In my honest opinion ... there is no better time to visit London than in Winter!
Peak tourist season for London definitely hits in the summer.
Which is understandable, due to better weather and longer daylight.
However, there's just something about the crisp cold air, beautiful lights and festive markets that brings pure joy to all London visitors in the colder months.
I am a lover of all things festive and have lived in London for a while now.
So I think that makes me a seasoned expert in all things London in winter!
Below are my top tips on, not just what to do, but also how to have an amazing visit in general.
Let’s start with …
The only slight downside to visiting London in winter is the weather …
But I promise it's not that bad!
While it might feel cold, London’s winter temperature averages between five and nine degrees celsius and rarely dips below freezing.
January and February are London’s coldest months and we occasionally even get a light dusting of snow!
While the rainfall isn't at the highest in winter, it is still the UK so you will always want an umbrella to hand.
For more information on your upcoming visit, check out this useful guide on London’s weather.
Location: Battersea and Canary Wharf
Budget: Free
When to go: Open mid-January until March, 8am until 11pm daily but they are best enjoyed after sunset!
London takes the festive spirit to new levels and while the Christmas lights brighten up the city over the Christmas period, the illuminations don't stop in the new year!
Every year you can find various winter lights festivals scattered around the city, livening up those dark evenings.
2023 was the first year of the Battersea Winter Lights Festival and due to its popularity, I bet it will make an annual appearance from now on!
The festival itself featured eight incredible light installations curated by the Light Art Collection inside the power station and around the grounds.
All of which had signs next to them detailing the artist, the installation and the message behind the art which were really interesting to have a read of. One of the most memorable is the giant plug surrounded by water, bringing light to how much water is wasted in the UK every year.
The lights festival is completely free to enter as is entry to Battersea Power Station which is one of my favourite free things to do in London! During the festival, a lot of the food vendors and bars nearby have special deals so be sure to stay for some of the amazing street food nearby.
Location: South Kensington
Budget: Free
How to book: Online here
Opening times: Open Monday-Sunday 10.00-17.50 (last entry 17.30) but is closed 24-26 December
Unfortunately, the weather in London during winter can be pretty grim so you might be looking for some indoor activities to escape the rain and cold during your visit.
London is home to endless museums to enjoy, most of which are completely free to enter so are ideal for things to do in winter.
One of my all-time favourites though is The Natural History Museum! It is located in South Kensington, a beautiful area in London that is also home to both the Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum so if you give yourself enough time, you can do all three in one day.
The Natural History Museum is set in a stunning museum and it only gets more impressive on the inside! The dinosaur gallery is a fan favourite featuring the first T Rex skeleton discovered whilst the Mammal gallery has life-sized models of mammoths, hippos and whales!
The museum is free to enter, but if you are visiting on a weekend or during the school holidays, you might want to book your ticket online to ensure your entry!
Location: Regent street
Budget: ££
How to book: Online here
When to go: The Grotto is usually open from mid-November until Christmas eve.
If you are heading for a winter vacation in London with kids, they will absolutely love Hamleys!
Hamleys is a famous toy store with a few locations across the UK but their store on Regent Street is by far the best! It spans over seven floors, has every toy you could probably ever think of and has heaps of interactive activities and demonstrations!
I made my parents take me here every time I visited London as a child and I still love going to this day!
If you are visiting London over the festival period and want to treat your kids to an extra special experience, I would highly recommend booking a meeting with Santa!
Their Santa’s grotto setup is a magical experience, personalised for your children from the moment you enter! You will be greeted by the elves and taken over to meet Santa Claus himself and receive a gift to take home.
It is a very popular activity for children in London so I would recommend booking as far in advance as you can. Remember that each ticket is valid for three people and if you are coming with extra people, you will need to add them to your booking.
Location: Watford
Budget: ££
How to book: Online here
When to go: Hogwarts in the Snow usually runs from mid-November until mid-January.
Warner Brother’s Studio Tour The Making of Harry Potter is one of the best things to do in London all year round and if you are at all a fan of the movies, I highly recommend you visit!
However, in winter, they put on their incredible Hogwarts in the Snow, which in my opinion is the best time to go. They fully deck out the whole tour in the festive spirit with the grand hall decorated in gold lights being the main attraction.
Popular sets like the forbidden forest and Diagon Alley are also covered in a blanket of snow as well as the model of Hogwarts castle.
They run a few extra demonstrations that aren't on during the rest of the year like non-burning fire and non-melting ice that were used in the making of the Harry Potter movies.
