Changes

== Greater London has ==This region is a ring-road, part of the [[M25 (GB)|M25East of England]]and accessible through the motorways M1/A1 and M11. You'll have to use it if you go from anywhere north These regions are part of the Bristol-Oxford-[[London line to Dover resp. the continent, or the other way round. It's recommended to find a lift past London as it's somewhat hard to go find somebody going off the M25 into your direction from any of the service stations on the M25 - there only is three, one in the South, one in the East ]] commuter belt and one include in part or totally the North-East. following counties:

'''Bedfordshire:''' [[Luton]] (London Luton Airport) '''Cambridgeshire:''' [[Cambridge]], [[Peterborough]] '''Essex:''' [[South MimmsColchester]] services is , [[Southend-on-Sea]] '''Hertfordshire:''' [[Stevanage]], [[Bishop's Stortford]] / [[London Stansted]] (Airport)  == Hitchhiking in Potters Bar in the north of == Londonhas a motorway ring-road, on the M25 and right off the [[M1 M25 (GB)|M1M25]]. For some reason, although it '''s a big services, Get dropped off on or near the M25 and use the public transport to get wherever you can get stuck for hours hereneed. One option, as ever''' If you are coming from the west and your driver is heading south on the M25, is to ask people where they're headed..but there are so many directions possible that it could take a long time to even find someone headed your waybe dropped off at the first junction on the M25: Heathrow Terminal 5. Standing Get off at the exit roundabout at the end of the services is unlikely motorway spur and walk to workthe terminal building. The Piccadilly Line Underground starts here. If they are heading north, see the description for whatever reasongetting to Uxbridge Underground station below. Several reports of hours of waiting <br/ >If you are coming from the southeast on the M20, ask to be dropped off at the A20/M20/M25 roundabout. From here mean that you probably need can take the B2173 road 2km to Swanley train station. Alternatively, if they are heading further north, get dropped off at the M25/A12 junction and walk ≈3km west to try something elseHarold Wood station. <br/ >If you're going coming from the north and your driver is heading towards the westM4/M3 direction, you can stand at try to persuade them to do a slight detour off the ridiculous entrance M25 to junction 1 of the west slip road onto the M25M40 (roundabout with A40). Although insaneFrom there, you should be able it's a ≈2km walk to Uxbridge Underground station. Otherwise, get off at the last services (Toddington) before the M25 and look for a fast ride outlift going inside the ring road. Have a big sign and someone should be able to at least take you further down <br/ > '''Hitch into London from the last services on your motorway before the M25 (the driver will usually know which one this is).''' Then try to find a better junction, or directly ride that bring you close enough to where you're goingyour destination.Check "public transport" for navigating the system efficiently and cheaply.be it to  See the transiting around the west or down M25 section below if you just want to Suffolkbypass London. Any information on going east?

<map lat=== West towards [[Reading]], [[Swindon]], ([[South West England|The South-West]]), [[Bristol]], [[South West England|Devon]], [[South West England|Cornwall]] [[South Wales]] {{Mgb|4}} === When hitching West out of London and onto the M4, to try to avoid accepting a ride to anywhere before Reading Central. A few of the earlier junctions are hitchhiking nightmare spots - junction 8,9 for Maidenhead and 10 for Reading East are two of the worst junctions for hitchhiking in this area of the country because of the M4 then turning into another motorway for a few miles, thus taking you well off your route. Reading Services is great though, and well worth encouraging your driver to take you the extra few miles to.  '''Option 1'''51: M4 Motorway Junction 1 (Chiswick Roundabout) A.491738177580345Take the District Line Underground to ' lng='Gunnersbury'' (zone 3) or train to ''Kew Bridge''. (Alternatively, the Overground at ''South Acton'' doesn't have barriers, but is a kilometer further away.) Both stations are on the Chiswick High Road (A315 -0one west and one east of the roundabout) along which you walk 500m to Junction 1 of the M4 where you will see the Esso petrol station that is on the corner of the slip road onto the motorway heading west.28118133544921875There is a bus lay-by nearby with a sign saying M4 west. B. Take bus H91 from ' zoom='16Hammersmith Bus station'' view=in the direction of Hounslow West and get off at '0' float=Chiswick Roundabout/Gunnersbury'right' />, and you are already at the bus lay-by hitching point. Cost of public transport: £2.80 (off peak) from Zone 1. (Bus fare £1.50)

* '''Where to''': ('''''[[West (England)|The West (London)]]'''''), [[Reading]], [[Swindon]], ('''''Heading for [[South West (England)|The South-WestCornwall]]'''''), it is much easier hitching the M4 and changing to the M5 in [[Bristol]], [[South West (England)|Devon]], than trying to hitch the M3 through [[South West (England)|CornwallDorset]],* '''Cost of public transport''': One ticket to Zone 3 - approximately 5 UKP from Zone 1. There are also a number of buses that run by this roundabout. The H91 runs to the hitching spot itself. I'll try and get more details next time. * '''Last verified''': April 2010

* '''DirectionsTake District Line Underground to ''':Get the Underground to Gunnersby tube stationWest Kensington''(District Linezone 2)'' or . Turn right out of the main line station at Kew Bridge, there are traffic lights 10m away. Both stations are on the Chiswick High Road (A315 Turn right and there is a lay- one west and one east of the roundabout) along which by where you walk 500m to Junction 1 can stand. The advantage of this spot is that all the M4. You want traffic must stop here frequently for the Esso petrol station that lights and much of it is on the corner going to either of the slip road onto the motorway heading westmotorways. There is a lay-by nearby with a sign saying M4 west(It's also cheaper to get to).

