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From majestic light shows to new steam-train rides, here are the best winter day trips from London

London might always be bustling with fun things to do and, come winter, a jam-packed calendar of unmissable events, but sometimes you just need a break from it all. When the capital’s hustle and bustle leaves you feeling a little drained, you can find some escape from the crowds and hordes of tourists by getting up and getting out just for a day.

11 Cool Winter Day Trips from London

1. For frustrated commuters

Is there anything more magical than a train journey? Okay commuters, let’s rephrase that. Is there anything more magical than jumping in the upholstered carriages of an old-fashioned steam locomotive, the whiff of burning coal whipping past the windows? There are steam-powered train routes across the country, and one of the closest and most charming is the Kent & East Sussex Railway – a route which runs from picture-perfect Tenterden to the small village of Bodiam. All aboard! 

Kent and East Sussex Railway. Tenterden, Kent. Trains only run on select dates during the winter months, so be sure to check the website for details of departures before setting off.

Get there: 57 minutes by train from London Bridge to Headcorn, then 20 minutes by bus.

2. For the fuzzy-headed

If walking is your thing, make the trip to Oxford for this gorgeous stroll over ancient meadows. Spot ponies, wildflowers and the River Thames looking pretty on this tranquil stretch of common land. And city folk relax: it’s tantalisingly close to civilisation and the streets of this quaint university city, so you won't feel like you're going incredibly off-grid. After stretching your legs and admiring the views, find a spot by the fire at The Perch, at seventeenth-century thatch-roofed pub framed by an old willow tree. Their mulled cider is worth the trip alone. 

Port Meadow, Oxford. Free.

Get there: Around one hour by train from Paddington Station to Oxford. 

3. For dedicated drinkers

When you want to go out but don’t want to endure the winter cold, your best bet is to find a fire to warm your toes by. And nowhere does roaring blazes better than a country pub. Spend an afternoon hopping from one cosy boozer to another along Rye’s cobbled streets. Grab a log-side seat and a Sussex real ale in The George (High Street) before heading to the Globe Inn Marsh (Military Road) for a toasty hour or two with a warming glass of red in hand. As the temperature plummets, trot back into town and pull up a chair beside the ancient Mermaid Inn’s enormous fireplace (Mermaid Street). Fun fact: it comes complete with priest’s hole (no sniggering, please) and is where local smugglers used to hang out in the 1700s.

Rye, East Sussex.

Get there: around one hour 30 minutes by train from London St Pancras International; around two hours 30 minutes by car.

4. For the bold and the brave

Stripping down to your swimmers might not seem like an obvious wintertime activity, but Thames Lido is a real delight, whatever the season. Brave the chill in the air to spend a softly lit evening in this whimsical, Grade II-listed stunner. The pool, heated to around 23 degrees, might feel a little fresh, but you’ll soon warm up after a turn in the open-air hot tub and colourful sauna. Your post-swim reward is a festive two-course dinner in the twinkly poolside restaurant. Lidos are for life, not just for summer. 

Swim. Reading, Berkshire. Starts at £20.

Get there: 25 minutes by train from London Paddington to Reading; around one hour 15 minutes by car.

5. For Dry January conquerors

Reckon you deserve a special treat after making it through the whole of Dry January? Brush up on your cocktail-mixing skills at the Bombay Sapphire Distillery, where you can learn all about the gin-making process and explore its botanical glasshouses. Take an hour-long tutored cocktail masterclass to learn how to shake up fruity blends and perfect gin martinis. Don't worry, you'll get to sample your handiwork, too. 

Cocktail-making masterclass. Whitchurch, Hampshire. From £30.

Get there: 55 minutes by train from London Waterloo to Overton, then bus; around one hour 30 minutes by car. 

