London Things to Do

With ice rinks popping up all over town and the streets awash with glittering Christmas lights, London’s holiday season makes for an atmospheric shopping experience. Here are a few pointers to get you started.

There’s a myriad of festive fun to be had in London this Christmas, but to get you started, here are a few suggestions.

1) Christmas lights: London’s shimmering decorations are some of the best in the world and none are as impressive as the Oxford Street display, in the heart of London. November 5th was the official lights-on date, marked by a celebrity studded ceremony and crowds of thousands. This year’s lights were switched on by British pop stars Robbie Williams and Leona Lewis, and viewing places will be ticketed so book your place now.

With its reputation for gloomy horizons and relentless drizzle, it’s easy to see why London might be boycotted during the winter season, but Londoner’s know that the most atmospheric time to discover the capital is by braving the cold.

One of my favorite churches in London is St Martin in the Fields. It sits on the edge of Trafalgar Square opposite the National Gallery and it’s so pretty and, to me, just so London. Probably because of its location, which makes it symbolize the city for me. The 1726 church is very pretty from the outside and surprisingly plain inside, but there’s been a church on this site since at least 1222.

Icy temperatures and one too many rainy days might put people off spending winter in the British capital, but once the festive season gets underway there are few places more atmospheric than London.

Or London, anyway. Personally, I don’t know that I would spend Christmas anywhere but home, unless the whole family decided to go to Hawaii. Lots of people other people spend the holidays on vacation, though, so here’s a suggestion if you’re spending Christmas in London.