* '''Last verified'''Cost of public transport: 20th February 2011: I frequently hitch £2.40 (off peak) from this spot, works well, and rarely wait more than half an hour. Wait just before the bus stop as this is where people generally stopZone 1.

Heading for '''CornwallOption 3''', it is much easier hitching the M4 and changing to the M5 in [[Bristol]] than trying to hitch the M3 through [[South West (England)|Dorset]].An alternative spot for the M4 nearer to the centre and a good one for the M3: Exit at West Kensington tube (zone 2 district line). Turn right out of the Motorway service station, there are traffic lights 10m away. Turh right and there is a layby where you can stand. The advantage of this spot is that all the traffic must stop here frequently for the lights and much of it is going to either of the motorways. (It's also cheaper to get to). I never normally wait more than 30 mins. here.Heston

=== Direction: South-East England Take Piccadilly Line Underground westbound and get off at ''Hounslow West'' (Kentzone 5) ======= M20 Motorway ====. Turn right from the station exit and walk 800m west along Bath Road to just past Henleys roundabout where there is a BP petrol station. Right at the exit of the petrol station is a footpath heading north. Walk ≈650m and where it splits, turn right 20 metres until you reach Armytage Rd. Turn left onto this road and continue north for another ≈200m, cross over Cranford Lane and then continue north again for another ≈350m along Phoenix Way until it bends to the left. Just past the bend, you will see a short path on the right through the bushes/trees onto Heston service station.<map lat=It'51s not an overly busy services but enough traffic to justify getting out here and cutting out all the local traffic in the centre.43983124736507' lng='0Use a sign as there is a lot of local traffic and also traffic heading onto the M25 both south and north.0528717041015625' zoom='15' view='0' float='right' />

* '''Where to''': ('''''[[South East (England)|South East]]'''''), [[Maidstone]], [[Canterbury]], [[Dover]], [[Channel Tunnel|The Channel Tunnel]], [[France]] (''[[Western Europe]]'')* '''Cost of public transport''': One train ticket ''from zone 1''(approximately £3.50 10 (off-peak) * '''Last verified''': August 2012from Zone 1

'''Alternatively:''' To get to Mottingham railway station=== Southeast towards [[South East England|The South East]], take the Jubilee line to North Greenwich[[Maidstone]], and from there[[Folkestone]] ([[Channel Tunnel]]), the 161 bus [[Dover]] (Ferries to Mottingham. Europe) {{Mgb|20}} ===

The petrol station which used to be at this junction is now closed; apparently it will reopen in mid-August 2010. There is still just enough space to stop, but obviously it won't be as good as before. Might be worth making a sign for, say, Maidstone Services and then getting on from there if you are heading to Dover. (I haven't tried this)'Option 1''': Mottingham

If you arrive in Take the train from ''Charing Cross Station'' (Zone 1) to ''Mottingham you just need Station'' (Zone 4). It passes through ''Waterloo East'' (Zone 1), ''London Bridge'' (Zone 1), ''New Cross'' (Zone 2) and ''Lewisham'' (Zone 2) stations on its way to go on ''Dartford'' or ''Gillingham''. Alternatively, take the other side of Jubilee line to North Greenwich, and from there, the tracks, go 161 bus to Mottingham. When you come out of the train station and you go to your right just , walk 100m south along Court Road to the intersection with Sidcup Road (A20). At the traffic lights turn left, where you will see a main roadShell petrol station. <br/ >

The Cost of public transport: train to Mottingham (zone 4) departs from Charing Cross Station (downtown zone 1) through Waterloo East (zone 1), London Bridge (zone 1), New Cross (zone 2) and Lewisham (zone 2) stations on its way to Dartford and Gillingham. Mottingham Station (as well as the previous station of Lee in zone 3) now has Oyster Card 'check-out' so you can use this if you have onewas £5.

The best ride to accept from Mottingham is one that brings you directly into the South-East along the M20 and past the M20-/M25 junction, most likely to the [[Maidstone Services]]. Many drivers have said that many hitch-hikers happen to stand and hitch at the M20/M25 junction, but the police might be more likely to pick you up.

* '''Last verified'''Cost of public transport: I tried the £2.80 (off-peak) from zone 1. (Mottingham spot in August 2012 heading towards Dover and the spot was not good at all but I got out of theretrain station doesn't have barriers. The best thing you can do is to show you are foreigner with some exotic sign (i.e. I used Prague).<br/ >

NOTE: I tried this The most classic method departing London in the direction of continental Europe begins in Mottingham hitching spot in July 2010 and had NO luck all day. Most traffic is local, would not recommend thus itis best to ask people whether they are going onto the M25 ring road. If yes, BUT they will passby the best spot for hitching out of london is a Service BP @ Swanley as described in option 2. The next major service station that after Swanley is directly after the M25 called Maidstone Services on the motorway M20 Junction 8; be sure to find a ride that exits at junction 8 as the main exit for the town of Maidstone services, Dover etcis junction 7. Take This is the bus last major service station located before Dover and it is recommended to Foots Cray Tesco (I know it leaves find a ride directly onto the train or ferry from New Cross amongst other places)here. At "I have hitched across the Tesco take a right out channel many times from the front and head towards SwanleyMaidstone, you will pass a BMW garage and eventually get to a Services with a McDonalds. You will need waits ranging from 30 seconds to get through the fence (there should be a hole), but this will be the best way to get out of London currentlyas long as 6 hours."

'''Alternative to Mottingham:Option 2''' You can get onto M20 from Swanley. Get a train to Kent from London Victoria (Ashford International, Gillingham, Seven Oakes, etc.). Some trains will go directly there, otherwise change at Bromley South. Walk into town from the train stion, taking London Road, out of town towards the M20. On the way there is a Texaco : BP petrol station that seems quite busy. Further down on Swanley Bypass (where I hitchhiked, August 2012A20) there is a big parking space, with a greasy spoon van if you're hungry or in need of a cup of coffee. The road takes you straight down to the motorway.