The Warner Brothers studios are slightly outside of London so I would recommend booking a tour that includes coach transfers from Victoria Station, to save yourself the stress of getting there on your magical day!
Location: Hyde Park
Budget: ££
How to book: Online here
When to go: Winter Wonderland usually starts around and continues until
Winter Wonderland is a HUGE Christmas festival that has run every year in London for the last 15 years. It takes up the whole of Hyde Park and is an absolute must-visit if you are staying in London over the holidays!
Go ice skating, play fairground games, visit the ice bar, warm up next to the fire in a teepee, visit the carousel bar, ride a rollercoaster, dance along to the live band, visit an ice bar, the list goes on and on! Winter Wonderland really has something for everyone and you will not be disappointed!
The festival itself is so large that I really would recommend setting aside a whole day to explore it so you don't miss out! You might see a lot of people complaining about the extortionate prices of the rides and food options at the park but there are some ways to do it on the cheap!
Have a look at the park map and buy your tickets for attractions there before you go along with your ticket and you will find it works out quite a bit cheaper! I would recommend buying a ride pass for three rides and either the ice bar or ice skating before you get there as you’ll save on money and queuing time!
Location: All across London
Budget: £-££
How to book: Online here
One of my favourite things about London in Winter is just how stunning it looks at night when the whole city is lit up with Christmas lights!
The best streets have to be the main shopping ones of Oxford Street and Regent Street but I personally think that the lights around Carnaby Street and Soho are by far the most impressive!
You can explore most of London’s Christmas lights on foot, but be warned, around this time the best streets get crazy busy with tourists and shoppers so you might have to fight through the crowds for some good photos!
To get the best views of the lights, book an open-top bus Christmas lights tour that will take you around all the best displays on a famous London-style bus. You go past all the iconic spots like Harrods, Selfridges and straight down Oxford Street where, thanks to the traffic, you'll have plenty of time to soak up the views!
Taking a tour is the best way to see all of the lights without having to battle the crowds and navigate your own way through the city.
Location: The West End
Budget: $$
How to book: London Theatre Direct or TodayTix
For a rainy evening in London, there is nothing better than spending a few hours inside watching some of the best theatre performances in the world!
Although West End shows run all year around, there is something for me that feels very wintery about them! This is mainly because England gets dark so early in the colder months that you will want to find some things to do after sunset.
A few of London’s most famous theatres make up the West End so you will have a good few shows to take your pick from! I have never seen a show I haven't enjoyed so unless there is one you want to see in particular, why not check TodayTix during your visit to find the best deals at short notice?
If you are looking to see some of the more famous shows like The Lion King, Matilda, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child or Hamilton, book up really quickly, especially in January time as they are popular Christmas gifts, so you may need to book further in advance!
Location: Southbank
Budget: £-£££
How to book: Online here
If you are lucky enough to be bringing in the new year in London, you are in for a treat!
Every year, the city puts on a huge world-famous firework display next to the London Eye! Since 2014, you need to pre-purchase a ticket to get the best views of the display by watching on Southbank and the nearby bridges.
If you do want to visit for free though, I highly recommend grabbing some drinks and heading to somewhere like Primrose Hill where you will be able to watch the fireworks over the city from a distance, just be sure to get there early to snag a good spot!
For a more fancy evening, why not take a dinner cruise and see the new year's fireworks from the River Thames, or grab a ticket to one of London’s many lavish parties that occur annually!
Location: All across London
Budget: ££-£££
How to book: Check for deals here
Unwind from the chaos of the city by booking into one of London’s many luxury spas!
There are tonnes to choose from so you are best looking into which ones have facilities and treatments you will enjoy best!
I personally find thermal baths the most relaxing in winter so the underground spa in Covent Gardens called Aire Ancient Baths is at the top of my wish list for this year!
Some other extra boujee spas in London include ESPA Life Spa at the Corinthia Hotel, The Four Seasons Hotel Spa and The St Pancras Spa, all perfect for special occasions or just a treat yourself day!
There are some affordable options though like K West Hotel and Spa where non-guests can enjoy the facilities for only £30! I also would recommend looking at Virgin Experience Days as they often have some great spa days and spa break deals in London and the surrounding areas!
Location: All across London
Budget: £
Us Londoners look for any excuse for a pint and as soon as the grey clouds start to form on a winter's day, everyone heads to the nearest pub for shelter and comfort!
Most of the pubs in the UK you will find are welcoming to families and dogs and do great food so they usually fill up around meal times.
There really is a pub on every corner in London so you will not struggle to find one but here are some of my favourite pubs in central London that are cosy enough for you to warm up in on a winter's day!
