{"id":21471,"date":"2024-11-09T10:22:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-09T06:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.headout.com\/?p=21471"},"modified":"2024-11-20T13:45:41","modified_gmt":"2024-11-20T09:45:41","slug":"london-in-december","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.headout.com\/blog\/london-in-december\/","title":{"rendered":"The only guide you need to visit London in December"},"content":{"rendered":"

London is more than just a city; it is an experience that has been growing with its myths and tales for over centuries now. A city with as many palaces and palatial houses as modern skyscrapers, it is a bubbling pot of cultures. As a tourist you will be welcomed and be amazed by everything it has to offer. Visit the iconic landmarks like Westminster Abbey<\/a>, Tower of London<\/a>, Parliament House<\/a>, Buckingham Palace<\/a> and learn about the history of the great nation that not only impacted Europe but all of the world! London in December is shrouded under a veil of clouds but that does not dampen its holiday spirit. Here is a guide on how to enjoy the Christmas festivities in the city and make the best of your visit to London in December.<\/p>\n

What makes London in December special?<\/h2>\n

\"london<\/p>\n

London in December is an exciting destination, predominantly marked by the holiday fever. The weather is overcast and dreary but there is no snow to worry about and warm clothing should be enough to get you street-ready. Christmas cheer is spreading and you can enjoy the season\u2019s festivities in its many Christmas Markets and Winter festivals. Every attraction including the zoo ensures there are special Christmas programs for adults and children alike. It is the time to indulge in sweets and treats, and British cuisine has some of the best Christmas and comfort foods ideal for the winter. There is no getting away from the crowds but it calls for more celebration as you have tourists from all across the world bringing in the New Year in the city!<\/p>\n

London in December: Weather<\/h2>\n

\"london<\/span><\/p>\n

Winter settles in London during the month of December and the weather is cold and wet. You will mostly experience overcast days with occasional rain, however there won\u2019t be any storms or heavy downpours. The average daytime temperature hovers around 9\u00b0C and goes down to 5\u00b0C during the night.<\/p>\n

London in December: Things to do<\/h2>\n

1<\/p>\n

Westminster Abbey<\/h2>\n

\n

\"London<\/span><\/p>\n

For over 1,000 years Westminster Abbey has been an important church in England and since 1066 the coronation church. The magnificent Gothic Cathedral is the resting place of 17 Monarchs and is a treasure house of art and architecture. Take a guided tour to learn more about the abbey and its history.<\/p>\n

December Timings<\/b><\/p>\n

Monday \u2013 Friday: 9:30am to 3:30pm Saturday: 9:30am to 1pm Closed on Sundays & Christmas (25th December) for service.<\/p>\n

\"Location\"<\/span><\/p>\n

20 Deans Yd, Westminster, London SW1P 3PA,UKGetting There \u203a<\/a><\/p>\n

Read More <\/a> Book Now <\/a> <\/p>\n

2<\/p>\n

Tower of London<\/h2>\n

\n

\"London<\/span><\/p>\n

The Tower of London is a place of myths and stories of yore. Built in 1078 it has a colorful history that includes its use as a prison, menagerie, mint and armoury. Take a guided tour and learn about when it was a Royal Mint or why the guards are known as beefeaters.<\/p>\n

December Timings<\/b> Tueesday to Saturday: 9am – 4:30pm Sunday & Monday: 10am – 4:30pm<\/p>\n

\"Location\"<\/span><\/p>\n

St Katharine’s & Wapping, London EC3N 4AB,UKGetting There \u203a<\/a><\/p>\n

Read More <\/a> Book Now <\/a> <\/p>\n

3<\/p>\n

Hampton Court Palace<\/h2>\n

\n

\"London<\/span><\/p>\n

The Hampton Court Palace is a Royal palace dating back to 1515 and is known for its unique amalgamation of Tudor and Baroque architectural styles. The palace is known for its gardens that includes a hedge maze, and is the location of the annual flower show.<\/p>\n

December Timings<\/b>Wednesday to Sunday: 10am \u2013 4:30pm<\/p>\n

\"Location\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU, UKGetting There \u203a<\/a><\/p>\n

Read More <\/a> Book Now <\/a><\/p>\n

4<\/p>\n

Westminster Palace (Parliament)<\/h2>\n

\n

\"London<\/span><\/p>\n

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Westminster Palace with its iconic Big Ben (Elizabeth Tower) is one of the most recognizable buildings in London. Rebuilt in the 1840s, the palace today houses the Parliament and is one of the most visited tourist attractions in London.<\/p>\n

December Timings<\/b>Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm<\/p>\n

\"Location\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Westminster, London, UKGetting There \u203a<\/a><\/p>\n

