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Christmas in London: tips for a magical city trip full of sparkling lights and cozy Christmas markets. In December, the city transforms into a winter wonderland. Oxford and Regent Street dazzle, Covent Garden is beautifully decorated, and Hyde Park is home to the grand Winter Wonderland. With these Christmas in London tips, you can experience the highlights at their best: from ice skating at Somerset House and exploring photogenic light trails to visiting the coziest markets (Southbank and Leicester Square) and iconic department stores like Harrods and Fortnum & Mason. In this article, we’ll guide you through the top hotspots and share practical tips to help you make the most of your Christmas trip!
Christmas in London: a cozy and atmospheric period
Ready for a carefree, unforgettable Christmas in London? Dive into our complete guide below, packed with itineraries, must-sees, and other fun tips!
1. Visit Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park
The largest and most famous Christmas market in London is Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. A large festival area where, in addition to a Christmas market, you will find various carnival rides, an ice rink, a Ferris wheel and even roller coasters. It is crowded every year and definitely recommended if you are in London during the Christmas period. Just keep in mind that you can only enter Winter Wonderland if you buy tickets online in advance. On site, you can buy tickets for the attractions, but they are pricey in our opinion.
2. Southbank Centre Winter Market
Along the Thames, near the London Eye, every year you will find the Southbank Centre Winter Market. The wooden stalls, as you probably know them from German Christmas markets, sell handmade products as well as "mulled wine" and other goodies. This Christmas market is part of the Southbank Winter Festival where you can enjoy music, theater and comedy. Tip: try mulled cider at the Rekorderlig Cider Lodge!
3. Leicester Square
Year after year you will find on the famous Leicester Square a Christmas market. It is a not so big but still traditional looking Christmas market in central London. The place for a nice snack and drink while Christmas shopping in the city.
By train to London
One of the easiest and even fastest ways to travel to London from the Netherlands is by train. The Eurostar departs from the Dutch stations Amsterdam and Rotterdam and travels within 3.5 to 4 hours to the heart of London. If you book your return ticket on time then you can definitely buy a cheap ticket. For example, we paid around €100 per person for a return ticket Rotterdam - London during the Christmas period. Another plus is that you can take 2 checked bags per person and also 1 piece of hand luggage. Taking the train to London? Check out the attractive Eurostar deals here!
Staying overnight in London
In the weeks before Christmas, prices for lodging skyrocket so if you want to be in London for Christmas then booking a hotel early is definitely recommended. We stayed in the heart of London at Zedwell Piccadilly Circus. A very centrally located hotel where you stay in so-called cocoon. The rooms range from 2-to 12-person. Ideal for couples but also for groups of friends. The price-location ratio was good, but keep in mind that the rooms have no windows.
Zedwell Piccadilly Circus
Zedwell Piccadilly Circus is located in the heart of London and very nice place to stay. You sleep in a so-called cocoon with a comfortable bed. It is one of the few hotels in London where the price-quality-location ratio is top. On average, you pay between €135.00 and €300.00 per room per night for an overnight stay.
Christmas shopping in London
Shop till you drop! With iconic department stores full of luxury products and grand shopping streets filled with beautiful stores, you won't get bored easily in London. There are dozens of places to store, but we think these are the best places in London for buying Christmas gifts:
1. Covent Garden
Covent Garden is one of the coziest places in London during the holidays, as far as we are concerned. The venue transforms into a true Christmas paradise with as many as 115,000 twinkling lights, a huge authentic Christmas sleigh, enormous baubles and London's largest hand-picked Christmas tree. To make Covent Garden even more magical during the holidays, there is now snow. Every whole hour, snowflakes fall down from the rooftops. Fancy a drink during your visit to Covent Garden? Then look for one of our favorite hotspots in London: VyTA Covent Garden. Tip: ask for a spot on the balcony!
Visit Covent Garden's website for fun events taking place during the 2023 Christmas season.
2. Seven Dials
Within walking distance of Covent Garden you will find the cool neighborhood of Seven Dials. The center of Seven Dials is a crossroads where seven streets come together, which is where the neighborhood got its name. The streets are full of cute boutiques, hip stores and cozy hotspots. Hidden behind the streets of Seven Dials is Neal's Yard, a colorful courtyard with restaurants, bars cafes and stores.
3. Harrods
London's most famous department store is undoubtedly Harrodsbut did you know that Harrods is the largest department store in Europe? Harrods is known to go all out in terms of Christmas decorations during the holidays. It is therefore advisable when night falls to take a look at the department store. The gigantic building will sparkle with iconic lights, but be sure to walk past the window displays as well. These are always spectacularly decorated.
4. Fortnum & Mason
This luxury department store has two stunning locations in the heart of London and is a wonderful place to find sparkling and chic Christmas gifts. Fortnum & Mason sells British-made products of high quality including, of course, various teas. This is expected to come with a nice price tag though. Are you in London with girlfriends and/or your mother? Then an afternoon tea should not be missed and the experience at Fortnum & Mason seems to be unforgettable!
Locations Fortnum & Mason in London: 181 Piccadilly, St. James's (1707 department store) and 4-7 Royal Exchange (floor G).
Must-do activities in London during Christmas time
London at Christmas is pure magic: sparkling streets, festive shop windows, and cozy markets on every corner. Want to see the most famous highlights? Hop on a night bus tour of the Christmas lights: in a comfortable bus, you’ll travel past iconic spots like Oxford Street, Regent Street, and Covent Garden.
Even more special is the Christmas lights tour on an open vintage bus: cozy blankets, a touch of nostalgia, and an unobstructed view of all the city’s sparkling lights.
Walking tour of London's illuminated streets
Dress warmly and don't forget comfortable shoes because the walk through London's most beautifully lit streets can take at least an hour to an hour and a half. You start the walking tour at Covent Garden. From here you will walk through the streets of Seven Dials via James Street and Neal Street until you emerge at Neal's Yard. Be sure to take your time to take in all the beauty here.
After this, walk down Monmouth Street to Leicester Square where you'll find one of London's cutest Christmas markets. Did you get cold? Then this is the perfect place to warm yourself up with a mulled wine. You will continue walking along Coventry Street to Piccadilly Circus where you will end up at one of the most famous illuminated streets in London: Regent Street. However, you turn right into Sherwood Street to arrive at Beak Street. Here you are in cozy Soho where you can also take a look at Carnaby Street before continuing to Regent Street. In the middle of the street you can take beautiful pictures!
Navigate to Burlington Arcade and make a right turn to Bond Street. Along the way, make a brief stop at Royal Arcade before continuing walking along Conduit Street and Regent Street to Oxford Street. Turn left onto Oxford Street and continue walking until you emerge at the Bond Street tube station. You have now seen the most beautiful illuminated streets in London!
Christmas markets in European cities
Not only London is festively decorated in the weeks before Christmas. Germany is also known for its atmospheric Christmas markets in the larger cities. For example, we have already visited the Christmas markets in Aachen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Koblenz. Looking for a more unique destination? Then consider Luxembourg City in the Christmas season!
Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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