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Original poster

Royal London hospital please help

54 replies

SJ789 · 26/07/2022 10:33

Sorry posting here for traffic

We have to go to royal London hospital with our 8 month old, we will be going from Chelmsford, please can someone recommend the best way for us to get there? There is no car park for the hospital and the website says there is limited metered spaces near the hospital but we will be there overnight as she is having surgery so this isn’t an option. She absolutely hates travelling in any form so I’m really anxious about getting there. Please if anyone can recommend the simplest way with the least chopping and changes between trains/buses I would really appreciate it. We don’t know the area of London at all. My mum said could we get an ambulance transfer to take us but I don’t know how this would work/if they would do this for us? If anyone knows anything about that I would appreciate any advice. Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
SJ789 · 26/07/2022 14:33

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. Could I ask if we take the train would it be better for us to take a stroller rather than her pushchair? Would it be easier getting on/off? I've never taken her on a train (and I'm not a fan of trains myself 🙁)

OP posts:
Immaterialatthispoint · 26/07/2022 15:49

Take whatever she’s comfy in and you can manoeuvre best, but bear in mind the whole Elizabeth line is accessible so you’ll be fine. Millions of people manage babies and tube stations all the time.

What’s your concern about trains?

Happyfeet876 · 26/07/2022 18:31

Nanny0gg · 26/07/2022 14:10

Are there train strikes due tomorrow? - Hope not

Sadly there are. We have an appointment tomorrow but on the train now instead...

UncomfortableSilence · 26/07/2022 19:02

Take whatever she's most comfortable in, people travel on the tube every day with babies so please don't worry.

I go to The London regularly with my DD, the stations been revamped so the exit is a bit further down now you don't come out on the crossing directly opposite. Are you going to drive to a tube station instead?

HundredMilesAnHour · 26/07/2022 19:14

Immaterialatthispoint · 26/07/2022 12:15

But driving won’t be any quicker, you’ll need to pay congestion charges and if the child hates travelling, I’d say an hour in traffic on the m25 and in central London when you can’t take her out of the car seat sounds harder than an hour on a train where she can move more freely and play.

It's outside the congestion charge zone. However, it is within the ULEZ zone so OP may have to pay that depending on vehicle type.

OP if you insist on driving, park at Westfield Stratford (it's just off the A12) and then get an Uber or the tube (Central line westbound, then change at Mile End by just walking across the platform 5 metres and getting on the District Line westbound). Don't drive into Whitechapel unless it's the middle of the night. It's not an easy place to drive, even by London standards. I can tell you some horror stories.

But....the quickest way would be the train to Liverpool St then 1 stop on the Elizabeth line to Whitechapel.

(I've lived within 2 mins walk to the Royal London for over 20 years - I can see it from my window as I type this).

HundredMilesAnHour · 26/07/2022 19:16

Appleblum · 26/07/2022 14:06

I used to go to royal London for my appointments. There is no parking there but it's a very easy walk from the Whitechapel tube station or Whitechapel dlr.

I wouldn't take an uber personally as London traffic can be very congested. The tube is more reliable.

If you're looking for somewhere to stay may I suggest Wapping or Canary wharf which are nice neighbourhoods along the river and also have the DLR which will take you to Whitechapel.

There's no DLR at Whitechapel. I assume you mean Shadwell.

HundredMilesAnHour · 26/07/2022 19:21

UncomfortableSilence · 26/07/2022 19:02

Take whatever she's most comfortable in, people travel on the tube every day with babies so please don't worry.

I go to The London regularly with my DD, the stations been revamped so the exit is a bit further down now you don't come out on the crossing directly opposite. Are you going to drive to a tube station instead?

The main exit from Whitechapel station is opposite the crossing. It reopened last year. I think you're getting mixed up with the temporary entrance hall (which is no more) that was a little further along Whitechapel Road.

UncomfortableSilence · 26/07/2022 19:33

Apologies I didn't realise that was temporary, it looked permanent the last time we were there. Has the old exit been updated too now? DDs last 4 appointments have been cancelled so not been for a while.

HundredMilesAnHour · 26/07/2022 19:46

UncomfortableSilence · 26/07/2022 19:33

Apologies I didn't realise that was temporary, it looked permanent the last time we were there. Has the old exit been updated too now? DDs last 4 appointments have been cancelled so not been for a while.

You'll get a (pleasant surprise) if you haven't been for a while. The 'old exit' i.e. the permanent exit is super-swish now. Much bigger, much nicer, lifts available. Despite the best attempts of the local thugs, everything is still working and looking good. An old friend of mine (who lives overseas) visit me recently and he was verging on speechless at the changes. 😊

UncomfortableSilence · 26/07/2022 22:17

Shall look forward to October's appointment to see the changes. I don't live far at all but DD was still slightly agog coming out of there each time Grin

I was under the hospital too as a child so have been using the station for over 40 years so it's good to see the investment.

itsjustnotok · 26/07/2022 22:20

@PinkWisteria thats the Royal free hospital link which is Hampstead. The Royal London is a different hospital located near Whitechapel.

