We traveled to London in December, even though it wasn’t part of our original plan. It turned out to be the only time my husband and I could take a vacation together. Typically, I avoid traveling during the Christmas holiday, but we decided to go this time since we had no other options. Our biggest concern was that the weather would dampen our experience. To our delight, London in December was an incredible experience!
Festive charm sparkled in London in December. Dazzling Christmas lights adorned its streets, ice skating rinks dotted the city, and street markets filled the air with the scent of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts.
London Was Pleasant
London’s weather was surprisingly mild, though constantly gray, mixed with a bit of drizzle. The city was easy to navigate; with the tube and Uber, you are never far from anything. It was less crowded than we expected, although the city bustles with tourists year-round from all over the world. We were surprised to be able to buy tickets for rides and tourist attractions and eat in good restaurants on the spot.
We stayed at the Hilton at Kensington. Ideally situated hotel serving Kensington, Shepherd’s Bush, Holland Park, and Chelsea — an ideal base for discovering London. Although it is an old hotel, its location, service, and breakfast make up for its age. The area is fantastic!
The Places
The City Cruise: Westminster to Greenwich (Westminster Pier) by Hornblower. The captain was an old salt who obviously had been playing the river for years. He knew every landmark and explained quirky details you wouldn’t find in a travel brochure. He was also full of ancient Dad’s jokes about the sights, which were a bit corny, but we had never heard them.
We departed from the Westminster Pier across the river from the Eye of London ferris wheel, just a short walk from BIG BEN and the Houses of Parliament. A leisurely cruise upstream brought us past St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Shakespeare Globe theatre. We got off at Tower Bridge stop to explore the castle and the surrounding touristy bits. On board, there is a snack bar that also sells drinks. We stuck to the hot chocolate, which warmed our bones on this grey and chilly day. This tour is so reasonably priced that you will want to book the round-trip, which will spare your tired feet and let you relive the Captain’s jokes.
Meat Pie: Since it was lunchtime while touring the Tower Bridge area, we decided to forego the tourist traps that charge too much and offer too little. It was time to seek out a traditional English pub. What we found was not far at all; The Two Bridges Pub on Druid Street. This unassuming local with a glass front has more comfortable seating around the standard bar, think wingback chairs at a table for two. The menu offered upscale “bar” food. Upon lamenting to the charming waitress that I was on a quest for an authentic meat pie, she replied, ‘Of course, we have meat pies.’ They are not on the menu because they are just expected. Two pints later, I was presented with this work of art. The inside was as savory and delicious as it looked in the picture. The moral of this story is: If you don’t ask, you eat tourist food, overpriced and underwhelming.
Sherlock Holmes Pub
Suppose you have ever enjoyed reading any of Sir Arthur Cannon Doyle’s mysteries or watching any of the myriad renditions of the adventures of Sherlock Holmes. In that case, this is the place to spend an afternoon. There is so much memorabilia that you will be unable to take it all in. Posters, photos, plaques, and artifacts are scattered throughout the pub. You will receive an education on this mystery series and possibly a primer on English beer.
Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the British monarch in London, is rich in captivating history and royal splendor, situated in the borough of Westminster.
The Buckingham Palace “Changing of the Guard” is a traditional ceremony in which the new King’s Guard takes over from the old one. The free event takes place on specific days, typically at 10:45 AM, in front of the palace, and features precision drills, military music, and the exchange of keys. It’s essential to check the official schedule beforehand, as other royal or city-wide events might cancel this one. Be prepared. The crowds are intimidating. The best viewing spots near the gates threaten to have you crushed by the throng. The police and volunteers are insistent on two things: Follow their directions and beware of pickpockets. The spectacle we viewed from across the street was still impressive; mounted guards and on our day, the Royal Bagpipe Corps made it worth the wait.
St. James’s Park. For someone who loves nature, wildflowers, and birds, St James’s Park was one of my favorite places in London. It’s amazing! The trees are large and well-maintained, and the area thrives on nature and wildlife.
Just across the road from Buckingham Palace, this park is both groomed and wild. The string of ponds that runs through is home to birds from around the world. I pulled up my Birdwatching app and found over 15 species I had never seen before, including Egyptian Goose, Mandarin Duck, and European Greenfinch.
The upside-down house. This house is one of a franchise that can now be found around the world. This is a small beach house with all the furniture and décor turned on its head. Although a bit kitsch, you can take novelty photos of yourself dancing on the ceiling and the like. This is a hilarious hour if you are traveling with kids. The one we visited is in the Kensington area near the Westfield Mall.
The Westfield Mall. This mall is charming, offering both standard chain stores and many truly unique shops. The food mall provided a truly international selection that filled the air with exotic scents, tempting every passerby. It was conveniently located near our hotel.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
The Hyde Park Christmas Faire was in full swing during our stay. For a modest admission fee, you will find a Christmas Market offering unique gifts and crafts as well as a full carnival, street food, pop-up pubs, and games. They open in the evening, so bundle up for the cold and be aware that later in the night, the youngsters fill the park, making merry and enjoying the rides.
How We Got Around
The Tube, or London’s underground train system, is THE way to get around town. After comparing daily and weekly passes, we found that single-pay was the easiest and most economical option for us. Choose a credit card, tap in, and use the same card to tap out. At about 3-5 pounds, you can get almost anywhere you would like to go. The adventure of navigating some of the tunnels to your platform can cause some anxiety, but then you turn a corner and find a busker singing Christmas carols. We found it all very safe.
For some places, the Tube is fine; however, if you have luggage, are too tired, etc, Uber is a great option. And since we were near the main attractions, taking an Uber on a cold, rainy day was the best way to end our day!
CONCLUSION
If you’d like to experience London at a calmer pace, I truly recommend visiting in December. My husband and I loved our time there—exploring museums, iconic landmarks, and soaking in the charm of this historic city. And yes, the weather reports were right: it rains often. But don’t let that stop you. With the right attitude (and a good coat!), London still makes for a wonderful holiday escape.
London not your vibe? Prefer sunshine over drizzle? My Brazil posts are waiting for you!
