A MAGICAL LONDON CHRISTMAS ITINERARY
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This post is about how to spend Christmas in London sharing a magical 7 day itinerary with all the must see sights in London at christmas
London takes on a magical glow during the festive season and I believe everyone should visit London at Christmas time at least once. As the winter chill sweeps through, the British capital transforms into a true winter wonderland with shimmering lights and festive markets everywhere.
If you're dreaming of a Christmas getaway that's both enchanting and full of tradition, look no further. In this 7 day London Christmas itinerary, I'll guide you through a week-long journey that takes in all the festive sights of London.
From charming Christmas markets to iconic landmarks illuminated by a thousand twinkling bulbs, you'll experience the enchantment of London in all its festive glory.
So, fasten your scarf, grab a cup of mulled wine, and join us as we explore the sights, sounds, and tastes of a London Christmas that will leave you with cherished memories and a heart full of holiday cheer.
Planning your trip? Use my favourite resources!
🏨 Accommodation : I recommend Booking.com
✈️ Flights : for the cheapest flights, I use Skyscanner
🚗 Rental Car : I recommend Rental Cars
🛡️ Travel Insurance : for the best deals I rely on HeyMondo
LONDON CHECKLIST
✅ An excellent pair of walking shoes for all the walking you’re going to do around the capital.
✅ A hoodie or warm sweater to stay warm in the cold British winter.
✅ A decent raincoat as it rains quite a lot in England.
✅ A good quality compact camera to record those Christmas memories.
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This post is about how to spend Christmas in London sharing a magical 7 day itinerary with all the must see sights in London at christmas
About this London Christmas Itinerary
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There is so much to do in London at any time of year and when you add in all the special markets and light displays that pop up over the festive period you’ve got a jam packed 7 day itinerary.
This itinerary is very much focused on if you’ve never been to London before so as well as the Christmas themed activities there’s plenty of time to visit the must see landmarks in London.
If you have visited before and have already visited some of the museums or landmarks feel free to skip them and add in an alternative or just allow yourself more time to relax.
If you are skipping some of the must see landmarks it will allow you more time to relax at the Christmas markets or do some Christmas shopping at the famous department stores.
This London itinerary is 7 days but you may not have 7 days to be spending in London around Christmas. That’s ok! Just pick your favourite days and do those.
You can rearrange the days if it makes more sense for you. Maybe you’re feeling a little worn out after a busy walking day (day 3 and day 5 are heavy on walking) so you can swap the following day for a less hectic day.
I’ve tried to balance the itinerary as much as possible so that if there’s a long day the following day is slightly less hectic.
If you’re planning on being in London on or around 25th December it’s important to remember that pretty much everything shuts down in London including the landmarks, museums, the restaurants are generally closed except for prebooked Christmas lunches. Even TfL (Transport for London) does not run on Christmas Day and that includes buses, tube, trams, London overground.
This itinerary can be done any time of year. The only difference in doing it another time will be you obviously won’t see the Christmas lights, they’ll be no Christmas markets and afternoon tea won’t have a Christmas theme. They’ll be no Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park so you can just replace that with another museum trip or a walking tour of London.
LONDON CHRISTMAS ITINERARY DAY 1
WESTMINSTER BRIDGE, BIG BEN, HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, LONDON EYE, SOUTHBANK CENTER CHRISTMAS MARKET
ARRIVING IN LONDON
You could be arriving in to London many ways. The most common are that international travellers will arrive on a flight and if you’re arriving into London from else where in the UK you’ll probably arrive by train.
London is a huge transport hub and there could be many different airports you could arrive in to.
London Heathrow
London Stanstead
London Gatwick
London City
London Luton
At the end of the post you will find directions on how to get to the city from each airport.
If you arrive in the morning you will be able to fit in everything planned for day one. If you don’t arrive in London until later afternoon or early evening you may need to slim down the activities for day one.
WHERE TO STAY IN LONDON
First thing you’re going to need to do is check in to your hotel. If you arrive before check in time it’s always worth going to the hotel as many will let you check in early or at least leave your bags there so you can go exploring.
Over the years on my numerous visits to London I’ve stayed in tens of different hotels in different districts and at different price points.
London is a pretty expensive city to stay in, particularly the toursity city centre.
If you are on more of a budget and the centre isn’t in your price range make sure you book a hotel that’s close to a Tube station further out of the city so you can easily get into the city each day.
Areas such as Stratford and Greenwich are cheaper than the centre of town and it is easy to get the tube in to the centre.
AFTERNOON IN LONDON
This day is quite a relaxed day compared to the others as you may be suffering with some jet lag and not quite have the energy for a full on day.
Your London tour begins in an area that is at the heart of the government and political life in the UK, Westminster.
If you’re not staying in the area you should get the Tube to Westminster station on the Jubilee (grey), Circle (yellow) and District (green) lines.
If it interests you and you have a little more time you can book a tour of either The Houses of Parliament or Big Ben. You should allow around 2 hours for any tour you do.
You can book
From Westminster you can stroll across Westminster Bridge to the south side of the river for stunning views towards Big Ben and the Houses of Paliament. As you are walking to the south side you will be treated to views of the London Eye.
At the south side of the river you should head for a ride on the London Eye. You could choose to buy tickets when you arrive but if you prebook your London Eye tickets you can avoid the lines and purchase a skip the line ticket.
If you want to really class up your London Eye experience you can do the champagne experience.
Around 3:15pm is a really good time to ride the London Eye as the sun will be beginning to set and you’ll be able to enjoy breathtaking views over the city at golden hour.
EVENING IN LONDON
After your London Eye experience it’s a short 2 minute walk to your first real Christmas experience in London - the Southbank Centre Christmas Market.
