I know it's a cliché but I bloody love Christmas, I guess because there's not only so much to do but I've embraced it as a time to bring families together. Coming from an Indian family the only thing we used to do at home growing up was have a few lights, some sad little tree in the corner. But! I remember the excitement my dad used to bring by driving us to the city to see lights. Those amazing lights! They're just not the same anymore! And I remember consuming copius amounts of chestnuts whilst there, stopping outside Hamley's (you could park in those days) and gushing at the scenes every year... On the way back dad would take us for apple pie and ice cream at McDonald's! Those days were magic!
Now there's so much hype on getting tonnes of presents for the kids they don't even care about, going to a panto as mandatory, going to winter wonderland and if you don't you get fomo (fear of missing out) because your mates have all posted photos of it on Facebook!
My biggest joy is decorating my house and making it magical. Past few years I've gathered alot of 'scenes' with which I create a magical Christmas village with snow and all around the fire place. My eldest doesn't believe in Santa but I still put food out for his reindeer and go through that whole ritual. My favourite last year and year before was the 'elf on the shelf' this elf did some super cool things every night and was found the next morning by the kids with gasps of joy. That was all good until the kids played tug of war with him and broke him!!!
There's a lot to do at Christmas so I have tried to add as much as possible here, it would be impossible to cover all bases but here are my top picks for Ice Skating, Grotto's and Panto's!
I start with Ice Skating & some grotto's and will post the rest soon!
Please note, all information is as correct as per websites for each venue/show, I cannot take responsibility for any mis communications in price, dates and last minute amends.Ice Skating with the kids
The biggest tip I can give you, is if you can book skate aids online check availability first before booking, else its a bit of a fight to see who gets them first (on a first come first serve basis!)
London Designer Outlet - Wembley
When: 18th November to 2nd January
Time: 11am - 8pm
Admission: £5 off peak tickets, else £12.50 adults and £7.50 child
Age group: 3+
Session duration: 45minutes
Website: Please click here for booking details
Address: Wembley Park Boulevard, Wembley, HA9 0QL
Pooja's top tip: You have to get there early to acquire the penguin aids, they are first come first serve basis and £5. They have lockers on site. Last year the rink was wet with a big puddle as the sun had melted the ice and they would not give refunds, so please check out the ice skating rink first before buying tickets! Do not go if there are puddles, it really wasn't fun.
Westfield Shopping Centre - White City
When: 24th November to 8th January
Time: 10am - pm (timings are different for sundays and xmas eve)
Admission: Adult £10-14 (off peak/peak)
Child 4-12 £8.50
Family ticket £31.50 - 39 (off peak/peak)
Age group: 4+
Session duration: 45mins
Website: Please click here for details
Address: Westfield, White City, Ariel Way Shepherds Bush LONDON W12 7GF
Pooja's top tip: Great fun and they have music, last time I went they had a live band! They have seals and penguins bookable online, Seals are seated. Combine with their grotto, details coming!
Somerset House - London
When: 17th November - 15th January
Time: 10am - 915pm
Admission: £8.90 adults/children (under 12)
Age group: n/a
Session duration: n/a
Website: Please click here for booking details
Address: South Building, Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2R 1LA
Stations: Charing cross or Waterloo
Van Hague - Ware (Hertfordshire)
When: Thursday 17th November - Monday 9th January
Time: 9am - 9pm
Admission: Adults and children £6 each and skating aids are £5-7 and 50p booking fees!
Age group: 3 onwards
Session duration: n/a
Website: Please click here for booking details
Address: Van Hage, Great Amwell, Pepper Hill, Hertfordshire, SG12 9RP
Pooja's top tip: This is an undercover ice rink! and they have skating aids which can be booked in advance, as well as parent and toddler sessions (10-11 every day kids up to 8)...they also have an amazing grotto, see below in the grotto's section for details!
Hyde Park - Winter Wonderland
When: Friday 18th November - Monday 2nd January
Time: 10am - 10pm
Admission: Adult £9.50-15.50 (off peak/standard/peak)
Child £7.50-10.50 (off peak/standard/peak) (under 12s)
Family £30-42 (off peak/standard/peak)
Ice aids £5
Age group: Doesn't say but min child size skates are 9
Session duration: 50 minutes
Website: Please click here for booking details
Address: Hyde Park, Winter wonderland
Pooja's top tip: This place is extortionate as you can tell from the prices! yes there is lots to do there but a family of 4 could easily spend £100+ on attractions as there are rides etc. If you just want a wander and a few rides go for it, but there are plenty of other nice rinks, but I have to be unbiased and still let you know about it!
