London Christmas Lights

[pheasantchick]

We are considering going to london this weekend and seeing the lights. However, I don't really know where to go and what to see. Has anyone got any advice as to where best to go?

Also, we're considering the. winter Wonderland in Hyde park. Is it worth going?

Thanks.

[doodles]

Until a couple of years ago we always used to take a bus from The City to the West End taking in Trafalgar Square and Regents Street -this way we got to see all the lights but do make sure to go after 3.30 or you won't get the full benefit

There always used to be a Christmas Fair Ground in Leicester Square too.

[sbarnes]

And check out outside of Harrods too

[Peridot]

Selfridges always used to have good Christmas window displays but haven't been for ages..

We've been to the Winter Wonderland a couple of times but thought it was very expensive. Nice German food, like bratwurst, but very pricey rides and stalls, and very crowded.

For a pretty but smaller German market experience try along the South Bank near the Royal Festival Hall and London Eye. Still crowded and still not cheap but very attractive and lovely views across the river especially if you walk across the footbridge next to Waterloo railway bridge. On a clear night London looks gorgeous from there. And going on the London Eye at night is fun too. The Festival Hall often has free events in the foyer and there may well be something Christmassy going on.

Can we come too?

[Pumpkin Pie]

We visited Winter Wonderland last year and really enjoyed the atmosphere there!

[Peridot]

To be fair we really enjoyed the atmosphere of the Winter Wonderland the first time we went, but it was so expensive we just wandered around and didn't go on much. Lots of seasonal things to look at though. The second time we went it poured with rain and there was a humongous queue to get even halfway down the entrance steps of Hyde Park tube station so it took hours to get home - so it rather lost its allure for us...!

[southbucks3]

Don't forget to book tickets if you want to go round the popular attractions at winter wonderland.

[talea51]

[quote="doodles"]Until a couple of years ago we always used to take a bus from The City to the West End taking in Trafalgar Square and Regents Street -this way we got to see all the lights but do make sure to go after 3.30 or you won't get the full benefit

quote]

That's what we do too, it's lovely.

Last year we went to Winter Wonderland between Christmas and New Year. It was much better than going before Christmas. Less crowded, prices had been reduced (they are very high before Christmas) and no huge queues for anything.

[southbucks3]

Ahhh, but it just would not be Christmas without reducing your husband to this... ...as he queues amongst middle class parents and their sticky fingered children.

Booked into ice world for 22nd...wish us luck

The kids will enjoy it, and I love the window displays of the posh shops, just the sniff of a posh department store sends me into rich consumer fantasy land!

[pheasantchick]

We went to London yesterday and had a good time.

Our trip started in Trafalger Square, and saw the Norwegian Christmas tree.

We then went to the festive market on the Southbank - too crowded.

We then walked to Oxford street and happened to walk past Somerset house skating rink -very pretty. En route, we walked down Monomouth street and Neals Street - vey pretty. We then got to Oxford street. They were nice, but I preferred the lights around Neal's street. The john lewis and Selfridges windows were good

We didn't get to the Winter wonderland. We decided that it would be too crowded.