This Christmas market is much more about food and drink rather than selling holiday gifts and decorations. It is a really small Christmas market so it has great cozy vibes.
You can stop here for as long as you want in the cosy wooden chalets soaking in the atmosphere, the views across the River Thames to the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben and grab yourself some delicious warming festive drinks.
If you want to make an evening of it here you can grab some delicious street food to enjoy for dinner.
If you wanted something a little fancier you can visit Jimmy’s Winter Lodge which has cosy riverside igloos you can book for fondue, warming drinks and Alpine street food.
LONDON CHRISTMAS ITINERARY DAY 2
ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL, LEADENHALL MARKET, SKY GARDEN, TOWER BRIDGE, TOWER OF LONDON, CHRISTMAS MARKET
OVERVIEW
Today we’re heading east towards the City of London and beyond. This is a pretty jam packed day full of great touristy London things to do. If you have been to London before you may want to skip a few of these things as you may have already done them.
If it’s your first time in London I would recommend doing all of the items on todays itinerary.
To get to your starting place of St Pauls Cathedral you can take the Central (red) line to St Paul’s tube station or if you’re not on the Central line you can easily get off at Mansion House on the District (green) and Circle (yellow) or Bank on the DLR (2 turquoise lines) and Northern (black) lines.
MORNING
ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL
The first stop on day 2 is St Paul’s Cathedral which is a hugely famous landmark in London.
The old St Paul’s Cathedral was destroyed in 1666 during the Great Fire of London. This newer St Paul’s Cathedral was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, an English architect, astronomer, mathematician and physicist who also designed the Monument to the Great Fire of London that you’ll be visiting later today.
St Paul’s Cathedral has seen many famous and Royal events over the years with Prime Minsters Margaret Thatcher and Winston Churchill funerals being held here as well as the wedding of the 80s of Prince Charles and Diana.
On most days the doors to St Paul’s Cathedral open at 8.30am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 10am on Wednesdays. It is closed on Sundays for sightseeing visits. Last entry for sightseeing is usually at 4pm with sightseeing ending 30 minutes after the last entry time.
When you take a tour of St Paul’s Cathedral you will inside a busy working Anglican Cathedral, the crypt and climb 528 steps to the dome for absolutely stunning panoramic views of London.
You can check the official website for up to date information.
Location : St Paul's Cathedral, St Paul's Churchyard, London, EC4M 8AD
Nearest London Tube station : St Pauls on the Central (red) line
Opening times : Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 8:30am - 4pm. Wednesday 10am - 4pm. Sunday closed.
LEADENHALL MARKET
A short 16 minute (0.7 miles) walk from St Paul’s Cathedral is Leadenhall Market. Leadenhall Market is a spectacular 14th century market that survived the Great Fire of London largely unscathed.
You may recognise Leadenhall Market's beautifully covered pathways from the first Harry Potter film as they were used as Diagon Alley. You can find the door for the Leaky Cauldron here!
TOP TIP : The blue door of the Leaky Cauldron is located at 42 Bull’s Head Passage and, in our world, it’s an opticians.
Historic Grade II listed, Leadenhall Market is always a spectacular sight during the Christmas season.
There is a giant Christmas tree inside Leadenhall Market with lights twinkling all around. The building itself it extremely impressive without the magic of Christmas so add in the lights and it becomes magnificent.
You can take the time to have a wander around soaking up the atmosphere and looking at the Christmas lights.
MONUMENT TO THE GREAT FIRE OF LONDON
From Leadenhall Market you are going to head south on Gracechurch Street for around 5 minutes until you reach The Monument.
On September 2, 1666, a fire started on Pudding Lane, lasted four days, and burned 86% of London to the ground. This monument was built between 1671 and 1677 to commemorate that fire and to celebrate the rebuilding of the city after the tragedy.
You can climb the 311 spiral steps to the top for a panoramic view of London. Up there you can see the Shard, Sky Garden, and other famous London landmarks.
I have a small confession. I’ve never actually made it to the top! I’ve tried 3 times and each time I’ve had a kind of claustrophobia/acrophobia panic attack and just couldn’t go up any further. My PB is about 120 steps before it kicks in and I have to head down.
So , if you do make it up there. Good job! You’ve done one better than I have.
Before you go, get updated hours and pricing on the official website. There is no need to book your tickets in advance as there’s rarely a queue to gain access.
After you’ve come down from The Monument if you want to see London Bridge (not to be confused with Tower Bridge) You can walk for 2 minutes to the river where you will find the oldest river crossing in London.
INSIDER TIP : If you get a London CityPass your ticket to The Monument is included in the price.
SKY GARDEN
Hopefully you’ve planned out this day so that you arrive at the Sky Garden in time for some lunch as you’ll probably be starting to get a little peckish by now.
The Sky Garden is locally nicknamed the Walkie Talkie (look at pictures of it and you’ll see why) and is one of the newer skyscrapers in London.
I remember back in 2014 on one of my visits to London seeing the cranes busily working building what has become London’s highest public garden.
The Sky Garden is open 7 days a week and is free to enter. You must book your tickets in advance as often they sell out and walk ins are often not allowed. Tickets are released every Monday and you can get them on the official website.
There are also two restaurants, Darwin Brasserie and Fenchurch Restaurant. If you have a reservation at one of these restaurants, you do not have to reserve an entrance ticket.
You should book a table at one of these restaurants - Darwin Brasserie serves season British dishes and Fenchurch is contempory British fine dining and enjoy a delicious lunch up in the London sky.