Read More <\/a> Book Now <\/a><\/p>\n

5<\/p>\n

London Eye<\/h2>\n

\n

\"London<\/span><\/p>\n

Get a bird\u2019s eye view of London as you embark on the London Eye \u2013 the tallest observation wheel in Europe. The Ferris wheel completes a revolution in around 30 minutes and is a unique way to view the London skyline. You can spot all major landmarks including Big Ben, the Shard from atop the wheel. Plus, if you visit on December 31st, you will get a chance to see the iconic New Year’s Eve Fireworks<\/a> along the banks of Thames River.<\/p>\n

December Timings<\/b>Sunday to Friday: 11am to 6pm Saturday: 10am to 8:30pm<\/p>\n

\"Location\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Lambeth, London SE1 7PB, UKGetting There \u203a<\/a><\/p>\n

Read More <\/a> Book Now <\/a><\/p>\n

6<\/p>\n

West End Theatre<\/h2>\n

\n

\"London<\/span><\/p>\n

West End is the equivalent of Broadway in New York and offers brilliant live theatre and stage entertainment. In December you can watch new shows like The Snail and the Whale, Spencer Jones: The Things we Leave Behind, A Kind of People, and Girl from the North Country.<\/p>\n

December Timings<\/b>Depends on the show<\/p>\n

\"Location\"<\/span><\/p>\n

40 Bloomsbury Way Lower Ground Floor, London WC1A 2SE,UKGetting There \u203a<\/a><\/p>\n

Read More <\/a> Book Now <\/a> <\/span><\/a> Free Cancellation \"TINA: TINA: The Tina Turner Musical<\/span> from<\/span> \u00a324 <\/span><\/a> Free Cancellation \"The The Book Of Mormon<\/span> from<\/span> \u00a324 <\/span><\/a> Free Cancellation \"The The Mousetrap<\/span> from<\/span> \u00a336 <\/span><\/a> Free Cancellation \"The The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time<\/span> from<\/span> \u00a321.6 <\/span><\/a> Free Cancellation \"The The Play That Goes Wrong<\/span> from<\/span> \u00a324 <\/span><\/a> Free Cancellation \"The The Woman in Black<\/span> from<\/span> \u00a321.6 <\/span><\/a> Free Cancellation \"Magic Magic Mike Live<\/span> from<\/span> \u00a3132 <\/span><\/a> Free Cancellation \"Six\" Six<\/span> from<\/span> \u00a327.6 <\/span><\/a> Free Cancellation \"The The Drifters Girl<\/span> from<\/span> \u00a324 <\/span><\/a> Free Cancellation \"Hello, Hello, Dolly!<\/span> from<\/span> \u00a324 <\/p>\n

7<\/p>\n

Thames River Cruise<\/h2>\n

\n

\"London<\/span><\/p>\n

The Thames is the lifeline of London and its banks are home to the most iconic landmarks including the Tower of London and House of Parliament. A river cruise is the best way to admire the city and you can choose from a variety of cruises including lunch, dinner or afternoon tea cruise.<\/p>\n

December Timings<\/b>Depends on the chosen cruise.<\/p>\n

\"Location\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Pipers Island, Bridge St, Reading RG4 8AH,UKGetting There \u203a<\/a><\/p>\n

Read More <\/a> Book Now <\/a> <\/span><\/a> Free Cancellation \"Westminster Westminster To Greenwich River Thames Sightseeing …<\/span> from<\/span> \u00a313 <\/span><\/a> Best Safety \"Thames Thames Rockets High Speed Boat Experience<\/span> from<\/span> \u00a339 <\/span><\/a> Best Safety \"Lunch Lunch Cruise with Sightseeing on Thames River<\/span> from<\/span> \u00a334 <\/span><\/a> Free Cancellation \"Bateaux Bateaux London: Lunch Cruise on River Thames<\/span> from<\/span> \u00a339 <\/span><\/a> Best Safety \"Evening Evening Cruise with Sparkling Wine & Live Music on…<\/span> from<\/span> \u00a329 <\/span><\/a> Free Cancellation \"Bateaux Bateaux London: Dinner Cruise on River Thames<\/span> from<\/span> \u00a379 <\/span><\/a> Best Safety \"London London Showboat 4 Course Dinner Cruise on Thames R…<\/span> from<\/span> \u00a370 <\/span><\/a> Free Cancellation \"Willow Willow Room : Afternoon Tea Cruise<\/span> from<\/span> \u00a346 <\/span><\/a> Best Safety \"Unlimited Unlimited Hop On Hop Off Thames River Sightseeing …<\/span> from<\/span> \u00a317.8 <\/span><\/a> Best Safety \"Afternoon Afternoon Tea Cruise on River Thames<\/span> from<\/span> \u00a334 <\/p>\n

8<\/p>\n

Merlin’s Magical London<\/h2>\n

\n

\"London<\/span><\/p>\n

Merlin\u2019s Magical London is a fantastic pass that helps you save upto \u00a392 in ticket costs and can be used over five days and valid for 90 days! The attractions include the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, The London Dungeon, SEA LIFE London, Big Bus Tours, and DreamWorks Tours: Shrek Adventure.<\/p>\n

