Sunny in London

A Florida girl's guide to finding SUN and FUN

Advice for Visiting a London Christmas Market

If you love Christmas, then visiting a London Christmas market should be at the top of your list during the holiday season. As an American living in London for six years married to a born and bred Londoner, there are some things I have learned after visiting Christmas markets here every season that I think you should know.

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London Christmas Market Advice- Book Ahead

The biggest thrills are at Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland every year. However, a lot of the super fun stuff requires booking in advance. For example, if you want to experience ice skating, Bar Hütte Karaoke, Ice Sculpting Workshops, Bar Ice, Zippos Christmas Circus, Cirque Berserk, Winter Wonderland Comedy Club, or The Giant Wheel, you need to visit their official Winter Wonderland website and get your tickets early!

So, before you check out a Christmas market in London, see what there is to do nearby that might interest you too.

London Christmas Market Advice- Arrive Early

From my experience going to the Christmas Market at Southbank, Trafalgar Square Christmas Markets, Leicester Square Christmas Markets, and others, arriving early means you won’t be getting smashed in to the crowds. Once I went to Winter Wonderland Christmas market on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning and up until 12:30pm I felt like I had all of Hyde Park to myself. Well, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration. But, I had tons of space to take photos and videos, plus there were no lines for food, drinks and festive things to buy.

If you arrive on a weekend night, you could experience some very big crowds. In fact, at times they might limit people entering the more popular Christmas markets due to overcrowding.

So, if you are in London for a long holiday weekend, I would plan to hit the markets in the morning and early afternoon. Then, see a show in the evening instead.

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Trafalgar Square Christmas Market early on a Sunday afternoon

London Christmas Market Advice- What to Wear

While you focus is on festivities, you want to look good too. Decorative Christmas jumpers (sweaters for American readers) are popular, but I prefer to celebrate the holidays with clothes that are chic and sophisticated but still comfortable. Further, Mr Sunny and I try to wear coloured caps so when Mr Sunny relaxes with a beer and I wander off to take photos and video- we can find each other faster.

Below are a few selections I like from Gant. It’s a brand that is making a huge effort for sustainability. If you’ve been in London any time over the past year, you know that it’s been a big movement here.

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The featured items are from left to right:

And don’t forget to wear comfortable boots or shoes too. You might want to keep in mind that like any city, it does rain in London. This means it could get a bit muddy at the markets. Don’t wear shoes that can’t take a little wear and tear.

London Christmas Market Advice- Saving

While all of the Christmas markets are fun, you will find that the basic activities are the same at each one. In fact, a lot of the same food and drink stands are at each market. For example, you will find a mini-pancake stall, a sausage stall, and stalls that sell mulled wine or hot chocolate. If you’re like Mr Sunny, you will probably seek a place that sells Steins. A few weeks prior to Christmas you want to eat healthy so you can indulge in all of the holiday treats.

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advice-visiting-london-Christmas-Market

You will want to save some money too because there will also be specialty retail stalls that have Christmas decorations or London themed souvenirs. Build in time to survey them if you are looking for something special to remember your visit to London or just the trip to a London Christmas market. Also, tickets to rides at Winter Wonderland can add up really fast, so budgeting for this ahead of time will help.

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To Home From London- stall at Trafalgar Square Christmas Market

London Christmas Market Advice- Final Thoughts

By researching activities you want to do and booking them in advance, planning around crowded times, dressing comfortably, and saving calories and money before you go, you will better position yourself to be in the holiday spirit at a London Christmas market.

What’s your favourite London Christmas market to visit, Sunny friends? What questions do you have about going to one this year?

How to Spend 3 Days in London as a Super Tourist

There are some sights in London that never get old. After living here six years as an American married to a born and bred Londoner, it is hard for me not to take pictures of iconic London landmarks every time I am near one. Well, Big Ben is currently an exception to this because it is covered in scaffolding for the next few years.

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This phenomenon compares to what I experienced growing up in Daytona Beach, Florida. Every time I went to Disney World or Universal Studios I was overcome with excitement and energy, no matter how many times I went.

That’s the reality for me living in London. But, you will find that most Londoners don’t whip out their phone for a photo every time they pass Buckingham Palace or the London Eye. Most of them haven’t been to the iconic attractions recently.

