london christmas lights missing rush hour

[Sunkissed44]

I hope someone can help we are coming to london to see the christmas lights on Wednesday we will arrive around 4 ish is it best to go to Oxford street first or Covent Garden and skating at Somerset House which is near there? is Oxford street busier at 5pm or after and when does the tube have all the commuters going home? ideally we would like to see it all in one night, trying to get Hamleys in on Regents Street and even Bond Street and Harrods. Would really help to have some advice, and also does any one know if the poppies are still at Tower of London? Thank you

I believe the poppies are hone now. Oxford st is a bloody nightmare from lunchtime so I'd hop on a bus that goes along oxford street and down regent street - I think the 94 goes there.

Check if the skating at the natural history museum is open yet. It'd close to Harrods and hellish as it is, it does chtistmal well!

I always like Picadilly, Burlington Arcade and Bond Street (Green Park tube, down Picadilly, look at Fortnums then cross over for Burlington Arcade and out into Bond Street) then cut through South Molton Street and join middle of Oxford Stree for Christmas lights and windows - Selfridges usually great and John Lewis was amazing last year. Agree with the suggestion to combine Harrods with skating at Natural History Museum.

Has fortnums got its windows up yet? I walked past to Friday and didn't even look! Last year had that mad advent calendar in Covent Garden.

Its supposed to be wet this week, so plan some nice hot chocolate stops!

I was there last Wednesday, and some poppies were still there, but not that many....I think they're getting packed up at a fast rate too.

Ohh lillian thanks for tips there! never realised so close to bond street from there I shall be borrowing that.

Yes Harrods does xmas very well I think I spent half and hour looking at their windows last year....listening to the street music, people watching...and dreaming...

work out pockets to do as peeps said.

Bond Street is lovely this year - all peacock feathers design.

I'm driving past Winter Wonderland - of you have nerves of steel and deep pockets, your kids will love for ever!