Now that Lockdown 2.0 has finally rumbled to a close, and the UK has reverted to the tiered system, you might be thinking that it’s worth making the most of Christmas with a trip to London. The best way to explore cities at this time is to maintain social distance, wear a face mask, and spend the majority of your time outside. There are plenty of outdoor attractions in London worthy of your attention. Let’s take a look at some of them.
1. London Eye
Tickets for the London Eye can be had at discount rates if you know where to look. The iconic wheel offers spectacular views over the surrounding skyline, from within the confines of a sealed bubble. The only downside is that, because of the pandemic, it is not possible to book the Champagne experience at this time.
2. Discover the Christmas lights across town
London’s Christmas lights aren’t going to be any less spectacular, just because there will be fewer people arriving to see them. There wasn’t a big switch-on event like previous years but the light display is as gorgeous as ever!
You can expect Oxford Street to be lined with curtains of led bulbs, and similar displays going up on Marylebone High Street, Bond Street, Regent Street, and elsewhere on the Monopoly board.
3. Ice skating
Socially-distanced ice skating is the best kind of ice skating. Many of London’s ice rinks that tend to pop up around the capital at this time of year have been cancelled, but you’ll still be able to enjoy some of them, with strict social distancing and safety measures in operation. You can choose between Hampton Court Palace, (open until 17th January) and Alexandra Palace (open until 3rd January). Remember that pre-booking is essential. All that remains is to actually get good at ice skating!
4. The Magic of Christmas at London Zoo
Every year, London Zoo puts on a special event or two for Christmas. This year, Santa needs some help cataloguing the 18,000 animals who call the zoo home – and he needs the help of guests to do it. Download a trail card and fill it in as you get around. Santa himself might make a visit to the zoo during your visit, and there’s a carousel, too!
5. Winter Bar Bus
If you can’t decide on a single destination to visit, then you might take it all in from the top of a traditional London tourist bus. Ideally, you’ll want to find one that comes with a bar. You’ll cross the River Thames four times and see all of the Christmas lights, along with a handful of major landmarks like the London Eye, Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, and Piccadilly Circus. All while enjoying your favourite winter drink!
Disclaimer: this is a collaborative post.