staying in dartford 12th and 13th aug

youngfreeandsingle

I am staying at a travelodge in dartford on the 12th and 13th of august, coming from yorkshire on the train, where would i be able to go to soak up some of the closing ceremony atmosphere? I dont know the area at all but i beleive there is a train station very close to the hotel.

barbarawright

You could go to Hyde Park or one of the other sites with a large screen to watch. You won't be able to go in the Olympic park though.

youngfreeandsingle

i don't know if i am being too ambitious as i do not know the area at all and will be travelling with my 13 year old daughter, what would be the best way to get from st pancras to hyde park?

juliebunny

Hello and hope you enjoy your trip to London. Brace yourself for chaos on the London Transport system!

You need to get familiar with the underground system. Best thing is to take a look at www.tfl.gov.uk and print out a few train maps etc. Get a day travel card if this is your only visit to London - I think kids get cheap travel too. Check the age limit, I think 13 is ok (or if they look the age ). You could get an Oyster but for just one trip, it's probably not worth the hassle of the deposit/trying to get back.

balletshoes

yes, get a day travelcard for yourself (off peak should be fine) and get child's travelcard for your 13-year old (11-15 years) at the train station.

barbarawright

As well as having the free screens, Hyde Park is an Olympic Venue so there are lots of signs to it. You won't get lost!!! Don't forget you can't take food and drink into the screens area though it will be on sale there.

CrazyRed

youngfreeandsingle wrote: »

I am staying at a travelodge in dartford on the 12th and 13th of august, coming from yorkshire on the train, where would i be able to go to soak up some of the closing ceremony atmosphere? I dont know the area at all but i beleive there is a train station very close to the hotel.

Hi there,

The Travelodge is in Greenhithe - not far at all from Greenhithe Station.

If you're coming into St. Pancras, save yourself a lot of hassle and travelling and pick up the High-Speed service to Ebbsfleet station (it's just outside of Northfleet/Greenhithe) and then get one of the Bluewater buses (or, if you feel adventurous, a cab) to get yourself to Greenhithe and the hotel - the hotel's about a 5 minute walk from Greenhithe Station.

The HSS takes just 14 minutes to get from St Pancras to Ebbsfleet, whereas the 'normal' train service takes about an hour and a half.

To get into London from Greenhithe is very easy, and fairly quick - a Travelcard is probably the cheapest, and most flexible, way to do it from Greenhithe.

Best of luck with the journey and hope all goes well.

barbarawright

Sorry, just seen on your other thread that Hyde Park is a nono because there's a sold-out concert there. Sorry

http://www.btlondonlive.com/hyde-park

h007

A train from dartford into central london takes about 45 minutes.

I am sure your daughter would love a trip to bluewater shopping centre too!

CrazyRed

h007 wrote: »

A train from dartford into central london takes about 45 minutes.

I am sure your daughter would love a trip to bluewater shopping centre too!

If you're staying in the Travelodge, then that is very close indeed to Bluewater and there is plenty on to entertain the kids during the summer holidays - albeit, being Bluewater, at a price.

A quick walk down to the station, and then a bus every ten minutes direct to the shopping centre, or, if you really feel adventurous, it's about 1-1.5 miles' walk from the hotel.

Londonswan

Why not try Victoria Park? It's right beside the Olympic Stadium and has big screens, ferris wheel etc.

Grab the train into kings cross st pancreas and odds are it will stop at Stratford international, walk through to Stratford regional station and get train one stop to hackney wick.

Hope you enjoy your time wherever you end up.