Location: All across London
Budget: £-£££
When to go: Not Christmas eve!
If you are visiting London in the lead up to Christmas, it is an awesome opportunity to do a spot of Christmas shopping!
Not only is London home to some of the best department stores in the world but it also has tons of cute little boutique shops where you can get some great prezzies for a loved one!
If you are after some more luxurious gifts, Selfridges, Harrods and Liberty are great places to start but you can find all kinds of designer stores in places like Covent Gardens, Sloane Street, Mayfair and Bond Street.
For some more personalised gifts, I would recommend looking in some smaller shops in areas like Camden, Brick Lane, Notting Hill and down Cecil Court which has some beautiful bookshops.
My one recommendation though would be to never try to attempt doing your Christmas shopping on the 23rd or 24th as I make that mistake every year and it is far from an enjoyable experience!
Location: Richmond
Budget: ££
How to book: Online here
When to go: Christmas at Kew runs from mid-November until early January between 4pm and 10pm.
Kew Gardens is a beautiful UNESCO World Heritage site, home to over 50,000 living plants, and is only a train ride away from central London!
It is by far one of the best things to do in London no matter the time of year but Christmas at Kew Gardens gets a spot on every Londoner’s calendar! As it starts in November, it's an epic start to the festive period and makes a great evening out.
The botanical gardens are lit up throughout with twinkling lights and there is a trail mapped out throughout for you to wander around including huge light displays which reflect in the lake, through tunnels of lights and beneath the sparkling trees.
They have a few street food vendors open in the evenings so it's a great opportunity to warm up with a mulled wine and some festive snacks after your walk around.
This is a great option for things to do in winter as a family as children absolutely love the lights and there's even an opportunity to spot Father Christmas along the way! This one does book up fast so make sure you book your tickets in advance to be sure you don't miss out!
Location: All over the city
Budget: £
Wrap up warm and go for a winter walk in one of London's many beautiful parks!
Grabbing a coffee from one of the nearby independent cafes and taking a long walk in the park is best done in the morning when there aren't so many people around and there is still a fresh layer of frost over the grass.
During the colder months, you are still likely to see a lot of British wildlife including deer, squirrels, ducks and robbins and even pelicans if you visit St James’s Park!
We were lucky enough to get some snow during the winter months this year which provided a magical winter backdrop across every park in the city!
If you aren't a fan of walking, London has bikes to rent all over the city and you can cycle through most of London’s parks.
Location: Southbank
Budget: £
Igloo pods seem to be all the range nowadays and you will find them scattered all over the city in the winter months!
For some reason in London, we love eating, drinking and socialising outside, come rain or shine, so the invention of plastic igloos is a dream!
They come in all kinds of shapes and sizes and levels of bougie-ness but some of my favourites have to be in the pop-up bars along Southbank! You get all the fun of watching the boats go down the river without losing your fingers and toes to frostbite.
You cant pre-book so you might have to wait a little while to snag one but they are way worth it! Most of them have blankets inside and a great winter menu to match, serving things like mulled cider and cheese fondues.
Location: All across the city
Budget: £
With London’s unpredictable weather, you might just be looking for somewhere to go to escape the chill and luckily, London is home to some incredible art galleries, most of which are completely free to enter!
Budget: ££
How to book: Online here
An activity that is ideal no matter the weather in London, is to take a bus tour!
If you are only visiting London for a few days over the winter period, you might want to see as much as possible and as quickly as possible and a bus tour is an ideal way to do that.
If the weather is looking unpleasant, a walking tour in your rain mac might not be very appetising, so why not hop on a bus and have a guide point out all of the top attractions in the city? These tours will also allow you to hop off and explore whenever you please.
I personally always recommend this Hop-on Hop-off Big Bus tour as I think it has the best routes and stops for only £36 per person for the day! Maybe just opt for a seat on the bottom deck if it's raining.
Location: Southbank
Budget: $
When to go: The winter market runs annually from early November until the 26th of December from 11am until late.
The Winter Market at Southbank is a really popular Christmas market in London for many reasons but mainly for its accessibility. Being so central and only a stone's throw away from Waterloo train station, it's an ideal stop to pick up a festive bite to eat after work.
It's definitely not the largest of London’s Christmas markets but it has a lot of charm with its alpine-style chalets for stalls, selling everything from festive street food to homemade gifts and souvenirs!
Southbank itself makes a beautiful festive walk on a cold evening so why not pick up some mulled wine and a Christmas burger and take a stroll along the river bank?