<map lat=The easiest way to get here is to take a train to Sidcup, then take the 233 city bus towards Swanley and get off at Old Maidstone Road. The service station will be about two minutes'51walk down and across the road.3902018510923There is a gate in the fence, though it may be closed in which case you' lng='0ll have to jump the fence.188269615173336' zoom='14' view='0' float='right' />

==== M2 Motorway ====* '''Where Another way to get here is totake a train from ''London Victoria': ('to ''Swanley''[[. Some trains will go directly there, otherwise change at Bromley South East . (EnglandThere is also a direct train from St. Pancras to Swanley, but it cost £8.80 (peak)|South East]]''''in Nov 2015, so might as well just get a megabus if you're going to pay that much). From the station, [[Rochester]]cross the tracks with the pedestrian bridge to Everest Place, [[Canterbury]]turn right on St. Mary's Rd to the roundabout at London Road. From here, [[Dover]]* turn left (north) along London Road/ Maidstone Road for 2.6kms. Here you'll find the service station behind a fence on the left. It''Cost s a longer walk than to the Texaco mentioned below but managed to get a lift there in 15 minutes at 22:00 asking people (September 2013). It seemed most traffic was M20/M25, but might of been the time of public transport''': * '''Last verified''': night. This is perfect for getting to Maidstone.<br/ >

* '''Directions''':Get the Underground to London Bridge Station ''(Northern Line - Jubilee Line)'' and get the commuter train to This service station has a BP petrol station called Mottingham ''(direction Dartford)''(''Note that you can hitch along the [[M20 (GB)|M20]] and changing to the [[M2 (GB)|M2]] in [[Maidstone]]'a McDonald')s. 

==== A21 Motorway ====* '''Where to''': ('''''[[South East (England)|The South East]]'''''), [[Hastings]], [[Royal Tunbridge Wells]]* '''Cost of public transport''': * One train ticket ''from zone 1'Last verified''': (approximately £3.50 off-peak) or take the train from Elephant & Castle in central south-east (no barriers) towards Seven Oaks for a free ride.

* '''DirectionsOption 3''':{{infoneeded| Help providing the information with the one available for the M20}}Texaco petrol station, Swanley

=== Direction: NorthSame directions as for Option 2 above, but this time, walk into town from the station, and head to the London Road going south towards M20. On the way there is a Texaco petrol station that seems quite busy. Further down there is a big parking space, with a greasy spoon van if you're hungry or in need of a cup of coffee. The road takes you straight down to the motorway. Make sure that you get a ride going to Maidstone Service Station, because it's after the town so someone going to the town of Maidstone won't pass the service station. If you do get a ride just to the town of Maidstone, there is a good lay-West, Scotlandby for hitchhiking on the roundabout that leads to the on ramp to the M20, North Wales ======= M40 Motorway ====but you'll have to thumb a ride because there is nowhere to ask people. It works with a sign saying "M20 4 miles" to get to the service station.

* '''Where to''': ('''''[[West (England)|The West (London)]]'''''), [[Oxford]], [[High Wycombe]], ('''''[[West Midlands (England)|The West Midlands]]'''''), [[Warwick]], [[Birmingham]], [[Redditch]]* '''Cost of public transport''': One ticket to zone 6 (Hillingdon) or zone 3 (Hanger Lane).* '''Last verified'''Public Transport: 28th October 2010 (Hillingdon), 26 January 2008 (Hanger Lane), 24 May 2009 (M40 J1)xxx

* '''DirectionsOption 4''':[[M40 Motorway service station Clackett Lane (GBM25)|M40]] is different from other motorways originating from London, as it starts quite close to M25 as a continuation of the dual-carriageway A40.

A40 has a number of entrances A. Take the train from ''London Bridge'' to ''Oxted''. Walk southeast along Station Road to Westerham Road (A25). Turn left (east) and walk 3.5km till the junction with heavy traffic, Clackett Lane. Turn left here and walk 1.6km along Clackett Lane to the following 3 places have been successfully hitched from:entrance to the service station (heading East) just after you pass over the M25 motorway bridge.

** B. Take the train from ''Victoria'M40 junction 1'to ''Bromley South''. Then take bus 246 south in the direction of Westerham Green and get off at ''Pilgrims Way''. Walk west along Pilgrims Way and then Pilgrims Lane for ≈1.4km until you reach Clackett Lane. Turn left (south) and walk for ≈1km until you reach the entrance to the service station heading East (before crossing over the motorway bridge).

Take Cost of Public Transport: You can reach London Bridge by overground from a Piccadilly or Metropolitan Line to Uxbridge station (Zone 6). Exit the station onto High Street and turn right. Walk until you reach Harefield Road - turn left there, without barriers and then right at skip the next big roundabout. From there follow signs to M40 - you will eventually get to junction 1 slip road, and you can hitch-hike from therefare.

Confirm with Option 5: (Experimental) : Sun in the driver that he is going straight on M40Sands roundabout, direct onto the A2 to Dover. Jass passed here the other day and does not turn saw what seems to be an ideal spot with a lot of space for vehicles to pull over on the slip road onto M25 (the motorway.Take the overline to Blackheath from London Orbital)Bridge. Also beware that Junction 2 is not very easy Follow Montpellier Road past the large Blackheart meadows/ park then up Shooters Hill Road till you get to hitch-hike on (see [[M40 (GB)|M40]] article)the roundabout.

