Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

London - Last minute trip before Christmas. Would you?

80 replies

Workyticket · 04/12/2021 22:01

Madness or loads of fun?

Would be me, DH and ds who is 9. We've been before but not for years.

Wondering where we could stay / what we could get up to last minute. Maybe the 20th and 21st?

OP posts:
Werehamster · 05/12/2021 03:17

Personally, I wouldn't. If you pick up Omicron, then it's not just you but everyone you come into contact with who will have to isolate. I think it's utter madness to travel at the moment. Sorry to be the Grinch. :/

thickthighs73 · 05/12/2021 04:10

@Werehamster

Personally, I wouldn't. If you pick up Omicron, then it's not just you but everyone you come into contact with who will have to isolate. I think it's utter madness to travel at the moment. Sorry to be the Grinch. :/
Oh bah humbug! I’m going next week I’ll take my chances
capercaillie · 05/12/2021 07:20

Also try YHA for accommodation! There’s one at st Pancras

gerispringer · 05/12/2021 07:24

Warning: everywhere in London is completely packed in the evenings and weekends especially at the moment. Went to a show last weekend, you could hardly move and the restaurants all had huge queues. I live in London so won’t be heading into town anytime soon. I’d book somewhere quiet like the smaller museums where you have to book a slot.

gerispringer · 05/12/2021 07:26

I got pinged after attending the show last weekend too, and had to take PCR, so obviously in close contact with covid. Public transport also horribly packed.,

ElfontheShelfisLookingatYou · 05/12/2021 07:31

Harrods toy area is usually much better than hamleys but it's years since I've been

Bond Street is fabulous then walk through burljngton arcade to fortnum and mason and then jermyn Street.

HelloDulling · 05/12/2021 07:35

Am taking teen DD and her friend on 18th/19th weekend. It will be busy, but fun.

Doveyouknow · 05/12/2021 07:37

I live in London and it is fairly busy but it's Christmas! The lights are lovely, skating will be great. I would avoid hamleys though..

H1Drangea · 05/12/2021 08:03

We went last week , ( just 2 adults , to see our grown up DC who live and work there )
We stayed in South Kensington ( our train was to Paddington, easy to get there ) at the Copthorne Tara , which was a bit dated but clean and in budget , £110 for one night
Caught the tube to Bond Street and walked ( for miles ! ) looking at the lights , had coffee and cake in cafe concerto

Carnaby Street had the best lights imho
Dinner in Covent Garden , more walking then tube back to the hotel
Next day we walked along Kensington Gardens ( saw a police motorcade , outriders , posh car and escort car , which I’m sure Londoners roll their eyes at , but very exciting for us country bumpkins ! ) met DD in Harrods for a few hours , she’s more interested in designer handbags then toys though !
We had a super time , so glad we went

Loudestcat14 · 05/12/2021 08:12

@Werehamster

Personally, I wouldn't. If you pick up Omicron, then it's not just you but everyone you come into contact with who will have to isolate. I think it's utter madness to travel at the moment. Sorry to be the Grinch. :/
There's always one... Hmm

London's no more rife with it than anywhere else in the country! Plus, mask wearing is really high here at the moment. People have taken heed of the warnings, especially on public transport and in shops.

Werehamster · 05/12/2021 08:30

There's always one... hmm

London's no more rife with it than anywhere else in the country! Plus, mask wearing is really high here at the moment. People have taken heed of the warnings, especially on public transport and in shops.

Well, the OP asked for our opinions. 🤷🏼‍♀️
I just gave mine.

Welcometothejingles · 05/12/2021 08:38

If you want to go to hamleys, get there just before opening time as it gets busy very quickly. I walked past there recently & was a queue of around 60 people waiting to get in at around 1pm. So plan an early morning visit for that one to avoid getting overwhelmed.

CheesyChipsOnWembleyWay · 05/12/2021 08:43

I love a Christmas trip to London, yes it's busy but you expect that. We have booked a cheap travelodge, winter wonderland, then will do Lego store, Hamleys, carnaby street and the 139 bus to see the lights. Would like to get up to Covent Garden but not sure we will fit it in.

Original poster
Workyticket · 05/12/2021 08:58

Me and dh are both teachers in FE college. Classes of 25+ teenagers and adults unmasked. We've all had covid, we're double jabbed....blah

Just checked and there's availability for WinterWonderland. Anyone been??

Definitely booking, I woke up excited!

OP posts:
Original poster
Workyticket · 05/12/2021 10:01

I just need to convince my Grinshill like husband and decide on a Premier Inn now!

OP posts:
Twiglets1 · 05/12/2021 10:16

Yes, why not? I’m in London at the moment and the Christmas lights all around Marylebone/Oxford street/Regents street are lovely. Plus the shows are on again and all the restaurants have lovely decorations

Original poster
Workyticket · 05/12/2021 10:21

Is it mad busy finding places to eat @Twiglets1?

Ds definitely wants to go to Hamleys so we'd get up early for that. I'd love Winter Wonderland. Neither dh or ds are keen on rides but the ice thing looks lovely 😍

OP posts:
MsTSwift · 05/12/2021 10:23

We booked this 2 weeks ago same dates. All central premier inns fully booked we got family room in old street one. Somerset house skating booked. Got royal academy and sky garden tickets though

AuntieMarys · 05/12/2021 10:25

We've just back...our 3rd trip in 6 weeks! Very busy but that's how it should be. Have fun!!!

overthethamesfromyou · 05/12/2021 10:28

Premier Inn at Southwark near the Tate Modern have family rooms for £85. It's an easy walk to the South Bank, Waterloo and West End

languagelover96 · 05/12/2021 10:33

Festive afternoon tea somewhere nice

Doomscrolling · 05/12/2021 10:38

If you definitely have to do Hamley’s, arrive as they first open. Otherwise it’s such a ghastly crush you can’t really see anything or browse.

Doomscrolling · 05/12/2021 10:39

A reservation for the ice cream parlour at Fortnam’s is always a great thing to do with kids.

MsTSwift · 05/12/2021 10:40

Southwark and all the central premier inn family rooms were booked when I looked 2 weeks ago - that would have been our first choice

Original poster
Workyticket · 05/12/2021 10:44

@MsTSwift

Southwark and all the central premier inn family rooms were booked when I looked 2 weeks ago - that would have been our first choice
They're showing as available for me. Maybe because we're looking at a Monday and Tuesday now
OP posts: