24 hours in Festive London
It’s been a long time since we visited London at wintertime and I put the call out on social media, friends and family to give me their tips and recommendations. With just 24 hours in festive London – culminating in the launch of the Landscape Photographer of the Year exhibition at Waterloo Station – we stopped centrally at the Travelodge Covent Garden this time round. No schlepping in from Tower Hamlets this time round.
So where did we go for a festive vibe? It was mid-November so London hadn’t quite got all it’s Christmas razzle-dazzle on but it gave a pretty decent showing…
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is one of my favourite places to mooch around at any time of the year, and it’s no exception at Christmas. It has one of London’s largest Christmas trees on the Piazza and as expected, it’s beautifully decked out. Inside the market itself are huge baubles and glitter balls strung from the ceiling, and some pretty huge mistletoe chandeliers if you fancy a smooch! And of course, there’s no end of shops to pick up a few last minute pressies, from quirky independents to high-end designer and well-known high-street brands. You’re also only steps away from Seven Dials, also looking pretty spectacular this wintertime.
London’s famous shopping streets
Some of the most iconic shopping streets in London put on their twinkliest outfits for the festive season. We were lucky to be able to see the Regent Street angels in all their glory. Each street and area has it’s own signature light displays. My favourites was the carnival vibe of Carnaby Street, resplendent with its own giant parrots.
Winter Wonderland
One of the things you shouldn’t miss is the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. Although you may want to pick your time carefully. We originally went to visit on the Sunday evening. We were met with a writhing heaving mass of bodies. Instead we returned on the Monday afternoon, where it was the complete opposite with only a few hardy souls milling around.
It’s a sprawling celebration of all things Christmas, festive, wintery and fun. There are plenty of fairground rides, from the tame to the ridiculous. There are food stalls, a circus, assorted fairground games and plenty of bars to satisfy any cravings for mulled stuff. There’s a revolving bar, a carousel bar, karaoke cabins – and my favourite – a bar with stools with animal legs. And there are the more traditionally cosy snugs, grottos, lodges and yes, a giant Bavarian beerhall. All perfect if you want to drink something alcoholic before being flung around on a gravity-defying ride.
Strolling along the South Bank
I love to stroll along the South Bank. In winter time the riverside walk is lined with Nordic-inspired wooden huts selling all manner of warming food, mulled alcohol, sweet treats and crafty stuff. It’s also a handy penultimate stop on our 24 hours in festive London schedule. Finally we head off to Waterloo Station, where the organisers of the UK Landscape Photographer of the Year exhibition kindly ply us with free wine. This makes the late night train ride back to Brum a lot more fun.
What are your favourite festive cities? Have you been to London at Christmastime? Let me know in the comments!
I wish I could be in London at Christmas time!!
It’s pretty magical 🎄🎄🎄
Looks beautiful at Christmas. I too love mooching around Covent Garden 🙂
I always love the lights on carnaby street, they are always more interesting than the surrounding area… and because once you’re on that street, you might as well look at the shoes in irregular choice. 😀
I also love the Southbank. It’s so nice to wander along there, even though it can be a bit chilly…
London will always be one of my favourite cities; I’m glad I get the chance to visit as often as I can 😁
London looks gorgeous at this time. The lights and decorations are just magic. I would love to see it at this time and celebrate a white Christmas one year. Merry Christmas Em. Xx
You too Lorelle 😘
This is brilliant!! I was born in London so it is my hometown but hardly ever go back now, though you’ve made me want to!! London does Christmas beautifully. Your pictures are lovely!! Hope you have a very meery Christmas xx
Thanks for popping by Susannah! I love London as a tourist but couldn’t imagine living there 😁
That is strange I thought I had answered as I know I read this post days ago. Love the Christmas decorations, not so much the crowds and madness associated with it. Just came back to civilisation a few days ago, we were up in the hills! Merry Christmas Em 🙂
Maybe you’re back in my spam pile Suzanne 😂 Merry Christmas to you and the Squire xx
Thanks, Em. All very interesting that spam folder, I just located mine after a year blogging 🙂 No I think it’s just bad memory on my part this time, regarding your post!
Absolutely gorgeous! I agree that the Carnaby Street ones are the best. So bright and cheering. Love London at Christmas. I went to York the other week and that was so lovely & Christmassy.
Thanks Hayley, we had a lovely time and I love those Carnaby lights…they made me feel quite tropical 😁
I love London, and miss my frequent trips there back when I was a world-roving Ad Girl. Once, while staying at Brown’s Hotel during the Christmas season I returned from a meeting to find that the staff had put up a Christmas Tree in my room. It was real fir, and decorated, complete with twinkling colored lights. It was so lovely I almost hated to leave!
Wow…now that is great customer service 😁
Um. I really want to go here right now! That angel alone looks worth the trip. I like that you gathered all the suggestions from friends together to make the trip “be all it could be.” I’ll have to try that idea the next time I have a special trip in mind.
We never would have found a pop up rooftop cocktail bar if it wasn’t for my boss 😊
Ahhh, festive London, it looks great! I’ve heard about how great the Winter Wonderland is. I need new glasses though, I thought that inflatable dude was Freddie Mercury ahahahah! Merry Xmas, have an amazing one xx
Ha, I’m still having nightmares about the Bavarian dude and his parrot looming over Hyde Park! Merry Christmas my lovely 😁
This post really wants me to visit london during Christmas even more !!! Great pictures!
Xoxo Annaleid
It’s a great festive city – especially if you go before all that manic shopping begins! Thanks for popping by, Merry Christmas!
I wish I could see London around Christmas, it sounds pretty magical. Another city I really want to visit around Christmas is NYC.
I bet NYC at Christmas is amazing…very cold though 😄
Wow. London is stunning at Christmas. I had almost forgotten 😊
I’ve not been to London around Christmas, this has made me want to visit! I’ve pinned this for future reference 😊
Gorgeous shots. You sure got around in 24 hours!
Looks wonderful!
London is simply one of the most festive places to spend Christmas, it’s one of my favourite places to be during the winter months!