Abbey Wood or Crystal Palace ?

Mr Sambambles
Mr Sambambles Forum Participant Posts: 194
edited October 2018 in UK Campsites & Touring #1

Hi All

 

We are off to London in December to see a show in the evening. Any of you folks have a preference as to which site is best for late night travel back to site. We have visited Crystal Palace before but not Abbey Wood so your advice would be most welcome.

Comments

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #2

    As far as Abbey Wood is concerned there are regular trains back from London Bridge station until gone midnight. Very easy with a pre paid Oyster Card, and the daily charge is capped at a reasonable level.

  • Mr Sambambles
    Mr Sambambles Forum Participant Posts: 194
    edited October 2018 #3

    Thank you for that SteveL. We have as I said stayed at Crystal Palace before but never Abbey Wood. Just trying to evaluate which site better for late night travel. We certainly liked Crystal Palace.

  • BrianJosie
    BrianJosie Forum Participant Posts: 391
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    edited October 2018 #4

    We are going to the O2 on November 2nd and we are staying at Abbey Wood site so hoping access is easy ,i believe it is so im hoping.

    We have arranged to stay there for a week to give us time to take in some of the other sights of the city.

    Brian & Jo

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #5

    What route are you taking into Abbey Wood site B&J from the orbital? Or is there a preferred route for caravanners other than mentioned on the AW website.

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #6

     Timed out - so to continue on

    The final instructions seem to go around the houses rather than continue straight on from Brampton road onto the A2041 and turn left into Federation road. OK it does look a little treelined and narrow in places but the roundabout the houses route has double parking in the streets.

  • Fozzie
    Fozzie Club Member Posts: 550
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    edited October 2018 #7

    Brian and Jo

    when we visited the 02 from AW will caught the train to Charlton and then a bus straight to the arena terminal.Then it is only a short walk to the O2 arena.

    I see you are motorcaravaners,so I doubt you will drive as car parking was over £20

  • Fozzie
    Fozzie Club Member Posts: 550
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    edited October 2018 #8

    This route which is recommended in the handbook avoids going down Knee Hill,there is a pinch point using this road and a difficult left turn in to Federation road as you are almost turning back on yourselves.If you did use Knee Hill the go down to the roundabout and come back up and then right into Federation Road. 

    Direction via Mccloud Road as in the handbook is fine,wide roads, but plenty of speed ramps.

    There is a route straight from the Dartford Bridge If coming from Essex but I have not used this route.

  • BrianJosie
    BrianJosie Forum Participant Posts: 391
    100 Comments
    edited October 2018 #9

    We will just adopt the old fashioned procedure and follow our nosecoolsmile no we will not be travelling in the motorhome to the O2 we will take the train and bus as suggestedwink

    Brian & Jo

  • NevChap
    NevChap Forum Participant Posts: 180
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    edited October 2018 #10

    Another vote for Abbey Wood. From the M25 take junction 1A onto the A206. Stay on this until you reach a roundabout and take the A2016 (there are several roundabouts before you get to this one but look out for the A2016 sign - in Erith I think). Then leave via slip road onto A2041 after having gone straight over 2 roundabouts. Follow over 3 roundabouts then right into Federation Road before you get to Knee Hill. I find this much easier than the C&MC instructed way which is unusual as they are generally spot on. Good luck and enjoy your trip. You'll like Abbey Wood.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,867 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #11

    The last time we went to Abbey Wood we used the route from junction 1A via Thamesmead. I found it a much more direct route than the official one quoted by the Club. I did ask the warden why they don't suggest both routes and he said that they are only allowed to sign one route (lots of non-member visitors) I wonder also whether the official route was in place before a lot of the junction 1A route was built? 

    David

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #12

    Crystal Palace is closer to Central London so travel back there after the theatre is quicker and cheaper than going back to Abbey Wood. 

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,389 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #13

    Coming from the north I also prefer Abbey Wood.  I have never been to Crystal Palace but understand the bus route into central London can be rather tedious. Sure it is not quicker by train from Abbey Wood ET?

    peedee

  • Philnffc
    Philnffc Forum Participant Posts: 317
    edited October 2018 #14

    I've worked at both and for ease of access it as to be Abbey Wood and when travelling back and forth always use Junction 1a through Thamsmead/Earith suggested by David and then turn right down Knee Hill which is used by London buses and then left into Federation Road. Never understood why the CaMC send you round the houses al seems pointless.