Yet, I wonder how they give friends and family who come to visit them advice about what to do when they are in London to see the sights. Since they aren’t as keen to pay attention to “attractions”, much less the deals for ticket entry, do they know strategies to get the best prices?

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For these reasons, I have been a great resource to blog readers and friends who visit London. One of the top recommendations I have for people to save money on London attractions is to get a London Pass.

But, in order to make it worth it, you have to truly live like a tourist for a day or more, depending on which one you choose.

Based on the success of the blog I published about the Things to Do Near the Tower of London, I have put together several itineraries for the ultimate tourist days in London. If you follow them, you could save tons of money, Sunny friends!

How to Spend 3 Days in London: Day 1

  • Tower of London (£27.20)
  • Tower Bridge Exhibition (£9.80)
  • The Monument to the Great Fire of London (£4.50)
  • St Paul’s Cathedral (£20)
  • View from the Shard (£25)

If you paid for an adult ticket each of these individual attractions “at the door”, your total would be £86.50. An adult London Pass for one day is £75.

Yes, this would be one packed, exhausting day visiting attractions in London. However, if you want to see as much as possible in a short period of time, it is the way to go.

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How to Spend 3 Days in London: Day 2

  • Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre (£17)
  • Golden Hinde (£5)
  • London Bridge Experience (£29)
  • HMS Belfast (£16)
  • The View from the Shard (if you were too tired on Day 1)
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How to Spend 3 Days in London: Day 3

  • Kensington Palace and the Orangery (£20)
  • Royal Albert Hall (£8)
  • Westminster Abbey (£23)
  • Thames River Cruise (£19) take this to Greenwich
  • Royal Observatory Greenwich (£16)
  • Cutty Sark (£15)

The price of a 3 day London Pass is currently £109. Do the math on all the attractions I listed and see how much you will save!

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How to Spend 3 Days in London: Planning

In the spirit of honesty, these aren’t itineraries I could do back to back in three days. Mr Sunny and I are really lazy foodie travellers. One activity a day is enough for us. We generally make the regional cuisine our main event.

However, you would be amazed at the sample itineraries my blog and Sunny News YouTube viewers send me as possibilities. I write amazed because the activities they plan for each day would involve running from one direction to the other side of the London and then back again. Sometimes I wonder where they learned their map reading skills.

However, I think they just put things in order according to their list of priorities. This initially could seem like a good idea. But, for people who know and live in London, we understand that it is a very wide city in comparison to others. Further, the Underground and busses are great, but you need to know how much time to build in for travel as well.

My itineraries above are grouped together by location. And on the Day 3 itinerary, I even suggest using the London Pass for a cruise which takes you from one part of the city to another. In fact, most people don’t get to Greenwich because it is kind of out of the way. But, if you sight see along the way and have a plan of things to do when you get there, it is well worth your time (get it?!) to go to Greenwich.

So if you like to see as much as possible, condense your daily plans to attractions that are in the same general vicinity. Or…

How to Spend 3 Days in London: Final Thoughts

If you are a bit of a gambler and free spirit, there is a new tool on the London Pass website you might want to try. It’s a Spinner feature and is a new innovative way to randomise, jazz-up and create spontaneity during your London break.

Maybe you could use it to decide where to start your day of living like a tourist and then move around the above itineraries from there?

Let me know how it goes, Sunny friends. And if you need suggestions of where to eat when you’re out and about, I have something below for you too.

Want a Food Freebie in London?

Subscribe to the Sunny in London email and immediately get the ‘Local’s Pocket Restaurant Guide to London.’ It’s the ultimate free travel accessory for your London trip. The Guide has top recommended restaurants from a local, organised by neighbourhood. With it you can easily find a place to eat when you’re on a London street. Downloading the file to your phone means skipping Wi-fi and finding a fab foodie place- fast!

Send me the Free Pocket Restaurant Guide

Christmas Afternoon Tea on a Bus in London

Sunny friends, the Brigit’s Bakery Christmas Afternoon Tea on a Bus in London is the trifecta for London food lovers during the holidays!

This unique bus tour around London could tick all the boxes for a person who loves London, delicious food and Christmas.