Location : Sky Garden, 1 Sky Garden Walk, London, EC3M 8AF
Nearest London Tube station : Monument on the District (green) and Circle (yellow) lines
Opening Hours : Free access Mon - Fri: 10am - 6pm, Sat - Sun: 11am - 9pm, Bank Holidays: 11am - 9pm
Sky Garden Bars : Mon - Thurs 8am - 12am, Friday & Sat 8am - 1am, Sunday 8am - 12am
Darwin Brasserie : Mon – Thu: 8:30am - 10pm, Fri - Sat: 8.30am - 10.30pm, Sun: 8.30am - 9.30pm
Fenchurch Restaurant : Monday: Closed, Tues: 5pm-9pm, Wed: 12pm-2:30pm, Thurs-Sat: 12pm – 2:30pm and 5pm – 8.30pm, Sun: 12pm – 2:30pm and 5pm – 9pm
Larch Restaurant : Mon to Sun: 12pm - 9.30pm
TOWER OF LONDON
The Tower of London was built by William the Conqueror back to 1086 and was used as both a prison and a royal residence and now houses the crown jewels.
It has been an important part of British history since that time and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You will be able to spot the famous ravens that live on the premises and find out why they are known as the guardians of the Tower.
You’ll stroll across Tower Green to see where many executions took place, including those of two of Henry VIII's wives. You will also be able to go inside of the tower.
There is a travelator that takes thousands of visitors a day past the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. These priceless symbols of the British Monarchy compose the greatest working collection of crown jewels in the world.
You will see the glistening Imperial State Crown that has 2,868 diamonds, 273 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, and 5 rubies.
You can just buy an entrance ticket to the Tower of London but I recommend taking a Yeoman Warder Tour as it’s very entertaining and you will learn alot about the history of the Tower of London.
A visit to the Tower of London lasts around 2 hours.
For more information visit the official website.
Location : Tower of London, London, EC3N 4AB
Nearest London Tube station : Tower Hill on the District (green) and Circle (yellow) line
Opening times : Mon and Sun : 10am - 5:30pm (last admission 3:30pm), Tues - Sat : 9am - 5:30pm (last admission 3:30pm) Last Yeoman Warder guided tour (included in your ticket): 3.30pm
Price : Members: Free, Adult: £33.60, Child age 5-15: £16.80
TOWER BRIDGE
Right next to the Tower of London is Tower Bridge. Depending on time you can choose to either stroll across this iconic bridge or if you have longer you can climb the towers of Tower Bridge to learn more about the history of this bridge and for unique views of the River Thames.
At the top you walk across a glass floor where you can see boats going along the Thames and big,red London double deckers driving across the bridge.
You can prebook your ticket for Tower Bridge here.
A visit up Tower Bridge lasts around an hour.
INSIDER TIP : Not many people realise that Tower Bridge still rises today. Infact, it rises at least once most days to allow taller boats to pass underneath. If you go to the official website it will tell you the schedule for when the bridge will be raised in the coming days. It’s a cool thing to see if you’re around for it.
Closest London Tube station : Tower Hill on District (green) and Circle (yellow) lines
Opening times : 9:30am - 6pm
CHRISTMAS BY THE RIVER (LONDON BRIDGE CHRISTMAS MARKET)
This Christmas market has one of the best backdrops of all London Christmas markets with it’s views over to Tower Bridge and the City Skyline.
It’s a beautiful view in the evening when night has fallen and the skyline is all lit up.
The Christmas by the River pop up market in on the south bank of the River Thames between London Bridge and Tower Bridge.
Several cute winter cabins line the riverside selling crafty items and street food. There’s two festive bars - The Riverside Lodge at The Scoop and Bar Reflexion at The Pier that will provide you with your favourite festive tipple.
The free entertainment at this beautiful Christmas market is incredible with outdoor Christmas film screenings (Elf, Home Alone and other Christmas goodies) and choir performances.
All the London Christmas markets can get crazy busy especially as it gets closer to Christmas day but this one always seems extra crowded to me. I don’t know if it’s because of how the market is set up with one long strip of stalls or what but it definitely feels like one of the more congested Christmas markets in London.
Bus tour of the London Christmas lights : A popular thing to do in London at Christmas is to take a bus tour of the Christmas lights. If you fancy something a little different you can do the tour on a vintage bus. It’s a great way to see the lights if you’re feeling a little lazy and don’t want to do all the walking or if you have mobility issues.
MORE IN LONDON
DAY 3 LONDON CHRISTMAS ITINERARY
WESTMINSTER ABBEY, KNIGHTBRIDGE MUSEUMS, HYDE PARK WINTER WONDERLAND, CHURCHILL ARMS, HARRODS
OVERVIEW
As I mentioned at the start this is quite a big walking day and it’s a day where you’re going to have to choose what’s right for you. Three are 3 possible museum visits today and you’ll have to choose the best ones for you in order to fit everything in.
There’s lots of walking through Westminster Abbey and Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.
Note : Westminster Abbey is not open on Sunday, so this day of the itinerary cannot be done on Sunday.
WESTMINSTER ABBEY
Westminster Abbey was initially built by Henry III in 1245 and it is one of the most important Gothic buildings in England.
The Abbey has been the coronation church since 1066 where English and British monarchs are coronated.
Westminster Abbey is the burial site of 17 monarchs as well as many writers and scientists.
It is a spectacular building full of paintings, stained glass, pavements, textiles, books and various other artefacts.
You can visit Westminster Abbey by purchasing a ticket here.
A visit to Westminster Abbey takes between 1.5 - 2 hours.
I recommend adding on the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries for an extra £5, for breathtaking views of Westminster Abbey.
Book your tickets in advance for 9:30 am. Get in line at 9:15 am so you can be one of the first people inside Westminster Abbey.