** '''Hanger Lane''' Underground station (Central Line=== Southeast towards [[South East England|The South East]], West Ruislip branch[[Hastings]], zone 3)[[Royal Tunbridge Wells]] A21 ===

The other place is half a mile further on - a little lay-by with no restrictions. I (=== Northwest towards [[User:Lnx|LnxOxford]]) have not personally hitched from there, but it looks like a good spot and has an advantage of being open to the entire A40 (the Lynwood Rd bus stop has a separation between the incoming slip road and the main carriageway[[High Wycombe]], so you can only be picked up by traffic emerging from [[Warwick]], [[Birmingham]], [[North Circular Road, or Lynwood Road).Wales]] {{Mgb|40}} ===

** '''Hillingdon''' Underground station [[M40 (Piccadilly/Metropolitan LinesGB)|M40]] is different from other motorways originating from London, zone 6)as it starts quite close to M25 as a continuation of the dual-carriageway A40.

As you exit the tube station and go to the end of walkway, turn right and walk until you reach big traffic light-controlled crossroads of 'Long Lane' and 'Western AvenueOption 1' (NOT the A40 Western Avenue). Cross the road, then turn right and continue to the roundabout, whose primary exit is the slip-road to A40. Stand on the grass next to of the hatched area - the hatched area is a good and legal place for a vehicle to stop. The area is also well-lit which makes it a perfect place to hitch at night.'': M40 Junction 1

It is advisable to have Take a sign saying "Oxford" Piccadilly or something, as a lot of traffic leaves [[M40 Metropolitan Line to ''Uxbridge'' (GBZone 6)|. Exit the station onto High Street and turn right. Walk until you reach Harefield Road - turn left there, and then right at the next big roundabout. From there follow signs to M40]] at - you will eventually get to junction 1a to continue on [[M25 1 slip road, and you can hitch-hike from there (GBthere's also a nice spot at the traffic lights)|M25]].You might need to cross parts of the road where vehicle will already be flying at motorway speeds - stay safe!!!

There Confirm with the driver that he is also an Oxford Tube coach stop in Western Avenue/Freezeland Way nearbygoing straight onto the M40, and does not turn onto M25 (London Orbital). If you happen Also beware that Junction 2 is not very easy to get really stuck (which I think you won't hitch- I waited only about 12 minutes for a ride hike on an evening during a post-Christmas season(see M40 article) and only need to get to Oxford, this might be an alternative.

Update: I took this advice to travel from London to Oxford in October 2010, and it worked very well'''Option 2''': I didn't reach the roadside til 9pm, so the world beyond the streetlights was utterly dark, but still got a ride within half an hour. A good spot to travel Northbound from London.A40 Junction (Hangar Lane)

=== Direction: North ======= M1 Motorway ====* '''Where to''': Take the Central Line tube ('''''[[The North (EnglandWest Ruislip branch)|The North (London)]]to ''Hangar Lane'''), [[Luton]], [[Milton Keynes]], ('''''[[East Midlands (England)|The East Midlands]]'''''zone 3). As you exit into the main hall of the tube station, [[Northampton]]have a look at the local area map and find the exit for the westbound A40 slip road. Keep walking along the slip road, [[Leicester]], [[Derby]], [[Nottingham]], [[Sheffield]], [[Leeds]]and then A40. There are two good places to hitch from:

* 1. A bus stop just past the junction with Lynwood Rd. It has a long lay-by, which is a good place to hitch from as long as there's nothing parked there. Legally, it''Directions''':s a "non-stopping except buses" lay-by.

** '''Option 1''' - [http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=15386599078168394493,51.613806,-0.276014%3B7303632460877835457,51.616789,-0.260584&saddr=A5100%2FStation+Rd+%4051.613806,+-0.276014&daddr=A5100%2FHale+Ln+%4051.616789,+-0.260584+to:51.629873,-0.264659&mra=dme&mrcr=0&mrsp=2&sz=15&via=1&sll=51.62617The other place is half a mile further on,a little lay-0.269852&sspn=0.017104,0.047035&ie=UTF8&ll=51.622306,-0.273972&spn=0.017105,0.047035&z=15 London Gateway Services]** '''Cost of public transport''': One ticket to zone 5by with no restrictions.** '''last verified''': June 2012 (Its good spot indeed, we asked around the service station and were picked up after 30 min towards Northampton). November 2011 ( very good spot, we found a lift in less then 5 minutes, also in has an advantage of being open to the dark)It is possible to walk from Edgware tube ''entire A40 (Northern Line)'' to London Gateway Services on the M1. There are Lynwood Rd bus stop has a few different ways to walk, but the simplest is: Turn right out of the station onto 'Station Road'. Follow separation between the incoming slip road along, it turns into 'Hale Lane', keep going, then turn left onto 'Selvage Lane' and keep goingthe main carriageway, so you will then go over a bridge over the M1 and come to a big roundabout 'Apex Corner'. Go down into the subway under the roundaboutcan only be picked up by traffic emerging from North Circular Road, and come out on the A1 ('Barnet Wayor Lynwood Road), just by the petrol station. Turn left just behind the petrol station onto 'Ellesmere Avenue', this road runs parallel to the high way. Keep walking until you come to a road on your left with a big sign telling you not to go down there. Walk down it and you come to '''London Gateway Services'''.

