London for the Winter Holidays
13 December 2017
Yes, it’s the holiday season once again – only this year, you’re in London. Whether you’ve got just a week or the entire month of December, you’ve got to set some priorities for your activities over the winter holidays. If you try to do it all, you’ll wake up in a daze in early January, wondering how all the magic floated by so quickly. The key is to commit to one or two big-deal events, then let the other fetes casually fall into place. Here are our picks for major attractions in London this season (Hint: They’re ongoing, allowing for maximum flexibility)
- Harrods: Holiday Window Displays. In true form, Harrods goes all-out for Christmas, creating elaborate winter scenes that tell a story within each window display. For 2017, the store has joined with the creative minds behind Dolce & Gabbana, lending some Italian flare to the spectacle. And, if the windows aren’t enough, you can also stroll through 2,000 square feet of retail space, with almost every inch devoted to holiday joy. There’s even a Christmas parade and grotto where you can meet the man in red himself.
- Trafalgar Square: Christmas Tree. Every year, Trafalgar Square gets dressed up for the holidays, with a show-stopping Christmas tree at the center of it all. Since 1947, a massive Norwegian spruce tree is the star of the season, a show of thanks from the city of Oslo, Norway to the British for their support during World War II. The tree is selected up to several years in advance, before being felled and transported to London via sea and truck. Don’t expect the extravagance and glitz of other holiday celebrations: The décor is simple, yet elegant, in keeping with Norwegian tradition.
- Tower of London: Ice Skating. Yes, you can strap on some skates and enjoy a few turns around the ice – surrounded by the majesty of a medieval fortress. The Tower of London is the city’s most iconic historical landmark, and it freezes up a rink in the center of the action every holiday season. Mornings are great for beginner skaters and families, but it’s the evenings when the attraction really comes alive. The lights are turned on, illuminating the ice and casting long shadows across the stunning architecture.
If you’ll be in London for the winter holidays and need a long-term space, visit our accommodations options at MyRooms. No matter what, when, or where within London, your extended stay home away from home is waiting.
