Christmas in London is irresistible
Last Christmas Gary and I popped to London for a few hours to enjoy the festivities around Tower Bridge and along the Southbank of the Thames.
We were amazed that within a reasonably short distance how much fun could be had and the effort the locals had gone to, to show off London at its best.
So, after our annual pilgrimage in early December 2017, to visit some European Christmas markets, we decided to pop to London again and discover the delights around the West End.
![The Pin image of our post - 'A few more hours in London at Christmas'](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/A-few-more-hours-in-London-at-Christmas-Pin4.jpg)
Discover London at Christmas
Go where the lights take youIn some ways, it’s probably best that you don’t really have a specific route in mind.
There are so many sparkling lights & trees alluring you, that you just keeping wandering to wherever tempts you the most.
![The Afternoon Tea Bus Tour in a traditional London Red Bus on the streets of London at Christmas](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/A-Routemaster-bus-in-London-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
Find your accommodation
London's Christmas Ice Rink
Somerset House![Skaters on the ice at London's Somerset house after the sun has gone down.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/On-the-ice-at-Somerset-House-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
The hosts for this year’s event are Fortnum & Mason, so no expense has been spared.
Somerset House is a lovely place to visit all year around, and you may also recognise it from it from various film locations (particularly the opening credits of Love Actually).
![A large decorated Christmas tree, in front of the blue ice rink, set against the backdrop of pink lit Somerset House, in London.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/The-Christmas-Tree-in-front-of-Somerset-House-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
Remember
The best of London at Christmas
Off to the Garden![Christmas illuminations in Covent Garden in the shape of giant bunches of mistletoe bound by silver ribbons.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/The-decorations-at-Covent-Garden-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![A giant illuminated model reindeer outside Covent Garden in London for Christmas.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/The-Reindeer-at-Covent-Garden-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
If you've yet to discover London and its ancient history, then let's start planning. I find these DK Eyewitness Travel Guides invaluable. They're extremely informative, easy to follow, and the pictures and maps tempt you into discovering more of those fascinating sites.
You can now grab a recently revised copy of this guidebook, so you won't miss a thing.
The streets of London at Christmas
Seven Dials![The lanes off of Seven Dials lit for Christmas in London](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/The-view-from-Seven-Dials-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![The column at the centre of Seven Dials surrounded by Christmas lights](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Seven-dials-at-Christmas-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
Our Tip
Leicester Square at Christmas
Onto the movies![A Christmas Market stall in London's Leicester Square full of decorations](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/A-Christmas-stall-in-Leicester-Square-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![Crowds in the Leicester Square Christmas Market in Central London](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Leicester-Square-at-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
Our next stop at Christmas
Trafalgar Square![The illuminated Christmas Tree reflected in a fountain in London's Trafalgar Square at night](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Trafalgar-Square-at-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
Exploring London at Christmas
Where the lights take you![An illuminated traditional Christmas tree decorated with giant red baubles in Central London at Christmas](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/The-Christmas-Tree-at-Waterloo-Place-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![A view along Regent street with its illuminated Christmas Angels outstretched between either sides of the wide shopping street.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Regent-Street-Saint-Jamess-at-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
Point to note
Stylist London at Christmas
Sophisticated ArcadesWho could resist this stylish part of the city, I just love the arcades that cut through the centre and offer a shopping experience like no other.
‘Piccadilly Arcade’ from Jermyn Street to Piccadilly, ‘Burlington Arcade’ from Piccadilly to Burlington Gardens and ‘The Royal Arcade’ which runs from Albermarle Street to Old Bond Street.
![Picadilly Arcade, a row of bespoke shops, in an ornate pedestrian thoroughfare in the west end of London, selling the finer things in life](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Picadilly-Arcade-Movies-in-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![A look along Burlington Arcade at Christmas](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Burlington-Arcade-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![Inside the Royal Arcade at Christmas](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/The-Royal-Arcade-at-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
We have a little book on our shelves that we sometimes delve into when we're about to hit an area of London.
Packed full of historical facts, and broken down into the different regions of London, it's a great resource to help you see what's hidden in plain sight.
Available in Kindle & Hardback editions, it's an excellent addition to anyone's collection who loves London.
Regent Street at Christmas
A display like no other![Looking up to the illuminated golden angels that decorate Regent Street at Christmas in London.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/High-above-Regent-Street-at-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![A red bus under the illuminated angels decorations in London for Christmas](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Angels-above-Regent-Street-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![Illuminated Angels, with wings spread out, along London's Regent Street in the run up to Christmas.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/The-view-down-Regent-Street-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
Shopping in London at Christmas
The merchants![The Cartier store in London's New Bond Street decorated as a brightly lit gift box.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/The-Cartier-store-on-New-Bond-Store-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![The grand Hatchard's Booksellers store on Piccadilly decorated for Christmas](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Hatchards-Booksellers-to-the-Royal-household-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![Fortnum & Mason's on Piccadilly decorated for Christmas](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Fortnum-Masons-store-at-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![Hamley's, the toy store on Regent Street, decorated for Christmas](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Hamleys-on-Regent-Street-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![The quirky Vintage Showroom shop decorated for Christmas in London](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/The-Vintage-Showroom-london-at-christmas-things-to-see-in-london-V5.jpg)
![The outside of the Standford's store in central London at Christmas on a wet night](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Stanfords-travel-bookstore-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
Have You?
More of London at Christmas
What also caught our eyeNarrowing down the photos for this post was tricky, as there was so much that grabbed our attention.
Here are a sneaky few more;
![The vibrant Carnaby Street in London decorated for Christmas](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Carnaby-Street-at-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![The Strand in London on a wet December night illuminated for Christmas.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/The-Christmas-lights-down-the-Strand-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![Floating illuminated angels hanging over Charles II Street in the West End of London at Christmas](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Lights-apart-from-Charles-II-Street-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![Floating illuminated angels hanging over Jermyn Street in the West End of London at Christmas](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/The-lights-above-Jermyn-Street-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![The Ritz hotel on Piccadilly decorated for Christmas](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/The-Ritz-hotel-at-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![An illuminated star hanging above New Bond Street as part of London at Christmas](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/The-end-of-New-Bond-Street-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![A view along New Bond Street in London decorated for Christmas](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Looking-along-New-Bond-Street-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![A giant illuminated Christmas decoration hanging over New Bond Street](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Elegant-New-Bond-Street-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
![The Palace Theatre in London's Cambridge Circus illuminated at night](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/The-Palace-Theatre-Shaftsbury-Avenue-Christmas-London-England-UK-V5.jpg)
Another short and sweet tour of Christmassy London
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