<map lat='51.572129' lng='-0.230595' zoom='16' view='0' width='400px' height='200px' float='right' />** '''Option 2''' - [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=51.572780,+-0.230950&ie=UTF8&z=12&iwloc=addr&om=1 Staples Corner]** '''Cost of public transport''': One ticket to zone 3.** '''Last verified''': A40 Junction (Hillingdon)

Take the Piccadilly or Metropolitan Line tube to ''Hillingdon'' (zone 6). As you exit the tube station and go to the end of walkway, turn right and walk until you reach the big traffic light-controlled crossroads of 'Long Lane' and 'Western Avenue' (NOT the A40 Western Avenue). Cross the road, then turn right and continue to the roundabout, whose primary exit is the slip-road to A40. Stand on the grass next to of the hatched area - the hatched area is a good and legal place for a vehicle to stop. The area is also well-lit which makes it a perfect place to hitch at night.It is advisable to have a sign saying "Oxford" or something, as a lot of traffic leaves [[File:Staples_corner_m1.jpgM40 (GB)|thumb|400px|rightM40]] at junction 1a to continue on [[M25 (GB)|Hitching Spot at Staples Corner for M1M25]].There is also an Oxford Tube coach stop in Western Avenue/Freezeland Way nearby. If you happen to get really stuck (which I think you won't - I waited only about 12 minutes for a ride on an evening during a post-Christmas season) and only need to get to Oxford, this might be an alternative.<br/ >

Another option If your driver is going to take the tube Oxford or somewhere nearby then request to Brent Cross ''(Northern Line)''. From there you follow be dropped off at the 'North Circular RoadWelcome Break' westwards for about 1km (along Tilling Road)services just before Wheatley, and you get to the bottom of the M1 junction 8A (don't get confused with the A1 which also passes nearby, although if this road is more convenient for your destination, you can also hitch from herejust a km after junction 8). After passing the shopping centre, you should see the M1. It is possible to hitch at the first entrance you see, which is the traffic coming off the 'Westbound North Circular' (there This is a bus stop just after the slip road joins the North Circular, busy services and a small lay-by further on - both adjacent to the lane for M1). You can also hitch at the traffic lights (see spot on the map easy to find lifts all over the right) or on the hard shoulder on the on-ramp that slopes up right after those traffic lightscountry.

==== A1 Motorway / A1(M) Motorway ====* '''Where to''': ('''''North towards [[The North (England)|The North (London)Luton]]'''''), [[StevanageMilton Keynes]], ('''''[[East Midlands (England)|The East Midlands]]'''''), ('''''[[East (England)|The EastNorthampton]], [[Leicester]], [[Derby]], [[Nottingham]], [[Sheffield]]'''''), [[PeterboroughLeeds]]* '''Cost of public transport''': * '''Last verified''': {{Mgb|1}} ===

* '''DirectionsOption 1''':''(See information for M1, Option 2 - Staples Corner. Hold the sign saying "A1 North". There must be better places to get onto A1, though...)''Motorway service station London Gateway

This is untested, but should work. Take the tube (Northern Line) tube to High BarnetEdgware, and then walk 2.5km: Turn right out of the station onto 'Station Road'. Follow the road along, it turns into 'Hale Lane', keep going, then turn left onto 'Selvage Lane' and keep going, here take you will then go over a bridge over the 84 bus M1 and come to South Mimms services, at a big roundabout 'Apex Corner'. Go down into the junction between subway under the M25 roundabout, and come out on the A1(M'Barnet Way), just by the petrol station. One user tried Turn left just behind the petrol station onto 'Ellesmere Avenue', this, and thinks road runs parallel to the junction is too high way. Keep walking until you come to a road on your left with a bigsign with three symbols, one of which would translate as 'no access to anyone except authorised vehicles' and clearly goes under the traffic too fastmotorway. Walk down it and you come to [https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/51.6136474,-0.2756824/51.6331801,-0.267389/@51.6234134,-0.28321, for this to be a good spot14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m24!4m23!1m20!3m4!1m2!1d-0.2707532!2d51.6182613!3s0x487616bd30b5031d:0x8018c6fc46ad7c0a!3m4!1m2!1d-0.2601509!2d51.6168185!3s0x487616bf7b9c6b11:0x36592f73c8bb24ff!3m4!1m2!1d-0.2554027!2d51.6210173!3s0x487616ea6c84b413:0x4e9825452a0ab13a!3m4!1m2!1d-0.2661023!2d51.6315945!3s0x4876168dfd4886a1:0x9337096bd5773568!1m0!3e2?hl=en London Gateway Services].

=== Direction: East Anglia, East Coast ======= M11 Motorway ====* '''Where to''': ('''''[[East (England)|The East]]'''''), [[Cambridge]], [[Peterborough]], [[Norwich]], [[London Stansted]] * '''Cost of public transport''': One ticket to £3.10 (off peak) from zone 4* '''Last verified''': March 20121.

* '''DirectionsOption 2''':The M11 begins near Redbridge, so this is an ideal place to go to. [[Userhttp:Siinvincible|Simon]] and [[User:Whisperingofthestars|Jason]] managed to get a ride to Newmarket from the train to Redbridge//maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=51.572780, as someone noticed us making a sign+-0.230950&ie=UTF8&z=12&iwloc=addr&om=1 Staples Corner]

Redbridge is on Take Northern Line tube to ''Brent Cross'' (zone 3). From there you follow the Central 'North Circular Road' westwards for about 1km (Redalong Tilling Road) underground line , and local buses you get to the bottom of the M1 (66don't get confused with the A1 which also passes nearby, although if this road is more convenient for your destination, you can also hitch from here) stop next to the station. Once on After passing the stationshopping centre, turn right and use you should see the subways M1. It is possible to cross under hitch at the first entrance you see, which is the A406. Once on traffic coming off the ramp on for A406 'Westbound North Circular' (extending Eastern Avenue), there is a great place bus stop just after the slip road joins the North Circular, and a small lay-by further on - both adjacent to the lane for vehicles to pull overM1). The You can also hitch at the traffic lights (see spot is located just next on the map to the bridge over a canal right) or river. The on the hard shoulder on the on-ramp that slopes up right after those traffic will not be coming from A406, but it is really a good place to hitch a ride. It is strongly recommended that you bring a M11 sign with you. Personal experience was that even with this sign, a few cars will stop being headed towards other destinationslights.

