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Original poster

Should I cancel holiday in London next weekend?

48 replies

threadneedle · 09/09/2022 09:05

Dd has had a very tough year, she was very unwell but thankfully has made a good recovery and is starting art college at the end of the month. She had her 18th birthday when she was sick and we promised her a trip to London when she was better. Last week we decided to go for it and booked flights and accommodation in South Kensington. We planned to go to the National Gallery, Wallace Collection, V&A, and a trip to portobello market on Friday for vintage clothes shopping. Managed to get tickets to Cabaret too! I actually had tickets for the tour of Buckingham Palace too 😞

Now I'm not sure what to do. I imagine the area we are staying in will be incredibly busy, I remember vividly the aftermath of Diana's death, the crowds and the palpable sadness in the air.

I want this trip to be a joyful occasion for dd, she's very sensitive and I think we'd both struggle not to pick up on the sadness.

Would you go ahead anyway or try to rearrange?

OP posts:
DoThePropeller · 09/09/2022 09:12

I’d probably rearrange if you can without losing money, otherwise I’d go and maybe just tweak activities slightly based on busy locations. I’d give National Gallery a miss but think South Ken and V&A should be ok, busier sure but I think far enough away that you won’t get caught up in too much.

waltzingparrot · 09/09/2022 09:20

I'd rearrange if you can. I expect there will be lots of barriers going up, police and security around - it may not have a relaxed feel about it.

NeedWineNow · 09/09/2022 09:28

I'd go. It will undoubtedly be busier, but as the Queen herself would undoubtedly have said, life does have to go on. We've got tickets for a boat experience on the Thames next Wednesday and we are still going, albeit we will go via Buckingham Palace and lay some flowers. Anywhere near the Palace will be busy, but you should be ok with the other events that you have planned.

Original poster
threadneedle · 09/09/2022 09:40

Thank for your thoughts. My instinct is to rearrange tbh but It's hard to decide, on the one hand it will be such a memorable time to be in London, on the other it won't be the relaxed break we'd been expecting.

I'll have a look at whether we can rearrange flights and accommodation without losing too much money.

OP posts:
Windbeneathmybingowings · 09/09/2022 09:41

I’m local and I would rearrange. It’s going to be massively busy here and you won’t be able to get a thing done.

passport123 · 09/09/2022 10:20

NeedWineNow · 09/09/2022 09:28

I'd go. It will undoubtedly be busier, but as the Queen herself would undoubtedly have said, life does have to go on. We've got tickets for a boat experience on the Thames next Wednesday and we are still going, albeit we will go via Buckingham Palace and lay some flowers. Anywhere near the Palace will be busy, but you should be ok with the other events that you have planned.

Why lay flowers? Did you know her? They will rot with thousands of others. Give the money you’d have spent buying them to charity.

Windbeneathmybingowings · 09/09/2022 10:33

passport123 · 09/09/2022 10:20

Why lay flowers? Did you know her? They will rot with thousands of others. Give the money you’d have spent buying them to charity.

Show quote history

They don’t rot. They are given to hospitals and charities and libraries and all sorts - along with any teddies or gifts

yikesanotherbooboo · 09/09/2022 11:22

I would go, it will be busy and it is possible that some things will be closed but on the other hand this is history happening which will make it memorable.

sageandbasil · 09/09/2022 13:26

@passport123 what a stupid thing to say. Everyone knew her she was our queen for 70 years.

passport123 · 09/09/2022 13:31

sageandbasil · 09/09/2022 13:26

@passport123 what a stupid thing to say. Everyone knew her she was our queen for 70 years.

No. I didn't know her. Never met her. I knew of her.
The sign of the mountain of rotting flowers and soft toys when Diana died was hideous. How much good could the money spent on all that tat have done if given to charity?

JohnsShirt · 09/09/2022 13:33

Sod that, I'm going on the 22nd and I can't wait!

Doveyouknow · 09/09/2022 13:37

I imagine it will be busier around Buckingham palace but it should be fine around Kensington. London is huge so can absorb a lot of extra visitors without it making too much difference. Enjoy your visit!

Westfacing · 09/09/2022 13:38

I would come - it's a momentous time to be here. It might turn out different from what you had planned but still well worth a visit!

Milesty1 · 09/09/2022 14:16

I live in London. I’d def still go! Would just avoid anywhere around Green Park/Buckingham palace/Westminster.

ideas of alternative things to do which a teenage would love:

East London/Brick Lane/Spitalfields market

Greenwich - then take a boat on the Thames

Regents park - Frieze Sculpture fair

South Kensington - the ‘dopamine land’ exhibition is ace for teenagers! And then V&A etc

Notting Hill/portobello road (Farm Girl cafe)

Kings Cross/lunch in granary square/walk along Regent Canal to Covent Garden

check out Covent Garden, then Somerset House, then the awesome rainbow artwork in the garden on top of Temple Tube station

BenedictHater11 · 09/09/2022 14:17

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Milesty1 · 09/09/2022 14:19

Tate modern and Shakespeares globe should be ok also

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 09/09/2022 14:24

Dont bother mate utter shithole

Do tell us what earthly paradise you live in.

rookiemere · 09/09/2022 14:27

Cabaret is amazing- I wouldn't miss that.

I think it will be busy, but I don't think it will feel sad. Diana died unexpectedly in odd circumstances in the prime of life, whereas the Queen passing whilst sad, was not unexpected.

MirandaWest · 09/09/2022 14:30

DD and I are going to London next weekend. We will be seeing a show that ends in October and that we couldn’t go to at any other time so even when there was going to be a train strike we were still going to go. So we will be going.

Moonlaserbearwolf · 09/09/2022 14:32

Don't cancel! It will only be the immediate areas around Buckingham Palace/Westminster that will be busier.
The mood will be very different to Diana surely? That was a tragic accident and loss of young life - this is a celebration of a much loved, elderly Queen.

GhostFromTheOtherSide · 09/09/2022 14:33

I don’t think there’s a right or wrong answer tbh.

This is a historic time in our lives, and there is definitely something to be gained from being there iyswim.

But equally many people are not going to want to be caught up in potential crowds.

I’m just outside of London and considered going in but have decided against it on the basis it’s going to be extremely crowded and I’m not sure I want to go up there on my own. I would go if I had someone to go with though.

DFOD · 09/09/2022 14:35

Just check out the timings of the funeral and route - and avoid those times.

We were at the theatre on the Sat night of Jubilee - v close to Buckingham Palace - avoided parking near there - was actually v quiet for traffic as many avoided the city centre. Only thing I noticed was the odd helicopter.

I also think it won’t be the weeping, wailing histrionics of Diana. I think it will be reverential, sombre but also a satisfying celebration of a long, healthy and productive life. Would be nice to be a part history but not too overwhelming.

warofthemonstertrucks · 09/09/2022 14:54

It'll be fine

Nitgel · 09/09/2022 15:02

personally i would still go, it would be a once in a lifetime experience too, and London is big. Caberet is fabulous enjoy!

JustDanceAddict · 09/09/2022 15:27

No, plus Cabaret is amazing 🤩 I saw it a few weeks ago w my own DD.
the museums won’t be where people gather, but I’d avoid the area round buck house/Hyde park and anywhere on the procession route if the funeral is on Sunday.,