where to stay in London in a motorhome?

[ilovexmastime]

I've promised the kids we'll visit London during the October half term, staying in our motorhome. Can anyone recommend anywhere we can park up for free\pay to park. We don't need a hook up so don't really want to pay too much.

Abbeywood site is very close to the train station, which is 20 mins into central London, direct bus route to Greenwich and DLR.

However Abbeywood is not somewhere I would want to stay over night in a motorhome! You may wake up to find there are no wheels on it!

There's no way our van will pass the low emissions test... so it may be cheaper to stay outside London and get the train in. Although I really like the look of the CP camp site .

Blu, yes, I was hoping that we could just park up somewhere! I haven't been to London for a looooong time... obviously! Where has the time gone? Bleddy kids.

Maureen, your tip is duly noted!

Blimey - it appears I live in the LEZ - who knew? Anyhow, this site is apparently outside it and in the summer a bus appears to run from the site sirect to Walthamstow station: www.visitleevalley.org.uk/en/content/cms/where-to-stay-and-short-breaks/sewardstone-campsite/#overview

Unfortunately, it is completely the wrong side of London for you really but it might be an option when you compare the costs of public transport in from sites in the West (if they are further out from Central London). Just worth factoring in maybe.

I booked our French friends into the campsite at Norwood in April. I had to register their newish campervan in advance on the LEZ website but it was pretty straightforward. The CP is supposed to be very good but you do have to book well in advance- we didn't manage to get my friends in there a week ahead.

Blu, I just read the reviews for CP and the people complaining about the lack of park sound very 'entitled' (to coin a MN phrase!). Their review made me chuckle.

Thanks for the link Mummy, I'll check it out.

Our van is ancient, Duchesse :( . Thanks for the tip on booking well in advance though.

Abbey wood caravan club site is ok actually. Good security on site and some pretty impressive fences.

"Good security on site and some pretty impressive fences."
Thats the best marketing line for a campsite I have heard in a long time, Jins

(But of course I am sure it's v nice.)

Well you know what I mean

It's actually quite a little oasis. I can imagine there could be issues though so its pretty secure. We thought it was great and if I ever venture to that London again I'd stay at Abbey Wood.

Not if you have an unconverted camper/motorhome Jins or it seems it will set you back £100 a day (I think). Does it cost that even if you leave the car stationary at the site does anyone know?

That's true. I remember having to check this as we tow with a pick up. Luckily it complies but as I recall you pay the charge for the day you are in the zone.

Parked up on site doesn't incur a charge. My last post is not at all clear

This emissions zone thing is monstrous!

So do all the big vans etc on the road pay it? How does anyone survive in a business?

I think they all had to be converted to comply to avoid paying. If memory serves I think my neighbour had to get something done to his campervan though I didn't realise it was for the LEZ at the time.

I wrote a big post this morning and lost it- GAH!

I have stayed at both London sites, in a tent with 3 youngish kids.

Crystal Palace
Pros- nearer to the centre of London, and other places in SW London. However, the bus can take its time, we stayed pre East London line so maybe that has helped times? Leafy site with supermarkets, cafes and restaurants 10 mins walk away. No playground but Crystal Palace park is a walk away, slightly annoying that you have to do 3 sides of a square. The camping part is smaller than Abbeywood. The main downside is that it is next to the main road so there is a lot of traffic noise, which being London continues through the night. The noise won't be so much of a bother if in a motorhome/caravan as you would be further away and more sound proofed. The other issue is that the 4 loos and showers are keycode protected and a bit of a pain with young children. There was a family block there but we never got a key, maybe you had to ask?

Abbeywood is further out, and the best way in is by train which is about 10 mins away. The camping field is larger and is car free, with parking on the perimeter. I think they had a few EHU's? The small playground is more suited to under 8's but in sight of the tent field. The facilities are much more family friendly with no keycodes, bigger showers and there was even a family bathroom with a bath. A co-op is 10 mins walk away. I felt ok in the area but then we lived in SE London anyway. The site is much, much quieter at night and from road noise.

I think a lot depends on the ages of your children, Abbeywood is definitely easier if they are younger but CP is slightly nearer the action. I would probably prefer CP, even with the noise but my kids nag for a playground.

Thanks Prof! My two are 8 and 6 and I don't anticipate being on site much during the day... it'll probably be the type of holiday you need a holiday to get over!