London in December could also be wet or uncooked however when the solar units within the late afternoon, the lights glitter and you may really feel the magic of Christmas within the air. Like most massive cities, London provides cosmopolitan, big-city enchantment, however through the holidays it nonetheless incorporates a number of the appeal of conventional European villages. There are such a lot of enjoyable issues to do in London at Christmas, however in case you are visiting it’s arduous to suit all of them in so I wished to share a number of the highlights.
We visited London in December simply earlier than Christmas and thought it was an ideal time to see the sights and seize the vacation spirit. Because it was the week earlier than Christmas, we discovered low-cost flights (~$500 per particular person) and higher availability at London inns.
Our days have been full of visiting the sights…Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, the British Museum, and all the pieces Harry Potter. However we additionally made time to squeeze in some particular vacation occasions and meals. I imply, if we’re visiting London for Christmas, it’s a should, proper?
Whereas there’s a lot to do in London (see my 7-day London itinerary for how one can match all of it in), ensure you go away yourselves time to take pleasure in a few of what makes London at Christmas so particular.
Greatest Issues to do in London at Christmas
1. Play all Day at Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland takes over a big a part of Hyde Park in Central London from mid-November by early January. It truly is one thing you’ll be able to’t miss in case you are visiting London at Christmas. Winter Wonderland is a mash-up of fairground rides with meals stalls, reveals, and a few terrific Christmas markets.
Tickets at the moment are required to get into this large vacation competition and should be booked upfront. Throughout off-peak hours, entrance is free however will price you £5-7.5 for entry throughout peak hours. However when you spend £25 on rides and points of interest, your entrance price can be free.
To get in, you will have to enter by a safety gate so to streamline the method, go away your bag on the lodge and solely convey your pockets and cellular phone.
You will have to pay to trip any of the rides and to participate in experiences like ice skating, Christmas reveals, and rides on the Large Wheel (a enjoyable various to the favored London Eye.) Many of those particular actions ebook up early, particularly in case you are visiting on the weekend. I’d extremely advocate reserving these tickets upfront once you reserve your tickets!
Inside Winter Wonderland one can find a magical ice kingdom, an actual ice slide, ice sculpting workshops, circus reveals, and plenty of rides from curler coasters to the family-friendly Santaland practice.
If you wish to store, there’s additionally a Christmas market throughout the Winter Wonderland. The Angels Christmas Market additionally provides over 100 charming picket chalets packed stuffed with distinctive presents, handmade Christmas decorations, and tempting culinary delights.
There are numerous beer halls and meals stands all through the park, permitting you to heat up with mulled wine, scorching chocolate, bratwurst, and different conventional meals.
If you happen to plan forward, you may also ebook reservations at Bar Ice (the place all the pieces is product of ice). There are even large tipis at Thor’s or you’ll be able to heat up on the Fireplace Pit bar.
I’d advocate visiting within the late afternoon so that you could get your bearings and discover whereas it’s nonetheless gentle out and never as chilly, however keep when the solar units and in addition see the competition lit up in all of its glory. Simply be certain that to bundle up!
2. Store Conventional Christmas Markets
If you happen to don’t get your fill of the Christmas markets at Winter Wonderland, head throughout the Thames to the Southbank Centre Winter Pageant. Right here one can find free and ticketed occasions, reveals, household leisure, festive meals, glittering lights, and a conventional Christmas Market from late October by early January. Additionally, you will discover market stalls providing distinctive presents and artisan crafts.
You possibly can simply spend your complete day on the South Financial institution between the Borough Market, Globe Theater, Tate Trendy, the London Eye, Shrek’s Journey! London, SEA LIFE London Aquarium, and a lot extra. Or, you’ll be able to end off a go to to the Tower of London with a stroll throughout Tower Bridge to the Christmas Market on the opposite facet.
If you happen to stroll from the Southbank Centre in the direction of Tower Bridge, you’ll come to Christmas by the River at London Bridge. You possibly can catch lovely views of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. The market options handmade crafts, specialty meals, and steaming cups of mulled wine.
