A Visit to the Crayon UK Office

This article is based on my own opinion

"As an employee of Crayon, I have had the opportunity to visit the company's UK office multiple times. In this article, I will share my personal experiences and offer tips and advice that may be useful for anyone planning to visit the UK."

Airport

If you plan to visit the Crayon UK office in Wooburn Green, flying into London Heathrow (LHR) is your best option. The office is less than 25 minutes away by car or taxi. However, if you can't fly from this airport, you can also consider London City, Stansted, or Gatwick airports. Keep in mind that London is a big city, so travel time will be much longer from these airports.

London Heathrow is the largest airport in the UK, serving over 80 million international passengers annually. It spans across 1,227 hectares and has six terminals and two runways that serve 80 different airlines. The airport is located just 26 kilometres west of Central London, which is convenient if you want to visit the city after your business trip. In comparison, London Gatwick is located 45km south of the city.

Taxi

If you're taking a taxi from Heathrow airport to the Crayon office, there are a few things to keep in mind. It's not recommended to follow the signs for the taxi stand or just walk to any taxi outside the airport, as you may end up in a London black taxi cab. While exciting at first, passengers must sit at the back and can't speak to the driver without using an intercom system. On arrival, they may ask for twice the fare due to the office's location outside of central London, plus a return fee. Instead, it's recommended to take an Uber or use the local A1 Taxi Service arranged by the Crayon office. A1 Taxi Service charges 50% less than black cabs and can pick you up from the arrival terminal if you provide your flight details in advance. If you have no reservation with A1, it's best to travel with Uber and follow the app's instructions to find them.

The Crayon UK office

The Crayon office is conveniently located in Wooburn Green, which is in close proximity to the M40 motorway connecting London and Birmingham. The village is also nearby popular destinations such as High Wycombe, Beaconsfield, and Marlow in Buckinghamshire county. You can easily access the office by taking a short 5-minute walk from the village to the Mercury Park business estate where the office is situated.

The village has a B&B, a few pubs, a supermarket and an Italian restaurant. It is the place to see a bit of English life and culture without any tourists around you.

The village was once served by the High Wycombe to Bourne End railway line, however, the line and station closed in 1970. Nowadays you have to travel to High Wycombe or Beaconsfield to take a train to London or Oxford.

Hotels and B&B's

If you need to stay overnight near the Crayon office, booking a hotel in central London may not be the best option due to heavy traffic during office hours. Instead, consider the following hotels located near Wooburn Green:

1. Gray's Inn - Wooburn Green
2. The Old Bell Country Inn - Wooburn Green
3. Premier Inn - High Wycombe / Beaconsfield

Gray's Inn

The Queen and Albert, now under new ownership, is my recommendation for those visiting the Crayon office. The accommodation is conveniently located less than 10 minutes walk away and serves a delicious English breakfast included in the price. Additionally, it is situated in the heart of Wooburn Green, making it a convenient spot to access the supermarket or take an evening stroll. Guests can also enjoy the convenience of a small bar located inside the accommodation.

The Old Bell Country Inn

I"I really enjoyed my stay at this B&B. The cosy atmosphere made it feel like home, and I almost forgot I was on a work trip. While it is a bit pricier than the Cray's Inn, it's worth it for the charming English pub located just below the rooms. Just keep in mind that pubs in the UK close at 11 PM, so plan accordingly. The owner's wife is Irish, which made me feel particularly at home given my own Irish connections. However, the B&B is about a 5-minute drive from the Crayon office, and walking would take about 30 minutes. There isn't much within walking distance, but the owners are happy to arrange a taxi for you. Overall, I highly recommend this B&B for a wonderful stay."

Premier Inn High Wycombe / Beaconsfield

First time I stayed here, it was nothing special. The place is big and commercial with a large parking lot. It's a bit remote and you'll need a taxi to get to the office. They have a local bar for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks but ask for an upfront payment and won't invoice your room. This isn't ideal for business travellers. However, the Premier Inn is known for the quality of its beds and pillows. If this is your priority, then the Premier Inn is a good option.

Oxford

High Wycombe and Beaconsfield are situated on the train line from Oxford to London, making it convenient to travel to either of these destinations. Moreover, visiting Oxford is also easy from here. However, I haven't yet had the chance to explore Oxford, but I will share my experience in my upcoming blog.

London

If you have some spare time, it's worth visiting London. You can take a direct train from Beaconsfield or High Wycombe to London Marylebone or Wembley every 20 or 30 minutes, and the journey takes less than 40 minutes. The cost of a train ticket to London is less than 10 pounds. For more information, check out Chiltern Railways.

Nearby

There are many other charming towns to explore in the vicinity, such as Ascot, Marlow, Legoland, Windsor and Eton . I will delve deeper into these destinations in my upcoming blogs.