Seasons to be cheerful
Enjoy some festive fun in London, from ice skating to singing carols, says Bernadette Fallon
See the lights
Kew Gardens offers the ultimate festive night-time light-time experience, as the Royal Botanic Gardens are lit up by over one million lights until 5 January, featuring light installations, laser shows and a holly bush choir (Kew.org). Or take a night tour on an open-top bus to see the lights right across London (Seelondonbynight.com).
Enjoy views and ice skating
Everyone heads to Somerset House and the National History Museum for ice rinks with beautiful views of iconic buildings but for a truly iconic London view go to Skylight Rooftop. There’s an ice rink with views across the Docklands skyline, cosy igloos for mulled wine and cocktails and even a chance to try ice hockey shooting (Skylightlondon.com). Or, for a rooftop without the skating, visit the Queen of Hoxton where the open-air Emerald City has blazing fire braziers, funky cocktails and – for wimps – a heated wigwam, lit by chandelier (Queenofhoxton.com).
Have a festive afternoon tea
The Ritz, Dorchester and Savoy hotels are all classic venues for afternoon tea but for something a little bit different, try Christmas afternoon tea on a yacht. From now until 5 January, you can eat very posh turkey sandwiches on the capital’s first super yacht hotel, moored in the City of London. If you’re in London at New Year, the hotel is hosting a Great Gatsby New Year’s Eve dinner – drinks on deck ahoy (Sunbornhotels.com).
Sing Christmas carols
The Royal Albert Hall in Kensington is running its annual programme of carols right up until Christmas Eve but for a more intimate setting, check out St Martin in the Fields in Trafalgar Square. From singalong carols for shoppers to carols by candlelight, there are recitals every night in this atmospheric church setting, as well as classical concerts right into the New Year (Stmartin-inthe-fields.org). Or step outside into Trafalgar Square for free carols under the 20-metre high tree.
Take in some art
Even if you’re not particularly religious, browsing Nativity paintings in the National Gallery or Tate is a great way to spend a festive afternoon and you can pick up some unique Christmas gifts while you’re there. This year the National Gallery’s Christmas themed gifts are inspired by the works of Degas, Gauguin, Monet and London, with handmade decorations, toys and accessories. And stop for Christmas dinner at the Rex Whistler restaurant at Tate
Britain, where duck will be the star of the show. Turkey? So over.
Meet Santa
Visit Santa in London toy store Hamleys, at the city’s Christmas markets or in his grotto at Leicester Square. Or you could track him down in more unusual locations like the River Thames on a one-hour boat ride with City Cruises, running four times a day on December weekends (Citycruises.com). You can also see him in London Zoo every day up to Christmas Eve or have a VIP breakfast with Mrs Claus. And if you’re planning to be in London between Christmas and New Year, consider spending a night in the Zoo, in one of the atmospheric overnight lodges in the Land of Lions from 27-30 December (Zsl.org).
Do a show
The West End is brimming over with shows but for something totally festive, head for the Charles Dickens Museum, housed in his former London home in Doughty Street. The museum is open every day in December, except for 25 and 26, and is also running a series of shows including readings and performances of A Christmas Carol as well as costumed Christmas walks (Dickensmuseum.com).
Go gourmet shopping
Christmas isn’t all about shopping and it’s definitely not all about food – but some of it certainly is about both. Fortnum & Mason in the heart of Piccadilly offers the ultimate shopping experience, with its iconic festive window displays and groundfloor food hall packed with Christmas goodies (wind-up musical biscuit tin anyone?)
Just around the corner in Jermyn Street, Paxton & Whitfield is a foodie paradise for cheese-lovers and also does lovely festive hampers. And you’ll find some of the best in gourmet Irish cheeses, including Cashel Blue, St Tola and Coolea, in Neal’s Yard Dairy in Covent Garden.
Also in Covent Garden, luxury tea shop and upmarket restaurant Mariage Fréres has festive finds like Christmas pudding tea, while nearby Carluccio’s stocks great panettone, including one made with prosecco.
For sugar lovers, Hotel Chocolat shops have a glorious seasonal selection, from Christmas wreath chocolate boxes to giant chocolatefilled crackers.
Gin is still the drink of choice this Christmas, say the experts – variations on the traditional theme this year include ‘Ginkling’, a blend of wine and London Dry Gin. Or go for a designer blend such as Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin from Ireland.