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 Christmas in London 2009: Christmas Day & Boxing Day
 
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Christmas Day is the one day of the year when London practically shuts down. The major sights and shops are shut, the Tube and London buses don't run, and most people are at home unwrapping presents. But it's also the ideal time to take advantage of the crowd-free streets and go for a stroll - if you need guidance, the people at London Walks are hosting two walking tours on Christmas Day. Most churches hold services on Christmas Day and St Paul's Cathedral, St Martin-in-the-Fields and Westminster Abbey are among the most spectacular. Come Boxing Day it's sale time when bargain hunters set the tills rinigng and the city is largely back to life.
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Christmas in London 2009: Related Articles Shows & Pantos | Ice Skating | Carols & Services | Christmas Trees | Markets & Fairs | Christmas Day & Boxing Day | New Year's Eve | Christmas Lights | Hotel Hideaways   Peter Pan Cup Swimming Race
Serpentine, W2 2UH Christmas Day, Friday 25th December 2009 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, Friday 25th December 2009 Time: 9am 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, Friday 25th December 2009 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, Friday 25th December 2009 Time: Samuel Pepys Walk 11am, Charles Dickens Walk 2pm Pricing: £7 (Adults), £5 (Concs), FREE (Under 15s accompanied) Nearest Station: Charing Cross Tube / Rail Christmas Day Walks - Samuel Pepys & Charles Dickens - Information  Charles Dickens Museum
48 Doughty Street, WC1N 2LX Friday 25th December 2009 The Charles Dickens Museum is one of the few London attractions to open on Christmas Day and with Dickens' famous book 'A Christmas Carol' setting the theme for the Regent Street Christmas Lights it's entirely fitting that the museum should remain open on this festive day. The museum is not only open on Christmas Day but they're also holding a special charity candle-lit reading of 'A Christmas Carol' (6.30pm; £12/£6 children). Housed within the musuem is the world's most important collection of material relating to the great Victorian novelist and social commentator. Synonymous with Victorian England, this is the only surviving London home of Dickens (from 1837 until 1839), author of such classics as 'Oliver Twist' and 'David Copperfield'. The museum was opened here in 1925 and is still welcoming visitors from all over the world to its authentic and inspiring surrounding. On four floors, visitors can see paintings, rare editions, manuscripts, original furniture and many items relating to the life of one of the most popular and beloved personalities of the Victorian Age. Address: 48 Doughty Street, WC1N 2LX Phone: 020 7405 2127 Timing: Fri 25th Dec 11am-6pm | Special Christmas Day Reading of A Christmas Carol - 6.30pm Pricing: £5 (Adults), £4 (Concs), £3 (Children) | Special Christmas Day Reading of A Christmas Carol - £12/£6 (Children) Nearest Station: Russell Square Tube Charles Dickens Museum - Information  Christmas Day Lunch Cruise
Westminster Pier, SW1A 2JH Christmas Day, 25th December 2009 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 RiverLiners with Golden Tours 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 2009 Time: Boarding at 12.15pm, Departs 12.30pm, Returns 3.15pm Pricing: £97.50 per head Nearest Station: Westminster Tube Christmas Day Lunch Cruise - Information  Festive Afternoon Tea at The Ritz
150 Piccadilly, W1J 9BR Christmas Day and Boxing Day, 25th & 26th December 2009 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 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 carols fill the air. The Christmas experience is very 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 7300 2511 Date: Christmas Day and Boxing Day, 25th & 26th December 2009 Timing: Christmas Day - 1.30pm, 3.30pm & 5.30pm Pricing: £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 2009 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 8797 Date: Christmas Day and Boxing Day, 25th & 26th December 2009 Timing: Opening times 12noon-3pm Pricing: Christmas Menu Lunch £50 per person Nearest Station: Notting Hill Gate Tube Windsor Castle - Information  Little Bay
