Travelling to London....Help!

[RosscoPCole]

I'm taking the family to London late April from Dorset. I don't fancy taking my 2 1/2 year old all the way on the train. Would it be better to getting the tube or train from closer in. Any recommendations for tube/train stations that have good safe, cheap parking on the way from Dorset and where the fare isn't going to cripple the wallet?

[BigS]

The last time I went to London I parked in Heathrow and got on the tube there, it cost £12 to park for the day in the long stay car park, that was about 2 years ago now, so not sure of current rate.

[ewenm]

Weekend or weekday?

If weekend, then there's plenty of free parking in Hammersmith (end of the M4) - see the pink areas on this map. You can jump on the tube there.