In England, we don't mess with Christmas.
Even less in London which is covered with lights, fir trees and Santas in every corner.
This year, things are probably a little different: King Charles III will deliver his first "
King's Christmas Message
" (royal Christmas speech) and the energy and ecological context is not without consequences.
But this is the first Christmas without pandemic restrictions, so Londoners have been eagerly awaiting it.
If the illuminations of Kew Gardens, the Christmas tea-time at the Ritz or Winter Wonderland are sold out or almost, there remains a garland of festivities, wrapped around a capital that is determined to celebrate.
Here is our list of the best spots to drink a mulled wine/cider, savor a
mince pie
and marvel.
Happy Holidays !
North London: King's Cross and Hampstead Heath, a brilliant
introduction
Christmas hype at Coal Drops Yard
Light sculptures (left, Temenos by Liliane Lijn) and curling: Christmas at Coal Drops Yard.
John Sturrock
As soon as you arrive by Eurostar, Christmas is at the gates of the train!
At King's Cross – in constant renewal for some ten years – head for the Coal Drops Yard
shopping center
(Stable St).
In addition to the boutiques of prominent designers and creators, there are a rotation of themed Christmas markets (Mexico, vegan, illustration, etc.), a mine of cool and original gifts.
Curling, open-air cinema, light installations and après-ski spirit bar complete the programme.
Read alsoShopping in London: ten department stores and small boutiques for successful shopping
Nature lights up at Kenwood House
Christmas at Kenwood House.
Kenwood House
For a bucolic interlude, far from the bustle of the city, go to
Kenwood House
from December 2.
This stately home, built in the 17th century, overlooks London and the hilly grounds of Hampstead Heath.
It is surrounded by a domain where sounds and lights intertwine along an enchanted path.
Refreshments and street-food stands punctuate this new immersive stroll, to savor a hot chocolate or
hot toddy
(hot whiskey) in hand.
Kenwood House, Hampstead Ln, London NW3 7JR, United Kingdom.
Such.
: +44 370 333 1181.
Read alsoGreater London on foot: six walks to do in the English capital and its surroundings
In central London: from Oxford Circus to Covent Garden, the highlight
of the show
Christmas window shopping around Oxford Circus
Roses light up for a good cause at cancer charity's Ever After Garden, The Royal Marsden.
Royal Marsden
Oxford Circus is an unmissable shopping stop, especially when the streets are on their 31st. This year,
Carnaby Street
has brought out its best decorations of the last 25 years and
Oxford Street
is adorned with 5000 stars which shine from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., reducing to 2 /3 electricity consumption.
Special reductions also in many brands, such as
Selfridges
and
John Lewis
which also offer meetings with Santa Claus.
For one-of-a-kind gifts and souvenirs, head to Toy Kingdom, Hamleys, and
Liberty , which sells
black cab
-shaped Christmas baubles.
and other London symbols.
To take the illuminations tour, hop on the 139 bus deck. Take a break in Mayfair and admire the 20,000 glow-in-the-dark roses in the
Ever After Garden
, and in
Marylebone
where All Souls Church vibrates to the sound of
Christmas carols
. Christmas) in December.
It's beautiful and free.
Let it snow & Let it go
in Covent Garden
The real Snow Queen!
Samantha Barks as Elsa at Drury Lan Theatre.
Johan PerssonDisney
No time to wander?
Stop at least in Covent Garden: this district dotted with restaurants, theaters and shops (rebates on Thursday evenings in November and December) is teeming with festive activities.
Particularly its piazza which hosts a mulled wine festival (December 8-20) – try the hot rosé!
– and many markets.
Among the must-sees are an 18-metre fir tree, almost as tall as the one in Trafalgar Square, and snow!
No wonder since the snow queen is not far away… At the
Drury Lane Theater
where
Frozen the Musical
is being performed .
The children are jubilant when they hear
Let it go
(
Liberated, delivered
, in English).
South East London:
music & lights
from South Bank to Crystal Palace
The Southbank Center and the markets along the Thames
Winter Market at the Southbank Centre.
JAMZ MATT PITMAN
From Covent Garden, descend towards
Somerset House
(ice rink and alpine pop-up), before crossing Waterloo Bridge which leads to the Southbank Centre.
You can easily spend the whole day there, at the risk of turning... into an elf.
Inside the cultural center, the zygomatics warm up in front of the musical
Dolly Parton's Smoky Mountain Christmas Carol
, that is to say Dickens'
Christmas Carol
(everywhere at this time) revisited with Tennessee sauce by the queen of country.
Outside, light installations mesmerize passers-by and foodies who feast at the
Winter Market
, one of the many food markets that dot the South Shore, such as
Borough Market
and
Christmas by the River
at London Bridge.
Saint Paul sings Christmas
Measuring almost 110 meters high, St. Paul's Cathedral in London is the second largest cathedral in the world behind St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
Photo St. Paul's
St. Paul
's Cathedral
is renowned for its Christmas music program.
The holidays therefore lend themselves particularly well to a visit to Christopher Wren's masterpiece.
The concerts have the advantage of being free (with the exception of charity events and Handel's
Messiah
) and without reservation.
On the other hand, there are always a lot of people at the Christmas Carol Services on December 23 and 24, so be there as early as possible.