Location : Westminster Abbey, 20 Dean's Yard, London, SW1P 3PA
Closest London Tube station : Westminster
Opening times : Mon - Fri: 9.30am - 3.30pm (last entry), Saturday: 9am - 3pm (last entry), Sunday: Open for services only
Price : Adults £27, Children (6-17) £12, Children (5 and under) free
CHOOSE BETWEEN 3 MUSEUMS
Getting Here : From Westminster Abbey, get on the Tube at Westminster and take the District (green) or Circle (yellow) line west to the South Kensington Station. From here, it is a short walk to the museums.
In Knightsbridge there are three world-class museums on Cromwell Road. It’s up to you to decide which museum you want to visit. Maybe you only want to vist one or try and visit all three.
All three museums are free of charge and you can do a quick whizz around tour of each one in around an hour so it’s really up to you and how much time you want to spend at other places on todays itinerary.
Personally, I’d recommend choosing at the most two of the museums as I just don’t think there’s time to go to all three in one day but by all means give it a go if you really want to visit all three.
The Science Museum has a world-class collection that forms an enduring record of scientific, technological and medical advancement from across the globe.
Location : Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2DD
Opening Hours : 10am - 6pm
The Natural History Museum has many wildlife and geological exhibits. Don’t miss Dippy the Dinosaur and the T Rex that is dressed for Christmas.
Location : Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD
Opening Hours : 10am - 5:50pm (last entry 5:30pm)
The Victoria and Albert Museum (The V&A) is the world’s largest museum of decoration arts and design. Paintings, sculptures, medieval objects, jewelry, photographs, and costumes from around the world can be seen here.
Location : Cromwell Road, London SW7 2RL
Opening Hours : Daily: 10am– 5:45pm Friday: 10am – 10pm
HYDE PARK WINTER WONDERLAND
Getting here : take the Tube from South Kensington to Hyde Park Corner on the Piccadilly (purple) line. It’s a short walk to the entrance of the Winter Wonderland.
I’ve attended Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park for many years and I love it!
Winter Wonderland is a massive Christmas market / amusement park. These days you have to prebook your ticket online and it is no longer free. You choose your entry time and then can stay as long as you like. The earlier in the day slots tend to be the cheaper. You do get your entrance ticket price back if you spend £25 or more on food or the amusements.
Winter Wonderland does tend to be pretty crowded especially in the evenings, at weekends and as we get closer to Christmas. If you can visit earlier on in the day and month and go mid week you will experience less crowds.
Winter Wonderland is huge and has a little of everything. There are rides, a Magical Ice Kingdom, a Bavarian village, an ice bar, an ice rink a Christmas market and Father Christmas makes a daily apperance at Santaland.
In Magical Ice Kingdom you journey through the nine realms of Norse mythology as you are immersed in a mythical frozen world. In 2023 you can discover a Viking Ice Village and Lands of Giants, Fire and Ice. There are iconic Norse Gods and Goddesses carved from ice reaching up to five metres high. Magical Ice Kingdom is one of the largest ice exhibitions in Europe.
Bar Ice is a unique pop up bar that you’ll need to warm up for. It’s kept at a chilly -10°C but you will be provided with gloves and a winter cloak as you arrive to ensure you keep warm. You can enjoy delicious festive cocktails in a glass carved from ice with a free cocktail included in the entrance price. They’ve adapted Bar Ice over the years and although it’s a great experience I do feel it’s a little expensive now at £15.50 - £17.50 and you only get 20 minutes in the bar.
The Bavarian Village is fantastic and the perfect place to unwind and have fun with its cosy chalets, outdoor seating, bars, cafes and restaurants.
There is evening entertainment in the Bavarian Hall with live music and DJs.
The perfect place for some german food and a beer!
Before you go, visit the official website and purchase your tickets in advance because time slots for the more popular days and times can sell out.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS WALKING LOOP
From Hyde Park you’re going to follow the walking loop Christmas lights that take you from Hyde Park south to Belgravia and then up to Harrods on Brompton Road. If you fancy a little shopping you can head inside Harrods to their Christmas shop.
If you’re up for the walk you can head past the museums you were at earlier in the day and north to the Churchill Arms.
The Churchill Arms is a local pub in Kensington that does Christmas in an epic way. They add an incredible 22,000 lights to their already elaborate façade.
Churchill Arms was built in 1750 and was frequented often by Winston Churchills grandparents.
It has become a very Insta hotspot at Christmas time (or every other time of year to be honest!) with many people gathering outside to get a perfect Christmassy themed shot for the Gram. Behind these photo hunters there is a wonderful, traditional, British pub.
It’s a pretty decent walk so instead you may want to walk to South Kensington Tube station and get the District or Circle line to Notting Hill Gate. The Churchill Arms is a short walk from Notting Hill Gate Tube station.
Inside is a true traditional pub with nods to Winston Churchill and Great Britain all around. There is a wonderful atmosphere, with locals and tourists chatting at the busy bar.
You can order some delicious, authentic Thai food washed down with a pint of real ale.
DAY 4 LONDON CHRISTMAS ITINERARY
WINSDOR CASTLE DAY TRIP AND KEW GARDENS
OVERVIEW
Today you ‘re going to head out of London for a day trip to Windsor Castle and on the way back in to London stop off at Kew Gardens to take in their amazing Christmas Light Trail.
If you didn’t want to visit Kew Gardens Light Trail you could turn your trip to Windsor Caslt into a full day trip outside of London visiting some other cities and attractions in England.
This Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Oxford tour is fantastic and Oxford is a beautiful, historic city to add on to your itinerary. If you fancy heading over to Bath this Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath tour could be great for you.
