Christmas is calling in...London!

4x next level Christmas fun with the family!

With December just around the corner, we’re all getting ready to count down to Christmas. Because let’s face it, nothing is cosier than strolling around in a city with Christmas lights on! And one of the best cities to soak up the Christmas spirit is definitely London. And let London and by extension the U.K. live in a climate where corona is just behind them or at least seems to be forgotten. Time for warmth and coziness in the nicest Christmas city with these great tips that we tried ourselves.

Shop till you drop

Of course, everyone wants to stock up on Christmas gifts when they’re in London. There’s no shortage of shopping streets, and they’re all extra atmospheric with the Christmas lights on. Of course, you can visit the well-known shopping streets such as Regent Street and Oxford Street. Choices are necessary anyway. We did like to go to some ‘chic’ department stores with the family. The Selfridges department store, for example, is worth a visit for its building and its history alone. It was designed by Daniel Burnham for Harry Gordon Selfridge and opened in 1909. The building has countless floors with high end fashion, toys and all sorts of goodies such as delicatessen and tradeware. Each department is an experience in itself and that is what makes it so attractive. At the toy department, we were tempted to have a tailor-made doll made of bear Paddington from the film of the same name. This will definitely be a hit with your kids!

Address Selfridges London: 400 Oxford St, London W1A 1AB, United Kingdom
Website Selfridges: https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/features/info/stores/london/

Do a nice market

One of the things that make London so great is that every district has its own market . On those markets it is lovely to stroll between the stalls, try to make a purchase or find something unique or just eat something delicious at one of the many food stands. Whenever we are in London we love to go to Portobello Road and its market. The street and market became even more popular after Hugh Grant moved in for the film Nothing Hill. But the atmosphere is still deliciously authentic, with lots of fun and unique shops as well as many vintage sellers on the street.

If you’re dying to find a cute vintage fashion item or rummage through record bins, then make sure you stop by The Bricklane Vintage Market! Both inside the old industrial sites and on the street you’ll find both atmosphere and unique items. And what makes it extra nice is that you’ll find delicious food stands everywhere, touting the best street food.

Address Portobello Market: Portobello Road, London
Address Bricklane Market: 85 Brick Ln, London E1 6QL, United Kingdom

Go skating against a historic backdrop!

To get into the Christmas spirit, there is nothing better than ice skating on an outdoor track. In London, you can go skating at different places, but the skating rink par excellence is the one next to (or in front of!) the Natural History Museum. Here you have a unique backdrop for all your photos and at Christmas, the building is illuminated in an extra attractive way. And of course you can combine your skate with a visit to this unique nature museum. Don’t forget to reserve your spot on the slopes!

Address of skating rink: Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD
reservation here: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/ice-rink.html

Next-level Christmas fun for kids: the Tomorrowland of Christmas markets and the film set of Harry Potter

Are you a fan of Christmas markets, but do you prefer a little more action? Then make sure you check out London’s most spectacular Christmas fair. Winter Wonderland in Hide Park: we’ve never seen that before. On a gigantic site you find yourself in a combination of Tomorrowland, the better amusement park and the largest Christmas market in Germany. The site is bathed in a beautiful Christmas atmosphere and the attractions are at their most spectacular!

If you need a little extra magic – and you can take that quite literally – then you should definitely pay a visit to the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studios. Just an hour’s drive away from London (no stress, you will be expertly brought there by bus), the magic of Harry and company opens up. Fan or no fan of the TV series, here you will be sucked into the dream of the film, its actors, props and film sets. And who doesn’t dream of playing virtual Quidditch?

Address Winter Wonderland: Hyde Park, London W2 2UH, United Kingdom
Address Harry Potter studios: https://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/

Luxury accommodation… was provided by the Southplace Hotel. This centrally located five-star hotel offers luxurious rooms with every comfort at prices that are very acceptable for London and this kind of hotel. From 873 euro for a double room for 3 nights.