 If traveling via the WRP coach service
In 2012 WRP will only be offering one coach service – from Weston-s-Mare and Bristol, and this will do a two day-one night package based at Novotel London West.
The coach will be operated by Blue Iris who always provide an excellent and new vehicle. On board will be a WRP Courier who is experienced in terms of both the marathon weekend and the event – which he has completed on a number of occasions. He is there to help and assist but is not a steward serving coffees! There will be a toilet on board.
Saturday
It is imperative that our coach gets you to London as early as possible so that you have plenty of time to get across to ExCeL to race register. Couriers are always under strict instructions to adhere to the printed departure times from the designated pick-up points which will be as follows;
Weston-super-Mare ... Bristol Central ... Bristol East (Kingswood) ...Leigh Delamere Services on the M4 and finally Swindon M4 Junction 16. The coach is due to arrive in London at 11.15.
Sunday
To comply with their tachograph regulations, the coach will leave the hotel on Sunday evening at 18.00 hrs and call in at the same points on its return journey.
If you are likely to return late back to the hotel then you should call the WRP office (01934-629911) and discuss other options.
Using a coach but would like to stay 2 nights?
This is perfectly possible and each year we get a small number of requests either to travel up independently and return with WRP – or vice-versa. You might wish to…
… have more time before the race and possibly register on Friday when it is more quiet – but come straight back after the race on the coach, or,
… you might not expect to do a “good” time and/ or wish to go to the charity function after the race in which case staying over on Sunday night and travelling back on a National Express coach can be an answer.
Passengers wanting to do this are initially charged for the return journey (in case the seat stays empty) but if someone wants it for the other journey then both subsequently are charged half price.
If this is of interest to you please call WRP and see if seats are still available.
"From joining the coach at Leigh Delamere on the Saturday to being dropped off there on the Sunday the whole thing ran like clockwork. I loved it." PJ |
 If arriving by car
Three factors should be considered:
1. - The direction from which you will approach the city.
If at all possible minimise the amount of driving across the city! Average speed in Central London is said to be less than 10 mph! Also, Monday to Friday, crossing central will involve paying the Congestion Charge. (See Point 3, below)
2 - Secure parking
For peace of mind you want a hotel offering guaranteed and secure parking – or where parking is available nearby. Do remember that many NCP sites in central London are closed on a Sunday and charge commercial rates for parking on a Friday and Monday.
Two of the WRP hotels, Novotel London West and Novotel Waterloo can offer guaranteed and secure parking on site. Provided that it is pre-booked, through WRP, by 13th March 2011 the parking will be charged at a rate of £17.00 per night stayed. The car park is beneath the hotel but beware a height restriction of approximately 1.75m. Novotel London West has a few exterior parking bays so specify the need for this when you book as space is very limited.
Parking at the other hotels?
Novotel ExCeL does have a small underground park which cannot be pre-booked. If you are lucky and find a space upon arrival then it will be at £17.00 per night. However, if the hotel park is full then you can use the NCP park some 200m away. When last checked their combined Day Rate and Night Rate was roughly equivalent to that at the hotel.
Novotel Tower Bridge. Some free on-street parking is available for those just staying Saturday night though at most times it is limited meter parking. There is an NCP park about 400m distant at The Minories which is relatively cheap on Saturday and Sunday though commercial rates operate Monday to Fridays, inclusive.
Novotel Paddington. There are no car parks in the immediate vicinity of the hote; the nearest is at Paddington Station.
3. The London Congestion Charge
These charges currently operate from 07.00 – 18.30 hours from Monday through to Friday.
There are no charges either outside these hours - or all day Saturday and all day Sunday.
Some of our hotels are located within the central zone where charges could apply – depending upon the day and time of your arrival / departure. Also, you might find that you have to cross the zone to reach the hotel of your choice which is not in the charge zone! It all depends upon where you are coming from and where you are planning to stay. If in doubt, call the WRP office for advice.
All charges are the responsibility of the driver concerned and WRP cannot pre-pay for you. If you want further details go to www.cclondon.com |
 If arriving by train
Do remember that London has at least 6 main railway stations so it will be in your interest to establish which station you will arrive at / depart from, and then select your hotel accordingly. For example Novotel Paddington is just 6 mins walk from the platform. .. and the Underground.
If you are uncertain then call us in the office and we will happily talk it through with you.
If arriving Saturday, do try to be in London by 11.30 latest…. to allow time for travel delays and to get out to race registration at the ExCeL Centre. |
 Arriving by air?
Whilst actual flying time to London often may be relatively short, your travel plans should also take into account:
- the time taken for check-in, baggage reclaim, etc. and even more importantly
- the time required (and cost) to get to and from that terminal
E.g. from Gatwick trains run every 15 mins, take about 45 minutes; an adult return is about £30
Check airport web sites for “Transfer to London” details
Remember also that:
… you have to register for the race. This involves going out the ExCeL Centre. Registration is open from Wednesday to Friday until 20.00 hours but on Saturday this closes at 17.00 hours. No number = no run!
…on Sunday, you cannot be certain of how long you will take to complete the event. Also, bear in mind that your post-race movements may be a lot slower due to fatigue and cramp. Have you got time to catch that flight?
There is no doubt that City Airport (just 20 mins from Tower Bridge) is by far the most convenient if time is tight. |
Airports & hotels: |
Heathrow:
City:
Gatwick:
Stansted: |
Most convenient = Novotel - London West (Piccadilly Line straight through)
Most convenient = Novotels - Tower Bridge, ExCeL
Most convenient = Novotels - Tower Bridge, ExCeL
Most convenient – Novotels - Tower Bridge |
As a guide: For flight departures on Sunday; the race starts at 09.45 hours (say 10.00 hours) take your expected finish time – then if you are a first-time marathon runner, add 1 hr for contingency. Add a further 2 hours to be processed/ to return to hotel/ shower….. then add travel time from the hotel to get to the rail or underground terminus add travel time to the airport and finally, add check-in time.
Be pessimistic rather than over-optimistic when calculating post-race timings. |
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