London parking

Merv987

Where can I park for free or cheap, coming from Hampshire Friday morning, going to natural history museum, then Fri even visiting family around edgewear road, so preferably halfway between nhm and edgware road?

susancs

I wouldn't recommend parking between Edgware Road and South Kensington on a Friday during the day as you will pay the congestion charge and high parking charges, plus be stuck in traffic. It would be better to park outside of London and get the tube in or get the train from Southampton to London (megabus have fares for £18 return on the train).
https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/tube-station-car-parks
Use a contactless bank card for travel. Plan your travel on www.tfl.gov.uk journey planner.

If you were able to come on a Sunday instead there would be no congestion charge and a lot of the parking restrictions on certain parts of the back roads around Edgware Road, Kensington Gore are lifted. Still limited parking but we have parked on the road opposite the NH Museum at 8.30am on a Sunday.

Merv987

We're spending Saturday in North London with my family and sunday in south London with my in laws, so we're hoping to have some fun on the Friday, but need too much stuff for 3 days to do it on the coach or train.
I don't think we need to go anywhere near the congestion zone though, and we'll avoid travelling around rush hour.

moneypenny2k

I live the other side of London so can't really help but I find https://secure.parkopedia.com/? very useful

susancs

Merv987 wrote: »

We're spending Saturday in North London with my family and sunday in south London with my in laws, so we're hoping to have some fun on the Friday, but need too much stuff for 3 days to do it on the coach or train.
I don't think we need to go anywhere near the congestion zone though, and we'll avoid travelling around rush hour.

There is no cheap or free parking in Edgware Road and east of Edgware Road is in the congestion zone as is Kensington so parking in between these areas will result in congestion charge (before 6pm on Friday) , plus car parking charges.

There is and NCP car park in Edgware Road just outside of the congestion charge but it would be £30 for 6-24 hours parking.

Could you park at your relatives house in North London and use public transport from there?

wealdroam

susancs wrote: »

There is no cheap or free parking in Edgware Road and east of Edgware Road is in the congestion zone as is Kensington so parking in between these areas will result in congestion charge (before 6pm on Friday) , plus car parking charges.

Just a small point, but Kensington is no longer in the London Congestion Charge Zone.
It was removed from that zone in December 2010.

Here's a current zone map.

susancs

wealdroam wrote: »

Just a small point, but Kensington is no longer in the London Congestion Charge Zone.
It was removed from that zone in December 2010.

Here's a current zone map.

Sorry, Wealdroam you are right. Just goes to show how reliant I am on public transport during weekday working hours that I had not even realised that this changed years ago!

Merv987

I'm thinking of parking at North Ealing, £4.20 for the day, I can get the picadilly line round to south ken and then my brother is only half an hourish away by car. :-)

susancs

Merv987 wrote: »

I'm thinking of parking at North Ealing, £4.20 for the day, I can get the picadilly line round to south ken and then my brother is only half an hourish away by car. :-)

It is a small car park according to TFL information with only 95 spaces which wouldn't be too bad probably at a weekend, but probably busy with those travelling into work weekdays. I would look for a bigger car park on a weekday, unless you are planning to arrive very early in the morning before the rush hour starts.

Merv987

Our plans have changed completely, so we're going up sat lunch time and the family thing on Sunday isn't till 2 pm, so we'll take your advice and drive in Sunday morning and look for somewhere close ish to park.
Not sure what to do sat afternoon though, i'd like to go on a boat on the Thames, we've got oyster cards, so i'very read it's not toonly expensive with them. Last time we were up they did cheap late entry tickets to the aquarium, but I can't see it advertised any more.

susancs

Merv, is still going to the Natural History Museum use the side entrance (earth sign above the door) and just beside the Science Museum as quicker to get in via that way than the main entrance.

Wowcher have a deal on a boat cruise, which you have to book in advance, so check availability.
http://www.wowcher.co.uk/deals/london/deal-686236-detail/3-25-child-thames-circular-sightseeing-cruise/deal.html