There is nothing more magical than seeing London lit up by Christmas lights and decorated for the holidays. Every inch of London is covered in tinsel and twinkling with lights. When visiting London, you will never be short on things to do or places to visit. Start off your morning with a delicious brunch, shop the day away in one of the unique neighbourhoods and end your evening with a night cap at one of the many cocktail bars.
Brunch
Brunch is likely the best meal ever invented. It has the warm comforts of breakfast food but at a time that is manageable after a busy weekend. Next time you’re visiting jolly ol’England, be sure to include these bunch spots to start your morning off right.
Located on the main floor of The Boundary Hotel, The Albion Café, Bakery and Food Store is a one stop shop to indulge in all the best treats in London. Their unique and affordable brunch menu is filled with their take on British home cooking recipes. Be sure to pick up some of their delicious baked goods on your way out too!
Offering an innovative fusion menu, Kopopa is located in the heart of Seven Dials, Covent Gardens, and boasts a menu of energizing and hearty breakfast options from world renown chef Peter Gordon. From organic porridge and granolas to Turkish eggs and chorizo hash with chili sauce, there is something on the menu for everyone.
Shopping
One of my favourite spots in London to explore has always been Covent Gardens. Once the central fruit and vegetable stand within the city, Covent Gardens has become a hub for tourists and locals alike to gather with a variety of shops, cafes, restaurants and merchant stalls in the main market.
Everything you could ever possibly need or want can be found in this city. Get lost in the crowds along the main stretch of Oxford Street from Oxford Circus to Marble Arch where you will find a variety of international and British fashion stores as well as the high-end department store Selfridges.
Knightsbridge just south of Hyde Park, is home to some of the most expensive and elite retailers in the city. Be sure not to miss the lavishly decorated windows at Harrods which depict different festive scenes every year. Occupying 5 acres with over 330 departments, Harrods is the largest department store in Europe complete with 32 restaurants, a tailor, a pharmacy and a variety of specialty retail outlets within the store.
Travel south of the Thames to explore the many markets London has to offer. Wander through Southbank Christmas Market where you’ll find traditional wooden chalets along the pier housing festive treats, artisan gifts and warm seasonal drinks. Just a short walk down the pier you will find Borough Market in Southwark which is one of the largest and oldest food markets in London. Indulge in the local delicacies as you’ll be sure to find some of the best meat pies, fish and chips and other savory snacks in the city.
Cheers
After a long day of sightseeing and shopping, you deserve to relax with a nice, cool drink. These specialty bars are popping up all over the city, each one having a more eclectic menu than the next. Clink glasses with the locals and visit one of these cocktail bars in London.
Happiness Forgets (In the basement, 8-9 Hoxton Square)
This small bar, tucked underneath the hustle and bustle of Hoxton Square is the perfect escape from the busy London night life. Perfect for a small group, or a date, this intimate bar boasts a creative menu of seasonal flavours mixed to perfection. The warm atmosphere also makes this the perfect bar to curl up in on a damp London night.
Experimental Cocktail Club (13A Gerrard Street)
Nestled above Chinatown, this speakeasy is an exclusive look into London’s vibrant nightlife. Offering some of the best cocktails in town, the bartenders have mastered some of the most sophisticated cocktail concoctions found in the city. With a vintage atmosphere reminiscent of the prohibition era, Experimental Cocktail Club is a great place for a lively and indulgent evening.
Freud Cafe (198 Shaftesbury Avenue)
Located below the busy high street, this café transforms itself into a bar in the evening serving an array of legendary cocktails. Indulge in their intricate cocktails shaken perfectly by their skilled bartenders. Transport yourself back to the turn of the twentieth century in the high vaulted ceilings of this energetic basement bar.