Location: Covent Garden
Budget: $
Covent Garden is an area that really shines in the winter period. The twinkling lights mixed with the cobbled streets, luxury stores, incredible eateries and intimate bars, make for a great day out, whatever you fancy!
In 2022, Covent Gardens hosted an amazing winter warmer mulled wine festival for a few weeks over the winter months where a few of the bars, restaurants and bars offered their own take on the classic mulled wine (or Glögg) for great prices!
It was so popular, I can't see it not continuing year after year, which is something I am very happy about!
The highlight was definitely the fact that you could smell the incredible mulled spices from a mile away and the drinks themselves definitely lived up to expectations!
One of my main tips for getting around London though is to try and avoid the Covent Gardens tube stop if you can as it's always overcrowded. Why not enjoy even more of the Christmas displays and walk from either Piccadilly Circus or Leicester Square?
Location: All across London but the London Palladium is the most famous!
Budget: $$
How to book: Check here
By far one of the best things to do with kids in London in winter is to go see a panto!
Practice your ‘boos’, ‘cheers’ and ‘he's behind yous’ and watch all of the tales you know and love like Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Dick Whittington, Aladdin and many more with a bit of classic London panto flair and fun!
Shows, actors and locations change every year so I would recommend checking Big Panto Guide before your visit. Luckily, pantos continue right through January so you will not miss out even if you visit after Christmas!
Location: Waterloo
Budget: ££
How to book: Online here
Opening times: Weekdays 11am until 4pm, Saturdays 10am until 6pm and Sundays 10am until 4pm.
The spooky vibes in London aren't limited to Halloween, thanks to London Dungeons being open all year round!
London is a hella OLD city meaning it has its fair share of weird, scary and interesting dark history. It is described as a “thrilling attraction that will whisk you way back to the capital's most perilous past” but if you ask me, it's terrifying, although I am a bit of a wimp!
Go underground in the city and enjoy an immersive experience of old-time London, including Guy Fawkes’s gunpowder plot, the plague, executions and the torture chamber, Jack the Ripper and much more!
London Dungeons is an attraction that's suitable and fun for kids but do note that it is dark, loud and scary in places so it's definitely not for everyone! That being said, it's great fun and a great way to escape the outdoors if it's a rainy day in London.
Budget: $$
In the winter months, ice rinks seem to pop up all over the city and they are a very popular date idea or things to do as a family in London!
We absolutely love ice skating so are sure to make sure we go at least once in the colder months! More and more arrive every year but here are some of the most popular.
By far one of the most beautiful ice rinks in London, every year The Natural History hosts a huge ice rink and it’s open to visitors in the winter months. Complete with a huge Christmas tree, food stalls and a cafe bar, it's the perfect winter activity! Unfortunately, it has been reported that it might be closed for 2023, but due to its popularity, everyone is hoping it will be making an appearance again in future years!
The ice rink at Somerset House is one of the most popular things to do in winter for Londoners! Open every year from November until January, the ice rink is in a beautiful setting and welcomes first-timers with their skate lessons during the day and party-goers with their light show and DJ sets at night!
Every year, the amazing Winter Wonderland takes over Hyde Park with its Christmas market, funfair rides, food stalls and a massive ice rink! This is one I personally do every year, it's great fun, in a beautiful setting and just adds to a fun-filled day at Winter Wonderland!
Location: All over the city
Budget: £
I don't think there is anything better on a chilly day in London than warming up with a nice cup of hot chocolate!
Luckily, there are a good few options for you so whether you want an impressive toasted marshmallow insta-worthy cup of goodness or an elegant dark chocolate delight, there will be the place for you!
Christmas markets are a great place to pick up an amazing hot chocolate if you are on the go with many offering a shot of Baileys or rum if hot chocolate alone isn't warming enough for you.
Chin Chins is an epic ice cream stall located in both Soho and Camden and known for its impressive desserts, and more recently hot chocolate! It's a bit sickly for me but there's no denying how awesome their drinks are!
A silky cup of hot chocolate topped with a massive dollop of marshmallow which they then blow torch right in front of you. It is messy and drips gooey goodness over the side, but don't worry, you get a spoon and a bowl with it!
Location: Westminster
Budget: £
One of the most iconic locations in London to visit at Christmas time has to be Trafalgar Square.
Trafalgar Square is beautiful all year around, but in the Christmas period, it's extra special!
Every year since 1947, Norway gifts a Christmas tree to the UK to be displayed at Trafalgar Square, as a thank you for the part they played in helping them in World War II.
