kathrynp

We will be in London on New Year's Eve and wondered what would be fun- do you think two 14 year old girls would enjoy the Viennese concert? What about the London Eye on New Year's Eve? The Strand?

Got on Boulevard Brasserie's website and they are offering Christmas dinner between 12 and 3:30- the menu looks great. Would you recommend that for something festive mid-day on December 25?

kamahinaohoku

I went to an evening choral concert (about 3 weeks before Christmas) at Westminster Abbey a number of years ago. So wonderful it brought tears to my eyes...then again, it might have been the cold inside the Abbey that did that...it was FREEZING. Well yes, it was incredibly cold inside that night, but the music brought up all these emotions, and I did, in fact, cry for joy. Just remember to wear a warm coat . I haven't been to the other venues, so I can't comment on them.

historytraveler

Good suggestion regarding proper clothing in English churches during the winter. I attended an ecumenical service at Westminister Abbey in January and for the first time in my life knew what was meant by the statement 'chilled to the bones'. In addition to a coat, I'd bring gloves, hat and scarf .Don't let the weather deter you, just be appropriately dressed.

kathrynp

Yes, I looked into Westminster for any choral events and unfortunately, by the 23rd of December, those will have already taken place....

We will probably take another tour of Westminster, though, because we have someone joining us on Dec 26 who has never been.

NeoPatrick

Don't be fooled by the "Christmas menu" section of many websites. I just looked at the one for Boulevard Brasserie and I'm not so sure they are open on Christmas Day at all. I think that's one we looked at last year, and like so many others found out that "special Christmas menu" means they offer a group menu for weeks leading up to Christmas. It has NOTHING to do with Christmas Day. You might even notice it mentions additional charge for Friday bookings, etc. So I'm not so sure they are open, but you could email.

There is a huge fireworks deal along the Strand on New Year's Eve. We got caught up in a mini underground strike last year on New Year's Eve Day and couldn't get back to Covent Garden from the Barbican. Even the busses stopped running because the Strand was closed to traffic and that was the bus routing we needed. I doubt that you could get near the London Eye on NYE, but it would be a fun area to go for the fireworks. We ended up WALKING (got a taxi to go a few blocks until we hit total traffic and he said he'd never be able to get us any closer to Covent Garden) from the Barbican to Chinatown where we were eating at midnight.

crazychick

I be very surprised if Gordon Ramseys place is open on Xmas day.
The bottom line is you need to find out is open first then make your choices. Start looking at some web sites here is one to get you going http://www.gordonramsay.com/index.html

fun4all4

Hi again, kathrynp. Yes, I saw your post on my thread, but decided to respond here so you have everything running on one thread.

There are several car services. We used Simply Airports - they picked us up at Heathrow on Christmas Day (with a surcharge they told us about ahead of time) and brought us from our hotel back to the airport upon our departure. They were reliable both times. The site is http://www.simplyairports.co.uk/ and the phone is 020 7701 4321 For holiday times, I would recommend calling more than a couple of days ahead. I think I arranged transport several weeks ahead given the limited holiday options.

We loved Warwick Castle so if it is open on Boxing Day (which I would guess it might be), that would be a fun day. You can see photos of it on my thread. There was a Frost Fair going on so there was an ice skating rink set up in addition to the regular exhibits. It might be something to do with the kids, though. We went with Astral Tours and were happy with them.

I completely agree with NeoPatrick about his experiences. Be careful when checking out the "Christmas Menus" as they may not be for Christmas Day!

We, too, got caught up in the tube strike, but were able to take a bus from our theatre (we saw a show on New Year's Eve) to Victoria Station and then were able to walk back to our B&B. With no strike, we might have tried to get closer to the Strand/London Eye area for the fireworks which were amazing. BUT, that area is mobbed, and I doubt you would be able to take a flight on the Eye that night (think Times Square).

Have fun!

kathrynp

Gordon Ramsay has already emailed me sample menu's for Christmas Day at Claridge's, but is so pricey! 175 lbs. per person- and it does look as if there are two options with regard to Christmas Day meals- extremely pricey and ethnic food, which could be a lot of fun, as it would be something very unique for us to do.

Boulevard Brasserie did send Christmas menu options via email but I have since emailed them back to clarify if they are serving on December 25.

We will get on Astral Tour's website today and will look into the car service for back and forth to Heathrow-thanks for that "heads up"!