6. For burnt out art lovers

A windswept seaside town might not be an obvious choice of destination during the coldest months of the year, but there’s nothing quite like a bracing stroll across an empty beach to jolt you out of a winter slump. Combine it with a trip to one of the UK’s best contemporary art galleries, which is usually blissfully quiet at this time of year (just take note of its Wednesday to Sunday opening hours.) Afterwards, head to nearby restaurant Buoy & Oyster to feast on fish and chips while staring out over the starkly beautiful winter seascape, or grab a warming pint of real ale at cosy, CAMRA-lauded micropub The Two Halves.

Turner Contemporary Gallery. Margate, Kent. Free.

Get there: One hour 56 minutes by train from London Victoria to Margate; around two hrs 40 minutes by car. 

7. For crowd haters

When the crowds in central London get too much, jump on a train and find some sweet relief in a field in the middle of nowehere. For a day of wintry repose, head to the Cotswolds and stride across some frosty fields. The village of Broadway, with its honey-coloured cottages, sweet shopfronts and rustic pubs, is an excellent place to start. Earn a pub lunch by strolling up to the grand turrets of Broadway Tower and admiring the view or, if you’re feeling energetic, hike part of the bucolic Cotswolds Way from Broadway to pretty market town Chipping Campden.

Broadway, Worcestershire.

Get there: One hour 35 minutes by train from London Paddington to Moreton-in-Marsh then bus to Broadway; around two hours by car.

8. For washing-up avoiders

Home cooks beware: a trip to this humble pub will put your roast dinner to shame. It’s worth it though, just to say you’ve been to the only pub in the UK with two Michelin stars: Tom Kerridge’s The Hand and Flowers. There’s no dry Sunday roast here, more like loin of Cotswold venison with maple-roast pumpkin or beer-roast chicken with salt-baked celeriac. And if all that sounds catastrophically out of your budget, pull up a stool at Kerridge’s pub, The Butcher’s Tap, scoff a pork pie and take on the locals at the weekly pub quiz. Victory will be just as satisfying as a roast. 

The Hand and Flowers. Marlow, Buckinghamshire.

Get there: One hour 30 minutes from Paddington to Marlow, changing at Slough and Maidenhead; one hour 20 minutes by car.

9. For the digital-detoxers

Teeming with half-timbered medieval halls, cute cottages and pastel shopfronts, Rochester is one of Kent’s prettiest, greenest towns. It's also one of the most atmospheric come festive season, with its Christmas fair taking place in the shadows of its glorious twelfth-century castle. The market runs for three weeks from the end of November and features just about anything you could ask for – stalls, funfair rides, a Bavarian food village and late-night shopping among its attractions. By the time you’ve sipped mulled wine, listened to carol singers and waltzed down the town’s Dickensian-like high street, Rochester will have charmed your thermal socks off.

Rochester Christmas Fair. Rochester, Kent. Selected weekend dates from Nov 29 to Dec 15. Free entry.

Get there: 45 minutes by train from London Victoria to Rochester; around one hour 15 minutes by car.

10. For night owls

Watching the light fade out of your office window hours before you leave for the day can make even the cheeriest of us feel a bit down. Rather than hibernating till March, channel your inner night owl and embrace the longer nights. The night of Saturday December 21 – aka the winter solstice – is as long and dark as it gets, and Brighton is marking it by getting lit. The annual Burning the Clocks parade takes over the city with vibrant lanterns that snake around the streets before being passed on to a huge midwinter bonfire on the beach. Summer who? 

Burning the Clocks. Dec 21. Brighton, West Sussex. Free for spectators.

Get there: one hour by train from London Victoria; around two hour 20 minutes by car.

11. For the light-deprived

London isn’t the only place lit up with shimmering LEDs at this time of year. Swap Oxford Street’s baubles for a magical winter garden in West Sussex. Wakehurst – Kew’s bigger, rural sister site – is all aglow this November and December thanks to hundreds of otherworldly lanterns adorning its trees, water features and forest floor. Expect owls glowing in ancient oak trees, strings of astral shapes, kaleidoscopic blooms and ponds filled with flickering flames. The mellow hues make for a pretty mega afternoon out. Plus, you get to enjoy the botanical beauty of Kew Gardens without setting foot on the District line. 