Along with 29 other travel bloggers, I was invited to attend a special trip around London for the purpose of previewing the Brigit’s Bakery Christmas Afternoon Tea. For quite some time, I have wanted to take an afternoon tea tour on an iconic Routemaster bus with this company. When they first launched in 2014, I was a bit wary because I am not the most coordinated person. And while you wouldn’t think a lot of agility is needed to eat food, the thought of taking pictures and reviewing it at the same time is intimidating. But the more I saw the variety of tours they offer growing, the more I realised that the idea of a travelling tea was a smashing hit with people in London.

So this is how the experience goes…

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Christmas Afternoon Tea on a Bus in London- The Food

This is the first category I want to tell you about because it is the biggest surprise for me. I rate the food 5 stars and this is why…

Not only is everything super tasty, but also it is really fresh. It is always disappointing when you go to a luxury hotel for afternoon tea and are served stale bread. No matter how decadent the pastries are during the last course, that crusty impression from the sandwiches stays with you.

Honestly, I had low expectations of the food going in to this afternoon tea. It didn’t seem probable that food could be prepared and transported on a bus to Victoria Station and maintain it’s original intent for quality and taste. Brigit’s Bakery has masterfully defeated this obstacle.

When we stepped on to the bus, all of the tables were beautifully set. This includes every food item except the basket of scones that we were served about half way through the journey.

To me, that’s a Christmas afternoon tea miracle!

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Christmas Afternoon Tea on a Bus in London- The Journey

This is where the experience could get a bit dicey, Sunny friends.

I had a blast on the journey and created a highlight video on my Instagram for you to see more of the experience.

However, there are a few things you need to consider before determining if this experience is for you. Foremost, let’s consider that you will be drinking.

We had complimentary Prosecco and several top ups each. This could be problematic for some people. While they advised us that we could enjoy the Prosecco before the tour started, it came with a disclaimer about the bus not stopping once it got rolling.

Do some quick processing about what that means, Sunny friends.

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Next, there were cupholders at each place setting for guests to put their plastic Prosecco glasses, coffee or tea. They are there for a reason. The ride is bumpy and many times the bus stopped quickly, because that’s normal for busses navigating through London streets. I used a DJI Osmo Mobile Smartphone Gimbal which is on my UK Amazon Gear List (US Amazon readers find it here). I also applied Stabilisation effects while editing the video.

A few bloggers ended up with Prosecco on their lap at different times in the evening. I am not sure if it is because they were busy taking selfies and forgot to put their glasses in their cup holders or were just careless. But, I didn’t have any issue with spilling my drink. And, I had three glasses.

To be honest, since I have lived in London for 6 years and have reviewed nearly every attraction (check my trip planning guides if you are visiting London), I wasn’t that focused on sight seeing during our early evening trip. If this is your primary goal, the combination of afternoon tea and touring London might not be for you. Because the food is so good, you might be distracted away from the London landmarks.

Further, in a moving bus you won’t get the best focused pictures of these iconic locations. This is especially true if you are on the bus at night because you will catch some serious glare from the windows.

However, if you want to say you did something truly unique in London- riding a Routemaster bus while eating the most iconic meal in the UK- this afternoon tea is a must do!

But, if you think the journey would be too shaky, at the very least you can stop by their Covent Garden location. I walk by it all the time and it’s quite popular!

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Afternoon Tea on a Bus in London- The Length

Another huge bonus of this afternoon tea on a bus in London is the fact that there is a clear end time. Assuming you don’t get stuck in any unusual traffic, you will know when your experience ends.

My biggest ‘negative factor’ with afternoon teas in London is their length. I have been held captive at luxury hotels for nearly three hours for this food experience. After indulging in a carb fest of sandwiches, scones and pastries, I generally feel uncomfortable and lethargic. Americans, when I say I feel like a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade float, you know what I mean!

If I could change anything about the traditional afternoon tea, it would be to speed up the process. So, being on the afternoon tea tour bus with Brigit’s Bakery for 90 minutes was a dream come true for me.

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Afternoon Tea on a Bus in London- Other Options

The Brigit’s Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour is the first brand to do this type of bus tour in London. The best news for those who can’t go to the Christmas Afternoon Tea is that they have TONS of other options during the year. Some of them include:

  • Gin Lovers’ Afternoon Tea
  • Halloween Bus Tour
  • Cinco de Mayo
  • Mother’s Day
  • Valentine’s Day
  • Chelsea Flower Show
  • St Patrick Day
  • Movie Themed
  • Chinese New Year

They have these dietary options available:

  • Traditional Afternoon Tea
  • Vegan Afternoon Tea
  • Vegetarian Afternoon Tea
  • Halal Afternoon Tea
  • Gluten Free Afternoon Tea

For those living and/or working in London, they have delivery service as well!