And now on to another topic....besides the trip on Boxing Day that my husband will take solo, we are planning an Oxford/Cambridge day (we have the two 14 year old girls and thought they might enjoy that) AND we are contemplating a day trip to Paris....we arrive on December 23 and depart Jan.1 Is this too ambitious?

fun4all4

As far as daytrips....everyone is different. I would not schedule 3 day trips as we found so much we wanted to do in London. you will also be working with holiday closings, especially on Christmas Day. Paris is a loooong day, but many people do it. Also, I found that our kids, while very active and interested in our trip, really needed some "down time" built into their day.

Perhaps you could start sketching out an itinerary based on your interests and what you want to see and do. Then, see how it starts to fit together before deciding. I am guessing that you all might want to see a show(s) as well as do some shopping. Museums, Tower of London, London Eye, Westminster Abbey, etc... really start filling in the time.

As far as Oxford/Cambridge - I don't believe they are in the same direction from London. You may want to choose one. Also, keep in mind that it is winter break and the campuses will be quite closed down. Our Astral tour was actually to Oxford,Stratford-upon-Avon and Warwick. While Oxford was lovely and I'm glad we saw it (I'd love to go back in the spring or fall), it was almost completely deserted for the holidays so keep that in mind.

NeoPatrick

If none of you have ever been to Paris and you know there is no way in the world you will be able to go in the next 10 years or so, then I say do the day trip there. Otherwise you have more than enough to do in London.

justanotherday

I would go with the ethnic food choice.

I've been to Gordon Ramsay and while it is very nice and posh, I in no way would pay 175 pounds/person to eat there. Just not that special IMO.

kathrynp

Well, the three of us have been to London and did a lot- we feel like this is the "catch-up" trip for us- fill in with things we didn't get to- London Eye, another show, Beatles Tour, more shopping (14 year old girls

As for Paris, none of us have been, I'm not certain if we will travel there in the next ten years, although I certainly hope so....but it's SO tempting to think we could get there in 2.5 hours and spend a few hours in the city- IF you did a long day trip, NeoPatrick, what would be your must see's in Paris?

As for travels with teenagers, I agree that this might be too ambitious- they seem to require a ton of sleep and "down time". Maybe nix the Oxford/Cambridge trip and head for Paris? (If the students aren't there and my husband will see part of this on his Warwick tour, perhaps for another day?)

fun4all4

Well, if you have all already been to London, then I might break with my general advice and say "go for it" on a Paris daytrip. If you do go for Paris, I would say to skip Oxford/Cambridge then.

Again, you will have the best feel for what is best for your family. It is certainly "doable" as long as you are prepared and know the pros and cons. Realistic expectations, advanced research/planning and prioritizing are important when traveling - of course, an adventuresome spirit, a "can-do" attitude that makes dreams into reality, and serendipity should not be forgotten either!

Happy planning and enjoy your trip!

iangf

I did a London Christmas a few years ago and found much info here that informed what I ended up doing. First of all, London on Christmas day---traffic and congestion free---is a sight to behold. I walked out on Picadilly and wandered across streets one would never be able to cross. There's a bit of a TWLIGHT ZONE quality to it.
As for the meals, I was in a flat and (thanks to the info on this board) shopped the food halls at M&S and Selfridges and prepared some meals (heated them up) which were quite good. What I did on Christmas Eve/Day was afternoon tea at two different grand hotels (Claridges and Savoy). The price was no where near the big ticket lunch price and they stuffed me so full of food, I had to walk it off. It was also a very elegant experience that didn't break the bank. The hotels are beautifully decorated. Boxing Day I went to Sofra in Mayfair. A good, moderately priced restaurant that was also open Christmas Eve/Day. Dec.27th everythng re-opened.

There isn't much entertainment on Dec 24/25th. I thought about going to the cinema, but don't recall if any were open and the flat I had let had something like 765 channels on cable, or so it always seems.

I did go to the 4 p.m. 12/24 service at St. Pauls---worth the trip. So glorious. The choir, the bells, to see those grand doors slowly open. If you do go, wear a coat. The cathedral is cold. Someone on this board warned me of that and I am grateful to this day. Others around me were freezing, but wrapped in my overcoat, I was very comfortable.

As for cabs, there were cabs out on Christmas Day. I didn't take a cab, but drivers were actually out "cruising for fares" it seemed. I had been led to believe there were none, but there many more than you might think. I don't know if there was a fare hike because of the holiday.

kamahinaohoku

If you're still there on January 1st, there's the New Year's Day Parade.
http://www.londonparade.co.uk/ It's celebrating it's 21st anniversary this year. I believe it's like Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC. There's 10,000 people performing, and a half million people on the streets watching.
If you like parades, it could be lots of fun. And if you DON'T like parades, you'll get to look at the map and see the places you need to AVOID!

kathrynp

Thanks for this- we are headed back to Heathrow that day for our return to the states!

This info will come in handy!