![[LondonTown.com Header Image (Thames Scene)]](/LTtemplates/template_images/londontown.upper.logoheader.thamesscene-cc.jpg) |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
  |
|
A London Christmas 2007: Christmas Day & Boxing Day
 
Download Article (PDF)
It's with much festive spirit that we look forward to our couple of days off over Christmas but then we insist on becoming domestic whirlwinds with all that basting, stuffing, chopping, roasting and stirring, not to mention the mountains of washing-up, during which dad's asleep (and snoring). But while some traditions are worth keeping (all the fun ones like filling stockings and singing carols), it's well worth considering that Christmas Day and Boxing Day could be spent out and about, tucking into yummy food that someone else has prepared and enjoying a thoroughly London Christmas. Whether it's being cosy by a roaring fire, sipping champagne in plush surroundings or going for a invigorating jaunt, we've selected our top restaurants and things to do for a jolly, chilled-out Christmas...
 AND FINALLY... If you're unlucky enough to have just stepped off a plane on Christmas Day and are faced with an arduous journey to your hotel ahead of you, it's best to sort your arrangements out in advance so you can make the most of what's on offer in the city on this special day. None of the usual forms of transport (the Heathrow Express, the Tube, buses) operate on Christmas Day so getting from the airport to your accommodation could be tricky. We recommend you book your journey in advance with Dot2Dot - one of the few quality companies to run a full service on this day. You can book ahead, it's half the price of a taxi, there are 12 services an hour and they guarantee there'll be no more than three stops before your hotel. Not only this but they don't charge any nasty surcharges. Find out more their website (dot2.com). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A London Christmas 2007: Related Articles Traditional London Christmas Map Traditional London Christmas Guide (Printable Version) Sugar & Spice | Hotel Hideaways | Food & Flower Markets | Traditional Toys | Ice Skating | Festive Fairs | Shows & Pantos | Christmas Lights | Tinsel & Trimmings | Christmas Day & Boxing Day | Carols & Services | New Year | Fish & Fowl | Greens, Cheese & Delis   Peter Pan Cup Swimming Race
Serpentine, W2 2UH Christmas Day, 25th December 2007 This lot are a hardy bunch but tradition is tradition and members of the Serpentine Swimming Club have been plunging themselves into the lake's icy waters every Christmas Day since 1864. At temperatures of below four degrees Celsius in winter, the swimmers will want to get a wiggle on, so it's lucky that they are all in hot pursuit of the prestigious Peter Pan Cup. The name of the 100-yard race dates back to 1904 when J.M. Barrie, the creator of the boy who refused to grow up, presented the first cup. While most of us are still tucked up in bed or delving into our stocking, the competitors will be lining up (and pretending not to shiver) for their 9am start with a jolly crowd gathered around them to witness the spectacle. It's a great way to get some fresh air on Christmas morning and you'll feel like you've earned your post-lunch snooze. Behind you, Hyde Park offers a wonderful wintry landscape and, if you want to continue the Peter Pan theme, why not nip across to see the famous statue in Kensington Gardens. Note: you must have competed in the entire Winter Series to take part. Spectators are welcome and the race starts on the south bank of the lake close to the Lido Cafe. Venue: Serpentine Address: Hyde Park, W2 2UH Date: Christmas Day 25th December 2007 Time: 9:00 Pricing: Free Nearest Station: Knightsbridge Tube Peter Pan Cup Swimming Race - Information  Christmas Day Walks - Samuel Pepys & Charles Dickens
Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DS Christmas Day, 25th December 2007 Being out and about in the big city on Christmas Day is an experience worth treasuring and the old romantics at London Walks want to bring all the hushed magic of the sleepy streets to us. They say themselves that it's the only day of the year when they've got the streets to themselves and so they put on their scarves and gloves and a generous sprinkling of Christmas cheer and plug into London's rich past. For Christmas Day there are two walks, which follow in the footsteps of Samuel Pepys and Charles Dickens. The Pepys route 'Christmas Morning 1660' explores Whitehall and the St James' district. Walkers can find out about the writer's royal connections, while exploring the 'old palace quarter' and the London of 1660. The afternoon Dickens walk delves into the alleyways off the Strand and Covent Garden, scouring this patch for the novelist's literary inspirations and popular haunts. If you needed any more convincing that this is a glowingly festive thing to do post-church or pre-pub or both, the meeting point is the big tree on Trafalgar Square - ask Father Christmas to send some real-life snow and the picture will be complete. No booking required, just turn up on Christmas Day! Venue: Trafalgar Square Phone: 020 7624 3978 Date: Christmas Day, 25th December 2007 Time: Samuel Pepys Walk 11:00, Charles Dickens Walk 14:00 Pricing: £6 (Adults), £5 (Concs), Free (Under 15s) Nearest Station: Charing Cross Tube / Rail Christmas Day Walks - Samuel Pepys & Charles Dickens - Information  Christmas Lunch Cruise
