London in december

Sunnystar_2

Hello, I've booked a night in London for myself and husband and 16 year old son. Staying at Stratford cos it's a bit of a last minute trip. Having never been to London at Christmas time any suggestions of things to do? We've tickets for winter wonderland for Saturday evening. We will arrive by coach into Victoria at lunch time and will probably head straight to the new Lego store at Leicester Square and then on to accomadation and then back out. I've 2 different contactless bank cards and I think I might send for oyster. I've always used the tube are the buses easy and would anyone recommended to see the lights? I've got Sunday free until 6pm.
Many thanks.

ThemeOne

You don't really need Oyster any more as you can use your contactless direct on the tube, trains, buses, DLR and trams. I guess you might need Oyster for your son if he doesn't have a contactless card.

Buses are probably not a bad way to see the lights - yes they're easy to use but are now 100% cashless i.e. you cannot use cash to pay your fare. Buses are also very good value with a flat fare of £1.50, and now that includes one change of bus within an hour of boarding the first bus.

susancs

if you are going to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, the Oxford Street lights are just off there and you walk down there into Regents Street. The shop windows are nice to look in.

Your 16 year old will probably like Camden lock Market on the Sunday morning as the teens think it is very cool.
https://www.camdenmarket.com/

Ice skating at Somerset House is quite special in my opinion, but can get booked up.
https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/skate-somerset-house

Keep an eye on the group buying sites like Groupon, Wowcher etc as they often do cheap Christmas deals like a mince pie and hot drink etc.

Shame your time is so short as you could travel outside London to the Harry Potter studios (15 mins on the train from Euston to Watford Junction and get the shuttle bus) as that is very festive at Christmas and would usually really appeal to teens.

iammumtoone

Following your thread planning a day trip to London with a 9 year old.

Thanks for the suggestions I think a visit to the Lego shop will be a must and M&M world. Now looking at winder wonderland as well, what would be the nearest tube stop please?

photome

iammumtoone wrote: »

Following your thread planning a day trip to London with a 9 year old.

Thanks for the suggestions I think a visit to the Lego shop will be a must and M&M world. Now looking at winder wonderland as well, what would be the nearest tube stop please?

more info than you can shake a stick at on the website.

has a downloadable map and also an app for your smartphone.
we will be there this thurs

http://hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/#qmhWQE2KGC8ipOiA.97

zagubov

iammumtoone wrote: »

Following your thread planning a day trip to London with a 9 year old.

Thanks for the suggestions I think a visit to the Lego shop will be a must and M&M world. Now looking at winder wonderland as well, what would be the nearest tube stop please?

When you're in central London you can find most attractions near tube stations using this tube map. But better still use the buses (sit on the top deck and enjoy the view)- your 9yo will love the view!. These are some of the ones that show you the touristy bits (they're just ordinary buses so you use your Oyster card), and maybe use this website to find stuff to do.

and this one to find the shops.

pelirocco

The queue was enormous when we walked past the Lego store yesterday, as you have such a short time in London I wouldn't bother. (They were queuing at M&M shop too.The Natural History museum was looking pretty magical with lights and ice rink

iammumtoone

zagubov wrote: »

When you're in central London you can find most attractions near tube stations using this tube map. But better still use the buses (sit on the top deck and enjoy the view)- your 9yo will love the view!. These are some of the ones that show you the touristy bits (they're just ordinary buses so you use your Oyster card), and maybe use this website to find stuff to do.

and this one to find the shops.

Thanks I will take a look. I did think of buses but I like the tube as its so easy to get about and find your way/stop. Also we get the train in, so our tube tickets come as part of the train fare.

zagubov

iammumtoone wrote: »

Thanks I will take a look. I did think of buses but I like the tube as its so easy to get about and find your way/stop. Also we get the train in, so our tube tickets come as part of the train fare.

It is easy but it's a waste of an opportunity to soak up the atmosphere if you have an upstairs seat and can see the crowds and Christmas decorations. The tube can be a bit hectic around now.

macman

You can see a lot of the sights (and the lights) if you use bus route 15: Trafalgar Square to Tower Hill. This is the only TFL route still using Routemasters. Don't bother with the overpriced tour buses.
Bear in mind that Stratford to L. Sq is about a 30 minute journey and requires one change on the tube: you are staying a fair way out.

Sunnystar_2

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to brave the number 15 bus. I realise Stratford is a little further out but it's a last minute trip so not much availability left. I'm gonna have to brace myself for Lego shop, he won't be swayed don't know whether to try as soon as they open on Sunday or early afternoon on Saturday. We've booked skating for Hyde park so need to be there 6pm on Saturday. Just to clarify we only swipe on entry with the bus but swipe on entry and exit with the tube? With contactless and oysters.