It’s that wonderful time of year! The streets of London are decorated with bright colours and Christmas lights. As Westminster Business School students, we are all feeling the crunch of semester end, but there is no excuse, you must go out and enjoy this spectacular city we are lucky enough to be studying in.
Walk a quick 15 minutes from Marylebone campus and you arrive at Regent and Oxford Street, both decorated with creative light displays. Walk another 5 minutes to Carnaby Street, look up, and you’ll see lit up birds wishing you all a ‘Carnaby Christmas.’ Then head to Convent Garden and you will spot massive Christmas baubles hanging from the ceiling, followed by a sparkling Christmas tree. Every corner you turn, you’ll find another holiday display, putting you in that festive spirit!
There are so many ways to get out in London and enjoy this time of year! Fancy an ice skate? Feel like to indulging in some festive treats? How about visiting a Christmas market? Here are some ideas to make the most of the next month. Don’t we all deserve a study break! Feel like being active and festive? There are many ice rinks placed around London, so get your mitts on and go skating!
The Natural History Museum Ice Rink is open everyday until 5 January 2014. Need a warm-up after the skate? Visit the Café Bar for a hot cocoa and a bird’s eye view of the rink. Adult tickets are £8 and it is advised to book in advance.
Ice Rink Canary Wharf has a unique skate path that leads skaters through trees and Christmas lights. This rink is open everyday until 16 February 2014 and adult tickets are £13.50.
The London Eye holds ‘Frostival’ until 5 January 2014. Skate beneath the London Eye and take in the magical views London has to offer. Every Saturday and Sunday, watch artists create ice carvings at 12:00pm and 3:00pm. When booked online, adult tickets are £9.45.
Ice at the Tower allows you to skate around the Tower of London moat, which is beautifully lit up in the evening. Enjoy a holiday treat at the Ice Bar & Café. The rink is open until 10:00pm everyday until 5 January 2014. During peak hours, tickets are £12.50 with a student discount.
Another holiday ‘must-do’ is a visit to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. Enjoy a skate at the Lycamobile Ice Rink, stand in awe of ice carvings at Magical Ice Kingdom, visit the circus, or get on the giant observation wheel. Still need a present for family back home? Stroll around the Christmas markets where you will find special gifts for all. And it doesn’t end there. Indulge in some mulled wine and traditional festive food at a variety of eateries and bars. Entrance is free, but ticket prices vary depending on the activities you decide to do! See the website for details.
How about a walk along the river Thames to get in the holiday spirit? Southbank Christmas market is open daily until 24 December. Find a unique gift for mum, or treat yourself with some gingerbread!
What about a trip to the mountains? Right in London! Freeze 2013 holds an international snowboarding and skiing competition called Hail the Rail, along with a trendy music lineup, après ski bars, and traditional alpine foods. It’s a 5-day festival from 27 November to 1 December 2013, right at Clapham Common. Watch Hail the Rail on November 30th, where snowboarders and skiers from around the world duke it out for the £12,000 prize. Or attend for the great music and alpine themed bar scene! Tickets are available online, by day or week format. Prices vary from £8 to £66. This is an event not to miss!
Give yourself a little treat, take a break and go explore what London has to offer in the holiday season!
Blogger Bio :Hello! My name is Kirsten Parkes and I am a Marketing Communications Masters student from Toronto, Canada. I am so happy to be studying in central London at the Westminster Business School. I have a passion for travel, photography, fashion and social media trends; just to name a few! I look forward to expanding my knowledge in the marketing communications field, as well as seeing what this wonderful city has to offer!
