Day 1: Arrival and Relaxation
After an unforgettable 10 days in Switzerland, we bid farewell to Zurich and took a flight to London Heathrow, arriving just in time to ring in the New Year in a new city! Our first stop was the Hyatt Regency London Stratford. The transport we booked via Klook made the transfer from the airport to the hotel a breeze.
The Hyatt Regency London Stratford was a perfect choice for us. Our suite was spacious, giving the boys plenty of room to play and relax. While it wasn’t located in downtown London, this suited us just fine as we’ve already visited the city three times and weren’t planning on doing much sightseeing. The hotel is conveniently connected to a Westfield Stratford City, which made it ideal for our shopping plans.
Exhausted from our journey, we checked in and decided to order room service for dinner. It was the perfect way to unwind and prepare for the days ahead.
Read our review of Hyatt Regency London Stratford.
Day 2: Exploring Bishopsgate and Covent Garden
We started our day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel. The train station right at our doorstep made it easy to set out for our first destination: Bishopsgate.
Bishopsgate is a bustling area known for its mix of modern skyscrapers and historic sites. We wandered around, taking in the sights such as:
- The Gherkin: This iconic building is one of London’s most recognizable landmarks.
- Spitalfields Market: A great spot to browse for unique crafts, antiques, and fashion.
For lunch, we headed to Duck & Waffle. We have been here before during our previous trip and love their star dish is the name of the restaurant. The restaurant is also famous for its stunning views of the city. We highly recommend making a reservation as it can get quite busy. The boys couldn’t get enough of my duck dish!
After lunch, we took London bus to Covent Garden.
The boys enjoyed watching street performers while we browsed through shops. The area has many family-friendly stores and cafes where we could take breaks and enjoy some treats. While the boys napped in their stroller, we did shopping. Covent Garden is a shopper’s paradise with plenty to offer:
- Apple Market: Known for handmade crafts and antiques.
- Boutique Stores: From designer brands to unique independent shops, there’s something for everyone.
The highlight of our visit is definitely visiting the Christmas Market at Covent Garden and Leicester Square. The festive atmosphere, with twinkling lights and holiday decorations, was enchanting. We enjoyed browsing the stalls, sipping hot chocolate, and soaking in the holiday cheer.
Days 3 & 4: Relaxing and Shopping in London
After a busy start to our trip, we decided to scrap our plans for a day trip to Legoland Windsor and opted for a more relaxed approach to our final two days in London. It was time to chill and do some shopping, especially for the boys! We spent the entire day 3 and the morning of Day 4 in Westfield Stratford City. This mega shopping center has all the shops you need conveniently located under one roof.
The boys were particularly thrilled with the toy shops like Entertainer, LEGO, and Marks and Spencer. We found it so convenient being near the hotel that we could easily drop off our shopping loot, recharge, and come back for more. It made our shopping experience stress-free and enjoyable, allowing us to make the most of our time in London.
Westfield Stratford City
For more shopping, Westfield Stratford City, conveniently located next to our hotel, offered plenty of options. It’s one of the largest urban shopping centers in Europe and has something for everyone, including:
- The Entertainer: A toy store with a wide range of toys and games.
- LEGO Store: A must-visit for LEGO fans.
- Disney Store: Perfect for Disney-themed toys and merchandise.
Hamleys and Surrounding
After our shopping spree at Westfield Stratford City, we ventured out on Day 4 to explore more kids’ attractions in London. Our first stop was Hamleys, the famous toy store on Regent Street. Hamleys has seven floors of toys, games, and gadgets, so it’s easy to spend hours exploring. The boys loved seeing all the different toys and even got to try out some of the demo models.
Here’s how to get there from our hotel:
- From Stratford Station, take the Central Line (red) towards West Ruislip.
- Change at Oxford Circus to the Bakerloo Line (brown) towards Paddington.
- Get off at Piccadilly Circus and Hamleys is a short walk from there.
We then explored the vicinity and walked to Leicester Square and surrounding to do more shopping and soak in the festive mood before calling it a day.
Day 5 – Wrapping Up Our Trip
Our last few days in London were exactly what we needed—relaxing and filled with fun shopping experiences. The boys had a blast exploring the toy stores, and we enjoyed the slower pace.
Our London adventure was the perfect end to our holiday, combining relaxation with a touch of excitement and plenty of shopping. Until next time, London!
Read all about our adventure in Switzerland here!
