Christmas is coming. London will begin exhibiting indicators of the season within the coming weeks as timber pop up, markets open, and lights swap on throughout the UK capital. Given my favourite approach to see town is on foot, right now I need to share my free self-guided Christmas lights stroll in London with you. There’s a map, too.
Christmas Lights Stroll in London
The festive season is a good time to absorb London’s annual shows, from out of doors lights to Christmas markets and purchasing arcades. They’re an integral a part of any London Christmas itinerary.
My London Christmas lights strolling route focuses on the primary of those, not least as a result of the lights are among the hottest issues to see through the run-up to December twenty fifth (and for per week or so after).
In the event you desire to take a guided London Christmas lights tour, there are many choices. From walks to bike and bus excursions, you could have quite a lot of decisions for seeing them with an skilled. You may browse a spread and guide your favourite right here.
When to See Christmas Lights in London
So when are you able to see Christmas lights in London? They begin going up in late October, and most get switched on in massive ceremonies in early November.
The festive shows normally keep up by way of the primary week of January. You may verify on-line for precise dates earlier than you go for a stroll to verify issues are shiny and twinkling if you’re out and about.
Among the installations change yearly, so it’s value making this Christmas lights stroll in London an annual custom to see how issues look. That is notably true of locations like Carnaby Avenue, which matches all-out every winter with a unique theme.
So far as what time of day to see them, the excellent news is that the times are brief in London in winter. It normally begins getting darkish round 4pm within the festive season, so that you’ll have loads of time to see them every night.
Suggestions for Exploring London at Christmas
Earlier than you head out, remember the fact that the climate in London is unpredictable and it may well get very chilly in winter.
It’s a good suggestion to put on heat clothes and produce an umbrella with you. In the event you’re within the UK, I like to recommend this umbrella. In the event you’re within the US, this one is ideal. My winter packing record for London can assist you with what to put on as properly.
Moreover, town is likely one of the greatest locations to vist at Christmas within the UK, and it will get crowded. In the event you’re on the town on a weekend, put together for locations like Oxford Avenue, Regent Avenue, Bond Avenue, and Carnaby Avenue to be extraordinarily busy.
London Christmas Lights Strolling Route
This Christmas lights stroll in London begins at Inexperienced Park station in Mayfair. Exit on the north facet of Piccadilly and switch not noted of the station to stroll east down the road. You’ll begin to see the well-known lights as you go.
Whenever you get to Outdated Bond Avenue, flip left and stroll all the best way down it in the direction of Oxford Avenue (the street will change names to New Bond Avenue within the center, however maintain straight and also you’ll be positive).
Alongside the best way you’ll not solely look as much as see Bond Avenue’s iconic Christmas lights, but in addition larger-than-life embellished shopfronts and the Royal Arcade with its festive trimmings.
Whenever you attain Brook Avenue, flip left. Stroll a brief distance to South Molton Avenue and switch proper. This pedestrianized street is at all times embellished with shiny lights through the festive season, and it’s a enjoyable place to absorb the ambiance.
Quickly you’ll come to Oxford Avenue. This is likely one of the most well-known locations to see Christmas lights in London. Flip proper and stroll all the way down to Oxford Circus, taking within the decorations, retailers, and lights as you go.
Whenever you attain Oxford Circus, flip proper on Regent Avenue. That is one other of the preferred locations for a Christmas lights stroll in London. The decorations listed below are wonderful, they usually’re lovely to see at evening.
Whenever you attain Nice Marlborough Avenue, flip left and stroll previous the long-lasting Liberty London division retailer to get to Carnaby Avenue in Soho.
Make a proper on Carnaby Avenue and stroll down its pedestrainiazed stretch to absorb the distinctive Christmas lights. In the event you’re in a gift-buying temper, this can be a excellent spot to go Christmas purchasing in London, too.
Whenever you attain the top of the street, flip proper on Beak Avenue and make your method again to Regent Avenue. Flip left if you arrive and proceed taking within the lights as you stroll all the way down to Piccadilly Circus. You are able to do extra purchasing if you wish to.
As soon as in Piccadilly Circus, stroll by way of it, take within the decorations, and head east on Coventry Avenue. This street will take you into Leicester Sq..
There are extra lights right here, and an enormous Christmas market the place you may browse the stalls, choose up conventional British Christmas meals and drinks, and take within the ambiance.
Whenever you’re completed trying round, exit Leicester Sq. on Bear Avenue, cross Charing Cross Street, and and stroll down St Martin’s Courtroom. Carry on it as you head throughout St Martin’s Lane and it turns into New Row.
New Row will convey you to Bedford Avenue. Cross over it as New Row turns into King Avenue. This festive street will take you to the well-known Covent Backyard Piazza. Right here you’ll see hanging lights, enjoyable decorations, and certainly one of London’s greatest Christmas timber.
Christmas in Covent Backyard is spectacular. It’s value spending time taking within the lights and exploring the retailers and markets across the piazza whilst you’re right here.
Whenever you’re accomplished, exit the piazza on Russell Avenue. Whenever you attain Wellington Avenue, flip proper and stroll all the way down to the Strand. There are many lights and embellished facades to get enthusiastic about as you go.
Whenever you get to the Strand, you may both take a detour to see the well-known ice skating rink at Somerset Home, or flip proper and take within the lights above you as you make your approach to Trafalgar Sq..
There’s one other Christmas market in Trafalgar Sq., in addition to an enormous tree. You may stroll round and take within the scene earlier than persevering with your Christmas lights stroll in London by heading in the direction of the river on Northumberland Avenue.
Whenever you get to the Thames, stroll throughout one of many Golden Jubilee Bridges to succeed in the South Financial institution. This a part of town is stuffed with life and leisure year-round, and Christmas isn’t any exception.
From the London Eye to Borough Market, there’s so much to absorb right here. You may admire the Christmas lights, get a conventional Christmas drink like mulled wine on the out of doors markets, and discover the annual Southbank Centre Winter Pageant.
Don’t miss the seasonal decorations in Hay’s Galleria or the Christmas market by Tower Bridge whilst you’re within the space. They’re nice locations to absorb the lights and get into the festive spirit.
This London Christmas lights strolling tour ends on the South Financial institution, however you may discover as a lot of the better space as you need to earlier than transferring on. From Tower Bridge to Bermondsey Avenue, there’s so much to see round right here.
London Christmas Lights Strolling Route Map & Particulars
Self-Guided Christmas Lights Stroll in London
I hope you discover this Christmas lights stroll in London as pleasant for the festive season as I do. Going round to see the decorations is likely one of the the most effective issues to do in London at Christmas.
If you’d like extra, you may check out my Christmas walks in London, my London winter walks, my full record of free self-guided London strolling excursions, and my London strolling map.
You may examine extra nice walks in London’s Hidden Walks, too. You may get it right here. Blissful Christmas!
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