London at twixmas- ideas please

[noscoobydoodle]

We have a family tradition of going away between Christmas and New year. This year we will be going to London for 2 nights/3 days - me, DH and DCs age 2, 7 and 9. My mum and her partner will join us for a day as well. Despite travelling to London for work fairly frequently, I haven't been as a tourist for probably 20 years and I've never been at Christmas. DH has only ever been to London to watch football!. The kids have never been to London. I've googled but am a bit overwhelmed at the possibilities and feel like we need 3 weeks there! Please lovely Christmas Mumsnetters hit me with your top tips for a twixmas in London. Thanks.

Snowman theatre production at the Peacock theatre. (2yo dependent on how calm they are)

Natural History museum or Science museum

Tower Bridge

If you want ice skating book Somerset House, it was lovely last year and very family friendly. Also from there you can walk to Covent Garden which is always magical at Christmas.

This Somerset house is a must. Also the south bank. Check borough market hours too. Harrods food hall is stunning. Go early. St Bart’s the great concerts though the children might be a bit young. Kew Gardens

https://glidebatterseapowerstation.co.uk/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA1NebBhDDARIsAANiDD0b8rNfC8umFdMhWH7f-HXeiRe6y7Ki7IWxdFXz3VuWHrgCOATGjIaAnsfEALww_wcB

I’d recommend catching the 139 bus (top deck on a double decker!) to see the lights secretldn.com/most-christmassy-bus-route-london/

Gingerbread City gets bigger and better every year www.thegingerbreadcity.com

Head to Covent Garden for snow flurries every hour on the hour (from midday onwards) secretldn.com/covent-garden-snow/

Maybe give the dc some spending money for Christmas and then take them to Hamley’s or the Lego Store in Leicester Square.

We did this a few years ago as I stupidly thought it would be a quieter time and everywhere was insanely busy, the busiest I've ever seen London actually, just throngs of people everywhere. So I would make sure you factor extra travel time in if you're walking around central London!

as PP said don’t expect it will be quiet, you’ll get lots of shoppers plus many of those who live in London will be off work and around. Id suggest ice skating, walk on south bank, maybe the Sky Garden? If you want something different you could go to Hampstead village or walk by Regent Canal. Hard to suggest museums without knowing what you are interested in.

Sky garden goes on sale 2 weeks in advance its a great view and free entry. The clipper Thames boats and the planterium and observatory at Greenwich are fab. We are there at a similar time and doing NHM, globe theatre and (my youngest will also be desperate to visit (queue) the lego store in Leicester Square)we will do one other planned thing probably either Tower of London or London Bridge and then that leaves time to soak up the vibes. We did the transport museum in Covent garden last year and that was amazing and probably suit all your ages.

Something different- take a riverboat to Greenwich. You have so much to do there with the age of your kids - the lovely park, standing on the Meridian line and taking in the fabulous views. The museums and the river. Makes a great day out. To finish off the day walk under the river Thames and catch the DLR to Canary Wharf which has lots of Christmassy stuff going on

Thanks for the wonderful ideas. Greenwich sounds perfect, as does covent garden, ice skating and a bus ride. There'll definitely be shopping too the kids will choose their Xmas present from grandma (no Lego fans here though).

If you want a 'one stop shop', especially with little ones, Battersea Power Station might suit. There's the shopping centre for Christmas money spending, an ice rink, loads of restaurants, Christmas market on the jetty, an easy place to run around for little ones, plus it's right next to Battersea Park. You can get an Uber boat, so have a river trip too.

KidZania is a great way to spend a few hours - especially for the 7&9 yr olds. We don’t have anything like it in Scotland.