=== DirectionImportant : SouthIf you are getting a lift from here, South West - Hampshire and Dorset ======= M3 Motorway ====* '''Where ensure that the driver is driving to''': ('''''[[South West at least the next service station (England)|The South West]]'''''Toddington), [[Basingstoke]], [[Salisbury]], [[Southampton]], [[Porstmouth]], [[South West (England)|Dorset]], [[Poole|Bournemouth]]* '''Cost of public transport''': One ticket/travelcard to zone 6 + one ticket which is approximately 50-60 miles from ''Hampton'' to ''Kempton Park'' railway stationthis spot.* '''Last verified''': 27 March 2008

* '''Directions'''Cost of public transport:xxx

M3 is not an easy motorway to get to, although the following worked for [[UserFile:LnxStaples_corner_m1.jpg|thumb|400px|right|LnxHitching Spot at Staples Corner for M1]]:

Take - This place seems to work really well. I get the bus to brent cross and then its about a 10 min walk to this spot. However, it tends to go slightly quicker if you walk 2 minutes more around the train bound for ''Shepperton'' from roundabout (''London Waterloo'Staples Corner ' and exit at 'West''Kempton Park''' station. Exit the station (do not go on the footbridge), cross the racecourse car park and turn right into Park Road, which goes into the slip road coming off A316. When you reach the A316 itself, walk on the pavement in the opposite direction to the traffic. You will immediately 'll see a lay-by (chances are some lorries will be parked there). You can hitch from railway bridge, go under it and there. The position is not perfect, as a bus stop beside a car repair place (the road bus stop itself is going downhill, near Adrian Avenue and is by the traffic is traveling very fast (50-70mph''Western'' side of the railway bridge). It doesn't look like such a great place, but it works quite well if you have a sign.

'''Kempton Park''' station - This is just outside London Transport Zones (''Hampton''a very good place, however one user recommends right next to the previous station car repair center ( on the Waterloo-Shepperton line, right of it )there is entrance for the M1 Motorway which is in zone 6), but it has no ticket barriers slightly going upwards before meeting the highway. You may go up and make sure to stand atleast 100 meters away from the point where cars enter on this road from the chances of meeting redlight behind. Have a ticket inspector between ''Hampton'' and ''Kempton Park'' should be quite remotesign that says M1.

Get a train on the same line as above=== North towards, and get off at '''Fulwell Rail'''. Walk South on Wellington Road[[Stevanage]], and then turn right onto Park Road. Follow this road as it joins the A312 for about 1.5 km in total. Just below the A316 bridge[[Peterborough]], [[East Midlands]], which you will see ahead [[East of you as you follow the A312, there is a roundabout. England|The first left turn on this roundabout is an on-ramp for the A316. There is a bus stop and a pedestrian crossing hereEast]], and traffic is going uphill[[Newcastle]], and so is quite slow. One user waited here for about 30 minutes with a sign saying "M3".[[North East England|The North East]] {{agb|1}} ===

==== A3/A24 Motorway ====* '''Where to''': ('''''[[South East (England)|The South East]]''''')Moat Mount Park bus stop on A1. Buses 292, [[Woking]]384, [[Porstmouth]], [[Guildford]], [[Worthing]]* '''Cost of public transport''': * '''Last verified''': 606 tops there. After 5 km there is a Mimms Service petrol station / rest stop

* '''Directions'''Cost of public transport:{{infoneeded|Information needed}}xxx

''=== Northwest towards [[Cambridge]], [[London Stansted]], [[Norwich]], [[East of England|The A24 is best reached directly in Leatherhead outside the M25East]], there is a on-ramp to the M25 as well''East Coast {{Mgb|11}} ===

==== M23 Motorway/A22 Motorway ====* '''Where Take the Central Line tube to''Redbridge': ('''''[[South East (Englandzone 4)|The South East]]'''''. Once at the station, turn right and use the subways to cross under the A406. Once on the slip road for the A406 (extending Eastern Avenue), [[Brighton]]there is a great place for vehicles to pull over. The spot is located just next to the bridge over a canal or river. The traffic will not be coming from A406, [[Pease Pottage]], [[Eastbourne]], * '''Cost of public transport''': * '''Last verified''': but it really is a good place to hitch a ride. It is strongly recommended that you bring a M11 sign with you.

* '''Directions''Cost of public transport: £2.80 (off-peak) from zone 1. Tip: To get to the same part of london, you can also take the Central line to Roding Valley. Here there are no barriers as you exit so if you managed to get into the underground system for free, you can get out for free. It':{{infoneeded|Information needed}}s about a half an hour walk to the start of the M11. For getting into the underground system, you can for example get in at Finsbury Park where there are no barriers either. There are also other stations.

=== Direction: East (Essex) ======= A12/A13 Motorway ====* '''Where to''': ('''''Southwest towards [[East (South West England)|The EastSouth West]]'''''), [[East (England)|EssexBasingstoke]], [[Salisbury]] , [[ChelmsfordSouthampton]], [[ColchesterPorstmouth]], [[IpswichSouth West England|Dorset]], [[Southend-on-SeaPoole|Bournemouth]]* '''Cost of public transport''': * '''Last verified''': {{Mgb|3}} ===

* '''DirectionsOption 1''':{{infoneeded|Information needed}}So to go towards Ipswich, take the tube to Bow Road Station. Here you need to ask direction to the A12. Walk along Bow Road. At the end of the road you will come to a round about with traffic lights Lay-by on it and also a McDonalds You can get lifts from here to Ipswich or Colchester along either the A12 or A11. I waited 20 minutes. It was OK. There is plenty of room for people to stop at there is a bus stop right A316 near. Kempton Park