St. Paul's Cathedral, St. Paul's Churchyard, London EC4M 8AD, UK.
Such.
: +44 20 7246 8350.
Light ! Crystal Palace lights up
Water Show at the Lightopia Festival at Crystal Palace.
Lightopia London
An illuminated wonderland: enough to sum up Lightopia, which brings together giant lanterns and interactive installations, including one retracing the history of the
Crystal Palace
.
Its ruins are at the heart of an 80-hectare park, where there are famous statues of dinosaurs and a lake, the setting for the spectacular
Water Show
.
West of London: Skates & Alpine Scenery from Battersea to Chelsea
Ice slides at Battersea Power Station
Glide, skating rink at Battersea Power Station.
Joshua Atkins
One more reason to discover the new face of Battersea Power Station, its Glide ice rink where you can refine your triple lutz between the Thames and the mythical power station.
Heightened by a 10-meter fir tree, it is the work of the team in charge of Winter Wonderland and the Natural History Museum ice rink (now closed) and stabilizer penguins are available to neophytes.
Read alsoLondon: why the former Battersea power station will become the place to be
Winterland by Neverland, bar-restaurant white paradise version
Cozy chalet atmosphere in Winterland by Neverland.
neverland
Opposite
Battersea Power Station
, perched above the River Thames between Fulham and Chelsea,
Neverland
turns into a beach in summer and a Bavarian chalet in winter.
On the program, igloos or huts, fondue and mulled wine, DJs, darts and arcade games by the fireside.
Neverland, Wandsworth Bridge Rd., London SW6 2TY, United Kingdom.
Such.
: +44 20 3034 0293.
London at Christmas, practical notebook
HOW TO COME TO THIS PERIOD
From the Paris region, Lille or cities in the center and north-east of France, prefer the Eurostar, which is more direct and not necessarily more expensive than the plane.
If you choose the road, from Paris in particular, the bus is the least expensive option followed by carpooling by crossing the Channel in the Eurotunnel or by ferry with your vehicle.
Leaving from the big cities of Brittany and the Pays de la Loire, Lyon or the South, opt for the plane, faster and without change.
From Normandy and Nord Pas-de-Calais, traveling by Eurotunnel or ferry (pedestrian or with your vehicle) can be wise and affordable.
You will arrive in Dover, Newhaven,
Poole, Plymouth or Portsmouth, 1h30 to 2 hours by car from the English capital.
Read alsoGare du Nord against Saint-Pancras: the Eurostar match
OR SLEEP ?
The Zetter Hotel
In the creative and Dickensian district of Clerkenwell, this cozy four-star hotel is a small bubble of charm and calm.
It is located in an old Victorian workshop, furnished vintage, 10-15 minutes from many key sites (Barbican, Exmouth Market, Saint-Paul).
The ideal nest for a romantic or family stay, more affordable than most hotels at this time.
€260 approximately per night in a double room.
The Zetter Hotel, 86-88 Clerkenwell Rd, London, EC1M 5RJ, United Kingdom.
Such.
: +44 207 324 4567.
Read alsoFive chic hotels to discover London with the family
HOLIDAY TABLE
Dalloway Terrace
It is one of the few restaurants in London to open on December 24 and 25.
The (heated) terrace of the elegant Bloomsbury hotel – in the central district of the same name – has put on its finery and has been transformed into a small illuminated forest.
People come here for poached lobster, turkey with cranberry sauce,
sticky toffee puddings
, or
Christmas
afternoon tea .
From €28 for an à la carte dish or €70 for a festive menu.
Dalloway Terrace, 16-22 Great Russell St, London WC1B 3NN, United Kingdom.
Such.
: +44 20 7347 1221
cookies
Christmas tea time at Biscuiteers.
cookies
In its Belgravia and Notting Hill tea rooms, the
so British
artisan biscuit maker offers a Christmas
tea time
with brioche buns stuffed with turkey, chocolate-mandarin cream puffs and other delicacies… The perfect place to taste before a a quick trip to Harrods (to do in this season) or Portobello Market.
To have biscuits yourself, you can get your hands dirty at the DIY workshop.
Afternoon tea/workshop from €55.
Biscuiteers Notting Hill, 194 Kensington Park Rd, London W11 2ES, United Kingdom.
Such.
: +44 20 7727 8096.
Read alsoIn London, our selection of the best “afternoon teas”
WEATHER REPORT
Ho Ho Ho!
It's snowing in Covent Garden!
Covent Garden London
If this autumn was abnormally mild,
winter is coming
… And with it the rain, the cold and temperatures between -1 and 11 degrees in December.
Bring a down jacket and snowman outfit as well as an umbrella.
Because a wet pie is still less good.
GETTING AROUND LONDON
To take public transport, use an Oyster Card or your contactless card.
You only pay for journeys made and the amount is capped at £7.70/day for travel in zone 1-2.
As Christmas approaches, the center is congested, prefer the metro and note these disturbances:
3-9-10-16-17 December
: South and West London bus strikes.
17-23 December
: no service due to works, on the Harrow & Wealdstone-Queen's Park section of the Bakerloo underground line and on the overground between Watford Junction and Euston.
December 25
: no public transport.
Alternatives include self-service Santander bikes and taxis.
Lately, Bolt's are cheaper and more available than Uber's.