Glow Wild 2023 at Wakehurst. Ardingly, West Sussex. Selected evenings from Nov 28 to Jan 1. £13-£25.

Get there: 43 minutes by train from London Bridge to Haywards Heath, then bus; around one hour 30 minutes by car.

How to Get Your Home and Property Winter Ready

There are a number of tasks you can do to prepare your home, garden, or business from the winter weather.

Whether it's strong winds, heavy rain or extreme cold and snow, there's something you can do to prepare for winter.

Here are our eight top tips

1. Know what to do in a powercut

It's now really simple to get in touch with your Electricity Distribution Network Operator - just call 105. Find out more about what to do in a powercut.

2. Ensure you’re insured

Sometimes no amount of planning and preparation can prevent the weather damaging your property. Buildings insurance offers peace of mind, so ensure your policy is up to date and covers what you need it to.

3. Avoid flying garden furniture

When high winds are forecast, remember that some everyday items in the garden can become 'missiles'. Most winters we see pictures of airborne trampolines and garden furniture.

4. Check your roof

Before it gets windy it's also worth checking for loose tiles, slates and flashing and consider removing dead branches from old trees.

5. Clear your guttering

As leaves start to fall, there’s a risk that wind will blow leaves into your gutters and drainpipes will get filled up. If this builds up, the water will go back into the guttering and leak into the roof and sides of your house.

6. Trim up

To avoid build-up of leaves in the guttering, the best thing to do is to prune your trees before winter really kicks in. This can also help with avoiding snow building up on the trees, which with it brings the risk of damage from broken branches.

7. Don't leave yourself open to frozen and burst pipes

It's important to make sure water pipes and water tanks in the loft are insulated with good quality lagging. This will not only protect from freezing but it will help insulate your hot water system and save you money.

8. Check your flood risk

Check if your home is at risk of flooding, and sign up for free flood warnings at:

• England
• Northern Ireland
• Scotland
• Wales

The Environment Agency, NI Direct, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and local authorities share responsibility for providing advice and information to the public during flood emergencies and can be contacted 24 hours a day via a dedicated Floodline number.

Floodline (England, Scotland and Wales): 0345 988 1188

Northern Ireland flooding incident line: 0300 2000 100

The Renters Right Bill, which has been introduced to parliament this month, is set to represent a significant overhaul to the private rental market.  The Bill still has a long way to go before it becomes law, but the Government has made it clear that they intend to prioritise getting it through parliament and aim to have it enacted, in part, as early as next spring.

As the proposed legislation takes shape, it’s important for Landlords to stay informed and up to date. You can find detailed guidance on the Bill here.

Some of the key highlights of the Renters Rights Bill are as follows:

Abolish Section 21 Evictions: Section 21 evictions (no fault evictions) will be abolished for new and existing tenancies.

End of Fixed-Term Tenancies: Fixed-term and assured shorthand tenancies will be replaced with periodic tenancies, allowing Tenants to end their tenancy by giving two months notice.

New Possession Grounds: Landlords will have new grounds to regain possession for reasons such as moving into the property or selling. Tenants will benefit from a 12 month protected period at the beginning of the tenancy, with Landlords providing a 4 month notice period when using these grounds.

Bidding Ban & Rent Increases: End the practice of rental bidding by prohibiting Landlords and agents accepting offers above the advertised asking price. Rent increases will be limited to once per year and only to the present market value.

Decent Homes Standard: Landlords must ensure properties meet the new Decent Homes Standard keeping renters safe.

Awaab’s Law: Setting clear legal expectations about timeframes within which Landlords must take action to serious hazards.

Protection Against Discrimination: Helping to ensure all Tenants in receipt of benefits or with children are treated fairly.

