Minibus Hire Twickenham

All you need to know about hiring an MPV or minibus in Twickenham

A destination that’s most famous for its rugby and its home stadium, Twickenham Stoop, you’d be surprised to learn that Twickenham has a lot more to offer besides sport. This is a London destination packed with sights, and being close to postcodes like Richmond and Hammersmith, there’s plenty to do within a short radius, too.

When on a group trip in a minibus or MPV, Twickenham Stoop is the place you’re likely to start – the second-largest stadium in the UK after Wembley, and home to the local rugby team, the Harlequins. It’s also the biggest stadium in the Six Nations, and has played host to several Rugby World Cups in its time.

Twickenham is also home to an array of stunning heritage properties. You’ll find Turner’s house here, once home to the great landscape painter J. M. W. Turner (known as William Turner). A quirky gem for art lovers to get lost in, it displays some of his finest works – but it’s also a timewarp for the period when he worked, perfectly preserving his home how it might have looked back in the 18th and 19th centuries. The property also boasts beautifully planted gardens, which no doubt served as his inspiration.

More cultured tastes will love Orleans House Gallery with its modern art collection and Baroque-era octagon room, and Strawberry Hill house and garden, transformed by the author Horace Walpole into a ‘little gothic castle’ complete with pinnacles, battlements and round tower.
If nature is more your thing, you’ll enjoy a stroll in York House Gardens, elegant formal gardens that feature beautiful statues and ancient fountains. A trip to Eel Pie Island could also be on the cards – it’s an island on the River Thames with a picturesque hotel that’s played host to music greats like The Rolling Stones, The Who and Pink Floyd.

Driving zones

Twickenham has a borough-wide 20mph residential speed limit, inspired in part by Vision Zero, Sadiq Khan’s ‘safer London’ policy. The council says this reduces speeds, improves air quality and prevents the need for traffic calming measures like humps. However, some roads are excluded – namely major A roads in the area.

The borough also sits in LEZ and ULEZ (Low Emission Zone and Ultra Low Emission Zone). There’s a charge to drive in the zones, but which you need to pay – and which category your MPV or minibus falls under – may differ. It’s best to check the local council website for more details.

Road links

The Great Chertsey Road is your main road link through Twickenham, which runs down the centre of the borough, before becoming Twickenham Road once it crosses Twickenham Bridge. This is a fast-moving road with much of it set at a 40mph limit, though many residential streets in the area may be subject to a 20mph limit since Sadiq Khan cracked down on road safety in the capital.

Being the capital, traffic can be busy, especially during peak commuting hours. But when driving your MPV or minibus, just tune into local radio stations to get all the updates on flow – like BBC London 94.9 and Capital FM London 95.8, which broadcast regular travel bulletins. Disruptions and closures are also often published on The AA website, or you can check Google Maps, which reflects live disruptions.

Events and attractions

One of the best reasons to come to Twickenham – be it for a lad’s weekend, hen party or family day out – is its proximity to other London sights. Richmond is the closest borough, where you’ll find Richmond Park, the fabulous Isabella Plantation, and Ham House, a National Trust property once owned by Charles I.

Also nearby is Kingston-upon-Thames, a trendy shopping district packed with pubs, restaurants and shops alike. Or, if walking is more your thing, simply follow the path of the Thames, marvelling at the immense properties that line the riverbank.

Of course, a trip into the heart of the capital is a breeze, even by MPV or minibus. Driving to huge event venues – think the 02 or the Apollo – won’t take too long from your base in Twickenham. For example, Wembley and the Royal Albert Hall are both around 30-40 minutes’ drive, while family attractions like Thorpe Park can be reached in less than half an hour.

Pretty much all large event venues in the capital have on-site parking, but using a residential street or option for park-and-ride with the tube or overground is also an option. However, we’d advise checking any MPV or minibus restrictions before travelling.

Airport parking, pick-up and drop-off

If you or your guests are coming from abroad, there’s a range of airports in the City that prove useful. These are:

   •   Stansted and Luton (North)
   •   London City and Southend (East)
   •   Gatwick (South)
   •   Heathrow (West)

Heathrow is likely to be your closest airport when staying in Twickenham, but it doesn’t take long to drive around the capital.

Even when visiting an airport for pick-up or drop-off, be mindful of charges – particularly at Heathrow, which charges you £5 each time a vehicle enters the terminal. Also, be sure you’re informed about airport restrictions (such as height restrictions) and length of stay. Finally, a once-over of your insurance can prove useful!

Tolls and charges

Here’s some quick-and-easy information about charges and tolls across London.
   •   Dartford Crossing: A Thames River crossing located to the East of the city, there’s a toll costing up to £6 per crossing if travelling between 6 am-10 pm. Pay through Payzone or a Dart Charge account.
   •   Congestion Charge: A staggering £15 daily charge, this fee is designed to cut pollution and traffic. It applies every day at specific hours – read more here.
   •   ULEZ: Applying daily to areas within London’s North and South Circular Roads, it’s currently set at £12.50 per day. Pay here.
   •   LEZ: An alternative to ULEZ for larger, heavier vehicles, the TfL website has information about who’s liable.

Other help and advice

When planning an MPV or minibus trip, it pays to be prepared. Our experts can recommend vehicles, add-on insurance, offer driving tips and even give you extras like unlimited mileage. To find out more or book your vehicle, get in touch today.

Twickenham Minibus & MPV Hire