8 Christmas Experiences to Add to Your London Bucket List
A friend asked me recently, “What are 7 or 8 things you’d want to do in London at Christmas?” She’s headed there in December, and I can’t say I’m not just a tiny bit jealous because, even though I’ve been to London soooo many times, I’ve never been at Christmastime.
But that doesn’t stop me from dreaming, so I took my friend’s question and did just that. Should I be lucky enough to travel to London in December, here are eight things I’d love to do. (And yes, it’s the list I shared with my lucky friend.)
Christmas Decorations at Borough Market
1. Borough Market.
Always.
A trip to London, for me, is not complete without a trip to Borough Market, made even better with a stroll down the South Bank that, apparently, has a Christmas Market at this time of year. With all the trimmings at Christmas, I can only imagine that my favorite little corner of London must be just that more magical.
Liberty of London on Great Marlborough Street
This quintessential London department store goes all out at the holidays. Head here for your annual Christmas ornament.
3. Afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason.
Just like Liberty, F&M goes all out at Christmas. Having tea at F&M is almost like having tea with royalty.
4. Dinner at Maggie Jones’s.
I found this cute, quirky restaurant on my last trip to London, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s in one of my favorite neighborhoods, Kensington. Their regular decorations are incredible, so I can only imagine what their Christmas decorations look like.
*Edited to add: Sadly, Maggie Jones’s suffered a catastrophic fire in 2023 and has not reopened. Keep checking their website for updates.
London boasts several Christmas markets, so take your pick from this list and have a wander.
6. And speaking of wandering . . . I’d also fancy a wander through Hampstead.
I’m sure the shops are decked out with twinkly lights and the streets are just beautiful at Christmastime.
Peggy Porschen in Belgravia
7. Wander Elizabeth Street in Belgravia . . .
. . . ending up at the Lime Tree Hotel for a drink or light dinner. (I stayed here on my last trip to London and absolutely fell in love with the neighborhood and the hotel.) And if you’re not in the mood for a drink, how about tea at Peggy Porschen across the street? Cuteness overload!
8. Day trip to Windsor.
Fancy a peek into how the Royals celebrate Christmas? Head out to Windsor Castle for “Christmas at Windsor.” Your entry includes a tour of the castle decked out for Christmas, including the 20-foot high tree in St. George’s Hall. Additional events are also offered on certain days throughout the holiday season. Definitely on the bucket list.
So there you have it! Enough to fill a few days in London to fuel your holiday spirit. Have a mulled wine or a glass of bubbly while enjoying the festive lights. Enjoy!