Pets: Landlords must consider and cannot unreasonably refuse a pet in a property but will be able to request pet insurance to cover any damage.
 

Opening the new session of Parliament, King Charles III announced more than 40 Bills the UK Government has committed to introduce, with housing and planning firmly in the spotlight. Housebuilding, renters’ rights, and leasehold reform are all on the legislative agenda, along with significant devolution of powers to local authorities.

The Renters’ Rights Bill

The UK Government has stated its intention to decisively level the playing field between landlords and tenants, by giving renters greater security, rights and protections and cracking down on unscrupulous practices such as malicious rent rises designed to force tenants out and bidding wars, which were mentioned in their manifesto.

The Bill will aim to create a well-functioning PRS that provides a balance for tenants between flexibility and security. The scrapping Section 21 is a key part, as is introducing new clear and expanded grounds for possession and removing the threat of arbitrary evictions whilst making sure landlords can reclaim their properties when necessary.

To reduce the need for court proceedings in the case of disputes, a new PRS Ombudsman will be created to provide impartial and binding resolutions. Separately, the Victims, Courts and Public Protection Bill will aim to reduce delays in the court system by allowing Associate Prosecutors to work on appropriate cases, as referenced in Labour’s manifesto,

Several measures will focus on improving property standards, with a Decent Homes Standard (DHS) and Awaabs Law extended to cover the PRS. A DHS would set a minimum standard, before a property can be let to tenants. Awaabs Law will provide clear legal expectations about when and how agents and landlords must respond to resolve hazards reported during a tenancy.

Other familiar elements of the Bill are the right to request to keep a pet (although no mention of the right to alter a property so far) and making it illegal to discriminate against potential tenants who have children or receive benefits.

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

Through the Crime and Policing Bill, Respect Orders will be introduced as a new tool to tackle persistent offenders. Neighbourhood policing will be revived, and there will be a duty for local partners to work together to tackle issues.

Draft Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill

As well as implementing the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024, which scraped through Parliament at the end of the last session, the UK Government will enact the remaining recommendations made by the Law Commission to improve leaseholders’ rights to extend their lease and buy their freehold (enfranchisement) and take over the freeholders building management functions (Right to Manage).

Ground rents will be regulated for existing leaseholders. Propertymark research and survey input from members cited, as a key piece of evidence for change in the King’s Speech briefing notes.

Additionally, a consultation will take place to identify the best way to restrict the sale of leasehold flats and reinvigorate commonhold, moving a few steps closer to ending leasehold in England and Wales altogether.

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill

Rachel Reeves homed in on the current planning regime as the major obstacle to growth in her first official speech as Chancellor, and this Bill will play a key role in removing the blockers.

Significant change will happen at the local level by modernising planning committees and increasing the capacity to speed up decision-making. Kier Starmer has stated that the planning system must be an enabler of growth – with democratic engagement with how, not if, homes and infrastructure are built.

Speaking on Radio 4 earlier in the day, the Rt Hon Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, acknowledged that some developments will be controversial but that providing enough homes is essential to getting the growth the country needs. He also reiterated that UK Government policy is to prioritise brownfield sites - old industrial or inner-city sites that have been cleared - before considering green belt options.

The English Devolution Bill

England is one of the most centralised economies in the world and has some of the highest levels of geographic inequality. Westminster recognises it does not have the local knowledge, capacity, and flexibility needed to take advantage of every opportunity available.

By making it easier to transfer powers back to local authorities, it is hoped that mayors and Combined Authorities can more quickly deliver on issues including strategic planning, housing, and local infrastructure.

The Bill also includes provisions for a ‘right to buy’ for community assets, that will enable local councils to acquire empty shops, pubs, and community spaces to revamp struggling high streets.

Inputting on behalf of members

Propertymark is meeting with officials to understand the proposals in more detail and provide feedback from their members. They have also written to all relevant Ministers now that they are in post, to press forward Propertymark’s priorities and how they fit into the UK Government’s plans.

