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Car Hire Twickenham
All you need to know about hiring a car in Twickenham
When you think about Twickenham, what comes to mind? It’s probably sport – because this ‘rugby capital’ not only features the famous Twickenham Stoop stadium (the second-largest in the UK after Wembley, and the biggest in the Six Nations) but is also home to the Harlequins team.
But aside from its sporting connections, hiring a car in Twickenham gives you the chance to see a range of sights – and even venture into neighbouring boroughs like Richmond and Hammersmith. You can take a glimpse at famous Turner artworks in the home of William Turner; take in the Orleans House Gallery and its modern art collection; explore the gothic, castle-like home of author Horace Walpole; and even take a turn around York House Gardens, complete with ancient fountains.
Hiring a car in Twickenham can also give you the chance to indulge in a little retail therapy. Twickenham’s Church Street is full of quaint shops and homely pubs, and for big spenders, there’s Treaty Shopping Centre. Head to St Margarets and Crown Road, and you could even take a look at specialist jewellery as well as a butchers, cheese shop and haberdashery – ideal for young couples, or groups looking for some leisure time.
When you hire a car in Twickenham, you might also consider a trip to the famous Eel Pie Island. Sited on the Thames, it features a lovely hotel that’s been played by giants of the music world – think Pink Floyd, the Stones and even The Who.
Driving zones
It wouldn’t be a roadtrip, short stay or quick visit without a word about driving zones. Hire a car in Twickenham, and you’ll likely be driving at around 20mph in residential areas. It’s thanks to Sadiq Khan's ‘safer London’ policy – and it’s not the only traffic-calming measure, with humps and islands also featuring in the borough.
Twickenham is part of the LEZ and ULEZ zones, meaning you’ll have to pay a charge when you pass through them. There’s lots of information on the local council website about this, and some details further on.
Road links
Carving Twickenham in half is the Great Chertsey Road – a route you almost can’t avoid when hiring a car in Twickenham. Once it crosses Twickenham Bridge, it becomes Twickenham Road – and the speed can vary in different parts, so be mindful of signs and if possible, check before you travel.
Radio stations
London is reportedly one of the busiest cities in the world, and certainly in the UK. That means lots of traffic – from tourists, residents and commuters alike. You might need to adjust plans when travelling at peak times, but you can also tune into stations like BBC London 94.9 and Capital FM London 95.8 to get the latest travel news, disruptions and closures. Some sat navs and maps, like Google Maps, update in real-time, or you can visit The AA website.
Things to do
We’ve already covered lots of sight-seeing and activities to tick off your list when hiring a car in Twickenham – and there are events and attractions for everyone to enjoy, as well as surrounding areas to visit, like Kingston-upon-Thames and Richmond (not to mention the beautiful, meandering Thames).
With so much to do in London, you could even hire a car in Twickenham and travel further into the capital – like seeing a show at the 02 or Apollo, or taking the kids to Thorpe Park. All of these are within 30-40 minutes of Twickenham (depending on traffic).
Parking and airports
If you hire a car in Twickenham, you’ll be pleased to hear that most major venues and attractions have on-site parking (though do check before you travel). It’s also possible to ‘park and ride’, and take advantage of cheap tube travel to whizz around the capital.
For a holiday abroad, just pick from one of the main London airports:
• Stansted and Luton (North)
• London City and Southend (East)
• Gatwick (South)
• Heathrow (West – closest to Twickenham)
However, be mindful of airport charges. Heathrow costs £5 every time you enter the terminal, and the longer the stay, the more you’ll pay. You can also park at the airport for holiday parking, though this is likely to need booking in advance.
Tolls and charges
Our quick and easy guide explains the various tolls and charges in the city:
• Dartford Crossing: Crossing the Thames, this can be paid through a Dart Charge account or Payzone store. However, there are certain times where travel is free, so check first.
• Congestion Charge: A daily charge applying to more traffic- and pollution-prone areas, find out more here.
• ULEZ and LEZ: These affect areas like the North and South Circular Roads, however there are exemptions. Check the TfL website for more.
Other help and advice
Hiring a car in Twickenham doesn’t have to be difficult! With our fantastic range of vehicles, high-quality service and tailored add-ons like insurance, all that’s left to do is drive. Find out more by contacting the team today.