Son at a concert in London

[Jawloms]

'afternoon,

 

My son is going to a concert at the Electric Ballroom, Camden High Street, London. He's seeing someone I've never heard of cos I'm old. He said about going on the train with a couple of friends and staying in a hotel. They are all 16/17. Rather then all that expense and me having to be at home with his Mum while she does nothing but worry about him, I said I'd drive them down, wait, and then drive them home. Should cost about 30 quid in diesel rather than goodness knows how much on three train tickets and a hotel! Ill be coming from Suffolk.

 

I've not driven in London in years, and certainly never Camden! I'm aware of the ULEZ but realistically, what are my chances of driving to the actual Electric Ballroom and dropping him there? Assume I know nothing!!! (Although that may be plainly obvious from my post anyway.......)

 

Thank you

 

Stuart

[DalekSec]

Might be easier to drive them to a tube station on the outskirts, for them to get tube in and out.

 

Driving in London is fun to say the least.

[BKGarry]

As someone who regularly goes into London, they are best getting the Overground (Stratford to Richmond line) and getting off at Camden Road (literally around the corner from Camden Town tube station). You could then drive into Stratford and park at Westfields Shopping Centre there and be around the Olympic Park and their food court isn't bad too. You would need to cover ULEZ there but should be a bit nicer than going all the way to Camden itself. That way it gives them a little bit of independence doing that leg of the journey themselves but also gives you piece of mind.

[Dos_Box]

As other have suggested, driving them to a suitable rail connection would probably be best. Just make sure you print them out the instructions they'll need for the train/tube/connections etc. just in case.

Driving in central London is hell. I've only done it three times and twice I had a police escort!

[andy_b]

Finding accomodation might be tricky. I think many Hotels don't allow under 18's without a parent / guardian.

 

If you were to go down that route, something like YHA Hostel might be better.

[Norphy]

I've driven through central London a few times and ended up regretting it every time I did it. It always takes longer than the satnav tells you as traffic is so unpredictable. I concur with the previous advice, drive to a station and get the train the rest of the way.

 

If you're coming from Suffolk, I'm guessing that the A12 or A/M11 would be the route you'd be coming in. If so, Stratford seems like a relatively sensible place to stop as already suggested.

[hardtailstar]

A You could then drive into Stratford and park at Westfields Shopping Centre there and be around the Olympic Park and their food court isn't bad too. You would need to cover ULEZ there but should be a bit nicer than going all the way to Camden itself.

 

This.

 

If I go into London from SE Kent to a show and the last train home is before the end of the show, I park up here as its about a tenner for 24 hours.

 

You could also make a day of it and do some shopping there with the kids.

[CTIDTech]

I regularly drive into London with my kids although they are both now over 18 so not as much worry!!! Worry still there but they are adults now! I would have dropped them off at a tube station (probably on Northern Line with a car park) and parked up then picked them up later from the same sattion. Alternatively as someone has said previously, YHA's are a good option (St Pancras is close I think) however for a private room, it will not be cheap.