Both of these tours are full day trips including transport to and from central London.
WINDSOR CASTLE DAY TRIP
Windsor Castle is the residence of the British royal family and is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. The original castle was founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century.
Over the years Windsor Castle has been home to 40 monarchs
A day trip to Windsor Castle is easy to do and well worth the time.
Windsor Castle opens at 10 am and I recommend getting here right at opening time as the queues can get pretty big as the morning goes on.
You can prebook your ticket here.
You can visit Windsor Castle on a tour from London if you don’t want the hassle of organising it yourself but it is pretty easy visit independently.
From London, go to London Waterloo and take a direct train to Windsor & Eton Riverside. This journey takes about an hour.
A visit to Windsor Castle lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours, which includes time to watch the Changing of the Guard.
If you wanted to find out more about the town of Windsor you can book a guided walking tour by a local expert.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: The Changing of the Guard is only held on Thursday and Saturday, so if this is something you want to see, you may have to adjust the order of the days of this London Christmas Itinerary.
Before leaving Windsor, you can do a little shopping or grab a bite to eat along Castle Hill or Peascod Street, which is a pedestrian shopping street.
CHRISTMAS AT KEW GARDENS
As you are out west anyway it makes sense today to visit Kew Gardens on the way back to central London.
To get to Kew from Windsor walk to the Windsor & Eton Riverside Station and take the South Western Railway to Richmond. From Richmond, take the District Line to Kew Gardens. This journey takes about 50 minutes.
Kew Gardens has an amazing lights trail each year where thousands of lights are put up along a 2.5km trail.
If you weren’t bothered about going to Kew Gardens you could venture further out of London and see a little more of the UK for the day.
You have a choice of several different tours to choose from
Windsor, Stonehenge and Bath Day Tour - this is a full day tour leaving London on a coach around 8am and returning to London around 8pm.
Windsor, Stonehenge and Oxford Tour - a full day tour seeing one of the most beautiful cities in England along with entrance to the prehistoric site of Stonehenge.
Both Bath and Oxford are beautiful cities that I’ve spent a lot of time in (particularly Oxford, as my sister went to university there) and they are well worth a visit if you have the time.
Location : Kew, Richmond, London, TW9 3AE
Nearest London Tube station : Kew Gardens on the District (green) line
Opening times : 15 November 2023 to 7 January 2024 4.20pm to 10pm
Price : Non-member adult: Off peak £22.50/ Peak £29.00 Member adult: Off peak £19.50/ Peak £24.00 Family and child tickets available
DAY 5 LONDON CHRISTMAS ITINERARY
BRITISH MUSEUM, TRAFALGAR SQUARE, NATIONAL GALLERY, ICE SKATING, COVENT GARDEN, LEICESTER SQUARE
OVERVIEW
This is a fun packed, busy day and depending on how long you want to spend at different museums or attractions you may have to skip one or two things.
A few personal tips from me about this day are
that if you haven’t visited any of the museums before head to the British Museum over the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery. It’s just a far better museum in my opinion but by all means do whichever you are the most interested in.
as you’re ending the day in Leicester Square this is the day to add a West End show if you really want to see one. You will have to speed through the the other activities of the day and definitely won’t be able to visit all 3 museums.
THE BRITISH MUSEUM
The British Museum is an amzing museum and is one of the world’s top museums. The museum contains a massive collection of historical artifacts, including a portion of the Parthenon, the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian mummies and hieroglyphics.
The British Museum opens at 10am and you should arrive for opening time. You’ve got a busy day ahead remember!
They recommend you to book your ticket in advance.
If you have time you can do a guided tour of the British Museum to get a really in depth tour of the different artefacts.
From the British Museum head to Tottenham Court Road Tube station and take the Northern (black) line south to Charing Cross which is a few minutes walk from Trafalgar Square.
TRAFALGAR SQUARE CHRISTMAS MARKET
Trafalgar Square is a must visit if you haven’t visited London before and it’s even more special at Christmas.
Besides the famous Nelsons Column with the 4 lions around there is also a Christmas market on the terrace in Trafalgar Square just in front of The National Gallery.
This Christmas market is quite a small market and I recommend spending half an hour or so strolling around. The stalls are full of Christmas ornaments, hats and gloves, various types of street food, and unique gift ideas for friends and families.
The setting of the market is one of it’s biggest draws. There’s a fanastic view down Whitehall to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
MUSEUMS
Both The National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery are on Trafalgar Square.
The National Gallery is London’s most popular art gallery, with art from the 1300’s to 1900’s, featuring Monet, Picasso, Dali, Vermeer, Michelangelo, and Rafael.
The National Portrait Gallery houses portraits of famous British people.
SKATE AT SOMERSET HOUSE
Ice skating is a must for me at Christmas time. I’m rubbish at it but I love it!
I’ve skating at pretty much every ice rink in London over the years and trust me, Somerset House is one of the best places to go ice skating in London.
This large ice rink is surrounded by shops and restaurants. If not everyone in your group wants to go skating, they can relax at a restaurant and sip on coffee, mulled wine, or cocktail.
You can skate from 9am til 10pm. Find out more information on the official website
COVENT GARDEN
Covent Garden is one of my favourite places in London. It’s massively touristy but I don’t care, I love it!
During December it becomes a great festive location in London with a huge Christmas tree, Christmas decorations and lights and the usual famous, comedic street performers.
There are over 115,000 Christmas, twinkly lights in Covent Garden that all surrounding the market and decorating their iconic 55-foot-tall tree.
There’s also a special treat of snow fall on the hour between 12-7pm every day from 9th November - 27th December.