They will continue to champion their members and the sector to ensure these reforms are evidence-based and fit for purpose.

The Renters (Reform) Bill has now completed its passage through the House of Commons. On 1 May 2024, the Bill was introduced in the House of Lords and Second Reading in the Lords will take place on 15 May 2024.

The Bill has been updated to reflect the changes made and agreed in the House of Commons.

View The Renters (Reform) Bill, as introduced in the House of Lords

It is fair to say that the Renters (Reform) Bill has been strengthened since it was first introduced. However, it still misses the mark in providing the right level of fairness and flexibility for landlords and tenants and improved competency standards for letting agents.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, last week, unveiled his Budget which contained various announcements that could have a direct impact on individuals who own property, including landlords and investors. The main property-related points have been outlined, but it is recommended that you consult your tax advisor to fully understand how these changes may affect you personally.

Reduction in Capital Gains Tax on residential property

From 6 April 2024 the higher rate of Capital Gains Tax for residential property sales will be cut from 28% to 24%, which will benefit owners of second homes and investment portfolios looking to sell. 

The lower rate will remain at 18% for any gains that fall within an individual’s basic rate band. Private Residence Relief will continue to apply, meaning the vast majority of residential property sales will incur no Capital Gains Tax.

We anticipate that this reduction in Capital Gains Tax rates will encourage some owners of second homes or property portfolios to liquidate their ‘surplus’ property assets, especially if they had already started planning to sell. This is likely to bring more properties back into the market but we don’t foresee that it will have a material impact on property prices.

Furnished Holiday Lettings tax

From 6 April 2025 tax relief for Furnished Holiday Lettings will be abolished and short-term and long-term rental properties will be treated the same for tax purposes.

This means that owners of holiday lets will no longer have the option to deduct the entire expense of their mortgage interest payments from their rental income. Additionally, they will not be eligible for capital allowances on furnishings, nor will they benefit from discounted capital gains tax rates upon sale, or Capital Gains Tax rollover relief.

This move has been designed by the Government to address concerns about the impact of short-term holiday lets on local communities, housing availability and rental prices in tourist hotspots such as London, where over 60,000 properties are currently being marketed as holiday lets. 

By removing tax benefits on these holiday lets, the Chancellor has purposefully created an environment that could encourage some landlords to sell their properties or revert back to more traditional long-term lettings, providing a boost for the housing market and overall supply. 

Although relatively unlikely, if there were to be an influx of new rental properties coming onto the market, rental prices would dip in the short to medium term, especially given the rising number of available rental properties already on the market at this time.

Multiple Dwellings Relief

From 1 June 2024, the government is abolishing Multiple Dwellings Relief, a bulk purchase relief in the Stamp Duty Land Tax regime.

Introduced in 2011, Multiple Dwellings Relief reduced the cost of stamp duty when investors bought more than one residential property as a single transaction or as linked transactions. Rather than calculate the stamp duty due on the total price being paid for all the properties, an average value is taken of all the properties involved. For example, if someone were to buy four buy-to-let properties for a combined sum of £2 million, the stamp duty due would be just £110,000 with Multiple Dwellings Relief compared to £211,250 without it.

In theory, the removal of Multiple Dwellings Relief represents a sizeable increase in transaction costs for investors. However, an external evaluation showed that there was no strong evidence the relief has met its original objective of supporting investment in the private rented sector. As a result we don’t foresee this greatly changing investor appetite.

New tax regime for non-doms
From April next year, the amount of time that foreign nationals (non-doms) can live in the UK and not have their overseas-generated income taxed under UK tax rules will be cut from 15 years to just 4. The Government is also consulting on moving Inheritance Tax from the current domicile-based system to a residency-based system. It is thought that overseas assets placed in trusts before April 6th 2025 will be exempt.

