Trip to London during winter time

[Kkk321]

Hi everyone,
I am planning to surprise my sister with a trip to London during winter time. I was thinking about going to a Christmas market. It would be my first time in the UK, so maybe do you have any recommendations for me. What are the must- see places we need to visit?

Personally I'd stay clear from Winter Wonderland, it's fun but a bit overhyped.

Depending on your budget and how much time you have, I'd look at

• a Christmas Afternoon Tea

• a Christmas Lights Bus Tour

• Covent Garden for a mooch and to see the 'snow''

• Battersea Power Station for ice skating and vibes (and shopping if you have the cash!)

• Selfridges/Oxford Street, again if shopping is your thing!

• Disney on Ice/The Nutcracker/Musicals depending on your shows of choice

• Borough Market/Spitalfields Market at both open year round, but have amazing festive lighting and decor as well as turning pretty Christmassy in what they sell.

It depends on your budget and how many nights - but you could do Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, there's always something down on the South Bank and King's Cross Granary Square is nice for a mooch.

If your budget is flexible, what about going to the theatre? Moulin Rouge is amazing, well worth the money!

The Nutcracker at the Royal Opera House

In no particular order, but all these are within close walking distance of each other:

Walk along Southbank to enjoy the panoramic view of all the sights- maybe include a trip on the London Eye

Ice-skate at Somerset House

Meander around Covent Garden - so atmospheric at Christmas

Check out the window displays at Fortnum & Mason

See the lights on Regent street. I don't love Oxford Street, personally. Too crowded and hectic, but it is right there too. Perhaps just get on a double decker bus and view it from the top deck rather than battling through the crowds

I'd avoid winter wonderland tbh there are nicer experiences.

Nutcracker ballet at ENB or CInderella at Covent Garden (and if the latter the old apple market is pretty at Christmas to get a Christmas market fix).

Christmas Lights tour - you can do this by bus - some even include carol sining and mince pies - or for the really active there is a running tour

Borough Market for foodie stuff (also Fortnum & Mason although the foodhall can be a bit of a scrum at Christmas - book in for afternoon tea and see it as an add on).

For a musical fix smaller venues like St John's Smith Square and St Martin in the Fields offer classical concerts on a Christmas theme.

Kensington Palace (childhood home of Queen Victoria) is decorated for Christmas and looks lovely - you could combine this with a large scale Christmas concert at the Royal Albert Hall (tip tickets in the Second Tier boxes are about the same price as the stalls and you can have drinks in the box). If you do this then consider a preconcert dinner at The Gore Hotel around the corner.

Don't go anywhere near Winter Wonderland.

Carnaby street lights are always cool, could you go out to Kew for the light trail. Battersea for ice skating is a good shout.

Just to echo what others have said - avoid Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park, awful place.

I think the South Bank usually has a Christmas market.

British Christmas markets are not great. You could have a wander along the Southbank if you were going that way anyway but I wouldn't make it into a "feature" of your trip.

Liberty and Fortnum and Mason are very nice ( though rather busy) at Christmas time.

A candlelit tour of Dennis Severs House is lovely.

Where are you coming from and how long are you staying? This would help us to suggest some more stuff.

https://www.soane.org/i has candlit tours...it's lovely.

Winter wonderland - if it's your thing - but I'd steer clear.

The Christmas lights near liberty's are lovely.

Book somewhere nice for afternoon tea.

Kew Christmas light trail as said above, it's rather lovely and Kew has nice cafes and places to eat. You could get the boat there in daylight and arrive at about 4pm for the trail.

I’m going to disagree about Winter Wonderland. If you specifically want to go to a Christmas market, it is the biggest in London. Go earlier in the season when entry is free and it is quieter. Look at the website and check out the events that you need to prebook. That said, there are nicer Christmassy things to do in London.

If you planning on shopping on Oxford Street, Liberty, Selfridges and John Lewis have great Christmas departments.

If you want Fortnams things and can’t face the scrum there is a nice shop in St Pancras if that’s on your route

Somerset house ice skating is really lovely and you can have a glass of bubbles. But you will need to prebook. Covent Garden also a great place to wander and also feels Christmasy.

You could do Borough Market, then mooch down the Southbank then cross back over and go to the Christmas carols at St Pauls Cathedral?

Even if you're not religious (I'm not in the slightest) the daily Choral Evensong is really lovely.

St Pauls is an incredible building.

I think Big Ben is a must go.

Big Ben

My experience of Winter Wonderland was feeling ripped off. Overpriced, over hyped commercial nonsense.

There are some lovely suggestions on this thread other than that.

Liberty's is lovely at winter time!

Agree with others, WW will rip you off.

A ballet is a good shout, or a pantomime.

Avoid the Oxford Street lights, they are usually crap, go to Covent Garden or Regent Street instead.

Sunday roast at Hawksmoor Seven Dials or at Roast in Borough Market.

Best Christmas market is on the South Bank imo, from London Bridge to Tower. There used to be a year-round Christmas shop in Hay's Galleria.

For a Dickensian London experience go to the George Pub in Borough High Street for a pint.

Brasserie Zedel at Piccadilly Circus is a lovely French Brasserie and great for a meal. There is also an American Bar. You have to book so book early. Also look at what is on at Crazy Coqs which has cabaret every night. Dinner then cabaret makes a great evening.

Does your sister live in London, and you are surprising her with a visit? Or you mean you are bringing her from somewhere else too??? Which part of London will you be staying in and for how long? Weekday/weekend/before Christmas/January?

There are some great suggestions already, but if visiting on a Sunday, there is Columbia flower market. In Dec they will have Christmas trees, festive decorations, flowers, gluwein etc. There are also interesting shops there too. Its not too far from Bricklane markets, Spitalfields and Dennis Severs house.
https://columbiaroad.info/

Avoid winter wonderland like the plague! I don't know is London really excels at Xmas markets but you have plenty of markets like borough, Columbia Road, spitalfields, Greenwich, Portobello Road which will all feel more festive and are very enjoyable. Just check what days they are on