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UK travel

Welcome to our UK travel forum where you can get advice on everything from holidays to exotic destinations, to tips on London travel.

Free/cheapish parking in London?

28 replies

AlfAlf · 10/08/2015 21:38

Going into London for a day trip with dc, coming from the South and I'd like to drive near the centre and then get public transport and walk.. But where can I park? Somewhere around Battersea maybe? Or Waterloo?

I used to live in London, but never drove then. I'm a bit bewildered and would be grateful for any tips about parking :)

OP posts:
stuckinahole · 10/08/2015 21:48

Richmond

blondegirl73 · 10/08/2015 21:52

Where are you coming from? I'd get public transport the whole way to be honest.

AlfAlf · 10/08/2015 22:06

Coming from East Sussex (visiting relatives here).
I want to bring the car some of the way because we are visiting more relatives in South London on the way home in the evening, they aren't well served by public transport and best reached by car.

Thanks, I'll investigate Richmond :)

Apologies for the bloody dull thread, I couldn't think where else to ask Blush

OP posts:
UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 10/08/2015 22:09

Look up Parkopedia

TapStepBallChange · 10/08/2015 22:12

What day of the week? On Sunday's and Saturday afternoons you can park very centrally around Holborn

Noteventhebestdrummer · 10/08/2015 22:12

You can park in Highgate on the streets near the tube and then come in on the Northern line

MrsBertMacklin · 10/08/2015 22:23

I don't think there's anywhere in the inner boroughs that's free on a weekday.

Without knowing exactly where you're coming from, I would look up parking information on the council websites for each of the outer London boroughs, e.g. Croydon, Merton and scope out local car parks and areas that aren't subject to a parking zone.

The only cheapish car park in central south London I can think of is the one at Chelsea Bridge Wharf.

Twistedheartache · 10/08/2015 22:33

What about parking at the Westfield? Prob Stratford coming from East Sussex if you are coming up A21/A22

Mintyy · 10/08/2015 22:39

There is nowhere to park for free in central London, except for a few random places where on street parking is free on a Saturday afternoon. Don't forget to factor in congestion charge which is now 11.00 pounds (I think).

youngestisapyscho · 10/08/2015 22:41

You can park for free right by. Chiswick mainline station and catch a train from there straight to Waterloo.... They come every 15 mins and is a 25 min journey.

AlfAlf · 10/08/2015 22:41

Thanks all. We are going tomorrow. I only thought about parking now Confused
I'm not daunted by the actual driving; I don't get stressed driving as long as I have a nice fixed destination.

MrsBert thanks a mill, Chelsea Bridge Wharf is ideal; I had been considering Battersea Park which is a similar price, but seems to be max four hours which could be stressful.
I think some of the parks that I know further South have free carparks, but it's worth paying to save time I think.

OP posts:
LadyStark · 10/08/2015 22:41

Lots of free parking in Battersea at the weekend. Not very much in the week. What about parking in Croydon and catching a train in?

suitsyousir · 10/08/2015 22:48

Just over tower bridge, on the north side is a city of London car park. its £2 and hour. I drive into london daily for work and its the cheapest plave I have found.

suitsyousir · 10/08/2015 22:49

City of london car park at the minories. they also have one at london wall and another at Smith fields. all similar prices.

suitsyousir · 10/08/2015 22:50

Theres also a yard in Tent street, E1 thats £9 7am-7pm but its a good 10-15 mins walk to nearest station.

TeaandHobnobs · 10/08/2015 22:59

Where in central London do you want to be, and where in South London afterwards? Coming in from East Sussex, I'd park in a side street around Streatham / Streatham Hill (A23) and catch the train to Blackfriars / London Bridge / Clapham Junction / Victoria as appropriate. Or a quick bus hop to the Victoria line at Brixton.

BackforGood · 10/08/2015 23:10

Can I just piggyback this thread and ask what might be a stupid question about the congestion charge please?

How does that work?
I presume there aren't toll booths on every road into London?
How do you physically pay it?
Sorry if that's obvious to everyone else Blush

AlfAlf · 10/08/2015 23:43

Thanks everyone, there's plenty of parking inspiration here thanks to all your replies :)

Tea, think I might roughly follow your plan. We want to go to the London Eye if not scared off by the queue, Tate Modern, maybe Summerset House and/or Covent Garden, then Crystal Palace area later to see all the cousins, and possibly Croyden too if my niece and great niece can't get to Crystal Palace :) it's all a bit ambitious..

OP posts:
AlfAlf · 10/08/2015 23:47

Backforgood I think there are cameras that scan number plates all around the periphery of the zone.

OP posts:
Bakeoffcake · 11/08/2015 07:04

BackForGood, just google London Conjestion Charge and the Transport For London Website will come up. That will explain everything.

You pay 11.50 per day and can get in on the website.

Bakeoffcake · 11/08/2015 07:05

This is it BackForGood-

tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/congestion-charge

BackforGood · 11/08/2015 12:00

Thanks Bakeoff Smile

Coffeemarkone · 12/08/2015 11:52

Shepherds Hill in Highgate, near tube.

Coffeemarkone · 12/08/2015 11:53

oh wait that doesn't make sense if you are coming from the south.
Somewhere off of Brixton Hill then tube?