I want to drive London at night, where to go?
Discussion
Firstly apologies for my lack of knowledge about London, I live in Yorkshire (so will bring some whippets and pies down for you lads) and on the occasions I come down to London it tends to be a daytime, sat nav based journey with panic trying to make sure I'm in the right lane and not in a congestion charge area!!
However I keep seeing short films like the top gear CLK black film and pictures like the Lambo at night one on PH and really want to drive the capital at night, I'd like to combine this with a Porsche night at the Ace cafe and then go on to drive the city and drive back up home in the early hours.
Bearing in mind I have absolutely no knowledge of the capital at all where would you recommend to get a good drive seeing the sights and enjoying the run? What looks particularly spectacular at night? Having also watched Layercake a while ago there were some beautiful bits in that along the Thames etc.
However I keep seeing short films like the top gear CLK black film and pictures like the Lambo at night one on PH and really want to drive the capital at night, I'd like to combine this with a Porsche night at the Ace cafe and then go on to drive the city and drive back up home in the early hours.
Bearing in mind I have absolutely no knowledge of the capital at all where would you recommend to get a good drive seeing the sights and enjoying the run? What looks particularly spectacular at night? Having also watched Layercake a while ago there were some beautiful bits in that along the Thames etc.
C8PPO said:
What's the deal with driving around Canary Wharf? Every time I've gone past there, there are security guards at the barriers. Do they let any- and everybody in or do you need a pass/reason etc? As I understand it, it's all private land?
If they recognise your car, they let you through. If they don't, they ask your business...swamp said:
Bermondsey
Tottenham
Harlsden
Tooting
Manor Park
Maybe lock the doors before trying this one. I've seen Tottenham at night. Tottenham
Harlsden
Tooting
Manor Park
Would be tempted to do this myself - central London that is not Tottenham. Although I live inside the M25 these days I tend to go via tube (or worse still night bus) if I'm heading into town. Should get out and have a tunnel/sight seeing run one night.
Edited by Chris71 on Friday 20th August 16:00
The Embankment
Parliament Square
For some top supercar spotting, try Knightsbridge and South Ken. Have seen the odd Veyron around there. Though most do seem to be owned by those who've had a taste bypass.
The City can be fun with BoE, and plenty of interesting architecture around Houndsditch & Liverpool Street. Plus at night, you can park up and take some great photos.
Parliament Square
For some top supercar spotting, try Knightsbridge and South Ken. Have seen the odd Veyron around there. Though most do seem to be owned by those who've had a taste bypass.
The City can be fun with BoE, and plenty of interesting architecture around Houndsditch & Liverpool Street. Plus at night, you can park up and take some great photos.
C8PPO said:
What's the deal with driving around Canary Wharf? Every time I've gone past there, there are security guards at the barriers. Do they let any- and everybody in or do you need a pass/reason etc? As I understand it, it's all private land?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8CEzILvtg8 
C8PPO said:
What's the deal with driving around Canary Wharf? Every time I've gone past there, there are security guards at the barriers. Do they let any- and everybody in or do you need a pass/reason etc? As I understand it, it's all private land?
Its just a barrier to stop terrorists driving in with a big car bomb. They'll say hi, occasionally do a swab of some sort on your door handle then let you go on your ways. Although for some reason when I've been going in on business in my suit I seem to get stopped more than when I pop in shopping in a t-shirt and jeans. Very odd!Burba said:
C8PPO said:
What's the deal with driving around Canary Wharf? Every time I've gone past there, there are security guards at the barriers. Do they let any- and everybody in or do you need a pass/reason etc? As I understand it, it's all private land?
If they recognise your car, they let you through. If they don't, they ask your business...Embankment is always a nice drive at night, especially heading towards parliament square with Big Ben Looming in the distance. Picadilly circus is interesting at night, but be warned, the traffic there almost never lets up. I recall once getting stuck in traffic for a reasonable amount of time despite it being midnight
Come down Saturday night and then go for a drive very early Sunday morning (so wait until later in the year to do it in the dark). This is the only time the city will feel semi-deserted.
Try coming up with a circuit taking in the following:
Park Lane, Hyde Park Corner, Kensington Road (Hyde Park, Albert Hall), Natural History Museum, Harrods, Picadilly, Regent Street, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, Parliament Square, Horse Guards Road, the Mall, Constitution Hill, Strand, Fleet Street, Embankment, Bank of England, St Mary Axe (gherkin), London Bridge (for view), Tower Bridge, Spitalfields/Commercial St/Brick Lane (to see the City change to the East End in 2 blocks).
Early Christmas morning and Easter Sunday are awesome for this.
Try coming up with a circuit taking in the following:
Park Lane, Hyde Park Corner, Kensington Road (Hyde Park, Albert Hall), Natural History Museum, Harrods, Picadilly, Regent Street, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, Parliament Square, Horse Guards Road, the Mall, Constitution Hill, Strand, Fleet Street, Embankment, Bank of England, St Mary Axe (gherkin), London Bridge (for view), Tower Bridge, Spitalfields/Commercial St/Brick Lane (to see the City change to the East End in 2 blocks).
Early Christmas morning and Easter Sunday are awesome for this.
Could a city dweller with some time on their hands make a TYRE file (tom tom directions list) of all the "best bits"? That would be phenomenally useful to us country folk who get lost at the mere thought of crossing the M25 barrier. I realise that this may not be the work of a moment though!
Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff