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HOGWARTS IN THE SNOW
16th November 2019 - 26th January 2020
Join Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley this season, to enjoy a truly magical experience, as Hogwarts In The Snow returns to the studio tour at Warner Bros this Christmas. The festive transformation begins in the Great Hall, which will be lined with Christmas trees decked with golden baubles and topped with miniature witches broomsticks. The room is decorated as it was for the Yule Ball scene in ‘Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire’, and the incredible set features an orchestra of magical instruments, snow that never melts and flames without fire. Moving through the tour, you will visit many more of the iconic festive film sets and be able to see original props from the movies. There are also plenty of seasonal surprises for old and young alike. Tickets are in high demand, so it is strongly advised to book online in advance to avoid disappointment.
Warner Bros Studio, Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, WD25 7LR
www.wbstudiotour.co.uk
A VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS AT KENSINGTON PALACE
2nd December 2019 - 5th January 2020
The Victorians invented ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ as we know it today, with the introduction of the Christmas card, the decorated Christmas tree, the hanging of Christmas stockings, festive present giving and the overriding narrative supplied by that most sentimental of festive storytellers, Charles Dickens. This December, tap into the Victorian spirit of Yuletide, by making a beeline for Kensington Palace. On selected dates through the month, visitors are invited to help decorate the private apartments of princess Victoria and take part in her Christmas pantomime, with two fun filled activities that re-enact life in the times of Victoria’s childhood. There will also be traditional Christmas decoration making, which you can take home with you afterwards, live Christmas themed music and the chance to take part in a lantern making workshop. Foodies will be able to enjoy a series of ‘Tasty Talks’ from food historians who will recount the origins of the roasted goose and Christmas pudding, and impart appetising advice from the era of famous Victorian cook, Mrs Beeton. To really get into the festive spirit, visitors can sample Kensington Palace café’s special Victorian gingerbread, spicy mulled wine and traditional mince pies afterwards. There is currently ticket availability but it is advised to book online in advance to avoid disappointment.
Kensington Palace, Kensington Gardens, London W84PX
www.hrp.org.uk
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS - REGENTS STREET AND OXFORD STREET
13th November 2019 - 5th January 2020
Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas in London, so if you want to really get into the festive spirit of things, there is nothing like a stroll around the West End to see the wonderful Christmas lights. Oxford Street and Regent Street annually draw the biggest crowds, and this year the illuminations on Oxford Street are brand new, displaying 27 huge screens with various changing messages. The Regent Street Spirit of Christmas angels have over 300,000 LED lights and provide a canopy of light as you pass underneath. It is also worth having a look at the displays on Carnaby Street, which this year have an ocean theme, focussing on a message of conservation and saving our seas. Another less visited street is Old Bond Street with its high end designer shops, and this years light display is themed around precious gems and jewels. Also worth a peak are the lights of Trafalgar Square, The Seven Dials, and Covent Garden, all of which are within easy walking distance. So wrap up warm, put on a pair of comfy shoes and don’t forget to look up! This is a free event.
Various Locations around London
ROYAL CHRISTMAS PAST AT WINDSOR CASTLE
14th December 2019 and 21st December 2019
This Winter, enter into the Christmas spirit with a visit to Windsor Castle to hear stories of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and how this beautiful Castle became the home of Victorian Christmas traditions. Visit the glittering State apartments, enjoy festive arts and craft workshops and explore the Christmas displays including the magnificent twenty foot high Nordman Fir tree which is to be found in St George’s hall, taken from Windsor Great Park and dressed with hundreds of iridescent glass and mirrored ornaments. Truly a tree fit for a Queen! This event is free with standard entry ticket, but as it is a busy time of year, it is advised to book in advance online to avoid disappointment.
Windsor Castle, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1NJ
www.rct.uk
CHRISTMAS HIGH TEA
21st November 2019 - 5th January 2020
If you’ve had a busy day Christmas shopping or you’ve been enjoying the sights of London, what better way to relax than with a festive and oh-so-British high tea at one of London’s top hotels. There are an abundance of truly exquisite seasonal offerings this year, but here are our top three:
A very Royal Christmas Tea at The Goring Hotel
Serving afternoon tea since 1910, The Goring Hotel is classic in style and reflects the iconic hotel’s dedication to tradition. Famously the hotel where the Duchess of Cambridge spent her last night as a single lady, and one of The Queens favourite places to dine, this is the only hotel to hold a royal warrant for hospitality services, so you can expect your experience here to be impeccable. Their Christmas offering this year includes seasonally inspired finger sandwiches, sweet treats including a classic yule log, minced pies and a Snowman Dome comprised of a bergamot curd tart topped with meringue, fruity homemade jams and high quality tea blends. For an extra treat, you can also add a glass of Bollinger served with the sweetest handpicked strawberries for a tea that’s really fit for a Queen.
Festive Afternoon Tea at The Lanesborough
The Lanesborough is at its most magical during the holiday season, when it transforms into an enchanted mansion from a bygone era, when opulence and elegance ruled and tradition was everything.. The hotel’s award winning afternoon tea includes, a twist on the traditional finger sandwich with a smoked salmon roulade, a turkey cranberry brioche and mini pumpkin tart. Festive sweets consist of a Santa belt made of spicy apple and pear mousse, a Rudolph nougat and a Christmas tree of hazelnut and dark chocolate. Speciality teas include the exotic Chocolate Brownie, White Choco Chilli and Rhubarb and Vanilla.
Christmas Afternoon Tea at The Ritz
Tea at the Ritz is an absolute classic, and their seasonal offering really is a treat. The Palm Court is transformed into an Edwardian winter wonderland with a lavishly decorated tree and the Ritz’s very own choir singing festive carols. Food includes finely cut finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, an assortment of teas, mince pies, delicious pastries and beautifully decorated cakes. Included in the Christmas high tea is a glass of champagne for adults and a Ritz teddy bear for children.
Various locations around London
FESTIVE FLIGHTS ON THE LONDON EYE
14th December 2019 - 23rd December 2019
If you make your way to The London Eye this Christmas, you will be in for a very festive surprise. To kick off the holiday season, the iconic South bank attraction has given one of its capsules a very Christmassy make over. Inspired by the whimsy of traditional winter snow globes, the capsule has been decorated with real pine trees, flickering lamplight and loads of artificial snow. There is even a park bench so visitors can comfortably admire the Capital from on high. The catch? You can’t actually book the capsule. Each day the London Eye team surprises a few lucky ticket holders by random selection, so fingers crossed, and whether you get to experience the view from inside the Christmas snow globe or see the stunning winter vistas from a ‘normal’ capsule, it really is worth the trip! There is ticket availability but this is a busy time of year, so it is strongly advised to book in advance on line to avoid disappointment.
The London Eye, Lambeth, London SE1 7PB
www.londoneye.com
PETER PAN CUP
25th December 2019
Every Christmas Day, London’s hardiest swimmers take a dip in Hyde Park’s Serpentine, in a competition for the Peter Pan Cup. The 9am spectacle sees members of the Serpentine Swimming Club battle it out over a 100 yard handicap in the icy December waters to the South of the lake. It was named the Peter Pan Cup by author JM Barrie, who donated the prize in 1904, the same year that Peter Pan was first performed on the London stage. The competition is much older though, dating back to 1864. Members of the general public cannot compete, but the morning splash is free to watch from the banks, and a fun outdoor morning activity to build up an appetite for the day of feasting ahead. The race was historically postponed in 1935, the first time for 40 years, when the weather was particularly cold and the lake had frozen over. Undeterred approximately a dozen swimmers smashed through the ice and went for a non competitive dip. Barrie continued to present the trophy into the 1930’s whereafter it was awarded by the club chairman of the time and later his descendants who are still involved to this day. This is a free event.
Serpentine Lido, Hyde Park, London SW7
www.serpentineswimmingclub.com
THE LONDON SANTA DASH
8th December 2019
Grab your Santa hats, suits and festive Christmas jumpers and do something wonderful for charity this Christmas, by taking part in either the 5k or 10k fun run around London's Brockwell Park in aid of the wonderful work of Great Ormond Street's Chrildrens's Charity. Its a great way to blow away the cobwebs before all the Christmas parties start while also raising money and awareness for a fantastic cause. The run is open to all ages, so its a fun event for all the family. Once you've crossed the finish line, and received your medal, you will be treated to a much deserved mince pie and hot drink. If you aren't much of a runner, go along and cheer on all the Santa's, its a real festive spectacle!
Brockwell Park, Herne Hill, London SE24 9BJ
www.gosh.org
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