London - Last minute trip before Christmas. Would you?

[Workyticket]

Madness or loads of fun?

Would be me, DH and ds who is 9. We've been before but not for years.

Wondering where we could stay / what we could get up to last minute. Maybe the 20th and 21st?

[Welcometothejingles]

Probably the 12th night so 6th Jan but best Google online to check. Loads of people ce to see the lights so they won't take them down too soon.

[Doughnuts68]

Does anyone know what date the decorations come down in January?

[mug2018]

Do it .. I just come back from a weekend in London and it was fabulous
Harrods was horrible though: way too busy & if you travel by train that too is crazy busy: train booked for 3.30 but couldn't get on that or the next one an hour later & apparently seat bookings didn't apply as the trains were over booked 😣

[Powertoyou]

Definitely recommend the river boats, try and get on before city lights come on, it’s magical when they light up. Just tap with debit card. Try booking the Sky garden, it’s free.
Upstairs on a London bus is brilliant as well.
Visit hamleys, buts it’s expensive. Enjoy London.

[Workyticket]

We drove last time we went to London. Think we stayed in a Premier Inn near Tower Bridge whixh had a car park.

Can't see anything about parking at Southwark

[Workyticket]

@MsTSwift

Southwark and all the central premier inn family rooms were booked when I looked 2 weeks ago - that would have been our first choice

They're showing as available for me. Maybe because we're looking at a Monday and Tuesday now

[MsTSwift]

Southwark and all the central premier inn family rooms were booked when I looked 2 weeks ago - that would have been our first choice

[Doomscrolling]

A reservation for the ice cream parlour at Fortnam’s is always a great thing to do with kids.

[Doomscrolling]

If you definitely have to do Hamley’s, arrive as they first open. Otherwise it’s such a ghastly crush you can’t really see anything or browse.

[languagelover96]

Festive afternoon tea somewhere nice

[overthethamesfromyou]

Premier Inn at Southwark near the Tate Modern have family rooms for £85. It's an easy walk to the South Bank, Waterloo and West End

[AuntieMarys]

We've just back...our 3rd trip in 6 weeks! Very busy but that's how it should be. Have fun!!!

[MsTSwift]

We booked this 2 weeks ago same dates. All central premier inns fully booked we got family room in old street one. Somerset house skating booked. Got royal academy and sky garden tickets though

[Workyticket]

Is it mad busy finding places to eat @Twiglets1?

Ds definitely wants to go to Hamleys so we'd get up early for that. I'd love Winter Wonderland. Neither dh or ds are keen on rides but the ice thing looks lovely 😍

[Twiglets1]

Yes, why not? I’m in London at the moment and the Christmas lights all around Marylebone/Oxford street/Regents street are lovely. Plus the shows are on again and all the restaurants have lovely decorations

[Workyticket]

I just need to convince my Grinshill like husband and decide on a Premier Inn now!

[Workyticket]

Me and dh are both teachers in FE college. Classes of 25+ teenagers and adults unmasked. We've all had covid, we're double jabbed....blah

Just checked and there's availability for WinterWonderland. Anyone been??

Definitely booking, I woke up excited!

[CheesyChipsOnWembleyWay]

I love a Christmas trip to London, yes it's busy but you expect that. We have booked a cheap travelodge, winter wonderland, then will do Lego store, Hamleys, carnaby street and the 139 bus to see the lights. Would like to get up to Covent Garden but not sure we will fit it in.

[Welcometothejingles]

If you want to go to hamleys, get there just before opening time as it gets busy very quickly. I walked past there recently & was a queue of around 60 people waiting to get in at around 1pm. So plan an early morning visit for that one to avoid getting overwhelmed.

[Werehamster]

There's always one... hmm

London's no more rife with it than anywhere else in the country! Plus, mask wearing is really high here at the moment. People have taken heed of the warnings, especially on public transport and in shops.

Well, the OP asked for our opinions. 🤷🏼‍♀️
I just gave mine.

[Loudestcat14]

@Werehamster

Personally, I wouldn't. If you pick up Omicron, then it's not just you but everyone you come into contact with who will have to isolate. I think it's utter madness to travel at the moment. Sorry to be the Grinch. :/

There's always one...

London's no more rife with it than anywhere else in the country! Plus, mask wearing is really high here at the moment. People have taken heed of the warnings, especially on public transport and in shops.

[H1Drangea]

We went last week , ( just 2 adults , to see our grown up DC who live and work there )
We stayed in South Kensington ( our train was to Paddington, easy to get there ) at the Copthorne Tara , which was a bit dated but clean and in budget , £110 for one night
Caught the tube to Bond Street and walked ( for miles ! ) looking at the lights , had coffee and cake in cafe concerto
Carnaby Street had the best lights imho
Dinner in Covent Garden , more walking then tube back to the hotel
Next day we walked along Kensington Gardens ( saw a police motorcade , outriders , posh car and escort car , which I’m sure Londoners roll their eyes at , but very exciting for us country bumpkins ! ) met DD in Harrods for a few hours , she’s more interested in designer handbags then toys though !
We had a super time , so glad we went

[Doveyouknow]

I live in London and it is fairly busy but it's Christmas! The lights are lovely, skating will be great. I would avoid hamleys though..

[HelloDulling]

Am taking teen DD and her friend on 18th/19th weekend. It will be busy, but fun.

[ElfontheShelfisLookingatYou]

Harrods toy area is usually much better than hamleys but it's years since I've been

Bond Street is fabulous then walk through burljngton arcade to fortnum and mason and then jermyn Street.