Bringing a foreign girlfriend home for Christmas

[vladi]

Our son, who has worked in Europe for several years wants to bring his German girlfriend (aged 25) to stay with  us over Christmas. We have met her once and she is lovely but we are of more modest means than her family. She speaks excellent English and has a Phd.
We are eager to ensure that her stay is  enjoyable and informative  as regards English culture. 
Apart from going to pantomime, seeing Dulwich Hamlet, Horniman Museum and Dulwich Picture Gallery can any one contribute suggestions for a "London experience" that might be interesting?

[Finderloo]

The sky garden is free (just need to book) and an impressive view of London up there.. a lot of the big museums in central London are also free, if a little bit of a pain to get to from Dulwich.

[hellose5]

She will have a good time because you already show you care about her having a good time.  Loads of free things to do - as a couple they will probably want to get round on their own but you can supply some additional ideas - free London guided walks, all the museums in South Ken, street entertainments eg in Covent Garden, hotel Christmas lobbies decorated with trees, Borough market, walk along the South Bank, the markets Portobello, Camden, Spitalfields et al, free music concerts and lunchtime talks in many churches St Martins in the Fields for example,  and art galleries and the list goes on... Bloomberg Connect is a good app for museums, check out the Londonist, the Nudge, all the blogs on tips for London

[jazzer]

I hope she has a really enjoyable time 

There is such a vast choice of things to see from Dulwich College, beautiful architecture, the cottage in Dulwich Village where Dickens lived, I think, Greenwich Park and Observatory, to the top of Honor Oak Park over looking London and a couple of other tall hills in SE23. 

So much to see and do in central London, the list is endless. 

[vladi]

Many thanks for the tips.

There is no necessity for the venues or events to be free. Our son earns a really good salary so he is is well able to fund a good selection of events, performances and venues.

[Spartacus]

There is the Chelsea winter village 

https://chelsea-pensioners.co.uk/events/chelsea-winter-village-illuminations

Christmas lights and windows in central London 

Not sure if winter wonderland is on

Ice skating at Somerset house 

https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/skate-somerset-house

So many things to do.and see 

[malumbu]

You could take them to some of the outer boroughs to see the display of flags from lamp posts.  Don't answer that.

Walk up to and around Sydenham Hill and onto the village if the weather is good.

Wilton's music hall, the last Victorian/Edwardian music hall for potted panto 

https://wiltons.org.uk/whats-on/potted-panto-2425/

[Sue]

The Ivy House, London's first community owned pub, thriving, lots going on, and just down the road in Nunhead!

If this is the first time she has been to London, loads of things to see, obviously, so it would depend on her interests and how long she is here for?

The more famous "sights" might appeal more than local landmarks, or vice versa,  but maybe make a list of possibilities and  leave it open until she's here?

Some may also depend on the weather, of course, and what is open when over the holiday period.

Hope you all have a lovely time!

 

[malumbu]

If she, he and/or you can sing with a small audience you could join the Goose people at the monthly sing around, now at the Castle.  The German version of silent night always goes down well I understand - that's a genuine comment 

[Angelina]

Kew does fabulous Christmas garden light displays.

Ice skating at Somerset House

and you have to take her to Hamleys

[vladi]

One of my mates mischievously suggested letting her see Dinner for One - Wikipedia

[Sue]

30 minutes ago, malumbu said:

If she, he and/or you can sing with a small audience you could join the Goose people at the monthly sing around, now at the Castle.  The German version of silent night always goes down well I understand - that's a genuine comment 

You don't need to sing! You definitely don't need to sing to an audience! Listeners are welcome!

The December singaround on 14 December is our Seasonal Singaround when we intersperse unison carols with individual songs.

But that is probably too early in December for your guests?

And  we no longer sing either Stille Nacht or Adeste Fideles in German or Latin, because too many people only know those carols in English, so we felt it wasn't very inclusive for unison singing.

People are welcome to sing individually in any language they want, though - and do!

More info from

Https://www.thegooseisout.com/faq

Edited September 3 by Sue
Correcting link

[Azalea]

A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic and a visit to Dennis Severs house in Spitalfields

[Sue]

On 11/09/2025 at 20:55, Azalea said:

A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic and a visit to Dennis Severs house in Spitalfields

Both great ideas.

I went round that house in the early eighties (I think it was, may have been later),  but I think the tour is differently done now (and a lot more expensive!)

[beansprout]

Walking around Belgravia and Knightsbridge stopping to look at window displays in Harvey Nics and Harrods. Tea at The Ritz and Burlington Arcade. Theatre without doubt - concert at Royal Albert Hall. Must go to Fortnum and Mason and Foyles Bookshop. London is magical at Christmas Time whoever and whatever one does. Personally, avoid Winter whatever it's called in Hyde Park - usually near Hyde Park Corner - got it Winter Wonderland. Expensive, tacky. See what’s on at Sachi Gallery in Sloane Square - sounds really crazy but a walk thru any of the parks and even a row on the Sepentine plus visit that gallery.

[Jjoseph]

Is this a wind up?