Spending xmas in london- any ideas for what to do in the city?

[madgirl]

Hi there, we are spending xmas at home this year in sw london (hurrah!) but would like to drive into the centre and take advantage of no CC, traffic, parking fees, crowds. Problem is, aside from gazing at the tree in Trafalgar Sq i can't think of anything to do! does anyone have any bright ideas? we wanted to go out and about rather than traipse up to Tooting/Wandsworth Commons as is our usual jaunt of a weekend. thanks.....

isn't there ice skating in a couple of places? open air? someone will know where!

why central london?

I'd make for a park.

I don't know south of the river that well but assume it has parks?

if not a nice stroll along the hopefully frozen thames

The natural history museum opened its ice rink this week. Also there's usually one at Somerset House.
What about a trip on the London Eye if you have a clearish day, followed by lunch at Bank Aldwych - fairly family friendly at weekends and therefore probably also for Christmas.

Must do Kew Gardens - esp the night openings when they light up all the trees and sing carols (15th, 16th december)

go and see the lights on regent street/oxford street in the evening - let the kids go to harrods and have an ice cream/sweets

ice rinks in town (somerset house, nhm)

oh duh i thought you meant xmas day itself

Great thread! We're in London for Xmas too so pleased to hear all ideas. I think there was a fair in the top bit of hyde park last year, on Boxing Day. Kind of between lancaster gate and marble arch. Also ice skating just behind Liverpool Street. Window shopping, chrismtas lights and dispayls are all great. Last year there was a lovely farmers market on Marylebone High Street which is more user friendly than OXford st even though it's close. Gd break if you were Chrimbo shopping. Think it's there all the time, but is partic lovely at Christmas. Lights on marylebone High Street are lovely.

If your children are the right age, The Snowman is on somewhere and supposed to be a good show...

Mad girl - were you doing this on Christmas Day itself or near to it? We have recently had to cancel our few days away over Christmas and have decided we will drive in on Chrimbo afternoon and look at the lights and have a wander round. Not expecting to find a lot going on though - would be interested if there is!

i was actually talking about xmas day itself. i haven't found one single thing going on or place open

Why ? It is a Bank Holiday, even in London!

suppose so. sorry i asked now mercy.

There's the Peter Pan Cup Swimming Race in the Serpentine in Hyde Park in the morning of Christmas Day (from 9am).

Church service? (radical suggestion, I know... )

Westminster Abbey: 3pm Festal Evensong
St Paul's Cathedral: 3.15 Evensong

The Charles Dickens Museum is apparently going to be open on Christmas Day, with "authentic Christmas decoration, traditional Victorian refreshments and festive entertainment". Recommended you book in advance, though.

Dickens Museum:

48 Doughty Street
London WC1N 2LX
Tel: +44 (0)20 7405 2127

The Original London Walks have a couple of organised walks on Christmas Day - "Christmas Morning, 1660 ? Samuel Pepys? London" and "The Christmas Day Charles Dickens London walk"

I had spotted the walks before and decided we would probably do our own. There are a few coach trips too. Just been on the Charles Dickens Museum website and emailed them to ask for details. Thanks a lot for this lemonaid.

Just heard back from the Charles Dickens Museum - this year they are only open on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.

Sorry -- they were open Christmas Day last year so I thought they would be again.