Christmas Afternoon Tea on a Bus in London- Final Thoughts

For the menu, prices, tour options and gift vouchers, it would be best to visit the Brigit’s Bakery website.

What do you think, Sunny friends? If you love food, travel and the holidays, would you put the Christmas Afternoon Tea on a Bus Tour in London on your list for Santa? What other unique food experiences have you had in a city?

And please, drop me any questions you have about my evening as a guest with Brigit’s Bakery too!

Want a Food Freebie in London?

Subscribe to the Sunny in London email and immediately get the ‘Local’s Pocket Restaurant Guide to London.’ It’s the ultimate free travel accessory for your London trip. The Guide has top recommended restaurants from a local, organised by neighbourhood. With it you can easily find a place to eat when you’re on a London street. Downloading the file to your phone means skipping Wi-fi and finding a fab foodie place- fast!

Send me the Free Pocket Restaurant Guide

The Best Green Spaces in London

There is no doubt that when the sun is out in London, the list of things to do is long. Naturally, it would be a great time to enjoy the best green spaces in London, if you know where to find them.

After living in London as an American for six years married to a born and bred Londoner, I have had the chance to explore quite a few. There are some fairly obvious options that you would probably see on a short visit of 4-5 days. Then, London has some beautiful green spaces that are not so obvious.

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Best Green Spaces in London- Richmond Upon Thames

On a beautiful, cloudless day a few years ago Mr Sunny took me to Richmond Upon Thames. This area of London has tons of activities that can fill several days. For example, in the picture above you can see how beautiful and refreshing a walk along the River Thames can be. With plenty of pubs and places to stop and absorb the sun, Richmond Upon Thames offers tons of green space.

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Aside from simply strolling along the river, you could also plan a picnic in Richmond Park or spend an afternoon visiting Kew Gardens.

Best Green Spaces in London- Parks and Views

If you are on a tighter schedule during a limited visit to London, Richmond Upon Thames might be a bit too far. In that case, Regent Park or St James Park could be quite accessible. Slightly to the north of London, you will find Primrose Hill which is popular in the summer for the Hamstead and Highgate crowds. It’s also a relaxed and chic place to see the New Year’s Eve fireworks in London.

However, Hyde Park is my favourite place for a fast, green getaway from Central London crowds.

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It’s an easy place to have a bit of exercise or meet a friend for coffee and a chat. But that’s only the beginning of what Hyde Park has to offer.

Best Green Spaces in London- Hidden Treasures

A place that has become really popular due to its “Instagramability” in the past few years is St Dunstan-in-the-East. It’s a short walk from both the Tower of London and my favourite place to recommend tourists who want a fab view of London for free- Skygarden.

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St Dunstan-in-the-east is bombed out ruins of a church. Many Instagrammers have used it to showcase their whimsy, flowing “OOTD”. But, personally, I think you look much more committed to appreciating this pensive green space in London if you are wearing a sleek coat from Orvis and some skinny jeans or leggings with tall boots.

But, for those who just want to strip down to the most socially acceptable public level to catch some sun, you can find a nice stretch of green across from the Tower of London, Skygarden and St Dunstan-in-the-east.

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Best Green Spaces in London- Picnic Options

If you keep heading south to Greenwich, you will find a place you can spend a lot of time. Ha!Ha!Ha!

In all seriousness, this area of London has great pubs, historic things to do and you guessed it- plenty of green space. It’s also high on the list for not so obvious places to plan a picnic in London.

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Sunny friends, what is your favourite green space to enjoy on a sunny day in London?

Things to Do Near Tower of London

What is a huge mistake that people planning to visit London make? Not planning things to do near the Tower of London!

When I was a guest on the Eye on Travel CBS Radio Show with Peter Greenberg last year, I said that I feel the Tower of London is the top attraction that people should see when visiting London.

According to the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (Alva), the most visited attraction in London in 2018 was the Tate Modern. It accumulated almost 5.9 million visitors. The Tower of London saw approximately 2.5 million enter through the gates.

