by Hi my lovely readers!
Christmas is my favourite time of the year. I love all the lights, everything smells amazing and the buildings and streets of London are beautifully decorated. What’s not to love?
And have I mentioned all the gorgeous foods and treats we can indulge in during this time of the year? Who doesn’t love some mulled wine or warm wintry spiced apple juice when the nights get cold with some yummy homemade chocolate kipferl? Hmm, just thinking about those makes me smile.
And of course all the exciting wintery and Christmassy activities that pop up once more around the city to get us all into the Christmas mood and spirit of the most wonderful time of the year.
There is always something going on in London so…
Let’s have a look at 9 Christmassy Activities you can do in the Winter in London.
1. WONDER AROUND WINTER WONDERLAND
A visit to Winter Wonderland, located in Hyde Park is a must. This German run super sized Christmas market offers something for everyone. You can find stalls selling handmade crafts and clothes, yummy foods and treats and plenty of different activities for the kids and adults alike.
Winter Wonderland has grown exponentially over the years and more and more things to do have been added. You can ride on one of the many rides such as the ferries wheel, watch a circus performance, visit Santa in Santa Land or admire ice sculptures in the Magical Ice Kingdom and much more.
Alternatively, there is always the option to just enjoy and warm of with hot mulled wine and feast on Bratwurst. Well, that’s what I’m always doing. 🙂
PS: I can totally recommend watching the circus performance from Zippo Circus. They are fantastic and I’ve seen them multiple times when they came to London over the years.
2. VISIT AN ICE BAR
It can’t get any colder and cooler than visiting an ice bar in London. Located in Winter Wonderland, the ice bar is a fun place to hang out and enjoy a drink while being surrounded by crystal clear and beautifully crafted ice sculptures.
Although you will get a winter cloak and gloves to keep you warm, I would still recommend to dress up warm as the ice bar is maintained at -10°C. Tickets include a free cocktail and admission. Expect to get brain freeze, in a good way though, as drinks are served in pre-carved ice glasses and kept at a chilling temperature.
3. ADMIRE THE MANY CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AROUND THE CITY
London around Christmas is famous for its magical Christmas light displays. Walk around The Strand, Carnaby Street and Oxford Street, just to name a few, and look out for all the different light displays inspired by different themes.
This will surely get you into the Christmas spirit.
4. WARM UP IN A PUB WITH SOME MULLED CIDER
After a long day of sightseeing, heading to the pub is THE thing to do in London, well in the UK actually. This is were us locals hang out, where we like to spend time with our friends and where you can try some traditional British pub food.
Try a British Christmas dinner instead of the normal pub grub such as Turkey with all the trimmings and Christmas pudding of course as well as mulled cider.
Mulled cider is apple cider infused with those spices and flavours associated with mulled wine. It’s a great alternative to mulled wine and one of my favourite hot drinks in the winter, after mulled wine of course.
5. VISIT NATIONAL TRUST DECORATED HOUSES
The National Trust houses are fabulous. You can see how people used to live back in the days and in the winter many are beautifully decorated. Some have themes, some have wintry floral displays scattered throughout the house and others have different Christmas trees in every single room.
Either way, visiting the houses in the winter kills two birds with one stone. You get to see the interior, learn about the families that used to live there and you get to see a beautifully decorated and christmassy house.
Related Posts:
- Chartwell – The Family Home of Sir Winston Churchill
- Ham House A Grand Stuart House And The Most Haunted In Britain
In the winter Osterley Park and Ham House in London are normally open, but I would recommend double checking as some of the houses go into hibernation and close for the winter and open again around spring.
6. ICE SKATING
Another firm favourite is ice skating in magnificent settings around London. There are plenty of ice rinks across the city with beautiful and historic backdrops.
Some of the ice rinks can be found in front of the Natural History Museum (see picture), Hampton Court Palace, Somerset House and many more.
It’s a lovely winter activity and will help you burn all those extra calories. 🙂
7. GO FOR A WINTER WALK
Strolling around London in the winter is something else with all the shop windows, especially along Oxford and Regent Street, being decorated and dressed as well as all the Christmas lights sparkling.
But not just the city, also the parks make a nice and calming backdrop for a winter walk and allow you to get away from the busy streets of London.
A walk around Bushy Park or Richmond Park when the air is fresh and crisp while watching the dear is lovely and very relaxing. An oasis in the bustling city of London.
8. VISIT THE CHRISTMAS MARKETS
Winter Wonderland is the biggest Christmas market you can find in London. However, there are plenty of other and smaller markets scattered around the city such as Southbank, Covent Garden, Leicester Square and many more.
All are a bit different in terms of size, food and gifts on offer as well as goodies you can find. Either way, a stop to warm up with a hot drink is always a great option.
9. ATTEND A CHRISTMAS SHOW OR PLAY
London offers world class musicals, performances and shows that rival Broadway in the US. I would even argue that we perhaps have more and better once?
During the festive season many theatres switch up there line up and offer Christmas inspired performances. I guess the most famous one would be the Nutcracker, performed by the English National Ballet.
More Winter and Christmas Related Reads:
- Christmas Gift Ideas For Cruise Lovers
- Christmas Traditions In Germany – Potato Salad And Wiener Würstchen
- Christmas Traditions In Germany – St Nicholas Day
- 40 Winter And Christmas Ideas To Help You Take Care Of Yourself
- Homemade Heidesand Christmas Cookies
