Hi! Our family is arriving in London on the morning of Christmas Eve (my husband, me, and our 12yo son; my mom; my brother and his girlfriend). We’re staying in an Airbnb near the West Kensington station. Looking for the best options to do a little grocery shopping to prepare a Christmas Day meal. Or are there stores we could place an order online for pickup or delivery? Or options for already-prepared family meals we could pick up on Christmas Eve? It’s our first time in London and we’re so exited! Thanks!
Posted by
Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus
2600 posts
Kind of tricky, because of the small window of opportunity.
If you go to Google maps you’ll see a Tesco Express and a small Waitrose not too far from the station. But go on Christmas Eve and chances are you won’t have much choice – the shelves will be running low.
Asda, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Iceland, Morrisons, and Waitrose do online deliveries – coordinating and booking a guaranteed slot for after you arrive on Christmas Eve might be challenging though.
Treat yourself to a hamper from Fortnum and Mason https://www.fortnumandmason.com/hampers/all-hampers
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33997 posts
could you order from one of the supermarkets and your AirBnb host receive and put away the order? How have they been so far?
I will say that where I am 90 minutes north of London that the Christmas delivery slots have been open a few days now and they are already filling up. Getting a Christmas Eve delivery could be non-trivial
Posted by
Bristol, UK
1454 posts
I agree that Christmas Eve delivery slots are very difficult to come by and will go to customers already registered with supermarkets.
In the last few years I have found that the shops are actually pretty well stocked right up to Christmas Eve. If you go to M&S I would feel fairly confident you’d be able to get everything you need.
Posted by
Freedonia
16413 posts
There is a Tesco Superstore less than a ten minute walk east of the West Kensington station on Old Cromwell Rd.
Sign up for delivery on their website. Some stores do not accept US credit cards.
Posted by
38 posts
From past experience that Tesco will be open till 7pm.
Posted by
Chicago, IL, USA
496 posts
I don't think Tesco is limited to delivery. See this about "click & collect". https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/zone/tesco-delivery.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33997 posts
even click and collect slots will fill promptly. The price of both delivery and collection varies with demand.
Posted by
11608 posts
You can pre order by phone a Christmas dinner for pickup on Christmas Eve before noon from Whole Foods. We did this in 2019. It was really delicious and we had plenty of leftovers too. Turkey will be the main, dessert mincemeat tarts .They were quite strict about pick up before noon.
They offered delivery but that seemed too risky.
We chose Whole Foods after corresponding with friends who live in London and were very pleased.
We were staying nearby.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33997 posts
Unless it is hiding I don't see how to order a Christmas Meal at Whole Foods for collection anymore.
The Kensington High Street one would be most convenient but seems to have disappeared from the website.
Now with ordering food the only option would appear to be Deliveroo (yuk) from Fulham or Richmond or Piccadilly, all of which are fairly far and the kid on the Deliveroo bike might not go that far.
Posted by
Stratford upon Avon
470 posts
I am seeing Roast Turkey Meal for 4 at £129.99 collected from their Kensington store
I think i will go to Lidl!
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3398 posts
Make it a festive occasion and go shopping at Borough Market! You'll have to take the tube there but it's a great place to shop for a Christmas meal. We have been in London several times at Christmas and always do this. They have pre-cooked birds and lots of other amazing things for Christmas dinner. Even if you don't end up buying anything the atmosphere is great!