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.

[MajesticWhine]

Many tube stations are still closed near me (zone 2) but hopefully they will be open soon. The west end is still quite quiet but I imagine by August things will be more normal.

[HundredMilesAnHour]

I can imagine it's quite pleasant at the moment without the usual crowds

I live in central/east London and it's just as crowded as usual. Less tourists but instead all us Londoners are home and making full use of all the parks etc. My local parks are actually way MORE crowded than usual. I've cycled around the West End/Westminster etc at weekends and it's absolutely rammed with people. I got stuck in a bike traffic jam where there were (I counted) 23 cyclists in front of me waiting for the lights to change at Westminster. It was awful and I got the hell out of there as quickly as I could.

As a Londoner, I am still avoiding public transport and I walk or cycle (or occasionally drive) everywhere. I don't think getting the tube is worth the risk unless it's an essential journey.

Personally I'd suggest you wait a while longer. London is crowded enough as it is right now, especially with so many places still closed it means that parks etc are rammed with people. Someone I know likened one of the main parks to Glastonbury last weekend because it was that busy.

[GrishainDisguise]

The hotel we booked allows cancellation up until 48 hours before arrival.

Sadly you cannot book trains for August yet. You can only book about two weeks ahead. So we are slightly anxious about that.

I am so glad we are not the only ones planning a holiday in London.

[bigcatlittlecatcardboardbox]

I don't think you can pop in actually - you have to book everything. You just have to plan ahead!

But like I said, almost all of our pubs and restos are doing take out though - DH and I sat and had dim sum and a pint in the park on Friday. It's just a different kind of dining out, deliveroo are delivering pretty much anywhere now!

We still are like sardines packed in, so if you're nervous about COVID then it's not for you. But if you understand the risks and have a mask you'll be fine.

Let me know if you want any recommendations

[canigooutyet]

@LucyLikesDiamonds
Even the expensive ones have excellent deals. I'm paying under hundred for my 4 star one. Don't just look at the comparison sites, also check with the hotels themselves. Hilton do better deals if you contact them direct for example.

And no I'm not saying where, I'm looking forward to a quiet night haha.

I have a weekend booked in the Summer holidays that would cost me an arm an a leg. It's costing me £96 in travel lodge haha, I had to double check it wasn't per night or per person as last year it was around £150 per night.

[LilyLocket]

I’m a Londoner and I’m still not using public transport yet and don’t intend to for as long as I can work from home. If you don’t have to use it for work or other essential journeys, my view is that I’d rather not.

So based on that, if I was a tourist I’d stay away.

We are so, so early with easing lockdown, and just two months ago the rate of covid cases and deaths in London was terrifying. I can’t imagine strolling around the sights feeling like fun this summer, but maybe that’s just me....

[Diverseduvet]

I live in London and certainly won't be using public transport any time soon. Essential journeys only still stands.
Parks are open and packed yes. Galleries, museums etc not open.
Pubs are asking people to pre book at the moment. In August, who knows?

[LilyLocket]

Also, it’s not all empty streets now. With the good weather and easing of lockdown, parks, down by the river, high streets etc are packed again. The traffic is shit again. A lot of people don’t give a shit about social distancing, too.

[Diverseduvet]

X post with Lillylocket, who I totally agree with. Tourists to Londoners are usually just part of everyday life, at most a mild irritation. At the moment if I saw a group of tourists I would think they were a bit bonkers and why would you?!

[canigooutyet]

Depends on the establishment with regards to pre-bookings. I've sat outside a local place this week and we hadn't booked in advance. I'm in zone 1.

When I've been on the tube, normally it's busy but was quieter than usual. No-one could believe it until I started posting pictures on my SM. Same with there wasn't hoards of people around, even in the indoor market at Elephant and Castle was very quiet. West End is starting to re-open as are other shopping places.

Museums have also started to re-open in London.

[canigooutyet]

And Tate plan to re-open in August

[canigooutyet]

And how would people know if someone is a tourist or not? I live here and occasionally have to check where I am on the phone, especially when walking and want to cut through side roads.

[Diverseduvet]

I stand corrected re: museums reopening. I think there will be much better times to visit, especially if using public transport. Leave it for the workers and essential journeys.

[Diverseduvet]

I can usually spot tourists. Just the same as someone living in Cornwall, the Lakes or anywhere else can spot them.

[LucyLikesDiamonds]

@GrishainDisguise I've looked on Avanti West Coast and you can currently book in August on their site.

@bigcatlittlecatcardboardbox that sounds bliss! thanks for the offer of recommendations, might have to hold you to that if we go ahead. Deliveroo sounds like a fab option if pubs and restaurants are still difficult to just walk in to.

@canigooutyet ooh that sounds fab! I'm definitely going to scour the internet just to see what offers are on. I think if we can book somewhere which has a good cancellation policy, then I won't feel so worried.

[Flyingagainstreason]

I live in central London. Like proper central
And it’s not busy at all. It’s busier than it was a month ago! But honestly not at all.

It’s a lovely atmosphere atm

[Diverseduvet]

So your worried about cancellation policies, not Covid?

[Flyingagainstreason]

Tbh London is pretty good at the moment in terms of cases. Obviously things change. And I imagine op will worry about cancellation policies if it does! Seems pretty sensible to me

[GrishainDisguise]

@LucyLikesDiamonds I am jealous. We are on the East Coast.

It will be great to have a break. Since the beginning of the lockdown we have worked non-stop.

[LucyLikesDiamonds]

@diverseduvet, of course, which is why I stated in my original post - 'I'm worried that August is too early to start thinking about going away anywhere'.

[LucyLikesDiamonds]

@GrishainDisguise it seems well organised on the trains, they have limited numbers and you have to book seats, which is wonderful. Cheapest I've seen so far is £88 return but I'll keep searching.

[GrishainDisguise]

Thank you. We just need to renew our Friends and Family card, and DS's Tfl card (whatever that is).

[canigooutyet]

Nothing wrong with worrying about cancellation policies. We cannot put our lives on hold indefinitely.

IF there is a vaccine it's not going to be this year. And vaccines never eradicate a virus if they did, we would have gotten rid of the flu a long time ago.

And any other time things like cancellation policies and travel insurance would be deemed a sensible precaution.

And so what if all the theatres are closed down? There is so much to do in London even outside. I've lived here over 30 years, been twice, thought it was extremely over rated for what it was and hadn't it been a part of a group trip and I was paid, I wouldn't have been a second time.

[AuntieMarys]

We are going in August for a few days..seeing family but staying in a hotel.

[canigooutyet]

Oh gosh yes I think children now pay or will do so soon.

I'm not sure, I got fed up years ago of having to pay out a tenner when one of mine lost their child oyster, and my youngest uses a regular oyster card or his debit card.