Travelling to London

Hey all!

Right, so I am travelling by car to London from Bristol on Friday and need a few questions answered.

No.1: I am very nervous about travelling for the first time into London by car. I need to be in the east of London on Fairfield Road (nearest tube station is Bow road/Bow Church). I want to avoid the congestion charge. I believe the congestion area is only from Marble Arch to Tottenham Court Road? Or there abouts? Which is no where near where I need to be. So question number one is, is that correct? lol.

No.2: From Bristol I will travel along the M4. Because I really do not want to travel through London, even if it is avoiding any charges, the only way I can think of going is around London on the M25. But I've heard that is a nightmare. Any suggestions as to any other ways I can get to the east of London if I'm coming from the west, and not going through the middle?!

Finally, No.3: Parking. Anyone know of any parking around the Fairfield area? Is there street parking? Will I be all right to try and get as close to my destination as possible and then just see where I can park?

I would really appreciate some help with this as I am very nervous about this trip. I also have to be there by 11am! Help!

Here's a map of the place I need to be.
http://www.johnclarkphotography.com/contact-us.aspx

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the only bit I can help you with is I'd definitely use the M25. It's only a nightmare at peak time & if there's been an accident. Given the direction you're going in, you'll be going against the heavier traffic... I think.

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Thanks Krunchie. Yeah, I think I'm going to have to use it at some point. But I think I will park on a street somewhere, half way round the M25. Somewhere on Green Road, then get the tube. But I'm right about the congestion charge, yes? Just that small area, bang in the centre of London?

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Am not too familiar with the charge cause I never drive into London (or at least not when it's in operation)... Maybe there's a map showing the charge area somewhere

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Yeah there is. I've done all me research :) Just wanted to hear it from someone who's been there.

I've got it all sorted now. Will most likely be travelling from Boston, Lincolnshire (it's not a random choice of departure... there's a reason behind it lol), which is much easier to get into London. Straight down. Then I'll be parking at Debden - which is free! Then getting the tube to where I need to be. Sweet.

Thanks for ya help Krunch :thumbsup:

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Was going to suggest something along those lines. I've driven into central London via the M4 (from Bath) more times than I've had hot dinners!

Dumping the car and getting on the tube is about the best way to get to the East End quickly. If you were coming in on the M4 I'd suggest parking up somewhere like Chiswick and jump on the tube.

Hope it goes well.

AIL Staff
:)

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Was waiting for a reply from you ;)

Thank you. I think I've found a route now and will most likely go in from Boston. If I drive for the AIW premiere, I may park at Chiswick.

:thumbsup:

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:thumbsup:

AIL Staff

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Is there free parking in Chiswick, do you know?

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Is there such a thing as free parking? I thought it was a myth, fuelled by Monopoly. ;)

I live SW London, in Surbiton, I'd let you park in our car park, right near the train station - 20 mins if that from waterloo. Though means a bit of a way to drive

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I'm sure there will be free spaces in Chiswick somewhere but it would probably mean parking in a residential road and walking to the tube station.

Pretty much all of central London is either residents parking permit zones, parking meters, or nowadays those phone parking spaces where you phone up and pay with your credit card. Most of these spaces become available for free to anyone after 6pm (although in very central areas this is sometimes 10pm, or not at all).

There are lots of residential streets around Chiswick Park tube, I'm not 100% sure if they're resident permit areas or not.

AIL Staff :)

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