     

    Phil

  • eurortraveller
    eurortraveller Club Member Posts: 6,830 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #15

    Victoria line tube from Central London to Brixton and then an Uber car or a mini cab  up the hill to Crystal Palace. 

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,311 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #16

    You said cheaper than AW in your previous post. That depends on how much an Uber / minicab costs and what else you are doing on the same day. A travel Oyster card to Abbey Wood is capped at £9.80, whilst out as far as Brixton it is £6.80. So might not be much in it.

  • Mr Sambambles
    Mr Sambambles Forum Participant Posts: 194
    edited October 2018 #17

    So do I conclude that Abbey Wood is easier to get to but Crystal Palace better and closer for getting in and out of central London. Am I correct?

     

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,867 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #18

    I think that probably sums it up! I have only visited the Crystal Palace site, not stayed  (from Abbey Wood) and it seems that you travel further on more difficult roads, although the ease of travel might depend on the day of travel.  At least the bus seems to drop you off outside of the Crystal Palace site but from Abbey Wood the train station is about a ten minute walk through a residential area. There is a bus (service N1) into central London from McLeod Road which is nearer than the station at Abbey Wood but it takes over an hour! 

    David

  • Mr Sambambles
    Mr Sambambles Forum Participant Posts: 194
    edited October 2018 #19

     Thank you for that David. Also to all for their comments. Crystal Palace it is then. !!!! 

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,867 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #20

    Hope you have a good time. Perhaps you can report back on how you find the site both from a traffic and convenience point of view.

    David

  • Mr Sambambles
    Mr Sambambles Forum Participant Posts: 194
    edited October 2018 #21

    Hi David. Indeed I will. 

  • meecee
    meecee Forum Participant Posts: 304
    edited October 2018 #22

    I'd go for Crystal Palace (but I would as I'm an ex local and know the area quite well).  There is the train station down the hill which now has a tube link - it might be worth finding out the timetables and destinations etc.  The choice of site might come down to which other bits of London you'd like to visit whilst you are there.

  • Mr Sambambles
    Mr Sambambles Forum Participant Posts: 194
    edited October 2018 #23

    Hi meecee

    Thanks for that. 

    Off to the Albert Hall. Never been there and not quite sure how to get there or which part of central London it is. 

  • meecee
    meecee Forum Participant Posts: 304
    edited October 2018 #24

    The nearest tube stations to the Albert Hall are South Kensington and High Street Kensington,   From CP railway station a train will take you to Victoria (29 min) change to circle line on tube to High Street Ken (11 mins) - 10 mins walk.  Probably other good routes - see internet.  Have a good time.

  • Mr Sambambles
    Mr Sambambles Forum Participant Posts: 194
    edited October 2018 #25

    Thank you for those instructions. That's really kind and helpful. Looking forward to the Albert Hall. Seeing the London Gospel choir doing a Christmas show. Never been to Albert Hall and always wanted to see a Gospel choir. 

  • meecee
    meecee Forum Participant Posts: 304
    edited October 2018 #26

    There's probably loads of info available at the site, for the station turn to the left out of the site and walk along Crystal Palace Parade, half mile, at roundabout turn left down Anerley Road/Hill - station is about quarter mile on left.  You may be able to walk through the park, they'd know at reception.  (Gospel Choir sounds great, wonder if OH would fancy it......)

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,867 ✭✭✭
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    edited October 2018 #27

    The Gypsy Kings are at the Royal Albert Hall next April so Crystal Palace might be an alternative to an overnight stay in a hotel? Still thinking about that one.

    David

  • Cherokee2015
    Cherokee2015 Forum Participant Posts: 392
    edited October 2018 #28

    We have stayed at both and also been to shows in London from both.  For Crystal Palace we've always used the No 3 bus from outside the site and home again, preferring to stay on the bus right into Oxford Circus and getting the same back, usually getting on at Westminster.   Lots of visitors tend to get off at Brixton and use the tube from there but we like the bus journey, however late at night, it can be a bit scary through some areas especially if travelling with small children.  

    Travelling back from Charing Cross by train to Abbeywood is nicer, however once you leave the train, it's a short walk back to site through a residential area which passes a number of pubs/takeaways which can also be intimidating late at night.   

    We prefer Abbeywood, for ease of access on arrival but also whilst visiting London as we like to visit Greenwich which is nearby.  However, the buses run long into the evening so can guarantee that you can get back to site.  

    Whatever you choose, enjoy yourselves.