public transport

I assume driving is not much better

Definitely don't drive...

All the local roads are closed and traffic is a nightmare. I'm going to pontoon dock this year... hoping it will be less busy

Don't do it, just come home from there.

Even if you have to park 2 miles away it’s worth it! It’s an amazing display.

Parking around Westcombe Park Road, on side roads, is often free. However, it gets insanely busy and you're not guaranteed a space unless you get there in the afternoon. Public transport gets terrible too. To be honest, the display isn't worth the hassle, in my opinion. I'd stay local.

Yes, YABU! Blackheath and Greenwich have been hideous for traffic today and I doubt it will improve before this evening. If you're going to go, use public transport and put child in a sling. There's a Section 60 order in place across the borough too so the crowds may be slowed even more than usual if Police are searching more people than usual.

We are at friends house in Dulwich but they have a newborn so are not going this year & we were debating about dropping by.
Believe me I wish I could go local and as a kid I did indeed take full advantage of the fireworks at Clapham, Tooting & Streatham common & sometimes Wandsworth too if they didn’t clash. However the councils stopped these displays years ago. We usually go to Battersea which is still a trek as i’m in Balham but have also done Crystal Palace, Wimbledon & Brockwell in the past. Tbh I’m tired of the ticketed ones as you have to be fenced in.

Ah

Stay in the warm with your newborn OP

Took my then 3 month old daughter one year and she woke up and did not like it at all .So we came straight back home again . Be plenty of fireworks to see from where you are I imagine . Certainly got a lot going off here in SE London.

Oh they have a newborn . I misread.

Up to you OP but I would seriously get a train as I and others suggest . This time of the evening there will be no hope of getting parked . I personally would stay in the warm and see what Dulwich gardens have to offer instead as it will be packed from whatever station you do get off of and the walk to the event itself.

not me with the newborn but I do have a 6yo, 4yo & 21 month old in tow. Every year I threaten to throw my own firework display but would probably cause a fire!

Me too . There is a reason when mine were small we either went to friends or displays or were lucky enough to live quite high so saw a lot of them from our upstairs windows.

Whatever you decide have a good night . My DD is going but she is walking from Lee which is not far but sadly no parking there either as residents only . However Lee station is one I did not think of . Its a 20 perhaps 30 minute walk as I think they have moved the fireworks to further up to where it used to be ,, though I am not totally sure on that

as luck would have it a neighbour (?, can’t tell the distance) started their own so settled for that. Next year will hit up Lidl/Aldi & do a home show.

That's good OP

We had a display from the next door garden for some time but they did knock and say sorry beforehand (I have cats) but it was fine . First time they have had them in all the years I have been here . Was good hearing the young ones scream in delight at them .

Fab! I love how the kids are in awe of them.

[Smile]

We could do with a thumbs up emoji I think .