Winter is my favorite time to visit London, mainly because the city does Christmas so incredibly well. Christmas markets start appearing in the first week of November, and the streets and shops go all-in on their holiday decorations. But London also has plenty more to offer during the colder months. Here are my 15 favorite things to do in London in winter, and chances are you haven’t thought of at least half of them.
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1. Visit As Many Christmas Markets As You Can
In winter, more than 20 Christmas markets pop up across London. Some of the most famous are in Leicester Square, Covent Garden, Camden Town, and along the Southbank.
You can plan to see the main ones first. However, chances are you’ll stumble upon smaller, lesser-known markets by accident while exploring other areas.
2. Go On A Christmas Lights Bus Tour
If you’re short on time, a Christmas Lights Bus Tour is a great way to see all the main areas of Central London (Oxford Street, Regent Street, Bond Street, Covent Garden, etc.) and fully soak up the festive atmosphere.
👉 Book your London Christmas Light Bus Tour here
3. Have Coffee With Cats
When you’ve spent hours walking in the cold outside, you probably just want to curl up with a cat and a hot drink.
Well, in London, you actually can.
The city currently has four cat cafés, and a fifth will open soon.
Are you familiar with the concept? It works like a regular coffee shop where you can enjoy coffee, tea, and cake, except there are cats wandering around looking for cuddles. Lots of cats! Some cafés even allow you to adopt one if you fall in love.
This handy guide rounds up every cat café in London and the UK, complete with locations, opening times, descriptions, and reviews, making it easy to find your purr-fect match.
👉 Book your Cat Cafe Lounge Entry Ticket here
4. Spend Time At One Of London’s Alpine Ski Lodges
The Alpine Ski Lodge is an indoor winter-themed venue that recreates the feel of a mountain ski resort.
These lodges have alpine-style décor, hot drinks, and snacks, giving the full winter resort experience.
For the best experience, try Dick’s Magic T Bar or Pergola on the Piste.
5. Enjoy The Views From The Lookout
The Lookout at 8 Bishopsgate is London’s newest – and highest – indoor viewpoint.
From the 50th floor, you can spot The Shard, the Gherkin, Tower Bridge, and much more. There’s simply no better spot for photos.
Entry is free, but reservations are required because spots fill up fast.
However, if you miss out, you can still go to Horizon 22, Sky Garden, and even The Shard for similarly impressive panoramas.
👉 Book your Sky Garden Early Access Ticket & Breakfast Treat here
👉 Book your View from The Shard experience here
6. Join The Jack The Ripper Guided Walking Tour
There’s something about winter that makes us want to explore darker stories. If that’s you, the Jack the Ripper Guided Tour will be right up your alley – in this case, the dark alleys in Whitechapel and Spitalfields, where the infamous murders occurred.
During the tour, you follow the paths of the victims, stopping at places like Mitre Square, Goulston Street, Hanbury Street, and the Ten Bells pub.
Guides share the victims’ stories, the harsh conditions of Victorian East London, how the police investigated, and the main suspects. Some tours even use “Ripper-Vision” projectors to display historic crime-scene images, creating an eerie time-travel feel.
👉 Book your Jack the Ripper Guided Walking Tour here
7. Attend A Festival Or Exhibition At The Barbican
Winter is the ideal season to enjoy London’s cultural side, and the Barbican is one of the best places to do that.
This huge multi-use complex includes an arts centre, theatres, galleries, cinemas, and restaurants.
And don’t miss the Barbican Conservatory – a hidden tropical oasis on the fourth floor filled with more than 2,000 exotic plants, trees, koi ponds, and tropical fish.
Entry is free, but you must book in advance and check the opening dates as it’s not open daily.
8. See A Play At The West End
Like Broadway, London’s West End is famous for its theater. There are 39 theaters in the West End and another 47 fringe theatres, so you’re guaranteed to find something you’ll love.
Tip: Last month, I saw Stranger Things: The First Shadow at the Phoenix Theatre, and it was the most spectacular show I’ve seen in the West End. There’s a documentary about it on Netflix if you want a preview. If you’re a fan of the show, it’s an absolute must.
👉 Book your West End Stranger Things: The First Shadow Ticket here
9. Dine In A Riverside Igloo
Another cozy winter option is to dine in an igloo along the Thames.
These heated domes are furnished with blankets, sheepskin rugs, and fairy lights. It’s a great way to watch the river and London skyline.