Given that statistic, you might wonder why I suggest the Tower of London first for everyone visiting London. However, if you know the Tower of London’s history, you might think the better question is: How many guests left the Tower of London with their heads last year?

Ha!Ha!Ha! You knew I couldn’t resist a corny ‘British’ joke, right?

But, seriously, when I get emails or comments on the Sunny News YouTube channel from people visiting London for the first time, they always express wanting to visit the Tower of London. For what it’s worth, I have visited it three times. The Sky Garden is the only attraction I have visited as many times. Is it shocking to learn that it is just around the corner from The Tower? Well, more like a 5-7 minute walk. But, that is close enough in my opinion.

So, what else can you do if you know you want to spend half a day at the Tower of London?

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Things to Do Near Tower of London: London Pass

If you are considering several attractions in one day, then it is likely that you will want a London Pass. Below is the suggested itinerary I have for people who want other things to do near the Tower of London.

  • The Tower of London (£27.20)
  • The Monument to the Great Fire of London (£4.50)
  • St Paul’s Cathedral (£20)
  • Tower Bridge Exhibition (£9.80)
  • View from the Shard (£25)

If you paid for an adult ticket each of these individual attractions “at the door”, your total would be £86.50. An adult London Pass for one day is £75.

The itinerary above would be tight, but if you want to max out on your time in London, it’s the way to go.

Things to Do Near Tower of London: For Foodies

If you’re like Mr Sunny and me, you don’t like to run ragged when you are on holiday. We enjoy leisurely lunches with adult beverages when we travel. As you will see on my Instastories, we don’t overload ourselves with too many commitments on any given day.

Activities that would interest foodies that are near the Tower of London include:

  • Walking to St Katherine’s Docks and having lunch at Dickens Inn or one of the many restaurants in the area. White Mulberries is a great spot for coffee and pastries. Their Instagram is a London account I love and have followed for years.
  • You can easily walk to Borough Market, which is open everyday except Sunday. On weekends, you can get to Maltby Street in about 20 minutes by crossing the Tower Bridge. Both of these locations are known for their outstanding street food.
  • There are tons of restaurants on both the north and south sides of the River Thames. They offer fab views too.
  • The Secret Food Tour of London Bridge is a 3-3 1/2 guided food tour of the London Bridge area that incorporates 8 stops.
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St. Katherine’s Docks, London

Things to Do Near Tower of London: Historic

For those that want to devour history instead, you can find things to do near the Tower of London too. Keep the Monument to the Great Fire of London and Tower Bridge Exhibition from the London Pass itinerary above.

Consider adding a visit to the London Dungeon for an entertaining look at London’s dark past. On the way over, you can also visit the HMS Belfast. Or you can swap something for time’s sake on that itinerary and add the London Bridge experience. The London Bridge and the HMS Belfast are on the London Pass.

Things to Do Near Tower of London: St Paul’s Cathedral

When my mother visited in April, her top requests in London were the Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral. Arriving at the first one close to when they opened, gave us enough time to swing by the SkyGarden before walking to St Paul’s Cathedral. I had previously booked a time for us to visit Skygarden, which is something you must do for this free attraction. In fact, like the Tower of London it’s one of the few attractions that Londoners actually visit.

We spent about 2 1/2 hours at the Tower of London and about 90 minutes at St Paul’s Cathedral. Our day of touring ended around 3pm.

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Things to Do Near Tower of London: Final Thoughts

You wouldn’t think that those three attractions would take up most of a day. However, you must build in time to get from one attraction to another. And, like I mentioned previously, I don’t like to rush through a million activities in one day.

For the closest amount of attractions in one condensed place, you want to read this article on How to See 4 Attractions at London South Bank.

How do you like to travel, Sunny friends? Do you like to buy a discount attraction pass and hit as many activities as you can in one day? Do you prefer to alternate pool days with attraction days?

For More Guides to London:

I have bookmarked many of my best guides to London for you and grouped them below. They should make planning a trip to London so much easier! To stay up to date with all that’s happening in London, subscribe to the Sunny News emails too.

Planning Work Christmas Party Ideas in London

What’s a great way to put a “bah humbug” on your Christmas in London? Be the guy who ruins the work Christmas party for everyone.

