London streets and the Tube 'emptied' as people leave capital for Bank Holiday breaks
Large parts of central London were noticeably emptier than usual on Good Friday as scores of people left the capital for Easter Bank Holiday weekend breaks.
A usually bustling Piccadilly was photographed deserted on Friday morning while other people remarked on how “empty” the city felt.
The Tube, which had far fewer rush hour commuters than a normal Friday, was said to be quiet with the few passengers who used the service welcoming the Bank Holiday peace.
One woman posted online: “Love working on bank holidays, an empty Central line.”
Another passenger said: “The Tube is amazing on bank holiday mornings. So empty, so happy.”
Wow, London is empty
— Raphaëlle Heaf (@raphaelleheaf) April 14, 2017
It's so freaky how quiet London is today #easterweekend #goodfriday
— Gabrielle Cooper (@Gabi_Cooper) April 14, 2017
London is eerily quiet this morning. Spooky.
— George Hankers (@GeorgeHankers) April 14, 2017
An empty overground train to Richmond, that's what I like 👅
— Teagan Kahlich-Limer (@teaganjo_) April 14, 2017
Vlad Spensers said: “I am actually amazed at how empty the trains are this morning…”
One photo posted online showed Piccadilly in the heart of London - but it was stripped of the usual hectic traffic and busy pavements.
Love London on a Bank Holiday. Empty. pic.twitter.com/NP022WI8dg
— HELEN & LUCY (@topbabyguru) April 14, 2017
On Instagram, London’s Hampstead Heath and Battersea Park were photographed looking mostly bare while a photo of a walkway alongside the River Lea near Stratford’s Queen Elizabeth Park showed just two solitary figures.
A post shared by Jake (@jakeyboylondon) on Apr 14, 2017 at 7:29am PDT
A post shared by Matthew Puddefoot (@mpuddefoot) on Apr 14, 2017 at 7:11am PDT
One woman called Laura Hardcastle shared a photo of the normally-crammed Borough Market in Southwark and said: "Only a local gets to see Borough Market so quiet".
Only a local gets to see @boroughmarket so quiet. ❤️🙏🏻👌🏻#local #shoplocal #boroughmarket #fresh
A post shared by Laura Hardcastle (@laurahardcastle) on Apr 14, 2017 at 1:52am PDT
Most workers clocked off for their long weekend on Thursday as drivers were warned to plan ahead with roads in and around London becoming clogged up with Easter traffic.
Around 6.6 million Brits are planning an overnight stay away from home over the Easter weekend and around 20 million car journeys are expected to be made over the four-day break.
Good Friday was the busiest day for travellers flying out of the UK with two million holiday-makers heading overseas during Easter.