Advice please

MzFitz

I'd agree with the taxi - I would think it would be expensive. You might want to look at getting some quotes in advance. There is a black cab stand opposite the Premier Inn or google Wembley Mini Cabs and get a quote.

The Premier Inn is like 20 footsteps from the Reception across the road to the lift at Wembley Park - it really is that close. That lift takes you up to the ticket office. There is also a lift from the ticket office down to the platform - it's right in the middle of the walkway, looks like a big box and no signs -!- I'm forever telling people with cases about it (Southbound platform 5 or 6, lots of staff on hand to advise). If you travel after 9.30 you won't be squished with those pesky commuters (me again, sorry). The Metropolitan Line runs directly through to Barbican (some trains terminate at Baker Street, wait for an all stations to Aldgate, again staff will be on the platform to advise). It's about 40 minutes in. At Barbican there are 29 steps up to the ticket office, then another 23 steps up to street level (no lift at Barbican). I counted the steps yesterday.

There are several street maps around Barbican to take you to St Barts - but (from memory) you turn right out of the station, right again and walk down to the old Smithfields market. You will see a small garden/square in front of you. Look Left and that big white building is part of St Barts (small plaque on the building dedicated to William Wallace as place of his death), walk past the tiny entrance to St Bartholomew The Great Church tucked away in the corner of the square (where Hugh Grant didn't marry Duckface in Four Weddings and a Funeral) - into Little Britain (I am not making it up, honest, it's the name of the road).

Incidentally, St Bartholomew The Great has a very nice cafe in case the hospital cafeteria doesn't appeal - http://www.greatstbarts.com/Pages/About_Us/find.html

judy2357

MzFitz wrote: »

I'd agree with the taxi - I would think it would be expensive. You might want to look at getting some quotes in advance. There is a black cab stand opposite the Premier Inn or google Wembley Mini Cabs and get a quote.

The Premier Inn is like 20 footsteps from the Reception across the road to the lift at Wembley Park - it really is that close. That lift takes you up to the ticket office. There is also a lift from the ticket office down to the platform - it's right in the middle of the walkway, looks like a big box and no signs -!- I'm forever telling people with cases about it (Southbound platform 5 or 6, lots of staff on hand to advise). If you travel after 9.30 you won't be squished with those pesky commuters (me again, sorry). The Metropolitan Line runs directly through to Barbican (some trains terminate at Baker Street, wait for an all stations to Aldgate, again staff will be on the platform to advise). It's about 40 minutes in. At Barbican there are 29 steps up to the ticket office, then another 23 steps up to street level (no lift at Barbican). I counted the steps yesterday.

There are several street maps around Barbican to take you to St Barts - but (from memory) you turn right out of the station, right again and walk down to the old Smithfields market. You will see a small garden/square in front of you. Look Left and that big white building is part of St Barts (small plaque on the building dedicated to William Wallace as place of his death), walk past the tiny entrance to St Bartholomew The Great Church tucked away in the corner of the square (where Hugh Grant didn't marry Duckface in Four Weddings and a Funeral) - into Little Britain (I am not making it up, honest, it's the name of the road).

Incidentally, St Bartholomew The Great has a very nice cafe in case the hospital cafeteria doesn't appeal - http://www.greatstbarts.com/Pages/About_Us/find.html

Thank you for this, have printed out your reply and will take it with me. We have to be at Barts for 10.15 ish so I realise this will be the busy time, so will go with whatever my dad wishes to do.

MzFitz

Just popped back into this thread again .....

The tubes are fairly quiet after 9am - everyone is usually into the office, and, of course, it's a Bank Holiday weekend so I expect the tubes to be quieter than normal anyway. Do you have a walking stick for your Dad - people do get buried in their papers and don't always see what's going on around them ......

You'll have to pay the full price (none of that "after 9.30 cheap fares" business), but I'd still suggest you go by tube - it's not just cheaper (although your fares there will be £5 each, presuming you won't be getting Oyster cards, which are £5 refundable per card plus £3.40 each fare), but it is quicker by tube too - 40 minute journey.

Make sure that the Premier Inn are happy to have your car there through the day - otherwise I'd recommend parking in the street next to the car park the Thursday evening, which costs nothing and there will be loads of availability after 6.30pm. It's full by 8am the next morning. Don't leave your bags, or anything that looks valuable, on display!!!!!

judy2357

Hi everyone,

Just popped back to let you all know that our trip to London went well, thanks to our Sat Nav we found the Premier Inn at Wembley with no problems and we all agreed it was excellent 5*. Our rooms were spotless and the food was definitely the best I have ever had in a hotel, saying that if we holiday we usually go 4*.

We did travel by taxi which was a bit expensive, if we had had more time we would have experimented with the tubes but dad wanted to get to the hospital early so we decided to taxi it. We had a very nice Sri Lanken taxi driver who acted as a tour guide on the way in and dropped us to the door. Everyone at Barts were lovely to us, as it was a long appointment and we didnt come out until late in the afternoon. We attempted the tube station but went into one that didnt actually have trains to Wembley so there again we opted for a taxi as dad wasnt up to walking very far. The traffic was dreadful so it took a while to return to Wembley to pick up the car. From there we travelled back to Cornwall and arrived home just before midnight.

Many thanks to everyone that contributed to helping us, I may be back for more help soon as my dad was diagnosed with a melanoma in the eye and has have two operations end of September. At the moment we are discussing exactly who will be going and how we are travelling, probably by train this time as the accommodation will mostly likely be at Barts. I may be back, meanwhile thanks once again.

Should any of you have to come down to Cornwall or Plymouth and need any suggestions for anything, please pm me.....Judy

Mk14:37

Well done Judy, and thanks for the update. Now that you know you'll be travelling, it's worth investigating things like the Senior Rail Card (assuming you haven't already)

http://www.senior-railcard.co.uk/?source=portal