Traffic/Crowd Expectations in London on Boxing Day
Dec 18, 2018, 7:18 am
#1
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Traffic/Crowd Expectations in London on Boxing Day
We're planning on taking a group of 10 (4 adults, 6 children) to stay in a hotel on the night of the 26th. We're all Americans, hoping to enjoy our first Christmas in London.
What will crowds and traffic be like on the 26th and 27th? I understand the Tube has a reduced schedule, Borough Market is closed, etc.
Any recommendations on what to see/do with a large group?
Thanks!
What will crowds and traffic be like on the 26th and 27th? I understand the Tube has a reduced schedule, Borough Market is closed, etc.
Any recommendations on what to see/do with a large group?
Thanks!
Dec 18, 2018, 7:46 am
#2
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Boxing Day is kind of a neither one thing nor the other day. There's no National Rail trains, so the main arteries in and out of London can get busy, but it's nothing on a working day. The main shopping areas will get busy for the sales (expect to see the usual newspaper articles on how disappointing the sales were - we do enjoy a good moan) but otherwise, it can be quite quiet, as people sleep off the excesses of the previous day. There's kind of a mish-mash of what's open and what's not - best to check individually, as there's not one hard and fast rule.
There's traditionally a load of Boxing Day football matches, too. In London, Fulham, Spurs, Millwall, QPR, AFC Wimbledon, Sutton United and, yes, even Dagenham & Redbridge and Dulwich Hamlet will be playing at home.
The 27th is more of a working day - however, lots of people take the whole week off, so it'll be more like a weekend day.
Things to do - well, if you like shopping, and can cope with bargain-hungry crowds, that's an obvious one. There are ice rinks up all around the city at this time of year (you need to pre-book) if that sounds fun to you. There is a slightly gaudy Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, and a load of wooden huts selling mulled wine and the like along the river. Kew Gardens and Greenwich have winter festivals on. This Londonist article gives a few suggestions:
https://londonist.com/london/christm...-on-boxing-day
Do be prepared for the weather. It's generally cold and damp around Christmas, although the long-range forecast is showing fairly mild, dry weather in London this year, so you could be lucky. It will cool off quickly when the sun goes down, which is around 4pm.
There's traditionally a load of Boxing Day football matches, too. In London, Fulham, Spurs, Millwall, QPR, AFC Wimbledon, Sutton United and, yes, even Dagenham & Redbridge and Dulwich Hamlet will be playing at home.
The 27th is more of a working day - however, lots of people take the whole week off, so it'll be more like a weekend day.
Things to do - well, if you like shopping, and can cope with bargain-hungry crowds, that's an obvious one. There are ice rinks up all around the city at this time of year (you need to pre-book) if that sounds fun to you. There is a slightly gaudy Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, and a load of wooden huts selling mulled wine and the like along the river. Kew Gardens and Greenwich have winter festivals on. This Londonist article gives a few suggestions:
https://londonist.com/london/christm...-on-boxing-day
Do be prepared for the weather. It's generally cold and damp around Christmas, although the long-range forecast is showing fairly mild, dry weather in London this year, so you could be lucky. It will cool off quickly when the sun goes down, which is around 4pm.
Dec 18, 2018, 8:15 am
#4
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Thank you all for your responses so far.
As for "things to do" with our group, would Hyde Park make more sense, or something more centrally located? We're Hilton members, so we're considering Bankside or the Waldorf, but what is there to see/do for kids under 10 in that area?
Hyde Park seems like it would be more entertaining for them, and hotels are much more reasonably priced in that area.
As for "things to do" with our group, would Hyde Park make more sense, or something more centrally located? We're Hilton members, so we're considering Bankside or the Waldorf, but what is there to see/do for kids under 10 in that area?
Hyde Park seems like it would be more entertaining for them, and hotels are much more reasonably priced in that area.
Dec 19, 2018, 12:25 am
#5
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Context: The tube runs a Sunday service on boxing day. That's fewer trains than you'd see on a weekday rush hour but by any normal standards it's still a busy and intensive service. You'll have no trouble getting around in central London.
Dec 19, 2018, 1:49 am
#6
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There is a day by day guide of services over the Christmas and new year periods on the TfL website. Www.tfl.gov.uk
most of the public museums ( British Museum / National gallery etc) will be closed Boxing Day and some on the 27th as well. Best to check each one you are interested in website for accurate detIls. Commercial attractions (London Eye for example) are more certain to be open on Boxing Day.
most of the public museums ( British Museum / National gallery etc) will be closed Boxing Day and some on the 27th as well. Best to check each one you are interested in website for accurate detIls. Commercial attractions (London Eye for example) are more certain to be open on Boxing Day.
Dec 19, 2018, 3:43 am
#7
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Hyde Park Winter Wonderland will be open. A "Bavarian" style feast of pleasure!
Dec 19, 2018, 4:26 pm
#8
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Thank you all for your responses so far.
As for "things to do" with our group, would Hyde Park make more sense, or something more centrally located? We're Hilton members, so we're considering Bankside or the Waldorf, but what is there to see/do for kids under 10 in that area?
Hyde Park seems like it would be more entertaining for them, and hotels are much more reasonably priced in that area.
As for "things to do" with our group, would Hyde Park make more sense, or something more centrally located? We're Hilton members, so we're considering Bankside or the Waldorf, but what is there to see/do for kids under 10 in that area?
Hyde Park seems like it would be more entertaining for them, and hotels are much more reasonably priced in that area.
Jan 4, 2019, 8:02 am
#9
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Winter Wonderland would probably entertain the kids, but it's sort of the same stuff you'd see anywhere really. For a mini version, (and I really do mean small version) there are some stalls and rides in Leicester Square. Depending on the age of the kids, there is the Lego shop and, not sure why anyone goes in there, an M&M world all nearby.