Between Christmas (sorry) and New Year in London with dd 10. Suggestions, please?

[Bringmesunshite]

Hi we've got a few days booked in London between Christmas (sorry, again!) and New Year this year. We will be going to see The Cursed Child in the evenings. Dd(10) has never been to London.
Dh and I are planning a museum frenzy and Tower of London with her but I wondered if there was something particularly Christmassy (I really am very sorry) that you can recommend. I will do research nearer the time, of course, but I'd be grateful for a few pointers.
Also, given the likelihood of poor weather should I save The London Eye for a spring/summer visit?

[mummymeister]

I would go for the cheapest possible hotel if I were you. in order to get something half decent you end up paying a huge amount. so we always stay bucket in the centre around Kings Cross area and spend the money we have "saved" on nice food and attractions. no need to book the London eye you can turn up on the day so wait and see on that one.

[soundsystem]

Ice skating! There's a rink next to the Science Museum/Natural History Museum and one at Somerset House.

Winter wonderland. It is kind of hellish but children of all ages do seem to love it. You can combine it with seeing the lights on Oxford Street (which aren't usually that great to be honest, but they are festive!) and the Selfridges windows.

Will have a think what else...

[RTKM007]

If she is Harry Potter fan what about a visit to the film studios in Leavesden, Watford, 20 mins on train from Euston, then a very short bus ride on special Harry Potter bus (about 10 mins)

The visit would take at least 3 hours so plan to go early in the morning so you won't be rushed thru

We went again the other day and so much had changed in the last year, obviously the Forbidden Forest has just opened but it is a deffo brill day out esp for a Harry Potter fan

It will be set out in the Christmas theme then

Are you doing Cursed child in one day or across two days?

Whatever you do have a fab time

[RTKM007]

Sorry just seen you are doing 2 evenings at CC

btw we spent 5 hours in HP studios and we could have spent longer but they were closing, hence my tip to go in the morning so you can spend all day if you want

[noramum]

The iceskating rings are still open, there are several in London but I would advise to pre-book as the period between Christmas and NY is quite busy.

When you want to see the Crown Jewels, go first when you come to the Tower, we went last year after Christmas and at 1pm the queue was huge.

Winter Wonderland - I think it is a case of hate/love. It is more a funfair and can get expensive but I know people who love it and return each year. I personally think Christmas in London sucks, it is not a lot of atmosphere in my view.

The Eye, I went twice and still can't really see the attraction. I wouldn't book, if it is really a great day just go and see how bad the queues are. Alternatively look out and see if you can get tickets for the SkyGarden, it is the top of a huge office building near Fenchurch Street, free but tickets go very quickly and you need a passport/identification document.

[BeMorePanda]

Christmas lights/decoration tour - Oxford/Regent Street, Covent Garden, Trafalgar Square, all the department store windows esp Selfridges/Harvey Nichols/Harrods.

If weather is rotten do it from the top of a bus. We are Londoners and do this every year.

Also Winter Wonderland is on and I'm in the LOVE IT camp. Even if you don't like the rides, eat sausages in the Beer Hall while listening to the cheesy bands, or outside by the open fires.

[Bringmesunshite]

Thanks so much everyone- really helpful. We visited the HP studio last year (pre Forbidden Forest). It'll be on the "To do again " list but we'll probably give it a miss for a bit.
We're coming down from NW England and it will be dd's first time in London.