10. Go For A Night Out In Islington
For a lively but less touristy night out, head to the area between Angel and Highbury & Islington. In winter, the cozy pubs, fringe theaters, and restaurants make it especially inviting after a chilly day in the city.
11. Spot Deer In Richmond Park
Richmond Park is the largest Royal Park in London and home to hundreds of free-roaming red and fallow deer.
Winter is a great time to visit because the bare trees and low winter sun make spotting them even easier.
If you want another option, Bushy Park near Hampton Court Palace has a smaller population of deer and can make for a quieter visit.
12. Go On A Harry Potter Walking Tour
Do you want to re-visit all the Harry Pottter books and movies as soon as the temperatures start to drop?
In that case, the Harry Potter Walking Tour is one of the best things to do in London in winter.
This sightseeing tour takes you to many iconic locations from the films and books. You’ll see filming spots, such as the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron, the inspiration for Diagon Alley, and the Millennium Bridge featured in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Guides share behind-the-scenes stories, movie trivia, and fascinating tidbits about J.K. Rowling’s inspiration for the series.
If you have extra time, you can also visit the Warner Bros. Studio Harry Potter Tour just outside London. It’s a behind-the-scenes experience where you can walk through the actual sets from the films, like the Great Hall, Diagon Alley, and the Forbidden Forest. You’ll also see costumes, props, magical creatures, and learn how the special effects were created.
Not enough? You can even catch the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play in the West End. The show brings the story to life with stunning sets and impressive special effects.
👉 Book the most complete and exclusive Harry Potter tour in London here
👉 Book Warner Bros. Studio Harry Potter Tour with Transfers here
13. Take The Santa Express Steam Train
The Santa Express is one of London’s most magical winter experiences. It’s a festive steam train ride where Santa himself visits passengers and hands out presents along the way.
The train travels around London, giving everyone on board a cozy, cheerful holiday experience. It’s especially great for families, but anyone can enjoy the festive atmosphere and the excitement of a classic steam train ride.
This year, the Santa Express runs in December, with several departures each day.
Tickets sell out fast, so it’s a good idea to book early if you want to join the fun.
👉 Book your North Pole Express Tour with Santa & Festive Fun experience here
14. Play Arcade Games At NQ64
NQ64 in Soho is a fun, nostalgic spot that feels like stepping back into the 1980s and 1990s.
The bar has 31 arcade machines, 2 pinball tables, and 8 retro gaming consoles. But the best part?The abundance of bright colors and neon lights.
Even if you don’t plan to play, just wandering around and soaking in the playful, colorful atmosphere is a treat. It’s a great place to grab a drink and relive a bit of gaming nostalgia.
15. Visit Borough Market In Winter
Borough Market is always special, but in winter, it gets a special festive makeover, making it one of the best places to soak up the holiday atmosphere in London.
The market is filled with twinkling lights and seasonal decorations that give the historic hall a cozy, Christmassy feel.
During December, many traders also bring out their seasonal offerings. You’ll find mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, mince pies, artisan cheeses, luxurious Christmas puddings, and gourmet gift hampers. It’s the perfect place to grab festive treats or unique food gifts you won’t find the rest of the year.
Final Thoughts
Winter in London is unlike anywhere else, and I hope this list inspires you to experience the city’s most magical season in new ways. Whether you’re exploring hidden cultural gems, chasing festive lights, or simply soaking up the cozy atmosphere, there’s always something unforgettable waiting around the corner.
About the author
Vanessa Morgan is the creator of Traveling Cats, the first and only travel blog for cat lovers. The site features cat-themed destinations, cat cafe reviews, and plenty more – because cats make everything better, even travel.
When she’s not working on her blog, Vanessa enjoys reading, writing books about movies, eating out, practicing yoga, and programming films for festivals.
She lived in London for a while, but Belgium is her home country. She returns to London whenever she can to revisit her favorite spots and discover new corners of the city.
London truly becomes a world of its own in winter, and I love how these magical experiences capture the city’s festive charm from so many angles! They’re way more unique than the mainstream things like Winter Wonderland (which, in my opinion, is overcrowded, overpriced and overrated) and actually give you room to enjoy yourself.
And honestly, I love simply wandering around London in the weeks before Christmas as it feels magical on its own – the city’s festive lights and decorations make every street glow with holiday charm.
Thanks for stopping by!
Magda
xoxo
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