Also if you do go through the tube queue, once you get on the platform head for a far end then don't get on the first train that turns up. Hang back and wait to be at the front of the queue for the next one so you get a few minutes of peace as the platform empties and (usually) a seat on the train

In my experience arriving is generally busy but not rammed, esp if you're earylish. When everyone is leaving it gets pretty packed but they manage the queues very well to keep the platforms quiet. If they have time I'd suggest just waiting around the arena somewhere quiet for the queue to go down.

I once had to fly to Dublin with an automatic greenhouse window opener in my hand luggage (blame my dad). Large wax cylinder and associated metal contraption were unsurprisingly suspicious to the security guys at Birmingham airport, but they let me take it once they saw the label on the box...

My brother used to live in a house (Leeds industrial revolution-era terrace situation) that had a massive boulder in the basement. They clearly couldn't be bothered with moving it so just built the house on top