London this afternoon with DC?

[SerenaVanDerWoodsen]

We are planning to go and look at the Christmas lights in London later on. We are meeting DS and family, so there’ll be 4 children from 2-8 years. What can we do for a few hours this afternoon before it gets dark? It’s a bit last minute so tricky for any pre- bookable events.

Visit Hamleys
Southbank is always a lovely walk with lots to see
Trafalgar Square and the galleries
Science museum
Covent Garden and London Transport Museum
Open top bus ride (dress warmly!)
River trip

Dont go to Hamleys. Went yesterday and it was absolutely heaving but then all of London was the busiest I've ever seen it (and I used to live there).
I'd do Southbank, science museum.

Covent Garden, walk along the Thames, maybe go to the Parks and run around. Buckingham palace, walk across the park to get there.

South bank there’s a fair and food stalls etc

I also suggest south bank. Lovely walk, often some art displays and busy enough to feel lively without being overcrowded.

We just discovered the bus route 139 from Waterloo- We got on near the imax at Waterloo. Got off at selfridges before bus turned right.

great Route for seeing the lights, and you can now travel unlimited buses within an hour, so you could hop on/off

secretldn.com/most-christmassy-bus-route-london/

Thanks everyone. Some great ideas and the bus route sounds brilliant.