Where to go in London?

[marcouk2]

So a combination of an expiring East Coast voucher and an unexpected day off from work resulted in return tickets to London next Monday, the only problem is although I've done London plenty of times as a tourist I've never done it from a railway perspective.

Whenever I've done a cross-London transfer in the past its always following a itinerary so having freedom of where to go in London leaves me with absolutely no clue of where to go.

So I'm looking for ideas/recommendations to see/travel on a wide variety of rolling stock/locos in the London area as well as any unusual things you think are worth going to take a look at.

Cheers for any ideas.

 

[harry42]

Welcome to Rail UK Forums!

Some suggestions

• River boats: Whether it be commuter boats or tourist boats, there great! Westminster Pier is probably best?
• Emirates Air Line Cable Car: Fantastic views and gets you accross the Thames!
• Duckbus: Great fun! Goes on land on bus then a huge splash into the thames and a river tour!
• Take a trip upto Edgware on the northern branch line. I love this section of LUL. ?!
• Travel on Docklands Light Railway: But don't alight at stations such as Lewisham-there not nice areas.
• Go to Heathrow Terminal 4 by underground: The only station with a 1 way service.
• A boris bike
• Amersham or Chesham: The far north lines.

Hope this helps

 

[47403]

It's been a good while since I last visited the Capital but I'm lucky enough to have a friend who lives in Catford, so I generally get to stay a few days, so you could be pushing to get round everywhere in a day I list.
There's a lot more in the know than myself on here, who'll certainly point you in the right direction but when I visit, I usually get a Capital Card and take in Clapham Junction, Ealing Broadway, Stratford, Liverpool Street and Willesden Junction, however I've heard some horror stories lately about spotters being robbed at Willesden Jct. With travelling out to the above, you'll also get to take in Victoria, Euston and Paddington too.
Have a great time.

 

[Manchester77]

From Kimgs Cross Walk across to St Prancras. Then go on SouthEasterns High Speed services 'javelin' one stop to Stratford International where you can then change to a DLR train to Beckton and alight at Royal Victoria where you can then walk to the airline and go across the river to north Greenwich where you can then take a clipper to say Westminster where you could then do jubilee to Baker Street and then change onto an S8 stock up the met. Alternatively you could do one spotting on the circle for the S7s in service on the circle line (on the north side don't get he S7s confused with the mets S8s or the circles with the H&Cs )

Combines a few of the ideas in Harry's post

 

[marcouk2]

Quite like those ideas Harry and Manchester, gets me back to roughly where I started and on about every different form of transport available.

Is it still best to go for a travelcard if you're liable to stay in one place for a while? (not sure if I'll have time to hang around in one day but don't think I've ever kept to a plan for a day out yet )

 

[table38]

Train to Ally Pally then walk the old route of the railway back to Highgate and then back to Finsbury Park. (Do it that way 'cos it's mostly downhill ) Amazing views of London from the old viaduct over St James's Lane.

http://www.urban75.org/london/alexandra.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkland_Walk

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=111903033641482606385.000461c6f329939e7a6d6&ll=51.583843,-0.126343&spn=0.039839,0.076904&t=h&z=14

Or go to EastCheap for a fried egg

 

[ValleyLines142]

Can you use Oyster on the SE HS1 services from Stratford Intl to St Pancras?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Is it still best to go for a Travelcard if you're liable to stay in one place for a while?

Yes, definitely. There are time limits on Oyster journeys.

 

[Manchester77]

Travel cards aren't valid on high speed though I think

 

[Peter Mugridge]

They're not, but an HS1 single from St Pancras to Stratford isn't a huge sum of money.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

For watching a really busy railway - you cannot beat London Bridge Pf5 in the peak and marvel at the logistics and throughput.

Wimbledon is a good spot - trams , FCC , and a very busy SWT service - I do reccomend a run out on the District from there to Earls Court - frustrating Thames crossing but a great viaduct experience from Putney Bridge to Fulham Broadway. (weaving through a 19thC area)

North London Line is good too ...

 

[anthony263]

I have never had any issue's at Willesdon Junction although it has the own problems like any other place.

Best bet stick to area's where you can be seen easily by staff and other members of the public.

Wandsworth Road is one station I dont reconmend staying around for very long. Certainly I have been pretty nervous when staying there mostly due to some looks from local teenagers etc and stories I have heard from many enthusiasts including on this forum

 

[causton]

I have never had any issue's at Willesdon Junction although it has the own problems like any other place.

Best bet stick to area's where you can be seen easily by staff and other members of the public.

Wandsworth Road is one station I dont reconmend staying around for very long. Certainly I have been pretty nervous when staying there mostly due to some looks from local teenagers etc and stories I have heard from many enthusiasts including on this forum

Every time I have been to Wandsworth Road it has been deserted (maybe a bit busier now with the Overground extension, but no groups of local teenagers etc)! Must depend on the time of day and year (they should all be back in school soon )

 

[Mojo]

Every time I have been to Wandsworth Road it has been deserted (maybe a bit busier now with the Overground extension, but no groups of local teenagers etc)! Must depend on the time of day and year (they should all be back in school soon )

Indeed - plus the station is now staffed which was not the case when Southern ran it. I do remember bad stories about Wandsworth Road (and the place used to be a right tip) but it's now infinitely better and I haven't come across anything recently.

 

[Mu301nh]

Head to the Hythe Road footbridge over the WCML next to Willesden junction high level station. Loads of freight and passenger movements especially at rush hour!

 

[bb21]

Can you use Oyster on the SE HS1 services from Stratford Intl to St Pancras?

No AFAIK.

 

[marcouk2]

No AFAIK.

Sticking in St. Pancras International to Stratford International on the TFL journey planner brings up:

SOUTHEASTERN HIGH SPEED: Please note that Oyster Cards, Travelcards and Freedom Passes are not valid on Southeastern High Speed services between St Pancras and Stratford International. Reported: 29/09/11 15:05 Last updated: 27/03/12 08:18

Would make it a very (relatively) expensive addition to my plans at £5.70 for a single.