Let there be lights
Marion Mcmullen discovers how London is putting the sparkle back into Christmas
Everyone around the world must have been on Santa’s naughty list last year – at least that’s how it felt. Grottos had the closed signs up, elves were on furlough and around 200 pantos around the UK were cancelled. Oh, yes, they were.
Many families had to spend the big day apart and yours truly even ended up attempting to cook a turkey for the first time in years. Luckily, no one got food poisoning for Christmas although I did have nightmares of spending Boxing Day in A&E.
Now London’s West End is serving up Christmas with all the trimmings and putting some sparkle back into the festive season.
More than one million LED bulbs are lighting up the area – making history as the world’s largest Christmas light switch-on.
From the shopping mecca of Oxford Street, Regent Street and South Molton Street, the luxury boutiques of Bond Street and Mayfair to the bright lights of Piccadilly Circus, culture of St James’s and theatreland of Leicester Square, the area is flooded with light.
After what has been a challenging couple of years, West End businesses are kick-starting a campaign to showcase the thrilling experiences that make the district so special.
The John Lewis store on Oxford Street is among those leading the way with an entire Christmas floor packed with gifts, decorations, ornaments and every bauble you can think of.
Staff themselves say they discover something new every day. If you want a pink whale as the centrepiece of your Christmas decorations this year
then this is the place to head to.
Work by crafts people is also on offer at the store’s Curated Makers Market, and shoppers are signing up for new workshops offering everything from gin tasting to how to make the perfect festive wreath.
You can even buy personalised Quality Street gifts or film yourself in the alien spaceship that is a highlight of John Lewis Christmas ads.
There’s lots to do during a London visit, from snapping a selfie at Bond Street’s iconic Christmas tree, to experiencing the world’s first Bollinger 007 Champagne Bar in Burlington Arcade.
I stayed at the beautiful Beaumont Hotel in Mayfair which offers a great location for making the most of a
Christmas break. The David Bowie experiential pop-up on Heddon Street in honour of what would have been the musician’s 75th birthday in January, is among the new attractions.
Or book yourself in for a Christmas burlesque dance class at Danceworks if you have energy left after all that shopping.
I chose an afternoon tea at Fenwick of Bond Street to recharge the batteries, before catching the comedy sensation Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of ) at the Criterion Theatre.
It was the first time I had stepped into a theatre in 20 months and it made me aware of how much I had missed the joy of a live performance.
It’s a gloriously original new take on the Jane Austen story that is earning well-deserved standing ovations for its five-strong female cast.
Lunch at Whitcomb’s at the Londoner in Leicester Square is also another treat worth making time for.
The Dover sole came recommended and did not disappoint, while the whole
modern menu was packed with tempting dishes. All right, I thoroughly stuffed myself, but I needed energy for more shopping.
Celebs love Dr Barbara Sturm’s skincare range and a new boutique and spa has opened in Mayfair’s Mount Street, offering everything you need to sparkle for the festive season. It is a little oasis of calm amid all the Christmas chaos.
Let’s face it, due to Covid, we could all do with treating ourselves. And there’s no better way to start than to enjoy the bright lights of London.
It made me aware of how much I had missed the joy of a live performance