Last Updated on Mar 6, 2020 by James W
There’s nothing quite like Christmas in London. The Christmas atmosphere in the UK capital is unbeatable and the city is perhaps at its most beautiful. The streets sparkle with festive lights and are sometimes gifted with a light dusting of snow. One of the best parts of being in London in the winter is all the excellent Christmas shopping that’s on offer. The city has everything from historic department stores and gourmet food shops, to traditional Christmas markets and major international retailers.
SouthBank Centre Christmas Market
The Christmas Market at London’s SouthBank Centre is as close as you can get to a traditional German Christmas Market in England. Wooden chalets line the Thames, serving up tasty treats and offering a wealth of Christmas decorations and gifts. Popular items to pick up at the market include traditional handmade ornaments, small toys, and baked goods. This is a great place to bring the whole family, as there are plenty of things here to keep children occupied. In addition to a large carousel, there is also an ice skating rink located at the end of the market near the London Eye.
Dates: 16 November – 24 December
Oxford Street
Oxford Street is a shopper’s paradise any time of the year, but it really comes alive from mid-November until the run up to Christmas. Each year the famous shopping street is illuminated with a dazzling Christmas lights display that helps create a very special atmosphere. Here you’ll encounter every major international clothing brand, including Nike, Adidas, Burberry, Urban Outfitters, and H&M. Selfridges, a British department store founded in 1909, is worth a visit and is well known for its beautiful Christmas window displays.
Best time to visit: mid-November – 24 December
Harrods
Occupying an enviable corner of Knightsbridge, Harrods has long been a favourite amongst luxury shoppers. Before stepping foot into the store’s marvellous interior, take a moment to admire its Christmas lights on full display. Inside is over 1 million square feet of retail space where shoppers will find all the latest luxury and designer fashions, jewellery, beauty products, and gifts. Head to Harrods if you’re looking for a truly special gift for that certain someone.
Best time to visit: mid-November – 24 December
Christmas at Kew
Christmas at Kew Gardens is one of London’s best-kept secrets. Located at the southwest corner of the city, it’s a little out of the way, but is well worth a visit. The gardens combine family-friendly Christmas festivities with a boutique Christmas market that offers a hand-picked selection of crafts created by local designers as well as gourmet foods housed in a series of traditional wooden chalets. In addition to the market, families can enjoy a walk through the garden’s ‘Illuminated Trail’ and take a ride on a Victorian carousel.
Dates: 28 November – 04 January
Fortnum and Mason
Fortnum and Mason is a divine gourmet foods store where you can stock up on every Christmas food imaginable. Splurge on decadent Christmas puddings, traditional candies, luxurious chocolates, and everything else you could imagine. Fortnum and Mason is full of gift possibilities for foodies. There’s a wide range of British-sourced foods as well as a lovely selection of hampers to send to the food lover on your Christmas list.
Best time to visit: mid-November – 24 December
The best time to experience London’s fabulous Christmas shopping opportunities is from mid-November through to Christmas Eve. To avoid crowds as much as possible, visit markets and stores on weekdays or right when they open. Stores will have limited hours on Sundays, and many do not open until noon.Getting around is easy with public transport and London taxis aplenty.
Author Bio:
Rachael runs her own craft company as well as being a busy mother of three. She is a guest blogger for some top craft blogs, and spends her spare time cooking, crafting, and taking her dog out for long walks.
