Premium Festive Tours or Pricey Gridlock?
For anyone who has endured London's infamous traffic jams, the idea of paying hundreds of pounds for the privilege might seem ludicrous. Yet, this Christmas season, black cab tour companies are capitalising on the high tourist footfall by offering exclusive taxi tours of the city's dazzling festive lights. Tourists eager to avoid the crowds on the Tube and buses are shelling out around £400 for an afternoon or evening chauffeured through streets adorned in yuletide splendour.
A Tale of Two Tour Operators
One firm, Black Taxi Tour, promotes a 'London Christmas Lights Tour' that promises to showcase the capital at its most magical. Their three-to-four hour excursions cover landmarks in Westminster, Fitzrovia, Soho, Knightsbridge, and Covent Garden. A four-hour tour booked for next weekend is priced at £396, accommodating between one and six people.
Meanwhile, Black Cab Heritage Tours offers a similar, slightly shorter experience. Their two-and-a-half-hour tour on the same date costs £280. While both companies boast positive TripAdvisor reviews, with many praising the guides for bringing the displays to life, others have balked at the steep price and the potential stress of sitting in Christmas congestion.
Seeking Cheer Without the Cost
The value of these premium tours was thrown into sharp relief when an Australian family visiting London sought advice on social media. After revealing they had been quoted just under £400, the online community was quick to suggest more affordable alternatives.
One respondent declared, 'That is madness. Get the map and walk it. Stop for hot chocolate and take pictures.' Another advised that hailing a regular black cabbie directly would likely be cheaper, accusing the tour companies of 'ripping off big style' and taking advantage of tourists. A third simply stated, 'That is an insane price!' recommending the bus Christmas light tours as a more fun and budget-friendly option.
By comparison, a 90-minute bus tour with Golden Tours on a GrayLine bus costs approximately £90 for a family of four, highlighting the significant price disparity.
A Festive Fiasco in the Cotswolds
This December has also seen accusations of sub-standard Christmas experiences beyond the capital. A pay-to-visit market at the Castle Combe Race Circuit in Chippenham was described as 'terrible' by disgruntled visitors this past weekend, with many demanding refunds.
Billed as an 'unforgettable' seasonal day out, the event promised a funfair, a Nativity-themed petting zoo, a drive-in cinema showing 'Elf', live music, and 40 market stalls. The reality, according to attendees, was a far cry from the promotional images featuring a twinkling carousel and Alpine-style chalets.
Guests faced their first hurdle just getting to the site, enduring bumper-to-bumper queues for nearly an hour before negotiating sodden, muddy fields. Upon entry—which cost £5 per person—they found a dismal scene. Stalls were sparse, there was just one ride and a set of trampolines, and the Nativity petting zoo featured a 'not very Christmassy' alligator'. One visitor lamented, 'Even the donkey looked depressed.'
The disappointment drew immediate comparisons to the infamous Willy Wonka experience in Glasgow earlier in 2024. One social media user confirmed the similarity, writing, 'I think it was lol.' Another posted, 'It was truly awful... The guy singing gave it his all, bless him. But even the snow machine was shocking!'
Faced with a barrage of criticism, Castle Combe Circuit issued a statement on Facebook acknowledging the disappointment and promising to review the feedback. The race track has since begun issuing refunds to some who contacted them directly.
