London sights - how quiet is quiet?

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It was mentioned on TV this morning that London is 'like a Ghost Town' at the moment. I have to travel this weekend to the outskirts of London. I struggle to visit London as I don't like cities, fear of terrorism more than anything so I've only ever driven past the sights. I'd love to take my children to see the sights too and it it's quieter I'd feel much better and it's more feasible for driving too which takes a long time in London.

So Big Ben & Buckingham Palace being the most intriguing places to visit, how less busy are they?

The Covid aspect, we probably wouldn't even be getting out of the car as they're not place you can park up next too... Are they?!

I live on the outskirts of London and prior to lockdown 2.0 it really wasn't much different to normal times here in terms of busyness.

We haven't been into central London since all this started because it's not essential travel, and we are not supposed to use public transport. DH who normally commutes into the City daily has worked from home throughout, as have most office workers. Consequently most businesses that rely on office workers - cafes, coffee shops etc are shut.

Not really sure there is much benefit to just driving past the landmarks TBH. Where abouts on the outskirts are you going?

You can't park anywhere near Westminster or Buckingham Palace, no. Unless you want to meet a lot of policemen carrying guns, that is!

Don't know how quiet it is but some of our local cab drivers are offering trips around central London to see the Christmas lights - that might be a nice thing to do.

It’s definitely quieter than usual but don’t expect a ghost town. Still lots of people out and about on walks. I’ve been getting the tube across London most mornings for work and that’s where it’s noticeable- the tube carriages haven’t been busy at all.

The traffic in London at the moment is awful though. During lockdown 1 I was driving to work and it would take me 40 minutes from west to east London. Now it would take me 1.5/2 hours. They’ve changed a lot of bus lanes into cycle lanes, so what was sometimes 3 lanes of traffic, is now down to 1 or 2.

Central London is very quiet, but outer London is busier than ever (full of the people who would normally be in central London!).

Big Ben is totally covered in scaffolding, so it might not be a great time to visit it - also driving in London is never something I would voluntarily do!

Lots of black cab firms are doing light tours this year they'd probably adapt it too take in other sights, expensive though.

Whereabouts are you staying on the outskirts - is there a Tube line that would get you into central London?

And depending on the age of your children and the weather, it's a nice walk from Westminster, up Whitehall (you'll pass Downing Street) to Trafalgar Square, then along The Mall to the Palace. Most of the iconic sites in in one go!

Deffo don't drive. There is congestion charging and the ultra low emissions zone to pay for, plus parking is next to non-existent. Also cycle lanes, bus lanes...just hop on the Tube, far cheaper and easier.

FYI Congestion charge is 7 days/ week at the moment!
Central london by car was my school run for years, definitely a fun sightseeing trip but check whether you’re allowed up Regent Street, otherwise it could be very expensive! Def can’t drive up Oxford street

I mainly work from home but I have occasionally had to go into work in central London. Even in rush hour tubes have been quiet. Evening rush hour busier than morning but still able to get a seat, often with no one on either side of you (unheard of previously!).

If you avoid rush hour it is very quiet. Or, if you travel in on thameslink, even quieter than the tube!

Are the open-top tourist bus tours running? That would be much better than attempting to drive through central London and look at the sights

Last weekend we went to a couple (essential but specialist) shops, on near london bridge and one near regents park.

London bridge was fairly normal for a Saturday morning I think, people walking round and stuff. Hays Galleria was busy though not crowded (somewhere sheltered to eat lunch). Didn't go near borough market.

Tube across London had spare seats but not enough to properly distance. The second place was quieter but its not touristy.

Coming home was busier but not as much as usual.

Think people are basically still sight seeing, looking forward to the crush when shops reopen... I'll cycle to avoid a lot of it

I've never bene on the London tube and the idea terrifies me thanks to the London bombings. Ditto for public transport. My husband would drive as he's 'done London' properly. The walk does sound lovely, I wonder if there is a best time of day to do it, ideally with the lights on display too.

Really appreciate that people have given helpful replies and not told me "you can't live in fear" etc as my logical brain knows all this, it's the anxiety that doesn't listen!

London on a Sunday is so easy. We have often just driven about from place to place.

I’m not sure if it’s changed but as recently as January we parked outside the British Museum on a single yellow line for free on Sunday. And then drove all around the sights.

Lights + Quite = Before sunrise preferable on a sunday

I've had to go in to London really early before work before and just walked around and its lovely and empty and dead quiet

We went to the Imperial War Museum at October half term and it was very quiet. Drove from Essex through London with no issues. We drive to London regularly and that is the quietest we’ve seen it. We plan to go again in the Christmas holidays.

We drove up last weekend to see the lights after tea and the pavements down Regent Street were pretty busy ... I’d imagine you’d feel uncomfortable . Nothing wrong at all in having a drive around the sights - we do that about once a year with the kids - they still love it

@ZumbaAllTheWay

I’m not sure if it’s changed but as recently as January we parked outside the British Museum on a single yellow line for free on Sunday. And then drove all around the sights.

Congestion charge would apply on a Sunday now. If you want to park for free near the British Museum on a weekend head for Queens Square. Still have to pay the congestion charge though!

@viques thank you for the heads up! I think perhaps we will come up early for the xmas lights and a stroll and just pay the congestion charge. Is parking still free on a Sunday?

I went to central London on Saturday and it was mad mad busy with people and traffic. Oddly the tube was very quiet.

I think people and cars were there to see the Xmas lights. It was like a sort of carnival.

I live here. It’s still busy.