Westminster Pier, SW1A 2JH Christmas Day, 25th December 2007 If the thought of all that turkey-basting and wrapping cocktail sausages in bacon brings you out in a mild panic, then why not throw caution to the wind and set sail. Literally! Well, apart from the fact that there won't be much in the way of sailing as the boat looks decidedly like it has a motor. But being out on the River Thames and having your Christmas lunch aboard the Millennium Thames cruiser will definitely be a new take on the traditional Christmas. This'll be an absolute hoot if you're spending Christmas with a bunch of friends or if your family's just bored of doing the same old thing every year. London looks great from the water and after a dry sherry to start plus a four-course lunch with all the trimmings (parsnips, Brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce) there'll be no washing-up, just a gentle trip back to shore. Venue: Westminster Pier Phone: 020 7437 4370 Date: Christmas Day, 25th December 2007 Time: Boarding 12:15, Ends 15:15 Pricing: £89.50 per head Nearest Station: Westminster Tube Christmas Lunch Cruise - Information  Festive Afternoon Tea at The Ritz
150 Piccadilly, W1J 9BR Christmas Day and Boxing Day, 25th & 26th December 2007 Tea at The Ritz has to be the London equivalent of Breakfast at Tiffany's - a world-famous brand that captures the essence of each city's history and culture. It remains one of those swanky things to splash out on in London; it says luxury and indulgence, it says impeccable service and it lets us pretend we are descended from old British aristocracy. At Christmas time, the impact of swishing into this grand hotel is magnified as one is greeted in the lobby with cascades of elegant fairy lights and a twinkling Christmas tree. The Palm Court, where afternoon tea is served, is an exemplar of lavish Louis XVI luxury combined with soothing sophistication. Lofty ceilings, glittering chandeliers and draped curtains all conjure up an image of how the gentry took tea in the days of the Empire. Indeed, Green Park's royal gardens stretching out behind the hotel are a stunning reminder of a time when King Edward VII, Winston Churchill and Charles De Gaulle formed part of the regular stream of royal, aristocratic and noble visitors having a cuppa in Palm Court. Waiters, dressed immaculately in tails, serve up tea with exact precision while a pianist tinkles the ivories. For Christmas the experience is even more indulgent with champers, Christmas cake and mince pies joining the usual array of delicate sandwiches, freshly baked scones and lots of tea. This will make for a truly sumptuous Christmas treat but book early to avoid disappointment and dress up! Venue: The Ritz Phone: 020 7493 8181 Date: Christmas Day and Boxing Day, 25th & 26th December 2007 Timing: Christmas Day 11:30, 13:30, 15:30, 17:30 and 19:30 | Boxing Day 19:30 Pricing: Christmas Day £60 per head, Boxing Day £50 per head Nearest Station: Green Park Tube The Ritz - Information  Christmas at The Windsor Castle Pub
114 Campden Hill Road, W8 7AR Christmas Day and Boxing Day, 25th & 26th December 2007 The Windsor Castle is one of those pubs that gives you a warm, glowing feeling (and not just because of the beer!). It's the epitome of how taverns used to be in the good ol' days, or at least how we imagine they were, with open fires, snug alcoves and mulled wine on the go. Folk have been warming up around the roaring fireplaces here since 1835 and this year is no exception, making it the perfect place for a pre-lunch pint on Christmas Day. The view has long been obscured but when the pub was built upon the hill you could reputedly see Windsor Castle, 20 miles yonder. Back inside, tiny doors chopped into the oak panelling separate the three bars and only serve to add to the cosy, creaking feel of the place with customers having to navigate their way through candlelit hideaways. They serve up traditional British grub (the proof's in their wide selection of sausages to accompany the mash and gravy) and any night spent here over the festive season can't fail to raise Christmas spirits. If snuggling in front of the fire is high on your Christmas list, go the whole hog and book in for lunch. Venue: The Windsor Castle Pub Phone: 020 7243 9551 Date: Christmas Day and Boxing Day, 25th & 26th December 2007 Timing: Christmas Day 12:00-18:00 | Boxing Day 12:00-16:00 Pricing: Christmas Menu £19.50 per head Nearest Station: Notting Hill Gate Tube Windsor Castle - Information  Inn The Park
