London at Christmas for a wander about -nothing pre-booked

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I've got my Christmas events booked and if I'm organised with my shopping ( I will be ) and cleaning ( I have A Plan) then hope to have some weekends (Sat/Sun) where DD and I can just decide on the spur of the moment to go into London.

We used to have a Tradition that we went on the 23rd (Christmas Eve Eve) if I wasn't at work . Start at Marble Arch , into John Lewis or M&S for food then wander along toward Tootenham Court Road.
It was nice to browse and surprisingly quiet .

But now , I don't want to shop there but I do fancy a wander at my snails pace . Maybe a pub lunch but happy with a sandwhich and coffee .

South Bank and Covent Garden are so busy
I did think Canary Warf - is there much there ?
Borough Market -loads of nice food stalls
Camden (not been there for years )

Any ideas? I don't want to book a cinema ot play this is more a "Why don't we go to ...."
I'd be going on the Elizabeth Line from Essex way .

@Mistressofnone this sounds wonderful

Fortnum and Mason for scones and tea.

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a-christmas-carol/id1537788786?i=1000545462190.

You might enjoy this podcast where they do the same walk while discussing the history of the places they visit.

Start at Marble Arch /Bond. Look in Selfridges food hall if you want then Wallace Collection possibly, wander up Marylebone High St.(nice shops) to Euston rd. Walk across Regent’s Park end up in Primrose Hill , nice shops and places to eat there in Regent’s Park Rd .

The Museum of the Home (formerly The Geffrye Museum) will have its 'Rooms through Time' decorated for Xmas.
Rooms Through Time | Living spaces through time | Evolution of our homes | Museum of the Home

I’d think twice about the Oxford St/Regent St area. We were in London in 2022 before Christmas and it was unbelievably crowded- impossible to navigate pavements, all roads at log jam. I had thought we’d wander around looking at the lights and shop windows but I have never seen crowds like it (lived in London for 20 years).
I think the weak pound / euro rate added a lot of tourists from overseas and perhaps more UK visitors didn’t travel abroad?

Don't go to Canary Wharf. There is skating and lots of shops but it is a soulless place and will be full of office parties.

@Carsarelife and @Candlesonthetable it's really lovely, especially if you watch the Disney Jim Carey film beforehand!

Also, would love to see the Nutcracker how lovely!

@BelovedLucy thanks so much for this! I'm always listening to the Total Christmas Podcast year round. This one sounds perfect 🎄

Sloane Square is always nice.

We'd avoid Regent St/Oxford St for the wander as we're going on an OpenTop Bus Tour so we'll see the lights without the crush.

I haven't been to Sloan Square or Kings Road for years !

How about Greenwich

How much is at Greenwich to potter round ?
I know there's the tunnel , the park and the Cutty Sark , but what are the markets like .

Again not been there for years but last time the market was not much going on, though that wasn;r a Christmas visit .

I just feel I have massive FOMO [fbush]
Lots of places I think "Oh this'll look lovely at Christmas" but IRL they're busy , I need to know where the toilets are .
But I di really love London as a city , there is so much there

They usually have Christmas market and there will likely be something on at the Royal Naval college .

chelseachristmas.co.uk/holding

Just re-animating this :

DH and I went to Londin late November (our Traditional Shopping Day ) including Borough Market which was nice for a wander .

Yesterday we went to the theatre , so planned our time to go to Covent Garden forst , it was heaving . Lots of interesting stalls in the market .

Next week we'll stay local and we've got the Bus Tour on the Friday so a good chance to see the sights .

Went last night to Battersea. They had lots of beautiful Xmas trees for photo opportunities, shops, and outdoor ice rink.
Better than I thought would be

I've got a day off tomorrow all to myself...what can I do?? Don't fancy shopping but want to go out and do something as it's just lovely this time of the year.
Any ideas? X

The lights on Carnaby street are amazing!

I actually like Canary Wharf a lot, and it's changed massively even in just the past two or three years. It is quite soulless in terms of everything being very new and shiny, but it's also extremely busy and buzzy now. Even just a few years ago it used to be dead at weekends, now it's busy. There's a lot of interesting public art, and tons of bars and street food, often a lot of free outdoor art and dance performances going on (well, not in December) and stupid things like crazy golf and hot tub boats. I really enjoy mooching around looking at all the insane statues before getting Malaysian food in Market Halls.

If it was warmer I'd suggest a boat ride on the commuter boat, as it gives the best views, but perhaps a bit chilly.

I'm sorry I really am an idiot (in defence, very very jetlagged); the Canary Wharf Winter Lights is in Jan, not Dec-Jan. I misread the dates online.

But anyone who's around in Jan, come visit!

There’s an amazing free show at Tottenham Court Road as you come out of the station. It is projected onto the walls and ceiling and is apparently one of the most popular tourist attractions this year.

DD and I stumbled upon this in October. It was amazing. We stayed for about half an hour to watch it all.