Expert: Graham Thomas - 9/8/2004

Question
We are planning a trip to London between Christmas and New Years.  This is a sixteenth birthday gift for our daughter. We will have four full days there and are staying in what we think is a central location...at the Sheraton Park Lane. We plan to visit the obvious places...Buckingham Palace, Tower, Harrods, etc. We will also see a few plays...Chicago and Phantom. Other than these things, would you have any other suggestions for things to see and do? Also, I'm wondering how crowded (with other tourists) it is during that time and how long it might take us to see the major "attractions" (wait time). Thanks!

Answer
Hi there

That sounds like a nice gift - for all of you!

There are usually a number of tourists in town at that time but it will not be that crowded. The sales will be on at the stores on Oxford Street too so it's a good time to be shopping - if a little crowded!

It will not take very long to do most of the major sights - you can wander (weather permitting) and see many or better still take an open top bus and see them all from a higher perspective. You can get on and off as you please and if the weather is wet or cold that's probably more comfortable. The Tower may be the most crowded but it is like that all year round!

I would suggest you get the Time Out guide book to London. It is written locally so has lots of neat things to do that would be interesting to the whole family...

I personally really like the Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Science Museum - they are especially good if the weather is bad.

Also the new tate Modern gallery is very interesting - even if you don't like modern art you can admire the building and also walk acros the new footbridge over the river to St Pauls.

One thing I would mention is that as Christmas is on a Saturday this year and Boxing Day (26th) a Sunday most museems and theatres will be closed on the following Monday and Tuesday - 27th and 28th as well as Saturday and Sunday.. The shops will probably all reopen on Monday but I have seen pour tourists wandering the streets over Christmas looking for things to do as the city is mostly shut down!

Regarding your hotel choice - whilst Park Lane is central it is also not very near anything in particular. Have you thought about a hotel on Bloomsbury near the British Museum? They are very well placed for transport and also for the British Museum, theatres. Covent Garden and Soho - all good for eating out in the evening...

Have a fabulous trip and you have a very lucky daughter!

Graham