A Christmas walk in London xxx
One of my favourite pictures. Photographer and source unknown, but thank you for sharing ❤️
Happy December. And it is a happy month for the little girl in me, the ten something year old - December meant not only the annual holiday at the sea, but Christmas. Living in South Africa, Christmas was summer but this did not stop us from enjoying all the English traditions. I adore everything about Christmas, and as they say, because you mum and grandmother made it so special.
Some, and I am one of them, dread the coming of winter, the early darkness and cloying smallness of days that are over all too soon. There are days of sun, met by days of feeling as if you are underwater, part of a Harry Potter scene and just depressed when you thought the sun was going down at four and by three it is black outside.
Thank goodness we celebrate the heck out of the holidays! Hallmark overload, lights and glitter shiny, shiny. Commercial or not, I say ‘yes’ to any bit of sparkle to keep that Black dog at bay.
I may be biased, but I believe London does Christmas better than anywhere else in the world. Should you be fortunate enough to be here, a little walk I can suggest that encapsulates everything that is devoted to putting you in the Christmas mood.
Here are a few interesting places in the heart of London, between Piccadilly, Mayfair and Covent Garden - so shall we take a stroll?
Covent Garden
Bristling with frosty air, stunning decorations, brimming with cafés, restaurants and shops packed with Christmas goodies. Pop into the Transport Museum where you will find Christmas treasures - the posters are collectables. Wander through Leicester Square, Piccadilly circus towards Piccadilly Street.
Waterstones and Hatchard’s Bookshops
Make time to take browsing to a whole new level, you have oceans of books to dive into. Hatchard’s is London’s oldest bookshop, established in 1797 by John Hatchard. Methinks his ghost still slides down the bannister and his charm surrounds you on a dark and bleak day.
Burlington Arcade
Grand lady of the bygone days, for wistful wandering to peek into windows, or meet your tailor. A beautiful pair of gloves or earrings perhaps, or simply to pause and savour a hot chocolate and nibble a macron at Laduree? The Beadles will nod and make sure there is no running, whistling or opening of umbrellas on their watch - this is a civilised spot. And so pretty at Christmas time.
Burlington Arcade. To walk down Burlington Arcade is to be both heightened in sense and appetite for beautiful objects de art.
The upside of the early nights must be to stare up at the gorgeous lights threaded across the streets. Regent Street with her victorious Angels and the lights in Old and New Bond Street must surely light Santa’s way?
Bond Street
Chandelier perfection
‘Christmas Magic is silent, you don’t hear it - You feel it. You know it. You believe it.’ Kevin Alan Milne
If you are fortunate to wander along these gems in London, to see the brightly decorated shops like Cartier and Tiffany’s, why not find the charming, traditional pub, The Clarence on Dover street, for some mulled wine. ‘Tis a truly Dickensian thing to do.
Fortnum and Mason
Stepping into Fortnum and Mason. This is a must, but it is also crowded at this time, faithful followers of the turquoise and tea. An iconic department store, favoured by the Royal family and one of the must do stops on any tourist itinerary. Do not let this deter you from a marvellous meander along the different floors; dreaming of picnic hampers and country mini breaks. Something for your pup child, your boss or the most discerning of foodie friends. Wonderful stuff dear chap, wonderful stuff.
Cartier
Just behind Fortnum and Mason, is Jermyn Street.
Think of Winston Spencer Churchill, think Beau Brummell. Think James Bond or Kim Philby. Place of perfectly paired trousers or smelly cheese and crackers. The shops here are seem set in time - gentlemen’s history, proper gentlemen’s history.
A little treasure hunt to intrigue you? Where will you find the place of the original Vespa Martini approved by Ian Fleming? For that smoothest of British agents, James Bond. Find this little spot and you are in the heart of yet more beautiful shops - Locke and Co, JJ Fox, Berry Bros and Rudd - to name a few, dotted amongst the many Art Galleries.
Walking back up to Piccadilly, you may want to stop at the Rivoli Bar at the Savoy, or make your way back to Covent Garden where it began? I know what I would do - walk down towards the Thames, to the Hungerford Bridge, from where the lights over the river are sure to take your breath away …
‘I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.’ Charles Dickens