Visiting London is always a good idea, but at Christmas time she is extra special and magical! It is almost impossible not to get into the festive buzz whilst there as everything appears to come to life, especially at night. With darkness setting in early in the afternoons, the lights and festive decorations really stand out, and with the addition of the crisp winter air and the sweet aromas coming from the many Christmas market huts, it’s easy to see why London at Christmas time is a must-see experience.
So if you are planning a visit to London this Christmas here are the top 6 things to do!
1. Marvel at the Christmas lights and decorations
What better way to spend the evening than going for a casual stroll and taking in the mesmerising signs of the millions of twinkling Christmas lights and festive decorations! They can be found on almost every street in central London and each street with its unique theme to it.
Our favourite places to see them are; Covent Garden, Oxford Street, Regent Street, Bond Street and Carnaby Street.
2. Enjoy a Christmas themed afternoon tea
Treat yourself and your friends and family to a delightful afternoon of unlimited bubbly, teas and coffees, finely cut sandwiches, warm scones and an assortment of cakes, mince pies and other heavenly delicacies. This is the best way to get a taste of the British culture and at Christmas time it is even more special as the venues are fabulously decorated, oozing festive coziness!
Our favourite places for afternoon tea are; The Ritz, Sheraton Grand, The Langham Hotel, The Savoy Hotel, London Hilton Hotel, One Aldwych, Nobu Hotel London Shoreditch and Biscuiteers Afternoon Tea.
3. Go Christmas Shopping
Shopping is definitely one of London’s strong points at any time during the year but at
Our favourite places for shopping are; Jubilee and Apple Market Covent Garden, Harrods Knightsbridge, Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge, Oxford Street, Christmas Market Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, Portobello Road Market in Notting Hill, Greenwich Market in South London, London’s Southbank Christmas Market, Old Spitalfields Market at Liverpool Street Station and Westfield Shopping centre Stratford.
4. Go Ice Skating
Ice Skating is definitely an activity best enjoyed in the winter months especially during the build-up to Christmas. There is just something so festive about putting on a pair of skates, wrapping yourself up in a big winter scarf and gliding through a crisp winter evening surrounded by twinkling fairy lights, the merry cheer of children playing and Christmas music playing in the background.
Our favourite outdoor Ice Rinks are; Canary Wharf Ice Rink, Eyeskate at the London Eye, Hampton Court Palace Ice Rink, Natural History Museum Ice Rink, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland and Somerset House Ice Rink.
5. Visit London’s Christmas Trees
There’s nothing more Christmassy than Christmas trees! So why not spend an evening discovering London’s best outdoor Christmas Tree displays. If you only have time to go and see one we would definitely recommend you check out Trafalgar Square’s Christmas tree as it is the world’s most famous one and it is an annual gift from Norway to the UK as a token of gratitude for the assistance in World War 2.
Our favourite Christmas Tree Displays; Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, The Royal Exchange, St Pancras International Station, Leadenhall Market and Somerset House.
6. Explore the Christmas Markets
Come late November and London is filled with cheerful Christmas Markets. Head to one of London’s Christmas Markets where you can pick up some thoughtful Christmas gifts whilst soaking up the festive atmosphere with a mug of mulled wine and some roasted chestnuts! Pure Christmas bliss!
Best of all, London’s Christmas markets run for much longer than other parts of Europe so you can enjoy the festive atmosphere whenever you choose to visit this winter.
Our favourite Christmas Markets in London are; Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, Leicester Square’s Christmas Market, Christmas Market at Tate Modern, Borough Market, The Southbank Winter Festival, London Bridge’s Christmas by the River and Covent Garden Market.
Author: Anna Popova