Although it may have a lot to offer in the warmer months, winter in London is unlike anywhere else in the world and still welcomes legions of travelers during the festive season. From iconic ice skating rinks and fireworks displays to bustling markets and hundreds of cosy pubs, the city really does come alive in winter and very much has its own unique character.
However, with so much to see and do, those travelling on a budget may be worried about how much they can realistically squeeze in. This is why we’ve put together a list of 5 amazing things you can see and do in London this winter for under a tenner.
So, if you’re looking to get the very most out of your London trip without breaking the bank, check out our recommendations below.
WHAT’S covered IN THIS GUIDE?
1. get your skates on at Somerset House
2. check out the Lord Mayor’s show and fireworks.
3. grab a bite at east London’s urban Food Fest.
4. lose yourself in Hyde Park’s winter Wonderland.
5. discover Greenwich Park and its stunning Observatory.
More tips on YouTube ⬇️⬇️⬇️Related Posts:
1. get your skates on at Somerset House
Somerset house is a vast, spectacular arts and cultural centre right in the heart of London between the strand and the River Thames. built in the 18th century to house government departments, the building now regularly hosts an eclectic array of events and exhibitions. In winter the beautiful courtyard is magically transformed into an ice rink enclosed by superb classical facades. It’s great fun for everyone, casually doing your best to remain upright in the middle of 900 square metres of ice, and there’s always an infectious Christmassy atmosphere. In fact, this iconic attraction actually featured in the opening shots of Love, actually which makes it perfect for a romantic London outing during the wintery months. The rink is open from 17 November until 2 January, with hourly sessions between 10am and 10.15pm (sometimes earlier, sometimes later).
Price: From £7.50 when booked in advance.
2. check out the Lord Mayor’s show and fireworks.
Because it’s such an extravagant, cosmopolitan, utterly over-the-top affair, it would be all too easy to assume that the annual Lord Mayor’s show was a relatively modern tradition. Admittedly, back in the 13th century the parade may not have featured 7,000 international performers, 200 horses or 150 floats in an explosion of music and colour on quite this scale, but it’s always been a huge spectacle. On the morning of 12 November at 8.30am, a vast floating river pageant will set off from near Westminster Bridge, floating slowly downriver. following this at 11am, the performers, dancers and acrobats will begin to snake in procession from bank to Aldgate via St. Paul’s Cathedral, all returning to their starting point via Queen Victoria street by around 2.30pm. As night draws in and to finish of the day, be sure to join the revellers congregating on the Victoria Embankment and South bank for a spectacular free fireworks display at 5.15pm, all launched from a boat between Blackfriars Bridge and Waterloo Bridge.
Price: FREE.
Looking to save more money in your London trip? check out YHAs list of moneysaving London hacks
:
3. grab a bite at east London’s urban Food Fest.
While London’s reputation for international cuisine could hardly climb any higher, sometimes the delights of quality cosmopolitan cooking doesn’t come cheap at the city’s hundreds of recommended restaurants. So why not head out east on Saturday night to sample fantastic flavours and cheap eats from every corner of the globe. situated in a wonderfully transformed Shoreditch car park, the urban Food Fest turns out to be even better than a restaurant – this is a pop-up foodie party, with free entry, complete with entertainment and sounds from bands rising fast on the scene. street food is served direct from stalls and vans and includes everything from Brazilian chorizo wraps and spicy Korean chicken burgers to pad thai and Belgian waffles. urban Food Fest is open from noon ‘til midnight every Saturday at Euro car Parks, 163-175 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6HU.
4. lose yourself in Hyde Park’s winter Wonderland.
There’s something about a winter fair that’s uniquely Christmassy and unmistakably London. In the coldest winters up until the early 1800s, they used to hold ‘Frost Fairs’ out on the thick ice of the frozen River Thames, moving attractions, sideshows and even roast chestnut stalls right out on to the ice. That’s the long London tradition which is continued today at Hyde Park’s winter Wonderland, where revelers gather to wander through brightly lit markets, marvel at jaw-dropping circus shows and sip on a mulled wine or two at one of the site’s hundreds of unique bars and stalls. All the old-time fairground favourites are here too as well as a huge ice rink and even a ‘Magical Ice Kingdom’ where you can go fishing with Inuits and grab aselfie met een ijsbeer. Toegang is gratis, dus het is heel erg een must-see attractie als je in het Hyde Park-gebied bent.
5. Ontdek Greenwich Park en het prachtige observatorium.
Als je op zoek bent naar een schilderachtige winterwandeling in een van de meest iconische instellingen van Londen, dan mag een bezoek aan het oudste bijgevoegde koninklijke park in Greenwich niet worden gemist. Met een ongeëvenaard uitzicht over de Theems en over de steeds groeiende skyline van Londen, komt het landschap echt tot leven tijdens de herfst- en wintermaanden als de bladeren beginnen te vallen en vorst begint te vormen. Het park is ook de thuisbasis van het Royal Observatory, waar bezoekers aan weerszijden van de Meridian -lijn van Greenwich kunnen staan en de plek kunnen ontdekken waar elke breedtegraad en tijdzone op aarde wordt gemeten. Het museum is het hele jaar door open voor het publiek en een ticket van £ 9,50 zorgt voor toegang tot het historische Flamsteed House van het Observatorium, het astronomiecentrum, tijdgalerijen, Meridian Line Courtyard en Meridian Building. Als je een schilderachtige winterwandeling wilt combineren met een uniek stuk Britse geschiedenis voor minder dan tien pond, zoek dan niet verder dan Greenwich Park.
Meer tips op YouTube ⬇️⬇️⬇️
Gerelateerde berichten:
Van Londen tot Parijs – de goedkope manier
6 tekenen dat je een reis naar Schotland hebt overleefd
6 ongelooflijke stranden over de hele wereld