Any city is beautiful at Christmas, but London is magical.
This is the second time I’ve travelled to London in December and I love visiting London at Christmas time more and more! In this article I’ll tell you about the must-see places you have to visit during your Christmas trip to London.
Also, if you don’t have much time in the city, I recommend this itinerary to see London in 2 days.
Contenido
- 🎄 London at Christmas: Things to do and see
- 📍 Winter Wonderland
- 📍 Ice Skating
- 📍 Fall in love with the lights at Kew Gardens
- 📍Search for the best Christmas lights in town
- 📍 Turn Covent Garden into your favourite part of London
- 📍Explore its Christmas markets
- 📍 Book a table at a special venue
- 📍 Get lost in the department stores
- 📍 Photographing all the beautiful façades you find along the way
📍 Winter Wonderland
You can’t think of Christmas in London without Winter Wonderland coming to mind.
Winter Wonderland is the biggest Christmas fair in town. Whether you come with a partner, friends or family, Winter Wonderland has space and attractions for everyone.
It is open from the end of November until the New Year. It’s free to enter and is located in Hyde Park, London’s largest – and most famous – park.
At Winter Wonderland you can sample the famous mulled-wine, resist crepes, waffles and other sweet temptations, or gobble up a bratwurst sausage.
The attractions operate with tokens, which you can buy at the ticket booths. However, there are other attractions that you can buy online, such as skating, ice bar tickets and more, which you can see on their website.
The nearest tube station is Hyde Park Corner.
📍 Ice Skating
Ice skating is almost another symbol of the arrival of Christmas.
In London, it’s a must-do. The city has more than 10 ice rinks spread throughout the city centre. The most beautiful – in my opinion – are the one at the Natural History Museum (it’s beautiful at sunset) and the one at Somerset House.
Although I have to say that I’m looking forward to visiting the one in Canary Wharf.
The price depends on the rink you choose, but it’s usually between £10-15 per adult. You can book online at all the rinks, or once you’re there.
📍 Fall in love with the lights at Kew Gardens
Christmas at Kew is a real festival of lights, and one of the best places to see in London at Christmas.
If you’re lucky enough to be able to attend, don’t hesitate, you’re going to fall in love! And if you don’t believe me, take a look at their website to convince yourself.
📍Search for the best Christmas lights in town
The Christmas lights in London are quite a spectacle.
If it’s already beautiful to walk around the city and see it dressed up for Christmas, at night it’s something extraordinary. In fact, there are tours that take you on a tour of the most beautiful and best decorated – and illuminated – places in the city.
The streets you can’t miss are Oxford Street, Regent Street, Carnaby Street – the most amazing – and Convent Garden, whose decorations you’ll see if you read on.
📍 Turn Covent Garden into your favourite part of London
Covent Garden is one of my favourite places in London. And at Christmas, even more so.
Covent Garden is an atmospheric place in itself, with tiny – and cute – shops, street performers and the most beautiful Christmas decorations.
The lights are more normal, but just as beautiful. In the pictures below you can see this year’s decorations. If you search for “Covent Garden” on Instagram, you’ll understand the charm of this corner before you come.
📍Explore its Christmas markets
Although I’ve already given you a preview of some of the Christmas markets you can’t miss during your Christmas trip to London, the city has a few more: in London Bridge, SouthBank, Greenwich and Winterwille (in Clapham Common).
The most central, and the one you’re almost 100% sure to visit without wanting to, is the one in Leicester Square. It’s tiny and located in the square itself.
📍 Book a table at a special venue
If you plan your trip to London ahead of time, you can discover plenty of places that host special Christmas-themed events.
The Coppa Club – known for its famous igloos on the banks of the Thames – is one such legendary venue.
📍 Get lost in the department stores
The days are shorter, and you should make the most of as many hours of sunshine as possible on your trip.
But, don’t worry, department stores are a great option to get lost when it gets dark in London.
Harrods should be at the top of your list. I’m sure if you’ve spoken to anyone about your next trip to the neighbouring country, they’ve told you that you can’t leave without seeing this department store.
Selfridges, Debenhams John Lewis or Fortnum & Mason -my second favourite department store- are other places I recommend you to visit.