As this represents a significant change for non-doms, the Government has confirmed that a number of transitional arrangements will be made available which could present a short window of opportunity for non-doms who wish to bring funds to the UK to do so in a more efficient manner:

- Existing non-doms claiming the remittance basis will include an option to rebase the value of capital assets to 5 April 2019.

- There will be a temporary 50% exemption for the taxation of foreign income for the first year of the new regime (2025-26).

- The government will also offer a two-year Temporary Repatriation Facility for individuals who have paid tax on the remittance basis prior to 6 April 2025 to bring previously accrued foreign income and gains into the UK at a 12% rate of tax.

The proposed 1% mortgage deposit scheme
There was expectation in some quarters that a 1% mortgage deposit scheme may be introduced to help first-time buyers, however there was no mention of this in the Budget, meaning it is off the table for the time being.

As the seasons change, grab your trainers, put on your coat and head out on a lovely walk in the capital.   London is a city of fast walkers, charging down the pavements, but it's nice to switch up the pace a bit. Head out for an urban stroll and you'll discover that this vast, sprawling city is full of surprising green spaces, winding alleyways, and canal trails that are itching to be explored.

Whether you’d like to dive into the past with a historical hoof around town, zone-out in an area of blissful nature or check out some of the city’s biggest attractions, there's an endless array of beautiful spots for a London walk.

Hampstead Heath Circular Walk (4.5 or 6.5 miles)

This self-guided circular walk explores the highlights of Hampstead Heath, one of London’s wildest and most precious green spaces. Climb Parliament Hill for panoramic views of the city’s skyline, pass by the bathing ponds (stop for a dip if you’re feeling brave) and admire the imposing white mansion Kenwood House. The walk takes you through some of the prettiest parts of Hampstead, too. Want to extend your walk? Visit Highgate Cemetery – atmospheric architecture surrounded by a peaceful wilderness that’s nowhere near as bleak as it sounds. Near Highgate Cemetery is a lesser-known green space called Waterlow Park. If it’s snowing, a visit to this 20-acre park is a must, as locals love using it for sledging. There are also three ponds for wildlife-spotting and gorgeous skyline views from the benches.

The Jubilee Greenway

The Jubilee Greenway is a 60km route created in 2012 for (as its name suggests) the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee to mark her 60 years on the throne. The whopping loop offers 1 kilometre for each year of her reign. Well-sign-posted with glass paving slabs throughout, the walk’s ten sections cover much of the capital. The first section offers walkers a picturesque route between Buckingham Palace and the winding waterways of Maida Vale. You’ll head up Constitution Hill, through Hyde Park, past Kensington Palace and Paddington before ending up among the picturesque canals and boats of Little Venice. Continue the walk to Camden where you might find some tasty takeaway food options, or mooch to Warwick Avenue to head back to the city.

For other pretty walks in and around a glorious city, take a look at Time Out's guide here

Ben Beadle at the NRLA says Jeremy Hunt must "pull out all the stops" and use his Budget to scrap the stamp duty levy on additional homes.

Landlords are urging Chancellor Jeremy Hunt (main picture) to give the PRS a major boost in the Budget.

The NRLA says Hunt should scrap the three per cent levy on additional homes, which would lead to 900,000 new rented properties becoming available.

And increasing the supply of homes for private rent would boost the Government’s coffers to the tune of £10 billion, the NRLA says.

SUPPLY CRISIS

The assessment follows the submission of NRLA’s proposals to the Government ahead of the Budget on 6 March, amidst a supply crisis in the rental market.

The NRLA uses analysis by Capital Economics which shows that scrapping would free up 900,000 additional rental properties, and increase tax receipts by £10 billion.

This is almost the equivalent of the entire £11.5 billion affordable homes budget for 2021-26.

SQUEEZE OUT

The Stamp Duty levy was introduced in 2016 by then Chancellor, George Osborne, who argued it would prevent landlords squeezing out families who want to become homeowners.

