London 2nd January!?

[HappyHarry90]

We are planning a 2 night flying site seeing visit to London. We were due to go this half term but due to illness haven’t. I am looking at rebooking for 2nd-4th Jan. Am I mad? Will it be absolutely rammed? I know it’s busy the majority of the time I’m aware however has anyone had experience of it around that time? Thank you (country bumpkin here!)

I don't think it will be busy, but it won't be at its best, but then I don't suppose anywhere in the UK is at its best in January!

Not over busy. Depends what you want to see and do!

I think it will be ok! Just cold!

No I think it will be less busy than usual. Good way to start the year, good idea!

January is usually pretty quiet in London.

be careful if you're thinking of taking the train there though. Loads of rail replacements services, some of them up to the 6th January. I've just had to book a coach ticket for my return journey from an airport earlier that week.

It’s less busy, no one will be back at work or school, the busiest day is usually Christmas Day when everyone drives in. I’ve actually worked that week and found it a really easy ride.

@HappyHarry90

I think that you will find it surprisingly quiet.

Many of the people who work in London won't be back at work until the following week and tourists in town for New Year's Eve/New Year's Day will have gone home.

Fabulous this gives me hope. Thanks ever so much.

We live in London and I agree, it can be surprisingly quite beginning of January. Schools are still out but people are often away or visiting family.

We don't have family around and I normally work so if it is a weekend we do some sightseeing and I find it easier than during the typical tourist season.

Depending on how you are travelling check for planned engineering works, it is classic train disruption period!

If all is well with your travel plans it's a great time for London - xmas decs all up etc but not crazy like the week before Christmas.

It'll be fine. Good time to visit. A lot of people won't be fully back to work from Christmas until after the weekend of 4–5 January.

I was in central London for a conference in March of this year and I was amazed at how quiet it was. The area around Trafalgar Square was deserted at 8:45am on a weekday. Covid and ongoing teleworking seems to have completely changed weekday life in the centre.