Alexandra Palace
When: Sunday 17th December Christmas special (else year round)
Time: 8.30pm-11pm
Admission: Looks like adults and students only £9.40
Age group: Looks like adults and students only - but a year round option for kids
Session duration: see timings
Website: Please click here for booking details
Address: Alexandra Palace Way, London, N22 7AY
Pooja's top tip: As you may/may not know this is a year round ice skating indoor rink, they have skate sessions as well as disco skate, its massive!
Natural History Museum
When: Sunday 17th December Christmas special (else year round)
Time: 8.30pm-11pm
Admission: Looks like adults and students only £9.40
Age group: Looks like adults and students only - but a year round option for kids
Session duration: see timings
Website: Please click here for booking details
Address: Alexandra Palace Way, London, N22 7AY
Pooja's top tip: I absolutely bloody love this place! It just feels like how Christmas should be, don't know whether its the backdrop, the intimate nature of it or just the décor and the smell of mulled wine! but its special! It is a bit on the small side so just note that. Check out the double bob skates for kids. Skate aids can be purchased on a first come first serve basis.
Christmas Grotto's
The Squires - Stanmore
When: Santas Grand arrival 20th Nov / Grotto 20th Nov - 24th December
Time: 10am for the grand arrival on the 20th Nov / Sat Grotto 1030-4pm & Sun Grotto 1030-330pm
Please note: Santa goes for lunch 1-2pm!
Admission: FREE!
Age group: Looks like adults and students only - but a year round option for kids
Website: Please click here for booking details
Address: Common road, Stanmore, Ha7 3jf
Pooja's top tip: Its a nice small garden centre, their Christmas decor is lovely, lots to buy and see, look out for their little village they make every year. Great cafe and you can take the kids to see the pets and aquarium too. The grotto is free and okay its in a decorated shed but who cares, its nice enough!
Westfield - White City
When: 19th November - 24th December
Time: Varies see at time of booking
Admission: £8-10 off peak / peak
Family tickets £28-35 off peak / peak - everyone needs a ticket
Age group: Presents for under 12s
Website: Please click here for booking details
Address: Westfield, White City, Ariel Way Shepherds Bush LONDON W12 7GF
Pooja's top tip: Book early, this place gets sold out! best to book in advance, pair this up with the ice skating as recommended. Its a Kung fu panda theme this year and you get a 4d experience too!
Christmas Wonderland Springtime nurseries - Enfield
When: 10th November - 24th December
Time: 10-5pm (4pm sundays closing)
Admission: £2 for Santa's train only & £10 for Santa's train and grotto (babies to 24months free sitting in arms if you want a gift you will need to pay for £10 ticket)
Age group: Babies upwards
Website: Please click here for booking details
Address: Cattlegate Road in Crews Hill, Enfield, EN2 9EE
Pooja's top tip: If you book in advance you beat the queues, I have heard queues are quite enormous!
Hamleys - London & other branches across the UK
When: 26th November - 24th December
Time: Various see website for details
Admission: £37.50 (lasting 45minutes)
Age group: 2-8 years
Website: Please click here for booking details
Address: London and other locations
Willows Farm - London Colney
When: 23rd November - 24th December
Time: Various see website for details
Admission: 25% discount online for dated tickets, prices are discounted:
Adult £9 / Child 2-16years £24.75 / Under 2s £17.50
Age group: 2-16 years
Website: Please click here for booking details
Address: Coursers Road, London Colney, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL4 0PF
Pooja's top tip: Kids get a key to the toy store and the toys are good! there is a synthetic ice rink and rides, crafts etc. A little on the pricey side this year though!
Van Hague - Ware
When: 5th November - 24th December
Time: 10-6pm
Admission: £7.50
Age group: up to 8 years
Website: Please click here for booking details
Address: Coursers Road, London Colney, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL4 0PF
Pooja's top tip: Pair this up with ice skating as recommended. For those with younger kids can go to parent and toddler sessions 10-11am and visit the grotto straight after!
Leicester Square Santa's Grotto
When: 11th November - 24th December (Celebrations continue till Jan)
Time: Various
Admission: £10 including 2 accompanying adults
Age group: n/a
Website: Please click here for booking details
Address: Leicester Square, main square, London
Other Christmas events
Lapland UK
When: 19th November - 24th December
Time: 9-5pm
Admission: 3.5 hour experience £55-130 per ticket
Age group: Various
Website: Please click here for booking details
Address: Ascot, Berkshire, Winkfield Row, Ascot SL5 8BD
Winter Wonderland - Hyde Park
When: 18th November - 2nd January
Time: Various
Admission: Free but pay for attractions
Age group: Various
Website: Please click here for booking details
Address: Hyde Park, London
Pooja's top tip: This can be a super duper expensive day, the atmosphere is wonderful but so is the price of the attractions!
Kew Gardens - Richmond
When: 23rd November - 2nd January
Time: 5pm
Admission: £18 / £10 concessions / Free under 4s
Age group: Various
Website: Please click here for booking details
Address: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew , Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE
