i was wondering where the safest places to spend the night sleeping outside in london are? i intend to spend a few days up there but am not used to sleeping outside in the city.
No frankly it is an inane insane idea
Or are you thinking of a reputable camp site out side of London.
I used to work with rough sleepers in London and the few women were all either druggys/ex or current mental helth patients/ prostitues or a mixture of all of them. They were used and abused regularly.
As an added bonus the police will give you a hard time too
Find a cheap hostel/b+b it might not be very nice but it will be safer.
I've done a bit of backpacking and sleeping rough, but I avoid sleeping out in towns and cities at all costs. I'm a native of London, and it seems like the last place I would want to sleep outside - although, with the prices for accommodation (and everything else) down there, I can understand why someone might consider this option. But I would go with Dave's suggestion.
If you *are* thinking of campsites, you'd need to go quite a long way out of London - you'll find some around the outskirts, 20-30 miles out of the centre. But they wouldn't necessarily be very accessible on public transport - and London isn't particularly accessible by car.
to answer your question directly, if i really really had to sleep rough in london, i would head east on the canal, and sleep near some inhabited narrowboats.
if i wanted to visit london and didnt have money for lodgings, i wouldnt bother.
buy the DVD instead
phillipa gorge might just be a young person who lacks experience in our cold, cruel world.
I once was a teenager who arrived a day early for my summer job in Yellowstone Park. I wasn't worried, because I had my sleeping bag, and I figured I could sleep in a doorway or something. A park ranger kindly informed me that grizzly bears do wander about the place at night, even in the built-up areas of the park, and directed me to a nearby bunkhouse.
So how can you tell me you're lonely,
And say for you that the sun don't shine?
Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London
I'll show you something to make you change your mind.
Many nights among the bears of Yellowstone have convinced me that a bedroll on the ground there is far safer than most urban hotels, let alone roughing it in a city. Bears lack most of the darker ulterior motives common among our own species....
I wouldn't recommend "sleeping outside in London or anywhere else... not even a small rural town. You could be in danger anywhere if you are exposed "out in the open".
However, is this what the original poster actually meant?
Some have suggested that "camping" might be a possibility and if she had a camper van then it might be possible to find a quite corner somewhere. Not in Picadilly Circus, obviously, but somewhere further out.
However, I probably wouldn't even consider a camper van if I was visiting somewhere London although it's been a handy option even in large towns and smaller cities eg Aberdeen. Accommodation would probably be the best option here.
No, not safe unless you can borrow a pitbull, even then... If you have a suitcase or bag and can afford the fare, you could take the tube or bus out to Heathrow or Gatwick and make out you're a passenger waiting for a flight, hang out ,and sleep at the airport. Back in the day we'd hitch down to London go to a folk club, usually meet someone and be able to kip on the floor somewhere. Then there was the all night folkclub, Les Cousins, where you'd listen all night to Bert Jansch, Keith Christmas, Sam Mitchell, Jo Ann Kelly, Duffy Power etc. then stumble out into the dawn. We also used to sleep in busses, get on via the emergency door at the back... A nice place to try would be the Inspiral Lounge at Camden Lock. It's open till 2 a.m., great food and music, nice people. You could meet someone who'll let you kip on their floor if you're not too weird http://www.inspiralled.net/
Please don't sleep out rough at night in London if you're a woman or a sensitive young bloke, there are some real predators out there
Has anyone any evidence that this is not a wind-up ?
Or maybe, alternatively, a troubled young person seeking to run away from home ?
There's always the YHA for anyone who doesn't mind hostels, but clean and reputable.
I think it´s quite clearly a wind-up. If you´ve been on the yellow board long enough, you can tell them a mile off.
But it´s still an opportunity for a bit of banter, so no harm´s done.
I wouldn't hesitate to sleep rough in London. In fact, it top of my list of exciting experiences. If you have a tent I would recommend Hyde Park. Otherwise just collect a few cardboard boxes and head down to the East End.
Sleeping indoors in London can be even more harrowing.
Each evening before retiring to my quaint Ealing hotel room a different young "bird" or "wastrel" or "gamine" would ingratiate herself by the use of some intriguing ploy and sleep was then as fitful as on any park bench. The sixties, man. And the 1860s were the same I hear.
Stay awake for as long as poss, about 3 days should be achievable, see everything and then commit a commendable crime such as mugging a banker. You should get a few weeks inside with bed, board and interesting neighbours.
