Christmas? It’s never been so much fun
ONE of the more interesting phenomenons of the past ten years is that Christmas has become a lot of fun. Not the day itself necessarily (there’s still too much potential for rows about presents, the menu, grandad’s drinking and the Queen’s Speech).
The big fun now happens in the six weeks before Christmas Day when Britain comes alive with colourful events.
The switching-on of the Oxford Street lights (being performed by Rita Ora on Tuesday) used to be the be-all and end-all of Yuletide festivities – but now it is just another event to take place in a city-wide extravaganza.
There are Christmas illuminations in Regent Street, Carnaby Street, Covent Garden and Marylebone, plus special events in Syon Park, Kew Gardens and Kingston upon Thames.
There are pop-up ice rinks around the capital too, at historic sites such as Somerset House and the Tower of London.
If you are staying in London, one of the most handsomely decorated places is the Milestone Hotel (milestonehotel.com) in Kensington. Its Christmas package – from November 30 until January 7, 2018 – includes mulled wine or hot chocolate on arrival, daily English breakfast and a champagne afternoon tea for two. Rooms cost from £515 a night.
Alternatively, the recently opened DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London in Kingston (doubletree3.hilton.com) offers excellent accommodation from £99 per night.