According to Visit Britain, every year, 14.5 million people visit London during the festive season to enjoy the lights, celebrate with family, and do some Christmas shopping in some of the most wonderful stores in the world. From mid-November London is alive and buzzing with anticipation, and there are some fabulous sights to see. You can ice skate at Somerset House, visit some of the biggest Christmas markets in the world and take the little ones to go and see Father Christmas. Don’t forget to visit the beautiful Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square too, which is sent each year from Oslo. In London you can have some traditional family fun that everyone will enjoy, no matter what age you are.
See the lights
The Christmas lights in London are legendary, and when they are turned on marks the start of the holiday season. Regent Street is one of the best places to see the lights – these are the original London Christmas lights, first switched on in 1954. Look out for the beautiful illuminated angels that watch over the London visitors. The Oxford Street Christmas lights are also a sight to behold. These are turned on in mid-November, and this year pay a special tribute to the special heroes that have helped make a difference in the past year.
Do some Christmas shopping
According to Finder.com, the average Londoner spends £476 on Christmas gifts. Christmas loans by My Quick Loan could help you cover the expense of Christmas. You can apply online and get an instant decision. If you’re shopping for children in London, the one-stop shop of dreams is of course Hamleys (188-196 Regent St., London W1B 5BT). Hamleys has been open more than 250 years and is not only the oldest toy shop in the world, but also the largest. There are seven floors of toys, so the biggest problem will be making a decision of what to buy. For the older generations, Libertys (Regent St., Carnaby, London W1B 5AH) is a wonderful place for Christmas shopping. They are a refined department store, selling everything from designer clothing to unique homewares.
Go and see the big man
Taking the little ones to go and see Father Christmas is a wonderful rite of passage for them. Selfridges is a special store that invites young guests to go and meet Father Christmas, the elves, and to take part in a reindeer hunt. You can really make a day of it by taking in the Selfridges window display, and enjoying the Selfridges Christmas market. Santa Land at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is another great place to take children to see the big man in red. Santa’s Grotto is completely free, there are lots of family-friendly rides and a special parade when Santa leaves at the end of the day to head back home to Mrs Claus.
London is a wonderful place to share the excitement of Christmas with your family. You can enjoy the lights, do some shopping and create your own special Christmas memories to treasure in the years to come.