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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that I can drive to London?

54 replies

Flossyfloof · 17/03/2019 22:23

I’m a bit of a country bumpkin and live a pretty quiet life. Perfectly fine driving around here and up and down the M1.
I have 2 events I need to go to - ironically, a wedding and a funeral. Both in Surrey, one in Wimbledon and one in Epsom. I’ve thought about the train, but especially for the wedding, I think it would be a bit impossible to arrive fresh and pressed, having crossed London and done the tube, taxi from tube station, etc. I’m happy to stay overnight if necessary.
I just don’t know if I can drive in London! I don’t really know what I’m asking because clearly you don’t either! But if you do...is it ok? Is everyone impatient? Is it straightforward?
Yours pathetically...

OP posts:
Original poster
Flossyfloof · 17/03/2019 22:45

They’re not going to be on the same day. Epsom one is likely to be in a couple of weeks and on a weekday ( funeral). The other one is on a Saturday so might be a bit quieter. I would intend to go down on the Friday.

OP posts:
Quartz2208 · 17/03/2019 22:50

We have done Wellingborough in a day easily its just a lot of motorway driving M1 and M25 and from the leatherhead M25 exit it’s easy just 10-20 mins depending where

Original poster
Flossyfloof · 17/03/2019 22:52

Thanks it’s a long way further up but still doable!

OP posts:
pinkdelight · 17/03/2019 22:58

I don't believe the congestion charge will apply to either destination as you'd be coming in from the west not through inner london. dunno about that new emissions charge thing though. Epsom will be fine but worth checking if it coves Wimbledon.

anniehm · 17/03/2019 22:58

Epsom is just off the m25 and Wimbledon can be access via m3 without too much London driving. I would stay overnight if you need to be there before 11am or so as traffic is a nightmare on the m25! Took me 4.5 hours to go 100 miles to a funeral, nearly missed it despite leaving the midlands at 6am

anniehm · 17/03/2019 23:01

Sorry just saw where you live, 3 hours minimum from Leicester, unless late at night/weekend early morning, I always think it will be faster this time and it isn't!

Original poster
Flossyfloof · 17/03/2019 23:04

3 1/2 hours then!! No idea what time the funeral will be. The wedding is at 2 so I can drive down on the Friday, get settled in my hotel and just drive to the venue at my leisure.
If the funeral is early I’m thinking I’ll have to do the same.
I really appreciate you all taking the time to reply, thanks very much.

OP posts:
Justaboy · 17/03/2019 23:09

No one in thier right mind would drive through central London what with the congestion charges and the piss poor traffic flow. Either take the train or use the M25 which you'll need a few quid for the tolls and IIRC you have to pay them in advance thats if you go via the Dartford tunnel and bridge. But if your coming down the M1 then round the heathrow side.

sw19007 · 17/03/2019 23:12

Where is the wedding? I would leave your car once you get to your hotel and then use public transport.

Original poster
Flossyfloof · 17/03/2019 23:17

The wedding is actually in Morden but the nearest hotel is in Wimbledon.

OP posts:
Original poster
Flossyfloof · 17/03/2019 23:18

I’ll be sure to have money ready for tolls!

OP posts:
ThePlaceToVent · 17/03/2019 23:19

Course you can.

I drove across Europe on my own with 3 kids.

Just prepare well - make sure you have your sat nav programmed, car is full of fuel, water and car snacks, play list and you are good to go.

You’ll be fine.

restingbitchfarce · 17/03/2019 23:20

I live between them two and can assure you driving around here is very easy and not at all busy like central London

SpiritedLondon · 17/03/2019 23:22

I’ve lived in both those places ( still live in one of them) - Wimbledon isn’t worse than downtown Leicester I wouldn’t think. It isn’t in the congestion charge zone. The trains are pretty frequent to and from Waterloo and it’s not a bad journey from St Pancras ( I’m guessing) if you decide to go that way. Epsom is just inside the M25 just off junction 9 and then either through Ashtead or Malden Rushett depending on which side you want. It’s a smallish town and definitely not like driving in London. Again trains are easy and you can catch them from Waterloo or Victoria. The main issue for driving will be the time you hit the M25 particularly around by Heathrow where it’s nearly always congested. Of course if there’s an incident the whole place becomes a car park. For an 11am funeral in Epsom aim to be on the M25 by 09.00am.- 09.15am ... it may only take an hour but you could get a coffee in town. This is preferable to missing it if the traffic is heavy. ( unless you’re driving around Marble Arch or Trafalger square or similar driving around London is just like driving through a series of connected towns...and sat nav makes it a whole less stressful) good luck.

SuziQ10 · 17/03/2019 23:22

Don't over think it. It's not hard to drive in London because most boroughs have a 20mile an hour speed limit. My borough does.
Anyway follow your sat nav & you'll be fine.

** though maybe check there is somewhere suitable to park in advance! And avoid rush hour.

I'm terrified of country roads. Cars go so fast & no street lights. Give me London any day Wink

nancy75 · 17/03/2019 23:25

Dartford doesn’ t take money anymore does it? I think you need to set up a dart tag account online

AndromedaPerseus · 17/03/2019 23:25

If you have a satnav it should be fine get to know the route beforehand and take breaks during the journey. Morden/ Wimbledon/ Epsom are not crazy busy like central London more like most town centres for driving. Have some good things to listen to while you’re driving.

Amibeingnaive · 17/03/2019 23:27

If the wedding is at the register office in Morden, it's a bit of a dick to get to from Wimbledon. I'd recommend an Uber.

If Morden Hall, less of a problem as the 93 will take you a short walk away.

Amibeingnaive · 17/03/2019 23:28

I would advise driving down either early afternoon or very late on the Friday. The M25 will be a shitfest from about 3-8 on a Friday.

Amibeingnaive · 17/03/2019 23:29

Where are you staying in Wimbledon - might be able to give you parking tips...

Original poster
Flossyfloof · 17/03/2019 23:56

I’ll investigate the tolls well before I go. I’m looking at Wimbledon Premier Inn, which is apparently the closest to Morden Hall, where the wedding is. Assumed there would be parking there!! I’ll check...

OP posts:
jimmyhill · 17/03/2019 23:57

There are no tolls between the M1 and Wimbledon / Surrey. If you need to pay them then you took a wrong turn at the M25

FrankiesKnuckle · 18/03/2019 00:33

There's a holiday inn express in Colliers Wood - right opposite the tube station which is 2 stops on the tube to Morden.
Or a premier inn also in Colliers Wood by Merton abbey mills. Max 10 minute drive to Morden hall - both nearer than Wimbledon itself.

Nonot · 18/03/2019 03:52

Such twatty comments about the places not being London. Hope the posters feel good about themselves.

BuffyFairy · 18/03/2019 04:20

The travel lodge (Wimbledon Morden) will be the closest at 0.9m and you can hop on the 93 direct to Morden hall park. More basic than the premier inn though. Merton Abbey Mills is nice for a wander about.

You won’t need to do tolls if coming from the M1 as presumably you’d travel the Heathrow side of the M25. For Wimbledon definitely do M1, M25, A3.