Plan for London tomorrow! Left it all a bit late

[KatieGalPal]

Hi, we (me, ds10 and my DM) are going down to London tomorrow for our annual trip to watch a show. We normally go there and back in a day but it’s a long day so we’ve splashed out and booked a premier inn! We arrive in London just before 10, we will get some breakfast and have a mooch/drop our bags off. We usually go to liberties to get a decoration and the show is at the palladium so we’ll stay around there. The panto finishes at 5ish, normally at this point we’d head back to the station but we have the whole night to fill. We will also go to hamleys.

I was thinking about going to winter wonderland, I’m not sure if it will be complete and utter hell though? We aren’t bothered about the rides but I am thinking it’ll be nice to see the lights, maybe book one of the activities such as the ice bar/slide? Then head back to the hotel about 8ish.

On Thursday I thought we could go to the Tower of London, we’ve never been there then either along the south bank (but we’ve done that a few times) or get the boat over to Greenwich? Our train from euston is at 3.45.

I have looked at the sky garden but it’s sold out.

does this sound ok/ has anyone got any other suggestions? I don’t want to pack too much in, I’m a nurse and I’m working all over Xmas including Christmas Day so we don’t want to get home exhausted as I on a run of 4 shifts from 23rd.

Thanks 🎅

Oh, my kids always loved ( and love) Camden market. It is just a wandering, browsy sort of place. But what kid wouldn’t like Cyberdog? I’d probably not go there if you’re in the West End as there’s so much to do there but I don’t see a problem with going. If you can’t stand the thought of the tube the88 bus goes from Oxford Circus, the Apple side. Takes you past Regents Park.

Boats along the Thames in the dark are fabulous, probably even more so at the moment.

Grosvenor Square has a garden of 20,000 illuminated white roses which is quite a sight. South Molton Street has impressive lights this year and is between Grosvenor Square and Oxford/Regent Street.

If you like Chinese food, having Dim Sum in China Town is a fun and inexpensive experience. Some restaurants have trolleys going round so you just point to what you want, others have menus with pictures. You order a few items at a time and just keep adding until you're full. I've been to many of the restaurants in Gerrard Street over the years and they've all been fine. Cheapest drink is the jasmine tea; it's bottomless, you just tilt the lid in the teapot and they'll top it up. But a bit of an acquired taste.

The Seven Dials area just to the north of Covent Garden is worth walking through, too. Lots going on.

There really aren't. At the very most there's 2-3 flights of steps together (entrance to the White Tower) and always enough space to stop and have a breather if needed.

@KatieGalPal please don't be put off by the poster who's totally exaggerating/very wrong about steps.

I live nearby the Tower of London and go there regularly (local residents get discounted entry - so don't assume its all tourists there lol). I was there less than 2 weeks ago. I can assure you that there aren't hundreds of steps. Maybe if you add them all up to make a combined total. 😂 I currently have a knee injury so steps are painful for me but I was fine because there aren't that many steps!! You'll be fine.

If you've never been (I can't believe it!), the Tower of London should be top of your list. It's amazing! Your son will love it. Make sure you go to the Crown Jewels first when it's quieter. I also recommend the cafe. They do a decent latte and a delicious Victoria sponge. They have a stunning range of festive cakes - and decorations - at the moment.

I'd actually go to Winter Wonderland in the evening. Yes, it's busy and noisy and could be described as hell on earth 😛but if you've never been, the atmosphere will blow your mind. I walked past last Sat night (I was at an event nearby) and it was bonkers but impressive. And I write that as a Londoner who went to the first ever Winter Wonderland and for several years afterwards until it became so over-commercialised and like a giant funfair that I refused to go anymore and would just send visiting family members on their own (terrible hosting I know!).

iceskating - the usual places when I used to go were Tower of London, Sommerset house, Docklands, Natural History Museum, Barbican

I enjoy the walk along the Themes on South Bank, between Tower Bridge and Charing Cross.

There used to be a little market by the Natural History Museum.

Some of the Museums have one night a week open until late.

I hope you don’t mind the fact that the pantomime will be very rude. Julian Clary isn’t exactly subtle and while it mostly go over a 10 year olds head I’d be mortified watching it with my mum!

When you're as unfit as I currently am and are trying to get 30 5 year old around the place it certainly feels like hundreds of steps!

www.christmasinleicestersquare.com

oblix at the shard for food and national portrait gallery

Hi @KatieGalPal everything you've listed is great!
Book tickets for winter wonderland online, i only found out when i got there that we need tickets!

Someone suggested London walks tours to me a few weeks ago, when I asked a similar question. It was brilliant. If you want a nice view. 1 new change has a free public roof terrace on it.

I agree that the Tower of London isn't too hard. You go up a lot of stairs but only a storey at a time.

If you’re seeing the matinee performance of the panto at the Palladium, you’re just around the corner from the fabulous lights of Carnaby St and it’ll be dark by the time you come out.

Winter Wonderland is ok but I think there is so much to do in London at Christmas that i’d give it a miss. Ice skating at Somerset House (or even just watching) is just lovely.

Thanks everyone, just waiting for the train now!

Thanks for all your amazing tips, I think we’ll book the tower then! If we do the tower we won’t have time for Camden but we’ll make firm plans on the journey down

to the poster who said about the panto being rude, we’ve been before and agree it’s pure filth. Which is the main reason we make the trip to London every year, it’s hilarious. Thank you for the heads up though, luckily it all goes straight DS’s head!

Just wanted to pop on and say thanks again to everyone who took the time to reply, we had an amazing time. Merry Christmas!