I'm intending to visit from around next weekend for a few days up to a week and need desperately to plan what I'm doing. I'm probably gonna stay in a hostel as it will save me a fortune that I don't have to spend on a hotel and I think I'm gonna drive. Probably mental, but there you go. Looking at this:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/roadusers/congestioncharge/whereandwhen/assets/DetailMapECCZ.pdf
it would appear that I can take the A40 right through the congestion zone. Could some of you experienced folk please suggest the best route from the M4 to College Crescent in Swiss Cottage? I would very much appreciate it. I'm perfectly confident about town on foot/tube, but I've never driven in London before and I'm not too thrilled about it. Thanks guys.

M4 then up to the west way alone that to Marylebone road then up the side of Regents park then Wellington road ( I think ) would get you top Swiss cottage easily enough.

My best advice would be drive to Hammersmith ( M4 ) park there in the huge multi-story car park then tube it from there. The tube station is part of the carpark. The best part is it avoids you having to do virtually any London driving.

Thanks Alun. Sounds good. Thing about parking in Hammersmith, is I'd have to leave my car alone and I'm paranoid about her. Also, the hostel I've chosen has free off-road parking.

Yet you're thinking of driving in London?!? Are you mad?!?

I'd take the train and use the tube / buses once you are there.

I know

I never would've considered it before, but I'm intending to go on to Crewe at the end of the week and then home the same day. Doing all that on public transport would be difficult at best, not to mention hugely expensive. At least if she's in off-road, CCTV-covered, secure parking where I'm staying, in what seems to be an ok neighbourhood, I'll sleep a little easier.

Every other time I've been, I've taken the train and tube, but I just can't see that it's practical in this case. Also, the train is around £75 and it'll only be a tenner more in fuel.

I hate driving in central London and I've now been living there for 10 years nearly. I'd go with the option of parking at Hammersmith as it's pretty accessible by motorway and has plenty of secure parking then tube it in to central. Saves you £8 in congestion charge and the ball-ache of trying to park in Zone 1. If you go on a meter it can be stupidly expensive.

Why are you all moaning about driving in London? It's a piece of pi$$!!

Midn you I have been driving around town for about 20 years so I've had a bit of experience.

Handy tip no 1: Do drive like a lunatic - everyone else does anyway
Handy tip no 2: If you get lost in central London follow a black cab driver. They always know the back routes and will bring you out somewhere you know.

Thanks for those Caz, but I can't do 1 any more, after I've learnt my lesson. Also 2 is great, if you actually know anywhere! The only place I know from a car perspective is Earls Court Road and the B&Q at Chiswick!

Everywhere else, I've only been on foot/tube and it's a whole different ball game if you don't know the lanes/one-ways etc.

Well if you don't know London the cabbies will usually bring you out on a main road with signs so you can get your bearings at least. It's good if you study the tube map then at least you have some idea of where things are.

Learning landmarks like the London Eye, the Post Office tower, Nat West tower and Gerkin and Canary wharf helps a lot

I know where the London Eye, Gerkin and Canary Wharf are, but not the other two. That said, I'm simply driving to Swiss Cottage and then out again a week later! There's no way I'm trundling about town in my pride and joy.

The Post Office Tower is the tall skinny tower off Oxford street so you know that's the West End, not far from London Eye

http://www.vintageviews.org/vv-3/struct ... 11_008.JPG

The Natwest tower is one of the biggest sky scrapers in the city and it's next to the gerkin so you know that's the East End and City.

http://www.londonphoto.me.uk/2/Nat_West_Tower.jpg

Why thank you

I recognise both, just obviously didn't know their names or locations.

I take it the "Post Office" tower is now "BT Tower"? They look identical.

That's what I know it as.