\"Location\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Marylebone, London, UKGetting There \u203a<\/a><\/p>\n

9<\/p>\n

Kew Gardens<\/h2>\n

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\"London<\/span><\/p>\n

The Kew Gardens have the distinction of being the most botanically diverse place on Earth, with over 50,000 species in about 300 acres. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and in December the gardens are transformed for the Christmas lighting celebrations.<\/p>\n

December Timings<\/b>Monday to Sunday: 10am to 3:15pm Closed on 24th and 25th December<\/p>\n

\"Location\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Richmond TW9 3AQ, UKGetting There \u203a<\/a><\/p>\n

Read More <\/a> Book Now <\/a><\/p>\n

London in December: Events to look out for<\/h2>\n

\"London<\/p>\n

Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park <\/b><\/h4>\n

All Through December <\/b> One of the most popular Christmas festivals in London, Winter Wonderland has an array of attractions including \u2018Magical Ice Kingdom\u2019, a 70 metre observation wheel, and shows like Paddington on Ice, Zippos Christmas Circus and Cirque Berserk. There is also an Ice Bar, Bar Hutte Karaoke and Comedy Club for adults to unwind.<\/p>\n

\"London<\/p>\n

Southbank Centre’s Winter festival<\/b><\/h4>\n

All Through December <\/b> Be amazed at life-size Elephant puppets and watch their antiques at the Circus 1903 at the Southbank Centre\u2019s Winter Festival. Play in the multi-sensory Soundpit, and immerse yourself in art installations like Squidsoup. The festival also has a winter market with food and shopping stalls.<\/p>\n

\"London<\/p>\n

Hogwarts in the Snow <\/b><\/h4>\n

All Through December <\/b> Harry Potter fans can enjoy Christmas at Hogwarts as the theme park changes its landscape to winter. The snowy castle is home to the traditional Yule Ball scene complete with long dining tables ready for the Christmas feasts. Take a studio tour to learn all the backstage secrets of the movies.<\/p>\n

\"London<\/p>\n

Christmas at Kew <\/b><\/h4>\n

All Through December <\/b> The Royal Botanical Gardens transform during Christmas nights as the entire place is illuminated with light installations. Enjoy a new trail \u2018Waterfalls\u2019 that cover the tree walkways at the Kew Arboretum. You can extend your trip by dining at the Botanical Restaurant.<\/p>\n

London in December: 5-day itineray<\/h2>\n

5 days in London itinerary<\/p>\n

Day 1<\/span> Morning \"5 <\/p>\n

Tower of London<\/h5>\n

AED159<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a> Afternoon \"5 <\/p>\n

Westminster Abbey<\/h5>\n

<\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a> Late Evening \"5 <\/p>\n

London Eye Tickets<\/h5>\n

AED88<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a> Day 2<\/span> Morning \"5 <\/p>\n

Windsor Castle<\/h5>\n

AED60<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a> Afternoon \"5 <\/p>\n

West End Show<\/h5>\n

AED120<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a> Day 3<\/span> Morning \"5 <\/p>\n

Day Trip to Stonehenge<\/h5>\n

AED240<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a> Afternoon \"5 <\/p>\n

Wallace Collection<\/h5>\n

AED68<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a> Late Evening \"5 <\/p>\n

Hard Rock Cafe London<\/h5>\n

AED80<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a> Day 4<\/span> All Day \"5 <\/p>\n

The London pass<\/h5>\n

AED366.98<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a> Day 5<\/span> Morning \"5 <\/p>\n

Madame Tussauds<\/h5>\n

\u00a333.50<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a> Afternoon \"5 <\/p>\n

Warner Bros Studio Tour<\/h5>\n

AED129<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a> Late Evening \"5 <\/p>\n

Kensington Palace<\/h5>\n

AED269<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a> <\/p>\n

London in December: Essentials<\/h2>\n

\"?\"<\/p>\n

LanguageEnglish<\/span><\/p>\n

\"?\"<\/p>\n

Time zoneGMT+1<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\u260e\"<\/p>\n

Country Code+44<\/span><\/p>\n

\"?\"<\/p>\n

Socket Type G<\/span><\/p>\n

\"?\"<\/p>\n

CurrencyPound (\u00a3, GBP)<\/span><\/p>\n

Where to stay in London during December?<\/h3>\n

London is generally an expensive city and during the holidays the rates of accommodation can shoot up. There is however a variety of accommodations you can choose from depending on your budget. Some of the great neighbourhoods for tourists to stay in are South Bank, Bankside, SoHo, Covent Garden, South Kensington, Marylebone, Mayfair and Leicester Square. Here are our favorite hotels to stay in London \u2013<\/p>\n