Where to Park near but outside of London?

[noloner]

We are driving from the continent to visit London. Any ideas on where we can park and leave the car for a few days without breaking the bank and without a too long train journey with small children? We´ll be arriving just after Christmas. Thanks!

Are you staying in central London, but not wanting to take your car in? How many days would you need?

Yes, we´re staying in central London.. I thought we could park an hour or so outside of London and take the train in. Good idea?

Easier to just drive in, surely? Does your hotel have parking?

I might be able to offer you a place in Wimbledon (15 mins on train to Waterloo) but would need to know exactly how long you would need it for.

If DH and I go to London, we tend to drive as far as Hammersmith and park in one of the quieter streets there (signs to tell you which areas you are allowed to park in - we know now where to go, but I'd be hard pushed to explain - you can look it up online I think) and then gtet the underground into central London.

Thanks for your replies. The hotel suggests the nearest NCP carpark, which I´m sure will be pretty expensive. I don´t know if there´s now a congestion charge for driving into London too? I hadn´t imagined that it could be easier to drive right into the centre..

We´re staying 4 nights so it could all add up to much more than a train fare! Pixie, we would be staying 4 nights from the 26th. I have to get thinking fast!

If you are interested in the Wimbledon option let me know, it's a 5 min walk to the station and trains go into Waterloo every 10 mins.

I'd add up what it will cost - parking and getting train with luggage sounds like a hassle!

Congestion charge should just apply on the days you arrive and leave, and it's only £5. There is a freeway through london where it doesn't apply -runs north to south, so if your carpark is on it, you won't pay. Check out the tfl website.

Have you looked at www.parkatmyhouse.com

It's private carparking (where people have extra space on their drive etc) at very reasonable rates. We used it to fly from Southampton airport and found good, secure parking at a fraction of the airport's rate - and the owner dropped us at the airport.

cong charge is £8 :-)

lots of parking near suburban train lines that's free but depends where you are coming in from. I only really know sw london. If you are coming in from Kent (Dover), might make more sense to find somewhere in SE London to park the car.

You can park at Osterley station, I think it's 4.50 a day, but you can stay for a few days. It's on the picadilly line, about 30 minutes on the tube to central london.