Can I get a walk-in Covid swab?

[DisneyPlus]

I am isolating due to close contact with a confirmed positive Covid case. I’ve been contacted by Test and Trace. I have a mild fever.
I could get a postal test, which is fine. I could get it quicker at my walk-in Covid testing centre but a friend said you should only go to drive-in ones if you’re isolating. Makes no sense but I’m curious now.

You can go to a walk in one. It's what they're for. You generally need to book rather than just rock up.

It's preferable to go to a drive-in but you can also go to a walk-in. That's what all the students were doing last year (my DC being one of them) as most don't have cars.

Thanks so much. I can book online and get a slot at a walk-in right now and it’s half a mile away as opposed to a 30 min drive away.

I took my son to a walk in under the same circumstances last week (although he had no symptoms). Was happier with that rather than the greater risk of potentially spreading anything to the rest of the household by travelling in the car together. We both wore masks and avoided passing any one on the walk there.

Walk in is fine but to get to mine I'd have to walk down some pretty busy streets.

We went to our local walk in centre when our DS had symptoms. We actually drove down and parked outside, then walked in. It was empty! The online and telephone booking system was down so we just turned up and asked them very nicely if they could test him. They kindly agreed and we were able to register the test online afterwards. This was after I had spent 40 mins on the phone with 119 and tried to book using the usual online system.