Buckingham Palace visit
My twins have been invited to a garden party in Buckingham Palace to receive their gold Duke of Edinburgh award in May. I feel it would be easier if we took our folding camper and stayed for a few nights nearby and then travelled into London on the day. I am not familiar with London (my last visit over 35 years ago) and am not sure which would be the best site to stay on and the easiest way to travel in on the day. I wonder if any members have any advice for me please. Thank you.
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Sounds lovely. Congratulate them both.
Both the Abbey Wood and Crystal Palace sites will suit you and have transport quite easily.
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Congratulations to both of them. They will have a wonderful day. We were at a Garden Party some years ago when I was representing St John Ambulance and remember having a long conversation with Prince Michael of Kent. It will certainly be a day that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Enjoy
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Well done to them. You have a choice, either the two London sites or sites further out. All will require a train or bus journey to get to the Palace. It really depends whether you want to incorporate exploring London as well as the Palace visit. I found this for you which might help:-
"The closest national rail station is Victoria, while the closest underground stations are Victoria (Victoria line), Green Park (Victoria and Piccadilly line) and Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly line). Buses 11, 211, C1 and C10 all stop nearby.!
David
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Congratulations! I went with our son and girlfriend (they're now married,) when he got his D of E gold. We all had to gather for photographs in a nearby hotel, then we opted to look around the Royal Mews and have some lunch nearby and finally arrived at the garden party! It was a really lovely day, all sorts of well known people supported the event and we had access inside and outside the Palace. It was an exhausting but memorable day. I would book into the nearest site possible, it will be an early start! Hope you all have a great time.
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Many congratulations to your twins on their achievement. Best wishes to you all for a splendid day.
Just as an aside, twin sons of an acquaintance of ours were both awarded their Duke of Edinburgh Gold but in the day when you could only take one guest per recipient. Obviously one twin took mum and the other took dad.
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Thank you so much for your kind replies. Yes Jill, my twins are allowed 1 guest so they are taking a parent each so my husband and I both get to go. From what you all say I think I need to book one of the London sites and then sort transport, thank you David for the advice on travel.
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Transport is easy from either site, regular train from Abbey Wood or No3 bus from Crystal Palace about every 10minutes. Personally I prefer the latter as the bus passes many iconic London landmarks on the journey into central London so all part of the fun, especially front seats upstairs.
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I agree with Bill that the most scenic route into London is from Crystal Palace site but coming from the east you may find Abbey Wood easier to access and the journey into the centre is straightforward from this site via the train, the station for which is about a 5 minute walk away. Both are lovely sites and surprisingly quiet.
You could also entertain the possibility of using a camping pod at Abbey Wood if you don't want to tow. Cheaper than booking a hotel.
Enjoy your day and congrats to the recipients of the DoE medals.
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That front courtyard would make an ideal motorhome aire - nice and central. Not sure that it's particularly secure though.
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Thinking a bit more about this I just think that staying in a hotel for perhaps a couple of nights and getting the train direct to London from West Yorkshire would be a easier option. If it was a longer stay in order to see a bit of London it might just justify towing all that way. Getting your glad rags on is going to be a lot more comfortable than in a camper? You could probably find a reasonable hotel within walking distance or a couple of stops on the Tube.
David
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Congratulations on the twins D of E awards. A good friend of mine, who sadly passed before his time ran the scheme at the school where we taught. I have the utmost admiration for those who lead and those who achieve.
On a more mundane note, we took my mother to Buckingham Palace for her 70th birthday some 22 years ago. Do not expect anything wonderful. It reminded me of a run down Victorian Music Hall, very sad really and we had to pay heavily for the privilege. The art gallery attached was however well worth visiting with a world leading collection of Leonardo Da Vinci's works.
Colin
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Lord somebody (don’t ask the connection) said he would show us round the palace after a D of E presentation and we set off with him towards the throne room. But a flunkey in a full Gilbert and Sullivan satin breeches outfit shouted at him in a broad cockney voice, “Oh you, hoppit”. Lord somebody turned tail and we went with him.
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Well done to the twins! D of E Gold is certainly a great achievement.
Every time I go down to the “Smoke” from N Yorkshire, we stay at Denham site because it’s easy to get to with no additional charges or restrictions, ULez zones (or whatever they’re called) plus (and it’s a big plus for us) park at the train station all day for free and 20 minutes later you’re in the centre of London (£13 all day, trains, tubes & buses) No brainer! There’s also an excellent restaurant close to the site, on the airfield, called Biggles
Say ‘Hi’ from me 😂👍
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