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Christmas

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Original poster

Winter Wonderland CLOSED tomorrow! Any alternative ideas?

27 replies

AndiMac · 22/12/2013 20:33

Just got an email saying that due to expected high winds and heavy rain, they are closing Winter Wonderland tomorrow. It is DD's 7th birthday tomorrow and we had bought tickets for nearly everything and this was going to be her main birthday treat.

We're already in London in a hotel, so can't really just do something at home instead. Does anyone have any brilliant ideas of what we could do that won't already be sold out? It's DD7, DS4, DH and myself.

OP posts:
AddictedtoCrunchies · 22/12/2013 20:34

Natural history museum or science museum? Free as far as I know

QuintessentialShadows · 22/12/2013 20:37

Can you try Kew Gardens

www.kew.org/visit-kew-gardens/whats-on/christmas/

Guitargirl · 22/12/2013 20:39

Book lunch at Rainforest cafe?

fuckwittery · 22/12/2013 20:40

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Guitargirl · 22/12/2013 20:40

We went to the lights thing at Kew a few weeks ago, bit underwhelming to be honest...and not a lot of fun if it rains.

LIZS · 22/12/2013 20:40

oh no what a shame :( . Go to the ticket booth in Leicester Square and see what shows have returns or tickets left , may be evening performance rather than matinees although some shows have put on extras. You may be able to skate at NHM, the Wheel or Somerset house although may be outdoors too. Art Galleries such as National Gallery, London Aquarium, Museum of London.

fuckwittery · 22/12/2013 20:42

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muttonjeffmum · 22/12/2013 20:43

Trocadero at Piccadilly Circus, Ripley's Believe or not Museum, London Aquarium, London Transport Museum, London Dungeons, MM world, Covent Garden for a look around the indoor market, Hamleys.

Original poster
AndiMac · 22/12/2013 20:55

Thanks to everyone for your ideas. I've just booked The Snowman at the Peacock for tomorrow morning. Thank you fuckwittery for finding and linking that. I'm sure we can fill the afternoon one way or another after that. Xmas Smile

I suspect there will be a few more people out of luck tomorrow, but hopefully they can find things to do as well.

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Nix01 · 22/12/2013 20:59

We were also going tomorrow but luckily we're not too far away for a day trip

fuckwittery · 22/12/2013 21:25

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70isaLimitNotaTarget · 22/12/2013 21:33

We went to Kew yesterday (in the pouring rain Hmm ).
My DC were decidedly unimpressed to say the least.
The Kew website when I checked was sold out till after Christmas.

The Snowman is lovely (I took DS when he was 5yo, he's 14 now)

Covent Garden is gorgeous any time.

And , I don't know if you'd get tickets now but The Duck Tours are brilliant. They drive you roound to look at London sights before you go on the river.
(though it's about an hour or so, might be too long for your 4yo)

Original poster
AndiMac · 22/12/2013 21:37

We booked everything but the ice skating actually. The fortunately are going to refund everything, although I'll be sure to check that to make certain it happens. I hope the kids like The Snowman as well, the story is pretty unknown in our house, so hopefully that won't be a problem.

Someone on FB suggested taking a walk through Harrods toy dept, as it's less likely to be as crazy as Hamleys, but I'm not convinced. Has anyone been? Is it carnage?

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Guitargirl · 22/12/2013 21:47

We have been to the Snowman four years in a row from when DD was 3, she definitely didn't know the story when we first went and it was lovely. Very Christmassy.

Covent Garden have a great tree up, a huge one with red lights and then a charity one with green lights, pretty other lights and a giant Rudolph made out of fake grass with a flashing red nose which DD (now nearly 7) thought was hilarious. There is also a Lego snow globe thing to look at near the tree.

I was in Harrods toy department on Friday. They were looking pretty under-stocked actually as I think they have sold out of quite a lot of things. So, it wasn't too busy at all. If you go there have a look in the windows too. Selfridges have some nice window displays this year, including a giant pot of pink play-doh with mini Father Christmases surfing down it and a Barbie window. We spent one evening sitting on top of a double decker bus at the front going down Oxford Street to look at the lights.

If you do go to the M&M shop on Leicester Square, try to go at opening time, the staff line up and clap the first shoppers in, might be a bit of a buzz for your DD if it's her birthday.

nobutreally · 22/12/2013 21:55

Aw, the Snowman is magical - we've done a Christmas theatre trip every year with our two for the last 5 years, and it was the one I remember most. I cried three times and the DCs still talk about it 5 years on. Hope your dd has a fab birthday!

Original poster
AndiMac · 22/12/2013 21:57

Thanks for the tips and well wishes! Looking forward to it now!

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Floralnomad · 22/12/2013 21:59

I would avoid Hamleys its dreadful.

Original poster
AndiMac · 22/12/2013 22:08

Oh, don't worry, I wasn't planning on it. I find it too much in there on a random weekend in June, never mind 2 days before Christmas! Was only considering Harrods for a walk-through.

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ElfontheShelfIsWATCHINGYOUTOO · 22/12/2013 22:10

Id kill a few hours in Harrods, it was v quiet there today, stunning windows ( also fortnums)....covent garden had lots of buzz and was really nice but there might not be anything there due to storms, at least in harrods you are safe in a nice big building ( as well as musuems). southbank, chalets if its open is also very pretty and lovely.

WW was rammed today, we didnt go in but saw a line of people ( huge line) slowly shuffling in.

tethersend · 22/12/2013 22:33

Am in the same boat- had planned to take DDs ice skating at The Tower of London tomorrow... That's off.

Anyone know of any grottos near east London?

Original poster
AndiMac · 22/12/2013 22:48

Tethersend, what about trying Westfields at Stratford?

uk.westfield.com/stratfordcity/christmas/warm-up-zone

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Original poster
AndiMac · 22/12/2013 22:49

Bah humbug to non links. uk.westfield.com/stratfordcity/christmas/warm-up-zone

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tethersend · 22/12/2013 22:56

Actually, that's not a bad idea... I've been resisting westfield for a while, but may have to bite the bullet as it might be the only place safe from the storm Grin

Davros · 22/12/2013 23:16

Snowman will be great followed by covent garden. I wouldn't go to Harrods simply because it's too out of the way from where you will be. I was thinking of going to the Southbank for a wander tomorrow but maybe it's a bad idea

JollySantersSelectionBox · 22/12/2013 23:52

South bank was pretty unpleasant in the miserable rain yesterday. The food wagons behind Festival Hall were immense though!