Lifestyle | XMAS | What to do in London this festive season?

Here's my little low down on what to do this Xmas Season in London. I hope you find some fun things to do and if there's anything you recommend please write them in the comments.

Winter Wonderland

I love love love Winter Wonderland!! There's nothing better than wrapping up warm and heading for a Christmas day out and Winter Wonderland is a fab place to go. It's always incredibly busy on the weekends and evenings so try and go on a weekday if you can as you'll be able to mooch about at your own pace. So if you've never been, Winter Wonderland is in Hyde Park (tiny walk from Marble Arch Station) and it's taking over the park until January 8th 2018. It's free entry and once through the magical gates you'll be greeted with German market stalls which have all the normal bits and bobs found at Christmas markets, tons of food stalls, bars and rides. There are also some special pop ups which you can buy tickets for in advance, they include, ice skating Cinderella show, ice skating, Giant Wheel, Ice Bar, Zippos Christmas Circus and Karaoke bar.

Leicester Square

If you like the idea of Winter Wonderland but aren't mad for the rides or the huge crowds then I'd recommend popping to Leicester Square as they have a little pop up Christmas market. It's completely free to go to and has traditional stalls selling bits and bobs and snacks. There is also a Grotto to visit which you can book tickets in advance which means no queuing!

Southbank Wintertime 

Southbank is another great place to visit if you want the Xmas spirit as the river bank is lined with lovely stalls. They also have bars for mulled wine and other hot beverages and there's also normally an ice skating rink to visit near the London Eye.

Ice Skating

I haven't been ice skating for years, mainly because I am actually not very good at it because I get really nervous about falling over haha however it can be very enjoyable and it's definitely Christmassy! If you too aren't the biggest fan of actually being on the ice the big rinks in London have lovely heated pop up cafes right by them which offer hot drinks and snacks and it's fun to watch the skaters. I recommend checking out The Natural History Museum, Winter Wonderland and Somerset House (this one is particularly special as it's in collaboration with Fortnum and Mason which means lovely food and a beautiful gift shop!).

Pantomime / Theatre

I've grown up in a musical loving family and happily take any excuse to go the Theatre! For the past few years we've made it a tradition to go to the Theatre just before Christmas Day and see a Pantomime just after! This year I am seeing 'Everybody's talking about Jaime' and then 'Dick Whittington' Panto at the Palladium Theatre. Some other pantos showing in London are Peter Pan (Wembley Arena), Cinderella (Hackney Empire), Jack and the Beanstalk (Lyric Hammersmith) and Aladdin (Richmond Theatre).

Kew Gardens

Here's something I've never done before at Christmas time but just came across, a magical winter walk through Kew Gardens. Until January 1st you can walk through a light show and also indulge in mulled wine, hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows. Tickets are pretty pricey as it's £18.50 for an evening time slot.

Harry Potter Studios - Hogwarts in the snow

I am not even a Harry Potter fan and have only watched all the films in the past few years,  however,  I love love love the studio! It's so interesting and makes for a brilliant day out, it's fantastic to see the sets and costumes up close, try the butter beer, learn to fly and mooch about the huge shop. Until January 28th you can see the entire studio tour decorated for Christmas, including seeing the set of the entire school dusted with snow. Whilst Harry Potter Xmas scenes were filmed a member of the crew stood on a ladder and sprinkled snow on top of the model through a sieve and at the studio they use the same technique to create the snowy scene.

Christmas Lights

By the time you're reading this I think all of the Xmas light events have happened but the streets of London are still lit up and look very pretty, so make sure to head out for a walk and take in the sights. I recommend walking around Bond Street, Regent Street, Leicester Square and Covent Garden. The Selfridges Xmas window displays aren't as festive as I'd like them to be but start there and walk all the way through to Covent Garden and you'll end on a high as walking through their market is a pure delight and there's a massive Xmas Tree.

Department Stores

Although I said above that the Selfridges Xmas displays aren't overly festive there are still many department stores which are worth popping into. On Bond Street, John Lewis is always one to look at as they have a fab Xmas display and store. Then I'd head straight to Liberty and Fortnum and Mason as they are two of the oldest and most traditional department stores we have in London. They are both beautiful to visit and a lovely place to purchase special Christmas gifts, as well as just appreciating the building and the decorations.

Christmas Afternoon Tea

A lovely way to escape the business of the shops is to have a spot of afternoon tea and the following places offer a delicious tea. Bulgari hotel, The Corinthia, One Aldwych, Claridges and Fortnum and Mason. This would also make a lovely Christmas gift for a friend and just a splendid outing.

So there we are! I hope you have some ideas of places to go on the lead up to Xmas and I can't wait to follow my own list and go on some festive outings!!!!

KEEP SMILING