Winter Wonderlands

Again the Hyde park one is good and failing that take a walk upto Marble Arch and pop into one of the Lebanese restaurants for some good food and a shisha pipe:D
 
daz said:
The one in Hyde Park is actually a proper Christmas market - all of the stalls are German/from Europe. The beer and currywurst is delicious, and, whilst it is a bit crowded it is a fun day or evening out.
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About as German as me. All the staff are Indian/Pakistani and I am told it is run by a large Irish family
 
Not really a winter wonderland but we used to attend the Candlelight evenings in December at Lord Lichfields house (Shugborough Hall), had tours around the house and quarters, food, stalls, reindeer etc. That was amazing, very festive but the last 2 years they've moved to a day time event and its really not the same.

Last year we attended a Winter Wonderland at a race course (think it was Chester) a it was a mixed experience. £4.50 for a basic hot dog or burger, and we're talking the same as the £2.50 ones from the local van. Rides all worked on tickets, and you had to buy tickets in X multiples, of course you'd end up with some left at the end which you couldn't return.

Did not feel like Christmas at all, just a cold fairground.

Santa, you had to book a time slot for, we queued and it took about 40 mins to get in. They had 3 Santa's running with elves which helped move the queue along. When you finally walked in it was very good inside, well decorated, felt just like a film set. But you had 3-5 mins max and given a little gift and hurried out. Not something we are repeating this year.
 
If you go to the London one now rather than nearer Xmas it's far less busy. Also if you begin earlier and on a weekday before the rush its fine. We went on Friday and was fine. If you do go on Saturday and during peak time yes it is absolutely rammed and you can barely move in some parts.
 
Went to the lapland uk one last year, was freaking expensive but the kids absolutely loved it. Ice rink, fake snow, enthusiastic helpers, train rides, real huskies, a winter walk to santas cabin, a decent santa with helper, nice time had by all. Worth doing one time defo.
 
Not for everyone and personally wouldn't bother with them if it wasn't for my children.

Went to Cardiff WW last year and it was OK - very expensive rides as you have to buy tokens.

Went to Swansea WW Saturday just gone and was probably better than Cardiff. Went with GF for first time and between us we have 5 girls ranging from 2 to 13 and everyone enjoyed themselves.

Traditionally take my eldest and 3 friends to Cardiff xmas shopping and we'll be going to Cardiff WW again.

Its OK. Decent way to spend the day IMO.
 
mjt said:
Hop on the Eurostar to Brussels, take the ICE to Cologne and go to a proper Christmas market.

/thread
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/thread reopened

I lived in Munich for 5 years which has a 'proper' Christmas market which I frequented most evenings, and the Hyde Park one still impressed me. If anything the Hyde Park one has more for young kids to do. Have you been?
 
robgmun said:
Birmingham is probably the best UK one, and it seems to get bigger every year
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Can't help myself in Birmingham, always really enjoy it even though everything is overpriced. At least they've got 2 pint glasses for beer this year! Weekends are totally manic though. I think a Christmas market is slightly different to the winter wonderland type places where you take the kids to meet Santa and see a depressed reindeer.
 
I've done the Hyde Park one a few years now, usually with work mates, the cirque-de-soleil thing is great (need to dig up my videos), and we always ended up knocking back too many steins at the Bavarian beer house.
 
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