Linguistically, 'The North' starts where people say "cOOp'"and "bAth", rather than "cUp" and "bAHth" (or "bAAth" - if you're from Bath, perhaps) - which corresponds roughly with the Watford Gap, Northants (not to be confused with Watford, Herts, which is within tickling distance of London) - thus, it includes Birmingham, Leicester, Nottingham, etc. If you're from York, however, then The South probably starts at Doncaster.
sleeping outside in london...safe?
sleeping outside in london...safe?
i was wondering where the safest places to spend the night sleeping outside in london are? i intend to spend a few days up there but am not used to sleeping outside in the city.
# Posted on October 13th 2009 by phillipa gorge
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
There are plenty of people doing that in London, but I wouldnt want to join them......Book in somewhere...
# Posted on October 13th 2009 by seaniemcg
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
Try a Google search like "cheap bed and breakfast london" or "budget hostel london"--lots of possibilities.
# Posted on October 13th 2009 by John Galt
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
No frankly it is an inane insane idea
Or are you thinking of a reputable camp site out side of London.
I used to work with rough sleepers in London and the few women were all either druggys/ex or current mental helth patients/ prostitues or a mixture of all of them. They were used and abused regularly.
As an added bonus the police will give you a hard time too
Find a cheap hostel/b+b it might not be very nice but it will be safer.
# Posted on October 13th 2009 by bazouki dave
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
I've done a bit of backpacking and sleeping rough, but I avoid sleeping out in towns and cities at all costs. I'm a native of London, and it seems like the last place I would want to sleep outside - although, with the prices for accommodation (and everything else) down there, I can understand why someone might consider this option. But I would go with Dave's suggestion.
If you *are* thinking of campsites, you'd need to go quite a long way out of London - you'll find some around the outskirts, 20-30 miles out of the centre. But they wouldn't necessarily be very accessible on public transport - and London isn't particularly accessible by car.
# Posted on October 13th 2009 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
Sorry - and I know people will probably take me to task for this - but I really have never liked London and have never felt safe there.
# Posted on October 13th 2009 by Mark Harmer
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
troll perhaps?
try couchsurfing.org
to answer your question directly, if i really really had to sleep rough in london, i would head east on the canal, and sleep near some inhabited narrowboats.
if i wanted to visit london and didnt have money for lodgings, i wouldnt bother.
buy the DVD instead
# Posted on October 13th 2009 by rumpole
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
And the connection with ITM is..........
We know nothing about this person . The more I think the odder this request is?
# Posted on October 13th 2009 by bazouki dave
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
phillipa gorge might just be a young person who lacks experience in our cold, cruel world.
I once was a teenager who arrived a day early for my summer job in Yellowstone Park. I wasn't worried, because I had my sleeping bag, and I figured I could sleep in a doorway or something. A park ranger kindly informed me that grizzly bears do wander about the place at night, even in the built-up areas of the park, and directed me to a nearby bunkhouse.
# Posted on October 13th 2009 by John Galt
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
There was a recent sleepout in Potter's Field; http://www.bytenight.org.uk/bytenight-london.cfm
# Posted on October 13th 2009 by Ben Steen
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
Frankly I would feel safer with the bears
# Posted on October 13th 2009 by bazouki dave
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
You might find information on the Internet about all-night cafes.
# Posted on October 13th 2009 by nicholas
London...
in any case ~ hope you enjoy your visit. be sure & find a friendly pub with a good session phillipa
# Posted on October 13th 2009 by Ben Steen
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
So how can you tell me you're lonely,
And say for you that the sun don't shine?
Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London
I'll show you something to make you change your mind.
Good Luck!
# Posted on October 14th 2009 by Free Reed
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
Good to know romance is still alive in Mustardville ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55Yp8vecWXM&feature
# Posted on October 14th 2009 by Ben Steen
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
Many nights among the bears of Yellowstone have convinced me that a bedroll on the ground there is far safer than most urban hotels, let alone roughing it in a city. Bears lack most of the darker ulterior motives common among our own species....
# Posted on October 14th 2009 by Will Harmon
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
yeah... bears are pretty laid back....all they wanna do is eat your face...thats better than being mugged i guess, lol jk
...bears scare me though :(
# Posted on October 14th 2009 by steve...r
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
Bear pit. London Zoo.
# Posted on October 14th 2009 by just4fun
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
I wouldn't recommend "sleeping outside in London or anywhere else... not even a small rural town. You could be in danger anywhere if you are exposed "out in the open".
However, is this what the original poster actually meant?
Some have suggested that "camping" might be a possibility and if she had a camper van then it might be possible to find a quite corner somewhere. Not in Picadilly Circus, obviously, but somewhere further out.
However, I probably wouldn't even consider a camper van if I was visiting somewhere London although it's been a handy option even in large towns and smaller cities eg Aberdeen. Accommodation would probably be the best option here.
