to be thinking of booking a weekend away to London in August?

[LucyLikesDiamonds]

Is this insane?

We had to postpone our wedding and are hoping it can go ahead beginning of August (tiny ceremony) but I've yet to have this confirmed by the ceremonies team.

All being well we would love to go away for a weekend but I'm torn what to do.

I realise that things aren't going to be normal for quite some time but just to have something to look forward to would be a bonus, however, I'm worried that August is too early to start thinking about going away anywhere.

How do you visualise places like London will cope with the new restrictions?

Anyone who lives that way or commutes, what is the situation on the underground, bus travel etc?

We normally go two or three times a year so know our way around quite well, I don't suppose there will be as many tourists as usual and if the weather is good there's loads of great outdoor places to visit, eat etc, just reliant on the weather.

Not sure what to do, is it worth it?

YABU to even think about this or YANBU to wait a few weeks and see what the situation is.

[canigooutyet]

🤣 cannot believe someone who hasn’t been in London since March knows what’s happening here now. 🤣 it’s easy to keep your distance at the moment.

And worse for what at the moment? Leicester I believe is bad at the moment for CV, but around 100 miles between the two should be fine.

[CathyComesHome]

I was referring to how many people are squished into one place in London and how truly hard it is to keep a distance especially if having to use the tube.

I live in London. This is not my experience. Tubes are completely deserted right now. Maybe 2 other people in my entire tube compartment this morning. I've frequently been on trains where I've had an entire compartment to myself. Obviously certain places are more "squished" than others (certain shops, probably pubs when they re-open) but being in London has no bearing on that. London is not inherently more "squished" than any other busy town.

I avoid the very popular parks and other "squished" places like Primark and have no problem having enough space to social distance.

[bigchris]

Travel and tourism need your money too

We can't stay shut away forever

[Austriana]

I think it's lovely at the minute , especially in the sun. Come and enjoy. Museums and galleries are opening up. Masks on public transport as people have said.

[Flyingagainstreason]

@ErickBroch
If you haven’t been into London since March how on earth do you know what it’s like.

[ErickBroch]

@StarlightLady pedantic point from you. I was referring to how many people are squished into one place in London and how truly hard it is to keep a distance especially if having to use the tube

[katy1213]

Bus travel is fine; I've only ventured on the Tube for a few stops but that was fine, too. Museums seem to be working towards August re-opening but haven't announced dates yet; but the Garden Museum opens on 4th July, some cinemas by 10th (possibly with a programme of arthouse/classic films that won't attract crowds). Could also visit Kew Gardens, Hampton Court (gardens only) or National Trust gardens on the outskirts (Ham House, Osterley Park). If the weather's okay, you'll have a lovely trip; but might be wise to choose a hotel that's a treat in itself in case there's a downpour.

[StarlightLady]

@ErickBroch - I think you will find that Leicester is the worst place to go for it.

[canigooutyet]

And social distancing will either have been reduced so restaurants can open. Or been scrapped so schools can open for education not care.

[ErickBroch]

I would not go to London. I work in London and have not been back in March and won't be going back until at least September - it's the worst place to go for it.

[StarlightLady]

Go for it with a get out clause.

Pick an area where you can walk to places where you want to visit/revisit, to keep tube/bus travel to a minimum.

Suggest you book through an established well known third party website such as Booking.com, Expedia or Hotels.com where you can clearly select a free cancellation option. Then, in the event of a spike, you can cancel with a click of the mouse. Don’t be frightened to cancel and rebook if the price drops too.

Finally, congrats on your whenever wedding.

[longwayoff]

Thought of the Tube makes me shudder, ugh, but then, it always has really. If you like the London parks OP, it's quite pleasant, in summer, to walk from Notting Hill or Kensington through Kensington Gardens, into Hyde Park, cross Hyde Park Corner into Green Park then into St James's Park and you're in central London after a long green walk.

