London advice :)

[phoebeflangey]

Am off to a London hospital (Guys) soon, on a weekday and am terrified. This is not due to the hospital but I am travelling alone from the Cotswolds and I'm rubbish at it (sick very easily, scared of tunnels and underground is a no no!) but I have to do it! So far I'm driving down to wiki to stay the night before, with a view to getting the train into London bridge from there he next day. What I would like help on is:

1. Is the journey from Waterloo to Guys a doable walk, and easily signposted? If I don't fancy the second train?
   
2. Is Woking train station a safe place to leave my car overnight?
   
3. Where would you suggest I have lunch near Waterloo? I'm hoping for some shops too if possible?!
   
4. What's london bridge to Waterloo like on a train at the end of the day say 4-6ish? Is it bedlam? Would I be better waiting until after 7 to return or just get on with it?!
   

God I'm a wimp!

[phoebeflangey]

Not staying at wiki lol Woking!!!

[Littleoaktree]

Are you sure trains from Woking go to London bridge? I think it's London Waterloo. So it's Waterloo to London Bridge you are looking at. You can either do it on the main trains by going from Waterloo station up the escalators to Waterloo East which is where trains go to London bridge from or you can get the jubilee line (underground) to London bridge.

You could walk, it would prob take about 30mins.

There's loads of places to eat near Waterloo - head for the southbank centre and you'll find plenty.

[Blu]

Hello Phoebe,

So I presume you are staying with a friend or family in Woking? They might be the best people to advise you on parking there - but I can't imagine that there is anything risky about parking at Woking station!

Your train from Woking will then get into Waterloo station. It is a 1.2 mile walk from Waterloo to Guy's by the most direct route - you can check here. However they show the most direct route - a far nicer walk is to follow signs from Waterloo to the S Bank (about a 2 min walk) and then simply turn Right and walk along the path all the way along the S bank of the Thames. You will pass the National theatre, the Globe, Tate Modern and the Millenium Bridge, and come out in borough, where you will see Guy's signosted. This is a really interesting walk.

Your other option is to take a black cab from the station - but the price can add up.

There is a bus, the 381, between Waterloo and Guy's see here (Guy's and st Thomas's are linked hospitals - you are sure that your appointment is actually in Guy's?)

The nicest places to have lunch around waterloo are, IMO, on the S Bank. If you follow the signs for the S Bank from W'loo station, you will find a row of café type places alongside the Royal Festival hall, and then again underneath it, facing the river. Or if you are walking get lunch at the other end of your walk at Borough Market - again lots of nice cafes - just browse and take your pick. Neither are great shopping areas, though ilove the Royal Festival hall shop alongside the RFH, and there is a good bookshop underneath.

Trains out of waterloo at rush hour to a top commuter spot like Woking will presumably be jam packed 5pm-6.pm ish.

The S bank is a great place tohang out - there is usually something free going on in the foyer of the RFH, or on the terraces outside, you can sit and have a drink in the RFH on the terrace.

Or if you are walking back from Guy's to Waterloo, stop off in Tate Modern. It has great places to sit - balconies overlooking the Thames etc.

London is just a place, like any other, and despite what people say, most of us are very friendly and helpful to visitors, so if in doubt, ask - just don't be discouraged if you pick another visitor the first few times!

Good luck with your appointment.

[YoniMitchell]

The walk is easy, just follow signs out of Waterloo for the South Bank (head towards the Royal Festival Hall) then keep going along the river. Guys is right behind London Bridge station, opposite Borough Market, which you'll pass through on the walk. It's actually a lovely walk!

If the market is open (it's not every day), stop and get something to eat there (chocolate brownies were my treat following visits to Guys!).

[YoniMitchell]

X-post!

[phoebeflangey]

Littleoak thanks sorry thought I put in post that I was doing Waterloo to london bridge? And I am avoiding the tube like anything!
Blu thankyou so so much, you're post will be a screenshot for me to look at on the day when im lost having a mooch around our beautiful capital :) it's defiantly Guys, and an afternoon appointment so I really hope I'm back at Waterloo before 4pm but I doubt it! Has Waterloo station got any shops? I tried looking on google street map for the walk between Waterloo and W. East but couldn't see it (even with it posted on the map!) I'm staying in a hotel in Woking so hope I can find that first lol!
Yoni thanks to you too :) even with my current condition I really fancy a walk like you've described, will have a couple of hours so can stop for breath take my time!!
My worst fear is ending up on the tube!!

[Blu]

Waterloo East is really a part of Waterloo. When you get off the Woking train, on the opposite side of the concourse, more or less in the middle, is an escalator leading to Waterloo East.

Shops on Waterloo station are Monsoon, probably Tie Rack, Paperchase....station sort of shops. London Bridge is just as bad. The area round Borough Market by Guy's is foodie-shopping heaven though. But neither are High St type shopping areas.

[eurochick]

Waterloo East is linked to Waterloo by a bridge. Look for the signposted escalators in Waterloo station.

[FanSpamTastic]

Are you looking for a car park in Woking or street parking? If a car park then heathside car park is very close to the station. It is right behind the police station car park! So hopefully pretty safe!

[phoebeflangey]

Aha that explains why I couldn't see it on google street then?! I love foodie shopping so that would be good :)
FanSpam yes car park for 24hrs in Woking, near to station as poss as will need to walk to it in the eve when I return.

[YoniMitchell]

Waterloo station has just been tarted up a lot so there are some nice shops (Oliver Bonas, Kiehl's, Links etc.) and food/drink places (Carluccio's, Yo Sushi, Benugos etc.). Most of the better ones are up on the mezzanine (with the entrance to Waterloo East).

[JassyRadlett]

Waterloo is much better in terms of shops than it used to be - a good branch of Foyles bookshop, Joules, Oliver Bonas and a few others in addition to the usual station shops.

Agree about South Bank - Festival Hall shop is lovely, and the summer SB festival is on at the moment so lots to see.