Advice please

judy2357

My elderly father has an appointment on the 26th August at Barts hospital London and we live in Cornwall. there would be 4 of us travelling and are looking into different means of travel. A train from Plymouth to Paddington would cost £119 each on the way and £35 ish each on the way back therefore £600/700. My partner has considered driving but has never driven in London before although he has had some experience driving in large cities abroad, but although we have sat nav know nothing of the inner London roads.

We were thinking maybe to drive to the outskirts of London and catch a taxi or tube in but there again dont really much about the tubes/stations.

Any ideas would be gratefully received. Thanks in advance

crazyguy

Its near St Pauls Cathedral, so driving will be cheaper for 4 of you, you should use sat nav and rather than pay parking on the outskirts and further travel costs you will better off driving all the way there and paying the actual hospitals car park fee

judy2357

crazyguy wrote: »

Its near St Pauls Cathedral, so driving will be cheaper for 4 of you, you should use sat nav and rather than pay parking on the outskirts and further travel costs you will better off driving all the way there and paying the actual hospitals car park fee

The Barts website says there is no public parking, there is a NCP Park not far away but when I rang the hospital I was told that it is always full but there is a park on Aldergate Street, but as I said we have no knowledge of the area.

crazyguy

I would take a chance on finding a space and give yourself plenty of time in case you need to park elswhere,

Nearest carpark : http://www.ncp.co.uk/ http://www.ncp.co.uk/find-a-car-park.htm?t=link&q=st barts hospital &via=0#st barts hospital

map to get there : http://www.cetl.org.uk/uploads/barts_map.pdf

judy2357

crazyguy wrote: »

I would take a chance on finding a space and give yourself plenty of time in case you need to park elswhere,

Nearest carpark : http://www.ncp.co.uk/ http://www.ncp.co.uk/find-a-car-park.htm?t=link&q=st barts hospital &via=0#st barts hospital

map to get there : http://www.cetl.org.uk/uploads/barts_map.pdf

Many thanks will take another look at it.

MzFitz

I work near St Barts and know Aldersgate Street. My recommendation would be to drive to Wembley Park Station, opposite Wembley Stadium - there is a car park at the station that doesn't cost too much and from my experience there are lots of spaces through the day - and take the Metropolitan Line tube - direct to Barbican. Website says St Barts is a 7 minute walk away - I think it's less than 5 minute walk and I've walked it!

The Premier Inn next to Wembley Park have rooms for the 25th at £49 per night, if you want to consider coming down the day before - still cheaper than train, and I think their car park would be free - better still, park for free on the street between the station and the Premier Inn .... it's packed with commuters during the day (sorry, that'd be me) but evenings there is lots of space.

Don't even consider cabs - madly expensive!

PM me if you have any other questions - I can check the Wembley Park carpark fees if you like.

MzFitz

crazyguy wrote: »

I would take a chance on finding a space and give yourself plenty of time in case you need to park elswhere,

Nearest carpark : http://www.ncp.co.uk/ http://www.ncp.co.uk/find-a-car-park.htm?t=link&q=st barts hospital &via=0#st barts hospital

map to get there : http://www.cetl.org.uk/uploads/barts_map.pdf

Street parking around Aldersgate Street is, I believe, .20p for 7.5 minutes - can't remember if it's a 2 hour limit or 4 hour limit, plus £10 congestion charge.

MzFitz

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/tubestationcarparks/default.aspx
Wembley Park, 164 spaces, charge is £4 for the day. Consider that the majority of people park in the street for free (except event days - and the 25th / 26th are NOT event days), there is bound to be space in the car park.

judy2357

Thanks am looking into everything at the min online, its really good of you to help.

joerugby

It's a very long way to drive there and back in one day

If you go up by train the afternoon before the cost would be much less, e.g. £40 from Truro

cinderfella

Forget the hassle of London driving.
Just looked at National Express coaches.
Come up to London from Plymouth for £10.50 each say 25th. Stay at Travelodge
Go back on 26th. Lookat the cheap fares section

Google it (my connection is slow tonite)