Actually, there are a few options for characters who take down Christmas for colleagues. The first is the iconic Ebenezer Scrooge gig where the person turns her nose up to festivities of every kind. You know the one. She refuses to pick a Secret Santa, is on a diet when the boss bakes Christmas cakes and dresses in her Game of Thrones cosplay on “Christmas Jumper Day.”

A popular false hero is the guy who drinks too much and throws inhibition to the wind at the office Christmas party. While he may get some laughs at his own decency’s expense, we actually don’t want the whispers and awkwardness it brings to the water cooler on Monday morning.

Finally, there’s the one we all dread being more than anything- and that’s the person who planned a lame Christmas work party.

The first two are actually pretty easy to avoid. So, how do you make sure you aren’t the last guy during the holidays?

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Planning Work Christmas Party Ideas in London: Research

You might want to conduct a quick office poll that is anonymous and electronic. Ask colleagues what a comfortable price range is for them to spend on their attendance at the party. We know that you can’t please everyone. However, if you extract feedback on price range for the event, location preferences and dress code expectations, you have a much higher chance of making the evening memorable for good reasons.

Next, you should do research well in advance. Don’t fall for the early August marketing push that most venues do for their Christmas bookings. Instead, take time throughout the year to checkout cool places to eat in London that match what your colleagues indicated would make them happiest.

If your company isn’t giving you free financial reign on the corporate credit card to try restaurants in “the name of Christmas party research”, you have alternatives. Use gift vouchers you received for your birthday or the previous Christmas to explore places where you have not been previously but have heard are fab. Just like Santa, you should be making a list and checking it twice to find out which ones are naughty and which ones are nice.

As a London food blogger, the invitations to check out Christmas menus at restaurants are always an annual highlight for me. Often, they have parties to share their holiday menus. Perhaps you can ask to attend one of these launch parties for a pub or restaurant’s Christmas menu offer?

While looking for ideas of how to help you, I discovered 15 pages of venues that are booking Christmas parties in London on one of the most popular restaurant booking websites.

Planning Work Christmas Party- Ideas in London

Based on my experience at these venues and/or numerous contacts in the London restaurant and hospitality industry, the ones I think could be the most fun for an office Christmas party in London are:

  • Christmas at Bluebird- for those who want to pretend they are socialites like those on the cast of Made in Chelsea
  • Christmas at One Aldwych- for those who like boutique hotel glamour and exquisite food
  • Christmas at German Gymnasium- for those who love good beer
  • Christmas at Mango Tree- for an authentic Thai experience with a Christmas theme
  • Christmas at London Transport Museum- for those just haven’t had enough of the London Underground every day
  • Christmas at Lord’s Cricket Ground- for those who want a sporty vibe to their yuletide
  • Christmas at Tropicana Beach Club- for those who dream of surfing santas
  • Christmas at Radio Rooftop- for those who want to chic view of London while sipping cocktails
  • Christmas at ICEBAR– for those who aren’t afraid to be cool at Christmas (Please note IceBar closed in late Spring 2020. This post was updated on 14 April 2020 to reflect this.)
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Having a work Christmas party at a restaurant or iconic venue certainly isn’t the only option. You might want to arrange for your colleagues to take part in an activity. Some fun things to do around London at Christmas are:

  • Mini Golf
  • Ice Skating
  • Roller Skating
  • Curling
  • Cooking Classes
  • Ping Pong
  • Curling
  • Karaoke
  • Escape Rooms

Want a London Food Freebie?

For a great list of 100+ restaurants that I recommend, subscribe to the Sunny News email. Whether it’s for ideas for an office Christmas party in London or you just want to easily find a place to eat when you’re on a London street, downloading the file to your phone means you’ll always be able to find a fab foodie place fast!

Send me the Free Pocket Restaurant Guide

The Best Things to Buy in London

Have you spent months planning a trip to London? In all of your research on things to do and places to eat, you might not have thought about the best things to buy in London yet.

Finding a souvenir in one of the world’s most famous cities isn’t hard. Every attraction will have a gift shop, and it’s highly likely you will visit at least one during your trip to London.

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The Most Popular Things to Buy in London

In any big city you can find T-shirts, keychains, refrigerator magnets, snow globes and postcards. In London, popular iconic souvenirs include Big Ben figurines, small red busses, metal telephone boxes filled with bad tea bags, something from Harrods and umbrellas. In Central London, you will find countless trinkets displaying a Union Jack.

