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.

[ThePlantsitter]

Are we not going all pitchforky and telling everyone to stay away like everyone else then?!

I personally wouldn't OP mainly because I'm finding the atmosphere weird at the moment and public transport is a pain in the arse currently. But then I'm in zone 2 not Central and I suppose August will be different.

[Diverseduvet]

Grishan, the TFL card will be a card that allows your DS to travel on Oyster paying child fare.

[Diverseduvet]

Plantsitter, I don't think Londoners will get 'pitchforky'! I think if you live in London it's understood; London is for everybody.

[canigooutyet]

If it needs renewing cos he's moved onto the next age one, get this sorted sooner rather than later. IIrc the school has to stamp the form before it can be submitted.

[ThePlantsitter]

@Diverseduvet

Plantsitter, I don't think Londoners will get 'pitchforky'! I think if you live in London it's understood; London is for everybody.

Hurray to that! Also not enough pitchforks to go round really.

[canigooutyet]

Still cannot work out how someone can tell if I'm a tourist or not from looking at them. I'm not a Londoner and still do the tourist stuff. Had a lovely walk this week that included St Pauls, Shard and a few other places of why not do some tourist stuff whilst it's lovely and quiet. Obviously cannot go in, but the architecture around London is amazing.

And at night there are some amazing buildings etc around London Bridge, Alwych, Embankment, Greenwich, Blackfriars etc. But then night is usually my best time to explore, less tourists around

There's a lovely hidden little green near Little Venice that overlooks the canal. On a evening/night it's so peaceful as are other places like this across London.

A massive issue when out and about at the moment is toilets. I have chronic kidney disease and have to plan all my journeys in detail as a result.

Although we shouldn't have to do this, and I absolutely hate this, I suggest anyone who has legit use of radar key keep a copy on your letter on your phone. Because of the cleaning some places have locked the accessible toilets so you still need to contact someone. And of course it's widely known too many people felt entitled to purchase one just because.

I just keep a copy of my appointment letters from the Renal department.
From talking to those I know in catering and pubs etc, there will be restrictions of toilets and customer only will become the norm and enforced in some way.

Cinemas etc might also need to do the same.

[Chillyourbeans]

Go for it OP. There are some brilliant rates around at the moment. We've booked a penthouse in a 4 star for an absolute steal for the middle of August. Free cancellation up until 24 hrs before check in so can't lose out. We're planning on parks, museums, a couple of afternoon teas. I need a city fix!

[RainingMeatballs]

If you want to come then come, there’s millions of us already here and frankly it won’t make a big difference car. In fact with less foreign tourists this year why not come and try it while it’s quieter? Even walking down the Thames with a beer is pleasant, there’s always things to do.

[Japa]

Please don't come! There are already too many people on the streets to be able to socially distance.
We live in central London and are finding it difficult to go for a daily walk due to the quantity of people on the streets.

[Namechangex10000]

@Flyingagainstreason
@zingally

I’m so nosey - I really want to know what your favourite hotels are!!!

I do love a Montcalm but would love to investigate some more especially if prices are going to be lower!

[bigchris]

@Japa well how do you cope every other summer ?! You live in central london, of course its packed !

[LucyLikesDiamonds]

@canigooutyet absolutely couldn't agree more, I love just mooching around London, taking in the beauty of the buildings and history, parks and people watching.

[LilyLocket]

No pitchfork here. I think the coastal towns have bought them all .

People have to make their own judgements. I’m just saying that if I wasn’t from London, I wouldn’t choose to come here for a ‘break’ during a pandemic.

[LucyLikesDiamonds]

@canigooutyet I regret not doing the boat trip last year, from Camden, which I believe takes you through Little Venice? We went the next day, once we had decided it would be fun but the weather had turned and no trips were available.

[LucyLikesDiamonds]

I will still wait a few weeks to gauge current Covid numbers.

I've read there's a possible lockdown in Leicester, so I know we're not out of the woods quite yet! I won't be rushing to book but it is something I'll be hopeful can happen. We all need a bit of hope don't we!

Let's see where we are in three weeks time, I'll have my note pad handy, full of hotel deals (hopefully) and go from there.

[GrishainDisguise]

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

[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.

[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!

[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

[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.

[overandunder9]

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

[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.

[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.

[AnnaSW1]

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

[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.