With December upon us, the festive season is now well under way. If you’re heading to London soon, or perhaps you’re already a native to the streets of the capital, you might be looking for ways to get into the Christmas spirit.
There are many places to go during the festive season in London, whether to do a spot of shopping or just to take in the sights with the backdrop of Christmas decorations. So, without further ado, here’s a Londoner’s guide to Christmas in the capital.
See the Christmas Lights
One of the things I most love about Christmas in London are the many lights and decorations that go up every year. Various decorations are dotted around the city, with some of the most impressive displays in west London. My favourites are Regent Street and Carnaby Street, but others such as Oxford Street, Seven Dials and New Bond Street are also well worth a visit. As you move about the city, just remember to look up – and have your camera at the ready!
See Christmas Displays in London’s iconic stores
Probably my favourite thing to do during Christmas season in London is to see shop window displays of some of the most famous stores in the city. Fortnum and Mason is a particular stand out (their stem ginger biscuits are worth a visit alone), and be sure to visit Harrods, John Lewis and Selfridges. If children are in tow, Hamleys, the world’s oldest toy store, is a must. And while outside of these famous department stores, you may as well pop inside for some warmth if nothing else.
My absolute favourite to visit during the Christmas season is Liberty, which I think deserves a visit for its beautiful historic aesthetic alone anytime of the year. The department store is full of old world charm, even down to the wood panelled lift. They have a Christmas shop on the 4th floor full of beautiful ornaments to buy for your Christmas tree and other decorations.
Explore London’s Christmas Decorations
Covent Garden is somewhere to frequent for the Victorian architecture alone, but at Christmas it gets all the better. A stand out Christmas tree is to be found in the piazza, the Apple Market is decorated to the nines and market stalls (beside the usual) are dotted around selling Christmasy things, including mulled wine.
And while not technically London, Kew Gardens’ annual light display is reportedly spectacular; I can’t personally comment as I haven’t been there myself, but from the pictures alone it’s been on the bucket list for a little while now. However, tickets typically sell out much in advance, so if you can get your hands on some, it’s definitely worth a visit.
Ice Skate at Somerset House
I’d be lying if I say ice-skating is my thing. Truthfully, I’ve never even tried it and doubt I ever will – ice, the cold and my not great balance just seem like a recipe for disaster. But I’m well aware that for others ice skating is a must, and so I recommend Somerset House solely on the basis of how pretty the setting is.
Visit London’s Christmas markets
To be totally honest… I don’t think London is the best for Christmas markets. A lot of things sold are overpriced and generally are just not worth buying. I would also really recommend not bothering with Winter Wonderland. It’s very often packed with people, so it’s difficult to move around, and there really isn’t much to see.
But if you must go to a Christmas market in London, your options include Trafalgar Square and South Bank. And if you’re strolling around central London, then there’s a good chance you’ll stumble upon them anyway. And while it isn’t a Christmas market, Spitalfields market is also charming for a stroll around if you find yourself in east London.
If you find yourself in the iconic Richmond-Upon-Thames, which is only a short train journey from Waterloo Station, the town nearby, Kingston-Upon-Thames, hosts a Christmas market of their own. The town centre is decked out in Christmas decorations, and the Christmas market is navigable and has less people than similar markets in West London, so is definitely worth visiting if you find yourself there.
Ultimately, the best thing you can do as you move about the city is to enjoy the different Christmas lights dotted throughout the capital. Regent Street is my favourite with the flying angels, but nearby Bond Street, Carnaby Street and Oxford Street have their own designs to enjoy.
Or perhaps you want to stay warm and dry during the festive season (after all, winter is upon us, or soon to be if you’re waiting for the winter solstice), and are looking for Christmasy things to do at indoors? Why not check out our guides to the best Christmas films and TV to watch or listen to our Christmas playlist.