The Covent Garden Christmas lights are on from 7am - 11pm every day from 9th November to 3rd January
See the lights, go shopping, take a break and have mulled wine or hot cider, or dine at one of the restaurants or outdoor cafes. Covent Garden is a must-see while in London.
LEICESTER SQUARE CHRISTMAS MARKET
From Covent Garden walk the short distance to Leicester Square for one of London’s best Christmas markets. It’s small, it’s beautifully decorated, and it has some really unique shops.
You can even toast marshmallows over an open fire, which, for me, is the perfect winter activity! You can get a mulled wine or two, try delicious street food and shop for handmade goods.
If you’ve decided to see a show whilst you’re in London head to the show after the market.
Have a look at what shows are on during your visit.
VISITING LONDON AT CHRISTMAS
DAY 6 LONDON CHRISTMAS ITINERARY
CHURCHILL WAR ROOMS, BUCKINGHAM PALACE, CHRISTMAS LIGHTS WALKING TOUR, SHOPPING REGENT STREET, OXFORD STREET
CHURCHILL WAR ROOMS
The Churchill War Rooms is an incredible museum that lets you see inside the underground bunker that allowed Britain’s leaders to plot the allied route to victory during the Second World War.
The museum has two parts to it : a section about the life of Winston Churchill and a section where you tour the underground rooms where Churchill and his staff lived and worked during a portion of WWII.
It’s a facinating insight into both World War II and the life of Winston Churchill.
It opens at 9:30am every morning and you can purchase your tickets in advance at the official website.
Getting there : take the London tube to Westminster station on Jubliee (grey), Circle (yellow) or District (green) lines.
WALK THE MALL TO BUCKINGHAM PALACE
From the Churchill War Rooms, take a walk along Horse Guards Road, past Horse Guards Parade, and then walk up The Mall towards Buckingham Palace.
I’ve spent many a time on the mall from the celebrating Queen Elizabeth II jubilees, to the somber occasion of her final journey down the mall during her funeral procession to the most recent King Charles III coronation.
I love The Mall and taking that walk to Buckingham Palace. It’s a must do tourist attraction whilst in London.
As an added option this afternoon if you want to experience an afternoon tea you can do so at several places around Buckingham Palace.
If you’re feeling particularly fancy The Ritz is nearby who do a great Christmas themed afternoon tea.
SHOPPING ON REGENT STREET
After visiting Buckingham Palace, walk through Green Park turned right at Piccadilly to arrive at Regent Street. You can spend some time shopping and wandering around this area. There’s amazing Christmas window displays at Selfridges, Hamleys and Liberty around here.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS WALKING TOUR
Check out the map for where the best christmas lights and Christmas window displays are on this walking tour.
The route is around Picadilly, Regent Street and Oxford Street where you’ve headed for shopping. You can wander along these streets soaking up the atmosphere and taking in all the Christmas lights.
Make sure you check out the christmas window displays of shops such as Fortnum & Mason, Liberty London and Hamleys.
Don’t miss Carnaby Street for an amazing Christmas light atmosphere.
DAY 7 LONDON CHRISTMAS ITINERARY
CLIMB UP THE O2
This activity is not for everyone but it is a fatastic thing you can do in London. UP at the O2 is an exhilarating experience climbing up the roof of the O2 arena.
During the climb you are suspended above the tent canvas and will make the 365m journey to the summit of The O2.
At the top you are rewarded with spectacular views over London.
GREENWICH AND THE MEDIAN LINE
Greenwich itself is a beautiful area of London. You can wander through the shopping area which is decorated for Christmas and enjoy a more laid back area of London.
There is a huge park in Greenwich. - Greenwich Park which is home to the Royal Observatory and the Prime Meridan Line.
You can purchase a required timed ticket for the Royal Observatory where you can experience one of the worlds largest refracting telescopes.
Since the late 19th century, the Prime Meridian at Greenwich has divided the eastern and western hemispheres of the Earth - just as the equator divides the northern and southern hemispheres.
In 1884 the Prime Meridian was defined using the Transit Circle telescope at the Royal Observatory. The cross-hairs in the eyepiece of the telescope precisely marked Longitude 0° for the world.
It’s a pretty cool experience to stand on the Prime Meridan line.
CUTTY SARK
As you arrive in Greenwich you can’t help but notice the Cutty Sark.
Cutty Sark is 150 years old and is the world’s only surviving extreme clipper. Most of the hull fabric you see today dates back to its original construction.
Cutty Sark was built for the China tea trade but would carry a vast array of cargoes during its career. Cutty Sark carried almost 10 million lbs of tea between 1870 and 1877.
The ship represents the pinnacle of clipper ship design and was one of the fastest ships of its day.
A trip inside the Cutty Sark is a fantastic experience.
IGLOO FOR DINNER
Something pretty special for your last evening in London. You’re going to dine in an igloo. These aren’t your snowy kinda igloos, they’re much cosier then that!
Every holiday period small glass igloo shaped pods pop up all over London - on rooftops, riversides and terraces feeding the mases wonderful festive food or warming winter cocktails.
The pods are well heated so you will be out of the Christmassy, crisp, cold air of London and all cosy in your igloo with many providing blankets so you can get extra cosy.
There’s a few different ones to choose from.
Willows on the Roof have igloos perched above John Lewis on Oxford Street with views looking over central London. You can book a an igloo in advance for 4-6 guests to dine under the starts on a chilly, festive winter evening.
The Secret Garden at Kensington offers an amazing dining experience inside the igloo. Make sure you prebook your experience.
Coppa Club which is around the corner from the Tower of London has fantastic riverside igloos with views of the Shard and the South bank shoreline.