[Bebbanburger]

I don't know, we have a hotel already booked for late August. We did have Hamilton tickets, but they have been cancelled. I'm not sure what to do. I need to get train tickets if we are going but the thought of being on a train is still worrying to me

[bumblingbovine49]

Well I like London too ( was born and grew up there) and if the weather is nice it should be fun. If it rains though, which it does a lot at the end of August, if will be a different experience. I am not sure if museums and other indoor places are open but if they are, would you be comfortable visiting those? If so, then go. and have fun . If you aren't comfortable with think about if you would.be happy to just stay around the hotel a lot for most of the break ( worst case scenario).then you have your answer.

[canigooutyet]

@AnnaMagnani
Museums have started to open, mainly smaller ones. Tate reopens in August.

Hotels are also accepting bookings not just for key workers. They open 4th July.

Lots to do outside without the need to book depending on what your preferences are. Plus once op and others have booked a hotel, they can go and start booking anything that needs it for August, this week or next month.

We have drive in cinemas that are opening, pubs could start opening from the 22nd and some are, without pre-booking. Indoor cinemas around the 20th July. Outdoor markets have started to open. Zoos are starting to re-open as are the small city farms. Some open air events like Croydon air are also still scheduled to go ahead.

www.ianvisits.co.uk/blog/2020/06/26/londons-museums-and-galleries-reopening-following-the-covid-lockdown/

[AnnaMagnani]

Outside rush hour the tube is currently deserted.

You would need to check on museum reopening - currently most of the outdoor things that are open are all book in advance so I would guess museums, at least the big ones will be the same. So it may not be a very spontaneous break.

Hotels are currently keyworker only as well.

But cases in London are currently v low so it's a good place to pick.

I'm fed up of walks. I want to go to a museum! FFS in most of them there aren't many people and the whole point is not to touch things.

[AnnaSW1]

I'm in central London. It's so boring at the moment!

[canigooutyet]

@CathyComesHome
Yes I have thank you. It's one of the things I use when I'm planning my travels. Plus of course places where I'm a regular and who I know lives local.

I love walking and exploring those hidden gems we have.
Even when I've taken the kids or friends that come to visit out for a walk somewhere, still find new things. Only found out about the Little Venice spot a few years ago from a local, and have walked all along that canal more than once over the years. Love how many places you can get to along the walk.

[canigooutyet]

@LucyLikesDiamonds
I've never done any of the trips on water or road. Many parts of the canal are nice to walk along. Once the pubs open it will make the walk a bit more enjoyable!!

Depending on how leisurely you're going it can take about an hour to two to walk from Camden to Little Venice. Just if you decide to walk back, make sure your not on Grand Union.

And good call on the cycle scheme.

[overandunder9]

Ooo @Chillyourbeans, which hotel? We always visit London in August and pretty much just wander the streets and eat.

[CathyComesHome]

canigooutyet have you seen this?
www.timeout.com/london/news/this-map-shows-all-of-londons-loos-open-in-lockdown-062220

I have to travel by tube regularly. The tube is empty outside of rush hour.

Theatres definitely won’t be re-opening until the end of the year at the very earliest, more likely to be next year.

[EveryDayIsADuvetDay]

Bring cycle helmets and there are loads of hire cycle schemes - and within the congestion zone, traffic seems to be a lot quieter still.
BikeHireCompared

[EveryDayIsADuvetDay]

I live in central London - bus travel is fine, I've not been on tubes, but I rarely use them anyway - if you stay centrally, most things are walkable.

I had an email from city cruises in the week saying they will be open soon, I'm not sure when galleries/museums reopen - it really depends what you enjoy doing.

I'm looking forward to restaurants reopening!

[Japa]

bigchris - every other summer we haven't been in the middle of a pandemic so there has been no need to socially distance. We are shielding a sick child so getting that little walk from the flat has become important.

[GrishainDisguise]

Thank you for the suggestions on DS's Tfl card.