== Airports ==Paid transport to Take the train from ''London Waterloo'' in the direction of Shepperton and from airports can be expensiveexit at ''Kempton Park'' station. Hitching can be a good alternativeExit the station (do not go on the footbridge), cross the racecourse car park and turn right into Park Road, which goes into the slip road coming off A316. The exits to When you reach the airports can also be good places to get lifts to other places. For exampleA316 itself, if you get stuck walk on the western part of pavement in the M25, try to get opposite direction to Heathrow, from there people are going all over the countrytraffic. If you You will immediately see a lay-by (chances are coming some lorries will be parked there). You can hitch from Brightonthere. The position is not perfect, as the road is going downhill, and trying to get around London, you may get a ride quicker to where you want to go if you get dropped at Gatwick Airport than at Pease Pottage services.* [[London Gatwick Airport|London Gatwick]]* [[London Stansted]]* [[London Heathrow]]* [[Luton|London Luton]]the traffic is traveling very fast (50-70mph)

== Transiting in Greater London ==Since nearly all the motorway networks lead towards London you probably might have Cost of public transport: One ticket/travelcard to go through that urban area somehow zone 6 + one ticket from ''Hampton'' to reach your destination''Kempton Park'' railway station. The M25 '''Kempton Park''' station is just outside London Transport Zones (''Hampton'', the ring motorway that surrounds previous station on the city Waterloo-Shepperton line, is in zone 6), but it has no ticket barriers and connects with every possible motorway network in destination the chances of the country. It is then better to meeting a ticket inspector between ''Hampton'' and ''Kempton Park'' should be left at some very specific Motorway Services to manage to catch a ride furtherquite remote.

Be careful'''Option 2''': there are only 3 service stations on the M25, and on the whole western part there are none at all. If you get dropped at a junction rather than at services you can get really stuck, as a large part of the traffic is only going round the road a short way. If it is not possible to get a lift to one of the services, consider waiting for a ride that takes you actually to the road you want to be on, rather than just stopping somewhere random on the M25.A316 Junction with A312

Ask the driver to tell you when you get to Pilgrims Lane=== Southwest towards [[Porstmouth]], then walk down Pilgrims Lane and Pilgrims Way to Clacket Lane Services. You can see where you're going on a map here: http:[[Worthing]] A3//www.motorwayservices.info/clacket_lane_services_m25/googlemap Where it says "Clacket Wood" is the service station. There is also a street view of this area on google maps.{{agb|3}}, & A24 ===

Clacket Lane is an excellent place to hitch to Brighton (Westbound) or Dover (Eastbound) West Lodge bus stop on A3. Buses 85, 265 and also fairly good for most other directions as it's a busy station969 stops there. Best thing There is to stand outside the main doors into the also Co-op Roehampton Vale petrol station and ask everyone that comes out if they are going your way ("excuse me, are you by any chance going to Bighton?")

To get from one side to the other walk down the country lane to the back Cost of the station until you get to the bridge and cross to the other side (couple of km)public transport: xxx

== Sleep = South towards [[Brighton]] {{Mgb|23}} ===There are several options when it comes to finding a place to sleep. If the worst prevails and you're without a place, you're still not too bad off. Central London is relatively safe and you probably wont be bothered sleeping outside.

=== Wild [[Camping]] ===Its quite possible Take a train from ''Victoria'', ''Clapham Junction'', or ''London Bridge'' station to sleep out in London in considerable privacy despite its gigantic population of 10 million. Go North ''East to Trent Park Croyden'' (Picadilly Line Northzone 6). From here, second take a train to last stop before Cockfosters - i''Coulsdon South''.e. Oakwood Station). Find the directions for Turn left out of the university (Middlesex) campus station on Brighton Road and walk (or take 600m to the free bus) up the hillroundabout. Beside it and beyond Nearly all the lake are quite a few miles of woodland and and it is incredibly beautiful. [[User:Whisperingofthestars|Jason]] lived here for 7 months during his final year of university. Be careful with park wardens, they eventually discovered him during traffic goes to the last few weeks of his studies. Build camouflage M23 from ferns if staying for long. People are unlikely to be your greatest threat...dogs are. Dogs! A lot of people walk them here but you can find amazing places if you search hard enough. And if you search really really hard, you'll find a tree with the dates of the past dweller's residence...;)

Also, outside this station Cost of public transport: £3.80 (Trent Parkoff-peak), there is a Greek Bakery. Behind it lie huge sacks of bread every night. Please go. Its crazy that this could possibly be wasted every night(£2.70 off-peak from Clapham Junction)

'''=== East towards [http://www.rampart.co.nr/ rampART[East of England|The East]]''' is a squatted social center in , [[WhitechapelEast of England|Essex]], east London. This place isn't a residential squat[[Chelmsford]], but they do have a "crash room" for visitors. They make it clear that it is not a tourist hostel so you needn't bother them unless you are interested in getting involved with their project for some time while you're there. To stay[[Colchester]], you need to contact them well ahead of time. If nothing else[[Ipswich]], it's a great place to meet squatters and find a place to stay. They also have free internet!(As of last month rampART was evicted by the police and is no more.) Interestingly, the new place at Bowl Court Road that was squatted a few months ago has already been evicted (August 2008).[[Southend-on-Sea]] A/12 ===

The Take Hammersmith & City Line or District Line to ''Bow Road'[http://www' (Zone 2).squatter.orgWalk east for ≈700m along the Bow Road to the roundabout junction with the A12.uk/ Advisory Service for Squatters]''' is helpful for people that There are planning to find a place to live traffic lights here, and cannot really help you find a place McDonalds across the road. Hitch on the slip road heading north on the A12. You can get lifts from here to crashIpswich or Colchester. I waited 20 minutes. It's located at the Freedom Bookstore in Whitechapel and was OK. There is another great place plenty of room for people to meet squatters stop as well as get online for free. The address there is Angel Alley, 84b Whitechapel High Street, Whitechapel, London, England, E1 7QXa bus stop nearby. (Tel. 020-32160099)

For more info on social centers in London, check out [httpCost of public transport://www.socialcentresnetwork.org.uk/ Autonomous London]£2.40 (off-peak from Zone 1)

==Airports = Free ===Hari Krishna offer free food from several locations in London at lunchtime: outside SOAS by Russel Square at 1pm, for example. Expect to queue for 30 minutes, arrive early to guarantee a fill - the food does run out. Otherwise...

