{"id":31071,"date":"2019-09-26T14:36:18","date_gmt":"2019-09-26T12:36:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.discoverwalks.com\/blog\/?p=31071"},"modified":"2019-09-29T14:24:55","modified_gmt":"2019-09-29T12:24:55","slug":"london-in-the-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.discoverwalks.com\/blog\/london-in-the-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"What to do in London in Winter"},"content":{"rendered":"

Winter is fantastic season to spend some time in London.<\/p>\n

If you’re flirting with the idea of whether to visit London over the Winter months, let me put it this way: You don’t visit London for the weather, it’s not a sun destination, as even in high Summer that’s just not guaranteed.<\/p>\n

No, if you love London or are already a fully paid up Londoner, you’re there for the atmosphere and the energy of this dynamic city.<\/p>\n

That’s why my personal crush is London during those wonderful weeks in the run up to Christmas.<\/p>\n

I may be biased, but I think that London<\/a> as a city does festive cheer incredibly well.<\/p>\n

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Londoners know a thing or two about Christmas jumpers! Photo credit by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash<\/p><\/div>\n

Different cities get on board with the Christmassy \/ end of year feeling to different degrees. London goes all out. As the capital of shopping the city lights up with stunning shop window displays and twinkling white lights strung up in the trees and streets.<\/p>\n

Christmas Lights<\/h3>\n

Certain parts of town are known for their beautiful lights.<\/p>\n

As the evenings draw in, after a full day pacing the pavements, you may want to stay out just one hour longer to enjoy the show.<\/p>\n

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Photo credit by Annie Spratt on Unsplash.<\/p><\/div>\n

Where you go strolling with your loved ones and a hot chocolate in hand as the sky darkens at the end of the day depends on your style.<\/p>\n

Sloane Square London SW1W 8EG<\/h5>\n

This pristine square in the heart of Chelsea favours understated elegance, like the surrounding parts of this chic royal borough.<\/p>\n

Hence here they opt for twinkling white lights in the square, set off to perfection in front of the surrounding Prince Albert red brick mansion blocks and the iconic neon lights of one of my favourite theatres, the Royal Court: Great for new writing and exciting plays, equally great for bunkering down in their cosy underground bar.<\/p>\n

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The Royal Court Theatre on the east side of Sloane Square. Photo credit, Martin Addison from Wiki Commons Media.<\/p><\/div>\n

Sturdy and reassuring, representing standing steadfast in a changing world and stuffed full of childhood memories, Peter Jones the flagship department store flanks up the other side of the square.<\/p>\n

However, if you’re a little less traditional and more of a Soho gal or guy, then my top tip for getting that Winter wonderment going would be Carnaby Street.<\/p>\n

Carnaby Street London, W1F 9PS<\/h5>\n
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Carnaby street at Christmas in 2018. Photo credit @vdv.charmlessgirl sourced from Instagram.<\/p><\/div>\n

Carnaby street comes with iconic heritage. It was here that Swinging London was born and subcultures from the Mods to Punks and New Romantics congregated.<\/p>\n

This gem in the heart of the West End is where the cool kids are at. Fashion, Media, Music and Theatre all rub elbows for space on and around this famous stretch.<\/p>\n

Hence it comes as no surprise that even the Christmas lights get a creative twist here. Last year Queen lyrics light up the street.<\/p>\n

To see what has been dreamt up this year, or indeed coming years, you’ll want to in town from mid November onwards.<\/p>\n

Nearby Regent Street often has majestic angles and whilst it’s not my favourite place on earth, Oxford street has electric energy (hold on to your handbags and be prepared to elbow your way through the crowd into Topshop), and a good Christmas lights display.<\/p>\n

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Regent street angels. Photo credit by Luke Stackpoole on Unsplash.<\/p><\/div>\n

Lumiere festival London<\/h5>\n

Lumiere Festival is back. I first discovered this one about five years back, and feel like it may have been the first year, but then again perhaps it was simply new to me.<\/p>\n

This street light festival is a really nice night out, making your way round various Soho pubs for mulled wine or similar refreshments and stopping to see live performances of illuminated dragons and light mapping on buildings set to music.<\/p>\n

I’d thoroughly recommend it.\u00a0The website is here<\/a>. (Nb, At time of writing I could only find the details for the Durham festival in 2019).<\/p>\n

Festive Fun<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s no secret that London is a city that likes to party. Most Londoners adhere to their \u201cwork hard, play hard\u201d manifesto.<\/p>\n

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Mulled wine, an adopted London Winter drink. Photo credit by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash.<\/p><\/div>\n

Nightlife gets especially merry over the festive season. Merry is the perfect word to describe London in this Christmas countdown.<\/p>\n

Offices now routinely put on annual Christmas parties. Alongside these groups of friends, Uni mates and amateur sports teams will all get in on the action.<\/p>\n

This means that if you’re part of several friendship groups, extra curricular activities and communities you might find your Thursdays-Saturdays in December filling up fairly fast.<\/p>\n

Yes, your wallet and liver may both take a battering, but it’s undoubtedly something of a festive tradition in London and there will always be time to pay your penance when Dry January arrives in the new year.<\/p>\n

My advice is to enjoy this atmosphere. Go to traditional pubs serving mulled wine and hot cider, they’ll have blackboards propped up outside on the pavement proudly advertising this.<\/p>\n

The Prince Albert in Battersea is a great place to go after fireworks or a Winter walk in the park.<\/p>\n

The Prince Albert, 85 Albert Bridge Rd, Battersea, London SW11 4PF<\/h5>\n
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The Prince Albert in Battersea. Photo credit by @theapplemarket from Instagram.<\/p><\/div>\n

Santa Claus<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you’re in London with little ones then then once the Christmas shopping is done and dusted there is nothing more important than meeting Santa.<\/p>\n

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Photo credit, by Mike Arney on Unsplash.<\/p><\/div>\n

Londoners have a fine tradition of shopping centre Santas as well as more smaller more specialised outfits. In fact they’re probably second only to their fellow Anglo-Saxon friends across the pond in Santa success.<\/p>\n

There are even London agencies which exist to cast Santa and his crew of little helpers.<\/p>\n

So where in town should you head for a great Santa encounter?<\/p>\n