You may also discover different Christmas Markets round London together with these at Borough Market, Covent Backyard, Leicester Sq., and Trafalgar Sq..
3. Ice Skating
When the rain stops, it’s time to strap on the skates and head to one of many many ice skating rinks round London. Sadly the rink by the Tower of London is now closed, however there are nonetheless many outside ice rinks round London together with Hampton Court docket Palace, Canary Wharf, Somerset Home, Skylight Ice Rink on the rooftop of Tobacco Dock, Queen’s Home Ice Rink in Greenwich, and Glide on the Battersea Energy Station. In fact, you may also add ice skating to your record of issues to expertise at Winter Wonderland!
4. See the Christmas Decorations
One of many issues we loved essentially the most about visiting London at Christmas was the tasteful and festive vacation decorations making the streets glitter and glimmer. Regent Road began this custom in 1954 and its “Spirit of Christmas” shows are spectacular with sweeping canopies of sunshine that run from Langham Place all the way in which to Waterloo Place on the southern finish of Regent Road St James’s. This can be a nice space to stroll round when visiting London at Christmas.
After strolling alongside Regent Road, be sure you additionally see the brightly coloured decorations alongside Bond Road, the place the peacock feathers at the moment are being changed by a royal theme. The show pays tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II with 93,652 LEDs that characteristic 4 monumental crowns at key junctions on Bond Road, impressed by The Imperial State Crown.
Oxford Road’s gentle show of 5,000 dangling stars is switched on in early November. The shows throughout this busy purchasing thoroughfare are additionally now centered on sustainability, utilizing 300,000 LED gentle bulbs and recycled plastic, making them 75 % extra environment friendly than conventional bulbs.
We additionally appreciated popping into the retailers in Convent Backyard and the Burlington Arcade to see the lights and draping of evergreen garlands exhibiting off the festive spirit.
In case you are on the lookout for an enormous Christmas tree or Hannukah Menorah, one can find these in Trafalgar Sq..
5. Go to the Outlets
The children will love visiting Hamleys, one of many largest toy shops on the earth. Flooring after ground provides delights for all ages. Though some toys is likely to be discovered wherever, there are additionally specialty keepsakes, like Hadley’s personal stuffed teddy bears.
Fortnum and Mason is a feast for the eyes and the stomach. That is the place you’ll be able to order and ship a few of its well-known vacation hampers. They are often full of no matter specialty meals and delicacies you need.
When you’re completed purchasing, be sure you additionally cease into the ice cream store for ice cream sundaes. Or, choose up some goodies or lovely marzipan candies on the primary ground.
And naturally, Harrods is a must-visit it doesn’t matter what time of 12 months. However seeing this block-size division retailer draped in twinkling lights is one thing particular. Children will take pleasure in assembly the life-size Harrod Bears.
Bonus: Blenheim Palace
We didn’t get to go to on our go to however Christmas at Blenheim Palace appears magical! There may be an illuminated gentle path, fantastically adorned staterooms, classic fairground rides, and an “Alice within the Palace” expertise.
Suggestions for Visiting London at Christmas
- Go to per week or two earlier than Christmas to keep away from the most important crowds.
- Learn my suggestions for planning your London itinerary
- Learn the way a lot a journey to London prices and create your trip finances
- Be ready for site visitors jams from supply vehicles dropping off vacation packages so plan on utilizing the Tube and Heathrow Specific as an alternative.
- When utilizing the Tube, keep away from rush hour when it’s most crowded.
- Make a reservation for a vacation meal the place they provide conventional Christmas Poppers and Crowns — it’s a particular expertise!
- Go to the Harry Potter Tour on the Warner Brothers Studio to see Hogwarts as it’s adorned for Christmas (see my information for all of the Harry Potter points of interest in London.)
- Costume in heat layers and be sure you pack rain boots and a protracted, waterproof jacket
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