Research findings suggest that an average of 11 prospective tenants now make enquiries about every available property to rent.

Ben Beadle, CEO of the NRLA, says: “The Chancellor needs to pull out all the stops to tackle the housing crisis.

“Growing the private rented sector is not only vital if tenant demand is to be met, but it would also provide a substantial boost to Treasury coffers, enabling it to invest in vital public services,” he says.

“It makes no sense to discourage investment in desperately needed private rented accommodation. Inaction will only result in more misery for prospective renters.”

Happy 2024! 

New year and, for some, new beginnings, and a change of address. What’s truly in store for 2024 is anyone’s guess, but some indicators suggest the following...

Housing Market

In the lead-up to Christmas, the UK housing market slowed down (as is usually the case). Fewer homes were put up for sale, leaving some buyers with fewer options and some sellers at an advantage. The rental market stayed competitive, with high demand but not enough properties, creating ongoing challenges. This data from the front line provides valuable insights for anyone looking to buy, rent or sell at the beginning of 2024!

Mortgage Market Trend

Recently, there's been a boost in the number of people looking for mortgages, and with the expectation of interest rates being cut further, more people may reconsider moving. If you're thinking about buying a house in 2024 then now might be a good time to explore your mortgage options.

Is Spring the Right Time to Sell?

If you're considering putting your home on the market in the coming months, it's time to start gathering up essential information that will help streamline your sale. If so, let’s hope you’re raring to go with what promises to be a fascinating year for the housing market. Interest rates are set to ease, tax cuts are rumoured for the spring and a General Election will happen sometime over the next 12 months. 2024 will be busy!

Discover how we can help you:

Call 020 7794 4821 

Email info@stellalange.co.uk

Christmas in London 2023

London looks a whole lot prettier when it’s hung with strings of glistening lights and glittering Christmas trees and with the majority of London’s lights already illuminated, now is a great time to take a trip out to the gleaming streets that will flutter your heart.

Best of Christmas Lights

If you're after some gorgeous Christmas lights, Oxford Street is a great place to start. The busy shopping thoroughfare is bringing back its display of dangling stars which make a lovely impact in the night sky. Pretty magical looking, really.

Best Christmas Tree Display

Every year since 1947, Norway has gifted Londoners with a classic Norwegian spruce by way of thanking Britain for its support of Norway during the Second World War – and 2023 will be no different. Trafalgar square is already decked out with vertical strings of light, with a tree that towers over the surrounding buildings. It’s little wonder the bedazzling tree is fondly described by Norwegians as ‘the queen of the forest’.

Best Christmas Markets

Spitalfields Market has been transformed into the jolliest spot in the East End this festive season. Your browsing for stocking fillers will be lit by stunning lights and decorations, and you'll be sustained until that last gift is bought by delicious festive food and, of course, mulled wine. Late-night shopping so you can make the most of all the big brands and independent stalls is on programme, as are some fantastically festive pop-up theatre shows!

Cosiest Winter Pop-ups

Tis the season for some serious melted cheese action. And where better to indulge then Southbank, decked out in all its festive finery? Jimmy’s Lodge is a pop up restaurant on the Thames where you can stuff your face with fondue. If you're looking for a group get-together, then book an igloo in advance for a three-course menu, designed for parties up to 10. Or keep things more casual at the Raclette Bar next door, serving up gooey cheese galore and fine riverside views.

Best Places to Ice Skate

Spitalfields Market is about to transform into the jolliest spot in the East End this festive season. Your browsing for stocking fillers will be lit by stunning lights and decorations, and you'll be sustained until that last gift is bought by delicious festive food and, of course, mulled wine. Late-night shopping so you can make the most of all the big brands and independent stalls is on programme, as are some fantastically festive pop-up theatre shows!

There's no need to stay indoors and hibernate under a blanket. Suddenly, the city's full of endless festive things to do.  Check TimeOut regularly for a comprehensive round up of all the festive feels.