Plenty of Paid transport to and from airports can be expensive. Hitching can be a good alternative. The exits to the airports can also be good places to get lifts to other places throw out food at closing time. Always check For example, if you get stuck on the bags out front western part of '''Pret a Mangers''' and '''Benjy's''' at 5-7pmthe M25, try to get to Heathrow, from there people are going all over the country. If you feel up are coming from Brighton, and trying to itget around London, you can even may get a ride quicker to where you want to go inside when they are closing shop and explain that if you're homeless and pick out all the food you want instead of getting it off the sidewalkget dropped at Gatwick Airport than at Pease Pottage services. Feel no shame, you're helping to curb wastefulness!

Since nearly all the motorway networks lead towards London, you probably might have to go through that urban area somehow to reach your destination. The bakery M25 is the ring motorway that surrounds the city and connects with every possible motorway network in all directions. It'Pauls recommended to find a lift past London as it' s somewhat hard to find somebody going off the M25 in Blackfriars your direction from any of the service stations on the M25. Be careful: there are only 3 service stations, and Paddington throw out the entire western section has none at all. It may also be possible to head around the M25 from junction to junction. However, the only problem is that a lot few of cakesthe junctions are really bad in the south, all extremely luxurious and scrumptiousyou can get really stuck as a large part of the traffic is only going round the ring a short distance. From Blackfriars station walk up If if you do get stuck, try making a sign M25 east or west. So consider waiting for a ride that actually takes you to the main roadyou want to be on, and Paul's will be rather than just stopping somewhere at random on your right after a few minutesthe M25.

Good places South Mimms services are in Potters Bar in the northeast of London and are actually just off the M25 at the junction of the A1(M). For some reason, although it's a big services, you can get stuck here for hours. One option, as ever, is to ask people where they're headed... but there are so many directions possible that it could take a long time to find someone headed your way. Standing at the exit of the services is unlikely to work, for whatever reason. Several reports of hours of waiting here mean that you probably need to try in Hackney are Esomething else.AIf you're going towards the west, you can stand at the ridiculous entrance to the west slip road onto the M25.TAlthough insane, you should be able to get a fast ride out. PretHave a big sign and someone should be able to at least take you further down the M25 to a better junction, Icelandor directly to where you're going, supermarket metros be it to the west or locals and marketsdown to Sussex.

=== Cheap Clacket Lane Services ===If you're going to self cater, stick to '''Sainsbury's''' and '''Tesco''' rather than the convenient Off-Licenses for better prices. If you are a bit out of Central London, you might as well look for '''Lidl''', '''Morrisons''', '''Netto''' or '''Asda'''. Anyhow with a decent and wise grocery, you can get your grocery for nearly a week for about 10-15 pounds at any of the mentioned supermarket with decent, fresh and healthy food ''(to cook)''. Be aware though that these supermarkets are not in any sense "ethical". They are wiping out local shops, taking monopoly on feeding us, destroying the environment and throwing away food every day that could feed hundreds of people. It's better to eat out of their bins. <!-- Totally irrelevant information! -->

If you get tired Clackett Lane services are located in the south of peanut butter sandwiches or want London and are possibly the best place to fill up for get lifts on the weekend, try M25. There is a bridge here to cross from one of side to the many £5 all-you-can-eat '''Thai Buffets''' other, which are always always totally vegan! (some good all-you-can-eat start at £3be useful to know if,50). Go earlyfor example, they get more expensive in you are trying to hitch from the evening. While downtown, you can also M4 to Brighton but get a ''<nowiki>'</nowiki>6-inch sandwich of the day<nowiki>'</nowiki>'' at '''Subway''' for 2 poundslift with someone who is going to Dover.

The markets in Camden Town have cheap food around 5pm, especially Take the train from ''Victoria'' to ''Bromley South''. Then take bus 246 ([http://www.londonbusroutes.net/times/246Sum.htm timetable here]) south in the Lock Market where, if direction of Westerham Green and get off at ''Pilgrims Way''. Walk west along Pilgrims Way and then Pilgrims Lane for ≈1.4km until you reach Clackett Lane. Turn left (south) and walk for ≈1km until you reach the entrance to the service station (heading east). Continue walking along Clackett Lane for another 400m over the motorway M25 bridge to reach the entrance for the services heading west. You can see where you're going on a few minutes past all map [http://www.motorwayservices.info/clacket_lane_services_m25/googlemap here]. Where it says "Clacket Wood" is the initial food courts, you can easily find dishes service station. There is also a street view of noodles for £2this area on google maps.

== Internet ==In Westminster, thereClacket Lane is an excellent place to hitch to Brighton (Westbound) or Dover (Eastbound) and also fairly good for most other directions as it's a public library which you can use for free Internet accessbusy station. You might need Best thing is to register yourself, though, stand outside the main doors into the station and ask everyone that progress comes out if they are going your way (and waiting for the next available computer"excuse me, are you by any chance going to Brighton?") can take quite some time.== Nomadwiki & Trashwiki ==