I will admit, in recent years, it hasn't been the most impressive looking tree in London, and we locals regularly joke about whether we might have upset Norway, but it is still iconic and a lovely annual gift!
Don't worry though, the tree isn't the only thing to see in Trafalgar Square as they have tonnes of festivities including market stalls, street performers, a nativity scene, carollers and impressive lights, all adding to the festive cheer!
Location: London Bridge
Budget: £
When to go: Borough Market is open weekdays 10am until 5pm, Saturdays 8am until 5pm and Sundays 10am until 3pm.
London is home to many incredible food markets, but by far one of my favourites has to be Borough Market, especially in the winter months!
Borough Market has now been open for 1000 years, making it one of London’s oldest and most famous markets, frequently visited by tourists and locals alike.
Not only is Borough Market a great place to pick up some yummy cheap eats, but it is also really nice to walk around and soak up the atmosphere on a busy day.
In December and January, it's a great place to stop for some classic winter treats like mulled wine, hot chocolate and homemade mince pies!
It can get especially busy on weekends, but by far the best time to go in my opinion is on a weekday just before the lunch rush. That is the perfect time to pick up some free testers and browse the stalls before the hustle and bustle starts!
Location: All across London
Budget: £-££
If you are just looking to escape the cold and have a jolly good time during winter in London, why not enjoy some indoor sports?
There seem to be new indoor activity-themed bars popping up pretty much daily in London at the moment so you will have your pick of the bunch! But here are a couple that I have tried and tested!
Located in Canary Wharf, Fairgame is an adults-only inside funfair with heaps of games to keep you occupied! It's one of my favourite date nights in London and if you pair a few fun competitive games like skee ball and whack a mole with a fancy cocktail and a giant pizza and you have yourself the perfect winter's evening!
Whether you are a pro or have never thrown a dart before in your life, you will absolutely love a game of social darts at Flight Club! They have a few bars scattered around the city, so grab some friends and book a couple of rounds of darts where you can track your scores on their interactive leaderboards.
In a similar fashion, if you’ve never swung a cricket bat before then don’t worry because it’s so easy. We went to the Sixers bar in Fulham and had an absolute blast. You have to book in advance as it’s so popular and only costs £9.50 per person!!
Once you get there you’ll have time to get a quick round of drinks in before being led to the batting cage. For each person, you can select one of five difficulties, from beginner to world-class. To score points you have to hit the ball into one of the sensors which displays how much each is worth. You’ll know when to hit the ball as they’ll be a graphic of a bowler bowling at you. It ended up being a great laugh and something you absolutely should do at least once!
If you visit London in winter, you must be prepared for the weather! The temperature in winter averages between 5 (41F) and 9 (48F) degrees celsius so it is not warm and the temperature can sometimes slip below freezing!
I have a full guide for what to pack for London but here are a few extras you will definitely need for London in winter!
December is one of the most expensive months to visit London, so if you are visiting London on a budget, you might want to opt for visiting in January and February instead!
Although there are heaps of reasons to visit in December, don't worry, there are still plenty of winter activities that don't revolve around Christmas.
In the months of January and February, you will find both hotel and flight prices are significantly cheaper than in December! I recommend checking SkyScanner and Booking.com to find the best deals.
One of my top tips for tourists visiting London is to always try to book things far in advance!
London is a busy city all year around and things like theatre tickets, hotels, tours and activities book up pretty quickly, especially near Christmas!
Not only will booking in advance ensure you don't miss out, but it also means you have time to do your research and make sure you are getting the best deals.
What area you stay in London will likely depend on your budget, but if it's your first time visiting, I highly recommend staying as central as possible!
London has some awesome areas slightly out of the centre which is great to explore if you have enough time but for a short winter city break, I would recommend opting for around Zone 1 or Zone 2.
Not only will it mean you are closer to all of London's top attractions, but you will also save a lot of time travelling on public transport, especially when the weather isn't the best!
One of the most cost-effective ways to visit a lot of London's main attractions is to buy a London City Pass.
With this pass, you will have access to over 90 of London’s attractions, many of which are best done in winter, like a bus tour, London Dungeons and Kew Gardens!
Thanks for reading my run-down of the best things to do in London in winter!
Hopefully you found it insightful and helpful for your upcoming trip.
London is an incredible city to visit all year round, but hopefully, this post has inspired you to check it out in the colder months!
Now over to you …
Do you have any other recommendations for what to get up to in London at winter time?
Or perhaps have some questions about one of my tips above?
Just let me know in the comments below.
If you are planning on visiting London soon, do check out some of my other guides!
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