London camping.

[Gaston aires]

We go to London often in our van. Abbey wood (unaffected by the LEZ) Crystal Palace only if like us your van is compliant with emission rules. When you’re there it’s like being in the countryside anyway.
London comes in for a lot of stick but in our experience is a great place to go.
Museums, mostly free. Great public transport, free if like us you have bus passes. Underground is cheap if you use it correctly. Amazing theatres, cheap widweek if you do your homework and pre book. Great cycle paths along the Thames, great London walks etc etc. Many historical places to visit and some great pubs.
We recently saw the Book of Mormon, Les Miz, and Wicked, total cost £180 for the 2 of us midweek in the best seats, amazing value.
The original London walks are brilliant and only a tenner for us seniors.
Dont knock it until you’ve tried it.
Phil

 

[Chris]

There seems to be confusion on this thread between LEZ and ULEZ. This map shows the current boundaries of both zones and the pin is Abbey Wood Caravan Club site. However Sadiq Khan wishes to extend the pink ULEZ zone but it is not yet decided. However I wouldn’t think it would be a bigger zone than the current LEZ, but we will find out.
Of course to get to the Abbey Wood site avoiding any zones is another issue.
However there are some campsites out to the west and it would be good if the CAMC could find a way to get one out near as good transport links as Abbey Wood has.

View attachment 610372

That just shows the congestion charge area and ULEZ.

See post #26 - The LEZ is light green.

 

[Red Sonja]

We just recently went to Abbey wood and I was informed by the wardens that if you approach via the Dartford direction you do not fall foul of the Dreaded LEZ. Just for my self interest I’m going to contact the CAMC and ask that question. If it is in the LEZ the wardens are misquoting and need to be informed.
Phil

I live in the area and the warden is almost certainly wrong. We live just one street inside the LEZ near Dartford. I certainly would not risk it. As a local I could possibly go through all the back roads to reach the site but could still hit an ANPR Camera. As we don't know which ones are LEZ ones I wouldn't take the risk. If you enter from Dartford you are not in the ULEZ zone which is a smaller Zone.

 

[Clipgate]

Great shame Abbey Wood is no longer a traveller pitch, difficult to buy a draft horse locally now.

 

[Clipgate]

Mind you no congestion charge or LEZ for the cart,and the Rhubarb grow exceedingly well.

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[Gaston aires]

I live in the area and the warden is almost certainly wrong. We live just one street inside the LEZ near Dartford. I certainly would not risk it. As a local I could possibly go through all the back roads to reach the site but could still hit an ANPR Camera. As we don't know which ones are LEZ ones I wouldn't take the risk. If you enter from Dartford you are not in the ULEZ zone which is a smaller Zone.

They certainly are wrong. I am awaiting a response from the CAMC on this very subject. It didnt affect me, our van is compliant.
Thanks Phil

 

[Chris]

k. If you enter from Dartford you are not in the ULEZ zone which is a smaller Zone.

At the moment but Khan has recently announced that next year the ULEZ will extend to the whole of the LEZ.

I think this will kill off Abbey Wood site because I think anything diesel and pre 2015 won’t be compliant.

That’s going to affect a heck of a lot of motorhomes and cars that pull caravans.

 

[DDJC]

duplicate

 

[DDJC]

At the moment but Khan has recently announced that next year the ULEZ will extend to the whole of the LEZ.

I think this will kill off Abbey Wood site because I think anything diesel and pre 2015 won’t be compliant.

That’s going to affect a heck of a lot of motorhomes and cars that pull caravans.

Londoners voted for him. Now they can try and get a plumber, a fitter, food on the shelves, etc.

 

[Chris]

Londoners voted for him. Now they can try and get a plumber, a fitter, food on the shelves, etc.

I didn’t vote for him nor do I know anyone who did.

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[Red Sonja]

I didn’t vote for him nor do I know anyone who did.

Same here Chris. I wonder who did.

 

[DDJC]

Same here Chris. I wonder who did.

I glory in the fact that the Greater London border is ten-odd miles away and Khan has no say over me because I never have to enter his extremist fiefdom.

 

[PaulC70]

Abbey wood is in the LEZ and there is a £100 charge if your vehicle in not compliant. You can check compliance here
ezee

Euro 6 diesel and £15 a day for me apparantly.

 

[Trevor Wbm]

.

 

[Howard B]

Euro 6 diesel and £15 a day for me apparantly.

Does that mean £15 each way then?

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[PaulC70]

Does that mean £15 each way then?

having reread about the charge etc and other posts its ONLY for central london, ie the congestion charge, so actually as long as I don't go through it it's no cost at all. Never been to Abbey wood I have to admit.

 

[Folkranger]

We usually go to Crystal Palace but last year went to Abbey Wood. No problem, No charges. Abbey Wood is a poorer area but the train in is fast (daily runner ticket). Crystal Palace allows you to use a bus pass if you have one. Get to either via the M25.

 

[EuroTrotters]

.

 

[Trevor Wbm]

Sorry - wrote something then realised it was possibly bolleaux.