171 Farringdon Road, EC1R 3AL & branches Christmas Day and Boxing Day, 25th & 26th December 2009 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 five-course set menu, which is heartily traditional with lovely festive flavours, but on Boxing Day it's back to business as usual. Venue: Little Bay, 171 Farringdon Road, EC1R 3AL Phone: 020 7278 1234 Date: Christmas Day and Boxing Day, 25th & 26th December 2009 Timing: Christmas Day 12pm-6pm | Boxing Day 12noon-11pm Pricing: Christmas Day Menu £27 Nearest Station: Farringdon Tube / Rail Little Bay, Farringdon - Information Little Bay, Battersea - Information Little Bay, Kilburn - Information Little Bay, Croydon - Information  Butlers Wharf Chop House
Butlers Wharf Building, 36E Shad Thames, SE1 2YE Christmas Day and Boxing Day, 25th & 26th December 2009 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 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 on 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 Winston Matthews has created a choice of five dishes per course, bringing to the table delicacies such as a seafood cocktail, whole baked stuffed seabass and warm dark chocolate sponge as well as the traditional fare of 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 2009 Timing: Christmas Day Lunch 11.30am-4pm | Boxing Day Lunch & Dinner Pricing: Christmas Day menu £85 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 2009 | 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, winner of the Restuarant of the Year award at the World Food Awards 2009, 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 executive 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 2009 | Closed Boxing Day Timing: 12pm-4.30pm Pricing: Three courses with champagne on arrival £75 per head Nearest Station: Westminster Tube The Cinnamon Club - Information  Kempton Park: William Hill Winter Festival
Kempton Park, TW16 5AQ Boxing Day 26th & 27th December 2009 Witness history in the making as Kauto Star goes for an unprecedented fourth straight win in the William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. The headline race is the showpiece event at the two-day post-Christmas William Hill Winter Festival at Kempton, the closest racecourse to central London. If Ruby Walsh rides to victory then Kauto Star will break four-time winner Desert Orchid's 19-year-old record. Despite being the bookies' 10-11 favourite, Kauto will no doubt face stiff opposition from last year's Hennessy Gold Cup winner Madison Du Berlais. The King George VI is one of three Grade 1 races on Boxing Day, the best of the two days racing. With Christmas falling on a Friday this year, the whole weekend should prove a great opportunity for racing fans to get a piece of the action so get your tickets early to avoid disappointment. Who knows, you might be the lucky ticket holder who will go home in a brand new KIA Soul Shaker car. Venue: Kempton Park Address: Staines Road East, TW16 5AQ Phone: 01932 782292 Date: Boxing Day 26th & 27th December 2009 Time: Dec 26 First race 12.50pm, last race 3.40pm | Dec 27 First race 1pm, last race 3.45pm Pricing: From £12 Nearest Station: Sunbury Rail Kempton Park: William Hill Winter Festival - Information  Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur
Craven Cottage, SW6 6HH Boxing Day, Saturday 26th December 2009 Boxing Day serves up this appetising London derby clash between Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur at Craven Cottage. Last year, Andy Johnson was on the score-sheet as Roy Hodgson's men beat Spurs 2-1 in the corresponding fixture and it's hard to look beyond a similar kind of result this time round. Fulham hold a pretty strong home record while Harry Redknapp's side have been decidedly wobbly on their travels. In fact, after all the talk of their title and credentials, the wheels seem to have come off Spurs's assault on the Top Four after what was an admittedly very solid start to the season. But if the visitors have the likes of Jermain Defoe, Aaron Lennon and Luca Modric fit they will certainly be a mouthful for Fulham in their last home game of 2009. Check www.fulhamfc.com for ticket details. Venue: Craven Cottage Address: Stevenage Road, SW6 6HH Phone: 0870 442 1234 Date: Boxing Day, Saturday 26th December 2009 Time: 1pm Pricing: Check official site www.fulhamfc.com Nearest Station: Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur - Information |
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