# Posted on October 14th 2009 by John J.
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
Oops.. "Quiet* corner
# Posted on October 14th 2009 by John J.
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
wtf......this ist the st vincent de paul web site..
# Posted on October 14th 2009 by mise
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
lunatic
# Posted on October 14th 2009 by mise
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
No, not safe unless you can borrow a pitbull, even then... If you have a suitcase or bag and can afford the fare, you could take the tube or bus out to Heathrow or Gatwick and make out you're a passenger waiting for a flight, hang out ,and sleep at the airport. Back in the day we'd hitch down to London go to a folk club, usually meet someone and be able to kip on the floor somewhere. Then there was the all night folkclub, Les Cousins, where you'd listen all night to Bert Jansch, Keith Christmas, Sam Mitchell, Jo Ann Kelly, Duffy Power etc. then stumble out into the dawn. We also used to sleep in busses, get on via the emergency door at the back... A nice place to try would be the Inspiral Lounge at Camden Lock. It's open till 2 a.m., great food and music, nice people. You could meet someone who'll let you kip on their floor if you're not too weird
http://www.inspiralled.net/
Please don't sleep out rough at night in London if you're a woman or a sensitive young bloke, there are some real predators out there
# Posted on October 14th 2009 by Steamwilkes
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
Has anyone any evidence that this is not a wind-up ?
Or maybe, alternatively, a troubled young person seeking to run away from home ?
There's always the YHA for anyone who doesn't mind hostels, but clean and reputable.
# Posted on October 14th 2009 by Guernsey Pete
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
I think it´s quite clearly a wind-up. If you´ve been on the yellow board long enough, you can tell them a mile off.
But it´s still an opportunity for a bit of banter, so no harm´s done.
# Posted on October 14th 2009 by murfbox
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
I wouldn't hesitate to sleep rough in London. In fact, it top of my list of exciting experiences. If you have a tent I would recommend Hyde Park. Otherwise just collect a few cardboard boxes and head down to the East End.
# Posted on October 14th 2009 by greg sheils
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
Sleeping indoors in London can be even more harrowing.
Each evening before retiring to my quaint Ealing hotel room a different young "bird" or "wastrel" or "gamine" would ingratiate herself by the use of some intriguing ploy and sleep was then as fitful as on any park bench. The sixties, man. And the 1860s were the same I hear.
# Posted on October 14th 2009 by NEW Pure Drop® Ear Canal Oil
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
Stay awake for as long as poss, about 3 days should be achievable, see everything and then commit a commendable crime such as mugging a banker. You should get a few weeks inside with bed, board and interesting neighbours.
# Posted on October 14th 2009 by strayaway
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
Who goes "up" to London? From Kent?
# Posted on October 14th 2009 by de Selby
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
People from anywhere in 'the south' who think 'the north' starts at Watford and people from the real north who want to sound posh.
# Posted on October 14th 2009 by David50
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
But probably not people who sleep outside wherever they come from.
# Posted on October 14th 2009 by David50
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
If she is arty they might let her into an artists' squat.
Or crash out in the window of an empty-shop exhibition space as an exhibit.
These places exist. Heavens above, I don't know the low-down on them, but Mr. Google might.
# Posted on October 14th 2009 by nicholas
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
I don't think we can assume it's a "she." The screen name might just be pun, like "Phil McCracken"...
# Posted on October 14th 2009 by John Galt
Sorry Forrrest don't understand that one Ive led a very sheltered life. could you please explain
# Posted on October 14th 2009 by bazouki dave
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
He means Phillip McCavity
# Posted on October 14th 2009 by mcknowall
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
Linguistically, 'The North' starts where people say "cOOp'"and "bAth", rather than "cUp" and "bAHth" (or "bAAth" - if you're from Bath, perhaps) - which corresponds roughly with the Watford Gap, Northants (not to be confused with Watford, Herts, which is within tickling distance of London) - thus, it includes Birmingham, Leicester, Nottingham, etc. If you're from York, however, then The South probably starts at Doncaster.
# Posted on October 16th 2009 by CreadurMawnOrganig
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
As far as I am concerned the South starts at Lanark! Bunch of Jessies!
# Posted on October 16th 2009 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
For me, Dumfries IS the South.
# Posted on October 16th 2009 by DrSilverSpear
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
But not Lanark then?
# Posted on October 16th 2009 by No Cause For Alarm
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
Nope.
# Posted on October 17th 2009 by DrSilverSpear
Re: sleeping outside in london...safe?
OrganicPeatCreature are you a southerner ? Lancashire is cUp and bAth. And bewk not buk.
# Posted on October 17th 2009 by David50