We are flying into Heathrow and plan to take the Elizabeth Line into London. Our apartment is near the north end of the Millennium Bridge. I hope to take a taxi (black cab) from one of these two stations to the apartment. Farringdon is a bit closer, and a shorter ride, but will be able to find a taxi from a taxi stand there? Or would Liverpool Street Station be a better choice?
Thanks for your help.
My instinct would be to get off the train at Liverpool Street. You're always going to find taxis on the rank there. It will be signposted throughout the station, but the rank is on Liverpool Street, not Bishopsgate, the other main thoroughfare by the station. It should only be a few minutes ride to your apartment from there.
Good information. Thank you!
No worries. Glad to be of service :) As you've probably seen from Google Maps, it's not far at all. I'd walk generally, but if you're carting a load of luggage a black cab is your best bet.
I'd agree - Liverpool Street
It's a fascinating area to be in. There's fragments of history all around more ancient than you'd find in many rural, untouched areas, yet there's also the extreme modernity. You could spend days in London just in The City, Shoreditch, Farringdon, Clerkenwell, Spitalfields, Bethnal Green etc. if you're a history buff with a good guidebook. No need to go up to the west end! :)
If you go to Liverpool St station on the Elizabeth line, try to be at the front of the train. These trains are 9 carriages long and so the platforms are equally long. By being at the front of the train, you’ll be closer to the escalators out, as there is still a longish walk from top top of the Elizabeth line escalators to the main part of the station. You’ll definitely find taxis at Liverpool Street station; I’ve sometimes had to wait a long time outside Farringdon station for a passing taxi as there’s no actual taxi rank there. Unfortunately London seems to be short of taxis these days - it seems too many drivers retired during lockdown and haven’t been replaced.
Thank you! Good to know about where to sit on the train. And we may end up walking, as we will just have a small roller bag each. I will take a look at the walking route.
We will be exploring the history of the area; we have signed up for a walking tour of “firsts and inventions in the history of medicine”. Before that, we will visit the Museum of St. John in Clerkenwell and join a guided tour of the church and it’s history.
https://museumstjohn.org.uk/planning-your-visit/guided-tours/
I wouldn't necessarily advise walking from from Liverpool Street to the Millennium Bridge with a wheeled suitcase. Trains from my local station terminate at Liverpool Street so I'm quite accustomed to walking to various places from there. It's easily walkable with a backpack or no luggage. However, if I had just come off a transatlantic flight, the thought of listening to the clack clack of my suitcase wheels for a mile or so might drive me to take a taxi from the rank.
The Museum of the Order of St John looks fascinating. I know it from the outside, but I had no idea there were such beautiful historical interiors and it looks like they've done a lot to make an attractive little museum. You'll still find St Johns Ambulance providing first aid services anywhere groups of people are gathered throughout the UK.
Clerkenwell is a great little nook for exploring. It's the heart of London's design industry, bustling during the week. Scratch the surface though and there's layer upon layer of history going back a long time. I think you've picked a good spot for your apartment. Lots to keep you interested and entertained within easy reach of there.
Neither of those stations are in what I would consider walking distance. You can get closer to your location by getting off the Elizabeth Line at Farringdon and then taking the southbound Thameslink train one stop to City Thameslink station. It's a long station with exits at each end - you want to be at the front of the train and head to the exit at that end of the platform, which should be labelled "Ludgate Hill".
... or one more stop and get off at Blackfriars. Need to be at the back for that one.
Good point about the annoying noise of the roller bags. We will plan on a taxi at Liverpool Street Station. That is preferable to transferring to the Thameslink train.
Can anyone suggest a casual lunch spot in Clerkenwell near the Museum of the Order of St. John? Nothing fancy; even a Pret a Manger, or other “grab and go” spot would work.
I like LEON as an alternative to Pret at lunchime. Both have locations by Farringdon Station, but are all over the city too. Wagamama is another chain where I'm happy to grab a bit of lunch, knowing that it's going to be consistently good. St Pauls, by Paternoster Square is probably the closest, that may be near your apartment. I don't have recommendations for anything particularly special in that immediate area, but you're spoiled for choice at lunchtime around there.
A video came up in my Youtube recommended page today that I'd already seen, but it brought to mind this thread.
Mysteries on the City Fringe | Clerkenwell Walk
There's links to other videos about this area in that video's description. I like John Rogers' videos a lot. He's got videos of walks he's made all over London, some in quite obscure, mundane locations, always packed with history and presented in a friendly way.
I'd also add to my post above, one must be aware that some of the smaller, independent deli sandwich places in Clerkenwell, and particularly The City, may not open at weekends. Their trade is almost totally Monday to Friday, serving those that work around there.