Aviary Rooftop Restaurant is located on the roof top top of Montcalm Royal House Hotel and offers a magical Nordic Night Igloo experience. There are wonderful views of the city skyline and you can dine on delicious festive food such as cheese and chocolate fondues.
CHRISTMAS IN LONDON ON A MAP
This map shows the best Christmas markets, Christmas lights and Christmas window displays in London. As well as 3 walking tours you can follow to see the best of London at Christmas.
VIDEOS FROM CHRISTMAS IN LONDON
WALKING TOURS OF THE LONDON CHRISTMAS LIGHTS 2023
On the map above there are 3 different walking routes you can do to see all of the very best London Christmas lights as well as taking in the Christmas window displays and markets.
They are great walking tours if you want to see the lights without having to spend a penny on a tour.
If you don’t quite trust your map reading skills or you fancy a stress free, hassle free tour of the London Xmas lights you can book a tour via London bus or bike.
To fit all of London Christmas lights in in one evening would get a little repetitve and you wouldn’t have the time to really enjoy them and the Christmas markets that you’ll stumble across along the way so I recommend these walking tours of London Christmas lights to do be done over 2 or 3 nights.
Walking Tour #1 Piccadilly, Bond Street, Oxford Street, Regent Street, Carnaby Market - taking in Fortnum & Mason, Liberty London, Hamleys
This walking loop is 3 km/2 miles and takes about 40 minutes, without stops.
Start this walking tour at Piccadilly Circus. Piccadilly Circus Tube Station is on the Bakerloo (brown) and the Piccadilly (purple) line. First walk west down Piccadilly (towards Green Park), visiting Fortnum and Mason on the way. Turn right onto Old Bond Street and as you walk up Old and New Bond Street you can enjoy the festive storefronts of Cartier, Dior, and Tiffany. From New Bond Street, turn left onto Brook Street and when you arrive at Bond Street Tube Station then turn right onto South Moulton Street where you will see the illuminated blue archways and lights. This will take you to Oxford Circus. Turn right on Regent Street. Just off Regent Street to the left is Liberty London. Then come back on to Regent Street and as you walk down you can visit Hamley’s, take a left to visit Carnaby Street. Come back on to Regent Street and follow it round back to Piccadilly Circus.
Walking Tour #2 Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden and Seven Dials
This walking loop is 2km/1 mile and takes 30 minutes
Start this walking tour at Leicester Square. Leicester Square tube station is on the Piccadilly (purple) and the Northern (black) tube line. You can enjoy the Christmas market in Leicester Square before you start the walk if you’d like. Walk south to Trafalgar Square. In Trafalgar Square, see the Christmas tree and visit the Christmas market. From Trafalgar Square, walk east along the Strand and turn left onto Bedford Street. Keep going until you hit Covent Garden. Here you can enjoy the lights, do some shopping and if you’re there on the hour you can experience snow fall! When you’re finished at Covent Garden walk north on James Street, continue straight onto Neal Street. You then need to left left onto Earlham Street to Seven Dials. From Seven Dials, walk down Monmouth Street, turn right on Cranbourn Street, and take this back to Leicester Square.
Walking Tour #3 Belgravia, Winter Wonderland, CHurchill Arms & Harrods
This walking loop is 9km/1 mile and takes about 2 hours although much of it is through Hyde Park where you’ll be enjoying Winter Wonderland. If you wanted to skip the Churchill Arms it becomes a 2km route.
Start this walking tour at Hyde Park Corner. Hyde Park Corner tube station is on the Piccadilly (purple) line. Head south on Grosvenor Place and take a quick right onto Grosvenor Crescent. Follow this round until you get to Belgravia Square where you can see the Christmas lights there. Take a right down Chesham Place and go right down Hans Place. Go left down Hans Road and you will see Harrods there. Marvel at the window displays or go inside to the seventh floor and take a look around their special Christmas shop. Head south down Brompton Road, on to Cromwell Gardens and Cromwell Road past the V&A Museum and The Natural History Museum. Turn right up Queens Gate where you will get to Hyde Park. Time for a quick left on to Kensington High Street, a right on to Kensington Church Street where you will see the famous Churchill Arms. Retrace your steps back to Hyde Park and go in to enjoy Winter Wonderland. When you’ve had as much Christmasy fun that you can handle for one evening head out back to Hyde Park Corner tube station if you’re getting the tube back to your accomodation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When are London's Christmas lights switched on?
Official dates have yet to be confirmed for when London will switch on it’s Christmas lights for 2023 although there are usually sometime in mid November. Check back later for offical confirmed dates on when the lights are switched on in London. Once lit they'll be on nightly until early January.
Where are London Christmas lights?
London has Christmas lights all over the city. Some of the best are on Regent Street, Piccadilly, Oxford Street and Kew Gardens. Check out the map above for a guide to the 15 best Christmas light displays in London for 2023.
When's the best time to see the West End Christmas lights?
In terms of times of day, the lights go on late afternoon when it gets dark around 3:30-4pm so anytime after that you can see the Christmas lights in 2023.
In terms of crowds there’s never really a quiet time to see the lights. It’s London. It’s Christmas time. It’s busy! Weekdays are likely to be slightly less busy than weekends and the earlier in December you go (or even late November) the quietier it is.
The good thing is though it never really feels too overcrowded in my experience.
When do London's Christmas lights end?
Official dates of when London’s Christmas lights will end have not yet been released for 2023 but they are usually in early January around the 4th.
A good tip to see the Christmas lights with less crowds is to go after Christmas and New Year. All the lights should still be on during the first few days of January and the crowds will have dispersed a lot.
Do London's Christmas lights get switched off at night?
