Factory tour - getting there

[Scaleybrat]

I would like to do the factory tour next year and have looked at my options to get to Dartford.
My preference is to complete the travel and tour in a day (tours are run on a Friday morning 09.30-12.00). I can get a flight into City Airport scheduled to arrive at 08.00. Assuming it takes 20 mins to get out of the terminal, is it possible to get to Dartford in an hour at that time of the morning? I guess most of the traffic is going in the opposite direction but have no idea if this is the case. My other option is travel down the night before. Any hotels in the area close to the factory (Rennie Drive) that you can recommend?
Has anybody done the tour, any advice, comments etc.?

[framerateuk]

Can't help with the timings. But about 12 years ago when I bought my 7, I took it to the (old) Dartford factory to have some work done (rewired in the immobiliser which had been disconnected) and replace the windscreen. We had a quick tour of the old place, the new one looks much more impressive!

We stayed at the Hilton just off the Dartford tunnel and it was fine, and assuming you're not visiting during a peak time they're usually quite reasononable.

There's plenty of food places nearby, and you've got the Bluewater shopping center which has loads of food options and cinema ect. We stayed an extra night as the car was being worked on. It was easy to get around with taxis back then and I imagine with Uber now it would be even easier.

[Scaleybrat]

framerateuk said:

Can't help with the timings. But about 12 years ago when I bought my 7, I took it to the (old) Dartford factory to have some work done (rewired in the immobiliser which had been disconnected) and replace the windscreen. We had a quick tour of the old place, the new one looks much more impressive!

We stayed at the Hilton just off the Dartford tunnel and it was fine, and assuming you're not visiting during a peak time they're usually quite reasononable.

There's plenty of food places nearby, and you've got the Bluewater shopping center which has loads of food options and cinema ect. We stayed an extra night as the car was being worked on. It was easy to get around with taxis back then and I imagine with Uber now it would be even easier.

Thanks - I’ve now decided to do a 2 dayer and stay at the Doubletree - more relaxed, rather than panicking over travel delays.

[Steve Campbell]

Did the tour on Friday. Very interesting (if a bit geeky !). I live South Bucks so just drove around the M25 in the morning so can't help on the logistics or hotels etc.
The Wharf did a decent pub lunch afterwards and only a few mins drive away if you are in the car.

[Scaleybrat]

Quick update - I was contacted directly by one of the factory tour hosts on another forum and invited to a special tour with a later start time. This will allow me to do the tour on a day trip with flights in and out of LCY.