Advice for a Christmas trip to London

[marillion]

Aside from random alien attacks (narf, narf) and blue boxes spinning through the air, I'm wondering if Christmas (specifically the week of Christmas) would be a good time to visit... I finally have the means, but I'm not sure, because of the holiday, it would be a good time to pack the family up and haul them over there... There's just something cool about the idea of spending Christmas in England...

Any thoughts??

 

[MacLeod]

It'll be cold and wet, but If you were considering that time of year would New Year not be better to see in the New Year at the Prime Meridian?

 

[marillion]

Well, we live in New Mexico, so cold and wet would be welcome.. When it rains here, we've been known to go outside and just stand and stare at it... LOL...

New Year is a nice idea as well... So many options...

 

[auntiehill]

It should be a lovely time to visit, but also a very expensive time; prices in most major cities go WAY up at Christmas-time--plant tickets, hotels, etc, will generally cost more, as there is more demand. But, you will also get to see the city decorated for the holidays, so that's a bonus, too.

I would also suggest booking WAAAY in advance, to make sure you get what you want.

 

[MacLeod]

It all depends on how long you were planning on speending in the UK. Whilst there is lots to see in London there is lots to see elswhere in the UK.

 

[Gaith]

What auntiehill said; also, you may find London even more closed down in Christmastime than you expect. In the States' biggest cities, such as NYC, there's a general expectation that big-chain shops and at least some of the more tourist-oriented restaurants will be open, but that may not be the case there.

... In short, I'd advise against it. There's plenty of cool weather in the States you can escape to around Christmastime, and you'll find much more of London available pretty much any other time of the year.

 

[hux]

Go to London! I guarantee you'll either be mugged or not appreciated. Catch the train to London, stopping at Rejection, Disappointment, Backstabbing Central and Shattered Dreams Parkway

 

[Pingfah]

What auntiehill said; also, you may find London even more closed down in Christmastime than you expect. In the States' biggest cities, such as NYC, there's a general expectation that big-chain shops and at least some of the more tourist-oriented restaurants will be open, but that may not be the case there.

... In short, I'd advise against it. There's plenty of cool weather in the States you can escape to around Christmastime, and you'll find much more of London available pretty much any other time of the year.

London will be slightly less open than usual 25th & 26th, the rest of the time it will be 100% though. I wouldn't worry about finding something to do in London at any rate.

 

[DimesDan]

What auntiehill said; also, you may find London even more closed down in Christmastime than you expect. In the States' biggest cities, such as NYC, there's a general expectation that big-chain shops and at least some of the more tourist-oriented restaurants will be open, but that may not be the case there.

... In short, I'd advise against it. There's plenty of cool weather in the States you can escape to around Christmastime, and you'll find much more of London available pretty much any other time of the year.

London will be slightly less open than usual 25th & 26th, the rest of the time it will be 100% though. I wouldn't worry about finding something to do in London at any rate.

Exactly. Also, depending on where you are staying and where you plan on going, pretty much everything is within reasonable walking distance within the centre of the city. Plus, get an Oyster card, we only visit the capital three or four times a year, but they are bloody useful.

 

[cultcross]

What auntiehill said; also, you may find London even more closed down in Christmastime than you expect. In the States' biggest cities, such as NYC, there's a general expectation that big-chain shops and at least some of the more tourist-oriented restaurants will be open, but that may not be the case there.

... In short, I'd advise against it. There's plenty of cool weather in the States you can escape to around Christmastime, and you'll find much more of London available pretty much any other time of the year.

London will be slightly less open than usual 25th & 26th, the rest of the time it will be 100% though. I wouldn't worry about finding something to do in London at any rate.

Exactly. Also, depending on where you are staying and where you plan on going, pretty much everything is within reasonable walking distance within the centre of the city. Plus, get an Oyster card, we only visit the capital three or four times a year, but they are bloody useful.

Agreed with my learned colleagues - London is a major capital and a tourist city - other than Christmas Day and possibly Boxing Day, everything will be open. And London is a lot of fun near Christmas. I would suggest coming before rather than after Xmas if you have the option; the time after Xmas is always a bit of a slump until New Year.
And get an Oyster Card!

 

[marillion]

Thanks, gang!

 

[cultcross]

How long are you planning on coming for? Anything on your must-see list?