Many of London’s Christmas light displays won't be on all night this year, to avoid wasting energy.
Are London's Christmas lights energy efficient?
London’s Christmas light displays have definietly got better over the years in terms of being energy efficient.
Climate issues are something the London Christmas light organisiser have taken seriously and the West End has taken steps to make the Christmas light displays as energy efficient as possible.
All West End lights (that's Oxford Street, Regent Street, St James's, Bond Street, South Molton Street and more) use LED technology, which reduces energy consumption by 75% compared to regular lights.
The new Oxford Street star lights are 100% recyclable, made from recycled polymer and produced using 100% solar/photovoltaic energy and will be reused in future Oxford Street Christmas displays. Similarly, the new Bond Street lights use energy-efficient LEDs, and are made from recycled materials.
Is it worth visiting London at Christmas?
I absolutely love London and would recommend visiting at any time of year but there’s something magical about London at Christmas. It’s full of dazzling light displays, festive markets, ice skating rinks and so many other Christmas themed acitvities you can take part in to really get in the mood for the holidays.
What is the weather like in London at Christmas?
The weather is England is famously unpredictable but for the month of December the average high is 9°C/49°F and the average low is 5°C/41°F.
The days are short in December with the shortest day of the year on December 21st. Sunrise is around 8am and sunset is 3:30 - 4pm. This may seem like it could be a problem but a lot of the activities to do in London at Christmas are better in the dark - the Christmas trees, the lights, the markets etc.
It can be quite rainy in December with an average of 9 rainy days each month. Snow can fall in December but it is quite rare. If you’re lucky enough to be in London at Christmas time during the snow you’re in for a rare treat - and I’m very jealous as I’ve not managed to be there during a snowy December yet.
What are the best things to do in London at Christmas with kids?
If you will be visiting London during the Christmas holiday season, there is plenty of child friendly activites for all ages. You can visit Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, have Christmas-themed afternoon tea, go ice skating, visit Hamley’s, see the Christmas lights, and watch a holiday musical. All great activities for kids and adults alike.
CHRISTMAS LIGHT TOURS
BOAT TRIPS
TOP 10 LONDON EXPERIENCES
WHERE TO STAY IN LONDON
These are my favourite hotels in London for a range of budgets.
BUDGET TRAVELLER
Dover Castle Hotel is great for budget travellers costing around £40 per night during the festive season. It’s less than a mile from the Tower and London and Tower Bridge and offers dorm rooms at a great price in a handy location.
The Walrus Bar and Hostel is on the south side of the river just across from Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. It offers twin rooms with breakfast available close to Lambeth North and Southwark tube stations.
MID RANGE BUDGET
The Portico Hotel is located in Westminster so excellent for Big Ben and Houses and Parliament and most of the central London tourist attractions. Room are available for around £150 per night during the festive season.
Inhabit, Southwick Street is near Paddington Station and offers beautiful rooms. Breakfast is available at the hotel should you wish to eat before you head out on your day exploring the capital.
LUXURY ACCOMODATION
is located right by Hyde Park. It has breath taking views over the famous London skyline. There is a gym on site and two award winning restaurants.
this superb luxury hotel is located in the heart of the city overlooking the impressive Somerset House. You can stay here from £450 per night over the festive season. There is an amazing rooftop bar with spectacular views over London.
GETTING TO CENTRAL LONDON FROM THE AIRPORTS
Heathrow Airport (LHR)
Heathrow Express: The fastest option. Trains run every 15 minutes, taking you to London Paddington Station in about 15-20 minutes. Book here
London Underground (Piccadilly Line): A more economical choice. Take the Piccadilly Line to various central London stations. The journey takes about 45-60 minutes.
Taxis and ride-sharing services are available, but they are more expensive than public transport.
You can also book a private transfer.
Gatwick Airport (LGW)
Gatwick Express: The fastest option. Trains run every 15 minutes, taking you to London Victoria Station in about 30 minutes.
Southern and Thameslink trains: A more economical choice. Trains connect Gatwick to various central London stations, and the journey takes about 30-40 minutes.
National Express coach can be prebooked here.
Stansted Airport (STN):
Stansted Express: The fastest option. Trains run every 15 minutes, taking you to London Liverpool Street Station in about 45 minutes.
National Express buses and Terravision buses provide economical options. The journey time varies, but it's around 60-90 minutes.
Taxis and ride-sharing services are also available.
Luton Airport (LTN)
Thameslink trains: The most convenient option. Trains run frequently to central London, with the journey taking around 30-40 minutes.
Shuttle buses and coaches are also available here.
London City Airport (LCY)
Docklands Light Railway (DLR): The airport is directly connected to the DLR, which can take you to various central London locations in about 20-30 minutes.
Taxis and ride-sharing services are available.
LONDON ESSENTIALS
Planning a trip to London? Here are some of the resources and tools I personally use to organise my travel plans to anywhere in the UK.
FLIGHTS : Find the best deals on flights to London using Skyscanner.
VISAS : Use iVisa to check if you need a tourist visa for the UK and apply for an expedited visa online. Use OneWayFly to obtain proof of onward travel/hotel reservation for your visa application if needed.
TRAVEL INSURANCE : Insure your trip with my preferred insurance for single trip and annual cover HeyMondo
AIRPORT TRANSFER : Pre-book your hotel transfer from Stanstead Airport, Gatwick Airport or Gatwick Airport
ACCOMMODATION : Find the best hotel deals in London on Booking.com.
BUS TICKETS : It is easy to book your transport once you’re in London but if you’d like to book in advance you can buy private transfers online through Bookaway .
DAY TRIPS : Find the best city tours and day excursions in London on Viator or Get Your Guide.
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