St James's Park, SW1A 2BA Boxing Day, 26th December 2007. Closed Christmas Day. This year you could ditch the Boxing Day bubble and squeak for a slightly more elegant meal in the heart of St James's Park. Inn the Park (unfortunate name) is the brainchild of famed restaurateur Oliver Peyton, his idea being to cook up quality alternatives to the soggy sandwiches and warm cola of picnics past and create a new era of 'inn-park' dining. And, it must be said, he's done a remarkable job - simple and seasonal British food is served in a contemporary, no-fuss environment that succeeds in being inviting at the same time. The icing on top is Inn the Park's unrivalled location in the midst of the royal park, overlooking Duck Island and the lake. The stroll through this glorious green expanse to reach the restaurant is another high point - if you stop on the bridge you can look one way to see Buckingham Palace and the other for the London Eye standing picture-perfect behind the Foreign Office. This'll be an excellent afternoon outing the day after Christmas, blowing away the cobwebs with a crisp winter walk and then tucking into a slap-up lunch that is festively traditional and full of homely country kitchen flavours. Venue: Inn the Park Phone: 020 7451 9999 Date: Boxing Day, 26th December 2007. Closed Christmas Day. Timing: 12:00-19:00 Pricing: £29.50 per head Nearest Station: Charing Cross Tube / Rail Inn The Park - Information  Little Bay
171 Farringdon Road, EC1R 3AL Christmas Day and Boxing Day, 25th & 26th December 2007 For a Christmas Day with more than a touch of flamboyance and frou-frou this is the place to go. Little Bay is pure theatre, like stepping into the Moulin Rouge in its heyday or finding yourself in a 1920s speakeasy, candlelit and avant-garde. You half expect to be surrounded by women wearing fur-trimmed coats and elegantly puffing through their cigarette holders over an aperitif. The decor has the feel of an old theatre bar that's been done-up using the sets of past productions with murals and memorabilia adorning the walls, swathes of turquoise velvet and twisted wire hanging lamps. But for all its showy glamour, the restaurant has no stuffy pretensions; it's the height of chilled-out charm with a merry, buzzing atmosphere. The food is seriously good value too; you won't believe that you can get such tasty mussels and chips (fried in goose fat) for this price but the menu is a mouth-watering selection of wonderful meat and fish dishes and generous, tempting desserts, all washed down with some jolly good wine. There's a Christmas Day set menu which includes a heartily traditional option with lovely festive flavours but on Boxing Day it's back to business as usual. Venue: Little Bay, Farringdon Phone: 020 7278 1234 Date: Christmas Day and Boxing Day, 25th & 26th December 2007 Timing: Christmas Day 12:00-18:00 | Boxing Day 12:00-23:30 Pricing: Christmas Day set menu £28 | Boxing Day: Three courses without wine £11 (until 19:00), £15 (after 19:00) Nearest Station: Farringdon Tube / Rail Little Bay - Information  Butlers Wharf Chop House
Butlers Wharf Building, 36E Shad Thames, SE1 2YE Christmas Day and Boxing Day, 25th & 26th December 2007 For simple elegance and warm style this Christmas, book into Butlers Wharf Chop House for lunch. This is another excellent chance to experience the peace and beauty of the city on December 25th as you amble along the banks of the Thames, taking in the sights from Shakespeare's Globe to Tower Bridge, which is where the restaurant is situated. The view of the majestic bridge rising above the river is nothing short of spectacular from this restaurant and, although it'll be a tad chilly to sit outside on the terrace, you'll still be able to glimpse the atmospheric winter scene from the comfort and serenity of the indoor seating. The focus here is serving up hearty English food in a friendly environment with an emphasis on fish and succulent cuts of meat and the Christmas Day menu is perfectly suited to this year-round custom of cooking classics...with style. Head chef Sylvain Le Gleud has created a choice of four dishes per course, bringing to the table delicacies such as home smoked wood pigeon, citrus baked seabass and dark chocolate and prune cheesecake as well as the traditional fare of butternut squash soup or smoked salmon, turkey with all the trimmings and Christmas pud. Venue: Butlers Wharf Chop House Phone: 020 7403 3403 Date: Christmas Day and Boxing Day, 25th & 26th December 2007 Timing: Christmas Day 12:00-16:30 | Boxing Day 12:00-15:00 Pricing: Christmas Day menu £75 | Boxing Day menu £39 Nearest Station: Tower Hill Tube Butlers Wharf Chop House - Information  The Cinnamon Club
The Old Westminster Library, 30 Great Smith Street, SW1P 3BU Open Christmas Day, 25th December 2007. Closed Boxing Day. Not many of us would think of tucking into a curry on Christmas Day but if you'd rather have spices than sprouts, pilau than parsnips and tandoori than turkey, then this festive feast could be just the thing. The Cinnamon Club is at the pinnacle of fine Indian dining and is also located in the magnificent Old Westminster Library for a stately, time-honoured vibe. The late Victorian setting is the perfect place for head chef Vivek Singh, who used to run the kitchens at the Rajvials in Jaipur, where he was charged with treating guests to meals fit for a Maharajah. The kitchen however is far from square and has won much praise for its inventiveness, taking Indian ingredients and cooking techniques, mixing them with local produce and adding some fresh and delicious twists. Mr Singh has created a Christmas menu that is sprinkled with nods to the traditional lunch but with flavours that will tantalise your taste buds with the richness and elegance of Indian food. Venue: The Cinnamon Club Phone: 020 7222 2555 Date: Christmas Day, 25th December 2007. Closed Boxing Day. Timing: 12:00-14:30 (last orders) Pricing: £75 per head Nearest Station: Westminster Tube The Cinnamon Club - Information
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|