nearest/biggest Ikea?

[MamaChris]

We are planning our first Ikea trip since moving to Cambridge. With 3 month old car-hating twins, we could do with making the trip as short as possible. Google claims Lakeside, Edmonton and Milton Keynes are all 1 hour - 1 hour 20 min away. Is any bigger than the other or easier to get to?

We've only been to Lakeside, which is pretty straightforward to get to obviously, down the M11 and round the M25 and big enough iirc.

But really, is there no way at all you can manage either just one of you going (presumably with a mate to help load stuff) or leaving the babies with someone for a few hours? I can't think of anything more horrendous than going to Ikea with two 3mo car-haters tbh. It's bad enough at the best of times.

You're mad! IKEA is hell at the best of times.

What about those business that advertise on ebay - someone who'll go, buy your stuff, and deliver?

Don't IKEA deliver their whole range yet?

we usually go to Milton Keynes... but have friends there so combine the two! I would organise delivery or, as flowery suggests, go solo.

Don't know about distances, but Edmonton Ikea is a dump: messy shelves, unhelpful staff, things out of stock, impossible to find things. I always swear that I will try Lakeside next time seeing as Google says it's equidistant.....

If you can, I would try and go on a weekday, but you probably know that already.

I'm not good at internet shopping outside of electronics. need to see things in the flesh as it were, before I buy, so do need to go myself. And am rubbish at expressing, so where I go the babies go for now. Edmonton is the only one I know, if Lakeside is better, then we will try there (and avoid the A406 into the bargain :))

Am fervently hoping that going when ds1 is in nursery, so I can sit between the carseats and timing the journeys for naps will make this trip ok... we will see! thanks all

I'd be interested to know more too. We've only ever gone to Edmonton, as it's slightly nearer for us. Arriving when it opens, home with time to unpack and assemble.

It's still a wearing experience. I'd agree the shop is often scruffy, but the staff have been OK. I always try their stock checker for anything big or important.

Everyone I know goes to Milton Keynes

I have been to lakeside, edmonton, and milton keynes. I personally find edmonton easiest to get to (lakeside always seems to take 1.5 hours)yet edmonton about 1 hour.

Good luck!! can't imagine trying to do it with twins let alone 3 month old twins

If Edmonton really nearer by time, then that wins. How long does Milton Keynes take? Am thinking they are still in that fairly sleepy stage, so it will be easier now than later!