10 things to do in London in winter

The winter season in London is the coldest of the year, but that should not condition your trip, as there are hundreds of plans to escape the inclement weather, these are the months of the year when there is less tourism and prices are cheaper than at other times of the year.

Except at Christmas, of course, when the city is full of visitors and prices are more expensive, but in exchange you will enjoy a truly magical city. And if you are looking for other alternatives, read the post what to see and do in London, where you will find the best proposals for any time of the year.

Between late November and early December the Christmas spirit takes over the city of London. The streets begin to decorate and the lights begin to shine, the markets open their doors and one of the best plans you can enjoy is to visit the impressive tree in Trafalgar Square. With a height of more than 20 meters, this tree hides a very curious history, since every year since 1947 Norway sends this fir tree to Britain as a thank you for its support in World War II.

Another of the essential proposals throughout the months of November and December is to stroll through the Southbank Centre Winter Festival. On the banks of the Thames there are food stands where you can enjoy delicious dishes, craft stalls that will dazzle you and wooden huts where you can take shelter from the cold. In addition, snow shows and festive performances are organized, an ideal plan for the whole family!

Traveler's tip

Christmas is a truly magical time to travel to London. Don't hesitate to visit at this time of year and be dazzled by the lights, see the Christmas trees, go ice skating and enjoy a delicious hot chocolate at Winter Wonderland - there's something for everyone!

The West-End is where most of London' s theaters are concentrated, making this area the equivalent of New York's Broadway.

A wonderful plan for the harsh British winter is to take shelter from the cold and damp while enjoying a theatrical performance of one of the most popular international musicals:

• Book tickets for The Lion King: children and adults alike will enjoy this adaptation of the Disney film playing at London's Lyceum Theatre.
• Book tickets for Mamma Mia!: if you like musicals or if you know all the Abba songs, don't hesitate. At the Novello Theatre you will warm up singing and dancing.
• Book tickets for Wicked: at the Apollo Victoria Theatre this play will take you to the magical world of Oz, in the company of Dorothy and the rest of the lovable characters.
• Book tickets for Phantom of the Opera: this play has been performed continuously since 1986. There must be a reason, don't you think?

At Christmas time, the city of London is filled with light and color with thousands of bulbs decorating its main streets, sites and stores. The Christmas lights switch on usually takes place in mid-November, so if you visit the city throughout the month of December you can enjoy this spectacle of lights and color.

Oxford Street, Carnaby Street, Regent Street, Covent Garden and Trafalgar Square are the destinations that should not miss on your route of Christmas lights in the city of London and these are some of the points that runs the tourist bus in which in addition to contemplate the Christmas lights you can warm up with a traditional English tea and some typical sweets.

Located in the heart of London, in Hyde Park, is celebrated Winter Wonderland, a festival that starts in mid-November and takes place until the first days of January and celebrates the Christmas season with a wide range of entertainment activities, attractions and gastronomic proposals. Do not hesitate to go in the morning with the little ones of the house and taste a delicious hot chocolate, or enjoy with your partner or friends a mulled wine while enjoying one of the many shows scheduled.

An ideal proposal for this time of year is to visit the Harry Potter Studios Park where you will find all the original objects and sets from the movies: Platform 9¾, the Hogwarts Great Dining Hall, Diagon Alley, the teacher's office or the Forbidden Forest, among others. An unforgettable experience if you are a fan of J.K Rowling's saga. If you want more information on where and how to buy tickets, do not hesitate to read the articles Harry Potter Studios Park London tickets and ticket prices.

The Harry Potter Studios Park is located just outside London. Visit the post how to get there and you will have no doubts about how to get there.

What better way to escape the cold than to take refuge in one of the city's incredible museums. It is an economical plan, available throughout most of the day and for all tastes. Here are a few options:

• Book a private guided tour of the British Museum: A must on your trip to London. Inaugurated in the mid-eighteenth century, its collection includes pieces from all cultures and stages of history. Highlights include the Rosetta Stone or the sculptures and friezes of the Parthenon in Athens, among many others.
• Book a private guided tour to The National Gallery: Located in Trafalgar Square, it includes a collection of more than two thousand paintings including works by Van Gogh, Titian, Velázquez and Rembrand, among other great artists.
• Book a private guided tour of the Natural History Museum: Opened in the late nineteenth century, is one of the most spectacular museums in London and houses a complete collection that includes pieces of botany, entomology, paleontology, mineralogy and zoology.
• Book a guided tour of the Tate Modern: This museum houses one of the world's most important collections of contemporary art with pieces by Edvard Munch, Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso. In addition, the building is a real wonder.
• Visit the Sherlock Holmes Museum: Obviously a must for fans of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Visitors can see objects related to the different cases of the detective and a large collection of furniture and objects typical of the Victorian era.

If you are looking for more information do not hesitate to read the post the 10 best museums in London.

Westminster Abbey is a must-see on your trip to London. Located in the historic center, has transcended throughout history as "the church of the Royal Family" to be the place where coronations have been held since 1066 and used as a pantheon of the monarchs.

Westminster Abbey is open every day of the week from 9.30 am to 3.30 pm, except Wednesday when opening hours are extended to 6 pm.

Located in the center of the city, on the north bank of the River Thames, the Tower of London is one of the must-see sights of your trip. This historic castle was built in 1066 and has more than seven buildings. The tour is estimated to last approximately three hours and it is highly recommended to purchase an audio guide to learn about the history of its evolution.

If you are looking for the best picture for your Christmas greeting, don't hesitate to take a picture while skating on ice. Since mid-November, several ice rinks are installed in the city of London.

• Somerset House: It is the most popular of the skating rinks that are installed in London and is located in the courtyard of a neoclassical palace located on the banks of the Thames next to a large Christmas tree. In addition, while skating you can enjoy Christmas music and also make available to attendees a Christmas gallery.
• Natural History Museum: Located in the neighborhood of South Kensington next to the entrance of the Natural History Museum is installed one of the favorite skating rinks for skaters. In this case, the Christmas tree is located in the center of the rink. In addition, there is a hut that serves hot chocolate and where you can have a snack before or after the session.
• Hampton Court Palace: Located on the outskirts of London, this is another ideal environment to have some races on skates. It is located next to this palace on the banks of the Thames.

London has very low temperatures in the winter season between 2 and 8 º C. At the beginning of March is when they begin to rise and can reach 11ºC. Even so, the weather should not be something that conditions you because the city has hundreds of plans to escape the cold. In addition, you may be lucky and see the snowy city, which is a truly incredible postcard.

The number of tourists in London in winter is as high as in the rest of the year and you have to take into account that it is one of the five most popular cities in the world and receives every year the visit of almost 20 million people. Even so, in the months of January and February there is a lower number of tourists, while Christmas is one of the times that welcomes more visitors.

The prices of London in winter vary greatly depending on the month in which you visit. Thus, in the days of Christmas, prices tend to be a little more exorbitant, while in the months of January and February you can find the cheapest of the year, both in flights and in hotels and excursions.

If your trip to London coincides with the winter, wrap up very very well because the temperatures will be very cold, between 0 and 8ºC. I recommend that you take a down coat if possible waterproof in case it rains, snows or simply to insulate you from the humidity so typical of this city. Also, do not hesitate to pack comfortable and waterproof footwear, and do not forget thermal t-shirts and leggings, fleeces and several winter sweaters.

In winter there are a number of public holidays in London's capital: the usual December 25th and January 1st, which coincide with Christmas and New Year's Day, and December 26th, which is celebrated as St. Stephen's Day. On these dates the main attractions have reduced opening hours and transport services may offer minimum services, so don't hesitate to check the timetables!