AWobABobBob · 26/07/2022 22:39

limitedperiodonly · 26/07/2022 13:00

Sorry it looks like it's Metropolitan Line from Liverpool Street but it's still very quick content.tfl.gov.uk/standard-tube-map.pdf

It's not the metro it's the Hammersmith and city!

IDugAnotherHole · 26/07/2022 22:40

I've taken a pram / stroller on the train between Chelmsford and Liverpool Street loads. There is a lift at Chelmsford Station and it's a busy station with loads of people around to help you get on/off the train with your stroller if you can't manage it. People really are very helpful. And as above, the Eluzabeth Line is accessible so no issues there.

Good luck

AWobABobBob · 26/07/2022 22:40

Happyfeet876 · 26/07/2022 13:15

We live in chelmsford and travel to the hospital regularly. We tend to get off at Stratford and then hop on central line to mile end then district to whitechapel. Its just opposite the hospital.

Driving and parking is very difficult.

Those suggesting tube best thing would be to drive to upminster as its the closest district line station ( 25mins from chelmsford) and also the start of the line so would get a seat it takes you straight in to whitechapel. Not sure if you can leave your car in upminster station overnight.

Agree with this poster about getting on at Upminster. Any tube interchange will be stressful and chaotic, especially Stratford which is always busy and has many platforms and stations. Drive to Upminster and then just get the district line across to Whitechapel.

NoToLandfill · 26/07/2022 22:42

Yes you can leave your car at Upminster train station car park overnight.

AWobABobBob · 26/07/2022 22:42

Appleblum · 26/07/2022 14:06

I used to go to royal London for my appointments. There is no parking there but it's a very easy walk from the Whitechapel tube station or Whitechapel dlr.

I wouldn't take an uber personally as London traffic can be very congested. The tube is more reliable.

If you're looking for somewhere to stay may I suggest Wapping or Canary wharf which are nice neighbourhoods along the river and also have the DLR which will take you to Whitechapel.

The DLR does not go to Whitechapel!!

Honestly OP there are a lot of people on here that are giving you incorrect information about the tube lines which is just going to confuse you!

NoToLandfill · 26/07/2022 22:44

District line from Upminster to Whitechapel. Taxi to hospital.
Whitechapel is all no-step access and there's lifts so it's ok with a pram.

NoToLandfill · 26/07/2022 22:48

Train will be fine with whatever pram you bring. If you aren't travelling in rush hour it will be only half full.

And if it is rush hour, it will be so obvious that you are on a hospital trip that I'm sure it will go fine anyway.

We did a (at the time) scary trip to st Mary's with a little baby. Turned out fine, absolutely great. The worry was way worse than the reality

mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 26/07/2022 23:06

If you are going there tomorrow, strike day, car to upminster and district line to whitechapel. Poss no overground trains tomorrow but this underground journey still working but might be slow and crowded as strike day. Any other day, as others say, chelmsford to liverpool st and elizabeth line to whitechapel. V easy.

ConcernedSchoolStaff · 12/06/2023 09:57

Depending on your budget you could stay here, it's just around the corner. I haven't stayed in the hotel, but have eaten in the restaurant a few times and it's very good. From what I could see about the hotel and clientele it seems pretty good. https://www.newroadhotel.co.uk/marco-pierre-white

Marco Pierre White Chophouse Whitechapel, London

Marco Pierre White has teamed-up with New Road Hotel to launch his first ever Chophouse in London. Mr. White’s English Chophouse gives a nod to tradition and centres on everything that chophouses are famed for: meat and hearty portions.

https://www.newroadhotel.co.uk/marco-pierre-white

Nordicrain · 12/06/2023 10:02

Please dont' waste ambulance resources, unless there is a medical reason your baby can't travel. It's not a taxi service.

Put baby in a pram or sling and take train/ tube. Chances are she will like it better than being in a car as lots to look at and space to move around.

eurochick · 12/06/2023 10:26

This reply has been deleted

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ConcernedSchoolStaff · 12/06/2023 11:34

I am not affiliated with the hotel in any way, I was just suggesting somewhere nearby to stay should these parents need that. YABU.

Winterisalmostover · 12/06/2023 11:40

ConcernedSchoolStaff · 12/06/2023 11:34

I am not affiliated with the hotel in any way, I was just suggesting somewhere nearby to stay should these parents need that. YABU.

It's the hotel I stayed in while my BIL was dying. A bit quirky, but the most suitable one for the hospital and the closest. Absolutely sensible to mention it and definitely not promoting it. I'm not affiliated with it either.

AmenAmin · 12/06/2023 11:53

If you want to park nearby I’ve added a screen shot form just park to give you an idea of overnight prices.
Even out by Dagenham you’ll find resident parking restrictions near most stations. I’d either drive it all, or train all. Whichever your preference.
The trains and stations or buses are pretty buggy friendly, and people help

Royal London hospital please help
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