London at Christmas
London is set to sparkle over the festive season, with the world-famous West End lights, seasonal shows at some of the capital's top theatres, ice rinks in iconic locations and a host of exciting winter events, plus a few "alternative" Christmas treats.
LIGHTS:
Covent Garden will host a modern, interactive lighting display by United Visual Artists, who have produced light shows for Massive Attack, Basement Jaxx and U2. Visitors will be able to interact with the installations via a control box, creating their own patterns of light (from 17 November). McFly switched on the star themed Regent
Street lights on 6 November and the Sugarbabes turned on the Oxford Street lights on 12 November.
SHOPPING:
London shoppers can enjoy a brand new Christmas shopping experience this year, at the newly-opened Westfield London, the largest urban shopping centre in Europe. Shop West End VIP Day hits the West End on 6 and 7 December, with bags of entertainment, celebrity appearances and special promotions, plus a traffic-free day
on Saturday 6. Seven Dials is offering a free "Bag Boy" service for shoppers. Bag Boys are bookable by the hour to help carry your purchases, open doors, call cabs and guide you around the seven streets of Seven Dials.
MARKETS:
Oxo Tower Wharf will host an Ethical Christmas Emporium (20-23 November), an eco chic emporium with hundreds of fair trade, ethical and environmental gift ideas and a "Green Santa" for kids.
Sutton town centre will be transformed into a Bavarian Market (28 November - 29 December), complete with a Bavarian bar shaped like a giant windmill, selling mulled wine and Bavarian drinks. The Bankside Winter Festival (12-21 December) will feature a winter market with 30-40 quality arts and crafts stalls, plus a lantern parade on 12 December at 4.30pm.
SKATING:
Ice rinks are springing up in iconic locations across the capital, from the Tower of London to Kew Gardens. London's ice rinks are getting more imaginative each year. This year the Somerset Houseice rink (19 November - 25 January) is putting on skating DJ nights and The O2 is opening a temporary indoor ski slope, complete with real snow covered trees and a chalet (30 November - 25 January). Hyde Park
Winter Wonderland will boast London's largest ice rink, plus an authentic German market, traditional children's carousel, helter-skelter and a giant big wheel.
ATTRACTIONS:
The Geffrye Museum's Christmas Past exhibition (25 November - 4 January) will feature 11 authentically decorated period rooms and explore the origins of festive customs like sending Christmas cards and kissing under the mistletoe. Visitors to Satan's Grotto (7-29 December) at the London Dungeon will pass blackened Christmas trees, icy spider webs and robins roasting on an open fire, before coming face-to-face with the Prince of Darkness himself.
THEATRE:
Gareth Gates, Joanna Page and Alistair McGowan will star in Cinderella (5 December - 18 January) at New Wimbledon Theatre. The Barbican will host a promenade performance of Hansel and Gretel (1 December - 4 January), where the audience follows the characters on their journey through the forest. And the Southbank Centre will present a Christmas show with a difference: Sinderella - The Twisted Tale of a Christmas Crack Whore by cult London trio The Tiger Lillies (18-20 December).
WHERE TO STAY:
base2stay(tm) hotel, Kensington, London - http://www.base2stay.com - is a great hotel for families - it's full of features that make it easy and practical when travelling with children.
Our rates are perfect for families as we charge by the room and not by the number of guests.
Our rooms can sleep up to three or four people - and we don't charge extra for babies' cots.
We also have a range of options for rooms to be combined into your own personal suite.
With our mini-kitchens, a vending machine rather than mini bars and a wide array of other features, you won't find a more family friendly option.
We include:
* mini-kitchen with fridge, microwave and crockery/cutlery in every room
* your choice of food (to suit all the family) can be delivered without any hotel mark-up
* Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Marks & Spencer and a wide array of local shopping all within walking distance
* flat screen tv with free music, games, radio & free internet as well as 30 pay per view films at £2 per film with ability to restrict adult movies
* on-screen 'base directory & guide' includes useful services for children
* vending machine
* superior rooms for up to 3 people and deluxe rooms up to 4 people
* suites and luxury bunk bed rooms for younger guests
* free baby cots
* under-bed storage for luggage
* lift access
* 24-hour reception & concierge services
* perfectly located for exploring Kensington's museums - the Science Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Natural History Museum.
* safe and secure neighbourhood
* the local area is packed with child friendly cafes and restaurants
* arrangement with the local Fitness First centre which has a swimming pool and cr¸che for children
* laundry and dry cleaning service (collection and delivery)
http://www.base2stay.com