 

[Gaston aires]

We go to London often in our van. Abbey wood (unaffected by the LEZ) Crystal Palace only if like us your van is compliant with emission rules. When you’re there it’s like being in the countryside anyway.
London comes in for a lot of stick but in our experience is a great place to go.
Museums, mostly free. Great public transport, free if like us you have bus passes. Underground is cheap if you use it correctly. Amazing theatres, cheap widweek if you do your homework and pre book. Great cycle paths along the Thames, great London walks etc etc. Many historical places to visit and some great pubs.
We recently saw the Book of Mormon, Les Miz, and Wicked, total cost £180 for the 2 of us midweek in the best seats, amazing value.
The original London walks are brilliant and only a tenner for us seniors.
Dont knock it until you’ve tried it.
Phil

I have just had an email from CAMC confirming that Abbey Wood IS within the London LEZ. Presumably this is why we can book both sites easily now. Good if your vans compliant, not good if it’s not.
Phil

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[Stretto Boy]

Abbey wood is in the LEZ and there is a £100 charge if your vehicle in not compliant. You can check compliance here
ezee

That’s helpful, thank you. Our van is 18 months old and meets the latest emissions standards.

This means we would have to pay the Congestion Charge if we drive into central London (which we will never do in the van) but are exempt from LEZ and ULEZ charges.

Of course this may change over time but at the moment I can’t see it’s a problem for us. I feel sorry for those with older vans who may have to pay high charges

 

[EzeeRider]

I feel sorry for those with older vans who may have to pay high charges

Nah we just don't go but choose sites further out with good links into the centre.
ezee

 

[EuroTrotters]

Having considered going in our caravan, I’ve decided to give it a miss.

Maybe try the Jurassic coast or Oxford for a city break.

We save our Schengen days for our home in Spain.

Well, change of mind.

We have booked to go in our caravan.

Can someone tell me the best way to travel into London or any other suggestions for visiting nearby places please?.

Do we need Oyster ~Cards?

 

[Gaston aires]

Well, change of mind.

We have booked to go in our caravan.

Can someone tell me the best way to travel into London or any other suggestions for visiting nearby places please?.

Do we need Oyster ~Cards?

You don’t need Oyster cards anymore. Just tap the oyster sign with your debit card, same price.
You pay on the tube tapping on and off at your destination. You tap on only with buses. If you have a U.K. bus pass you can use them in London, but not on the tubes.
Most museum’s are free, London walks are a tenner for seniors, brilliant, just meet at the relevant tube stations. A Weatherspoons app will save you loadsa money on food and drink. Pre booked theatre tickets through “last minute.com” will have great deals mid week.
Phil

 

[Barryh]

There’s a cap on daily charges for using the tube/bus with your card. Check the transport for London website. Also the Uber boats are a great way for cruising the Thames

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[Suenliam]

You don’t need Oyster cards anymore. Just tap the oyster sign with your debit card, same price.
You pay on the tube tapping on and off at your destination. You tap on only with buses. If you have a U.K. bus pass you can use them in London, but not on the tubes.
Most museum’s are free, London walks are a tenner for seniors, brilliant, just meet at the relevant tube stations. A Weatherspoons app will save you loadsa money on food and drink. Pre booked theatre tickets through “last minute.com” will have great deals mid week.
Phil

I'm not sure our Scottish Bus Passes qualify, but hope you are correct.
Sue

 

[poppycamper]

If you have a U.K. bus pass you can use them in London

Dearly wish I am wrong but Scottish (don't know about Welsh or N.I.) bus passes are not valid in England so doubt if valid in London.!!

 

[Gaston aires]

Dearly wish I am wrong but Scottish (don't know about Welsh or N.I.) bus passes are not valid in England so doubt if valid in London.!!

Correct. Each U.K. country has its own bus pass.

 

[Gaston aires]

I'm not sure our Scottish Bus Passes qualify, but hope you are correct.
Sue

I Should have said English pass, not U.K.

 

[Gaston aires]

There’s a cap on daily charges for using the tube/bus with your card. Check the transport for London website. Also the Uber boats are a great way for cruising the Thames

Correct. Daily charge capped at the same as a TFL day card.

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[DDJC]

Well, change of mind.

We have booked to go in our caravan.

Can someone tell me the best way to travel into London or any other suggestions for visiting nearby places please?.

Do we need Oyster ~Cards?

The best way to travel in London is to keep looking down at your phone and barge through other people. Don't apologise for doing so as politeness completely confuses Londoners. You need to remember that unless you are a cyclist, you have no rights and can be arrested and beheaded for even looking enviously at the miles of empty cycle lanes.

Queuing is frowned on. Remarking "Oi, there is a queue here mate" is usually pretty pointless. A couple of them might take out their earbuds and scowl at you, but basically it takes a TfL fare increase before anyone takes any notice of their fellow travellers. However, fare increases are a frequent occurrence.

Best to not look at anybody on public transport, as it can be injurious to your health. Even Saville Row tailors now make suits with extra pockets for shivs and cocaine poly bags.+

A stroll round the West end is a cultural joy. Museums are full of wonderful art, and if you are lucky you may find a piece that hasn't got a Public Health warning about the artist who once lived on the same street as a bloke who's uncle once said 'good morning to a cotton farmer three hundred years ago. And early morning is the best time to look at the statues, before they are pulled over by rabid LSE students.

Night time is vibrant and exciting. London is well lit at night, although most of the light is flashing and blue. Not a problem. A simple baggage addition can protect you. Met coppers are under orders to not have anything to do with you if you are carrying a "Kill the Bill" placard or similar. Screaming out Marxist slogans is good if you have no placard. What ever you do, don't show any British 'reserve'. London is a city where only shrill indignation is respected and being 'nice' can get you hauled off to the cells for a night in.

Best advice for visiting London is drive all the way round the M25 and return home via the route you arrived by. Your lungs will thank you for it.