But, why not aim for something with a more local feel? In fact, why not bring home souvenirs from London that actual Londoners would typically buy or enjoy? Or souvenirs that are created by local artists?

After living in London for six years as an American married to an English man, I have had time to really explore and learn what the best things to buy in London can be.

The Best Things to Buy in London- Tea

Drinking tea all the time isn’t just a British stereotype. It’s what they do. For real. All the time.

But, to be honest, most drink the very inexpensive brand PG tips on a regular basis. You could grab a box of it here or go for something a little more royal and posh like tea from Fortnum & Mason. This iconic British luxury department store currently holds royal warrants from Her Majesty the Queen and the Prince of Wales. Famous British chefs who rave about Fortnum and Mason include Nigella Lawson and Mary Berry. Charles Dickens was a fan too.

What’s great about going for Fortnum and Mason tea is that you can find many of their popular products at World Duty Free in Gatwick and Heathrow airport. Keep this in mind in case you don’t have time on a short trip to London to go to the department store. It won’t necessarily be cheaper, but you can save it for last minute and not worry about finding room for it in your checked bag.

You will want something equally as memorable to hold while you drink your luxury tea. For fun London mug souvenirs, To Home From London has tons of options. You will find mugs with cheeky British slang, iconic British musicians and popular places you will have seen.

Recently, they sent me a few samples of products to share here with you.

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Travel Mug and Coasters from To Home From London
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Tote Bag from To Home From London

Buying a bone china teacup that was made in England is an option, but I always worry about an item so delicate breaking on a long international flight.

The Best Things to Buy in London- Sports

It’s not nearly as common for British people as it is for Americans to wear gear that displays their team’s colours or logo. But, they suit up for the match. Rather than a team jersey, most will likely have a scarf to throw around their neck so they can make sure their vocal cords are nice and warm when they need to scream for their team.

The Best Things to Buy in London- Books

Depending on where you eat in London, you might be able to buy one of the chef’s cookbooks.

Obviously those won’t be useful until you get home. If you want books that will help you on your visit, Mr Sunny and I recommend two London classics. These two souvenirs represent London life decades ago when we didn’t have smartphones to show us the way everywhere.

Now, with CityMapper, Google Maps and many other apps, carrying around a paper map is not necessary. Unless you don’t have WiFi, and some of you will not when you are visiting from America unless you arrange a pre-planned package with your data provider. If you need to go old school like a proper Londoner you would use this…

And then there is one that Mr Sunny and his dad can’t live without (except Mr Sunny relies on the app now).

Best Things to Buy in London- Travel Gifts

The ultimate gift store for travel lovers in London is Stanfords in Covent Garden. Inside you can find stationary, globes, notepads and paper. Take a look here at this fun London Map Journal which would certainly charm any travel lover who likes to write and document experiences.

Best Things to Buy in London- Online Gifts

If you don’t make it to Stanfords or you just basically want some London swag to surround you, they have tons of Gifts for People Who Love London. And gifts for Travel Addicts, Gifts for Map Lovers, and more.

The ultimate Christmas gift from London you could send yourself or someone else is a Fortnum and Mason hamper. They rank really high on the Royal’s list too.

And then there is the one souvenir that you can be guaranteed no one else has- your photos.

I think the best idea to commemorate your London trip is something showing your experiences. What about creating a calendar on Shutterfly of all your best photos? This way, every day you can be reminded of something special you did while visiting London.

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Best Things to Buy in London- Final Thoughts

For shopping, there are certain British brands or clothes, shoes and handbags that I recommend in my American’s Guide to Shopping in London, so I won’t go on about them here.

However, I will quickly highlight some things to buy in London that I would skip. Tons of websites suggest that you go to the M&Ms World store in Leicester Square. That just doesn’t make sense to me. You can get the candy at any convenient store in America.

Also, Harry Potter merchandise is easily accessible on Amazon.com in the US, so I wouldn’t take up space in my suitcase for it either. But, grabbing this picture at either the Warner Bros. Making of Harry Potter Studio Tour or at St. Pancras International Station is one to put in that photo calendar I suggested.

Directions Harry Potter Studio Tour London Transportation

What memorable souvenirs have you bought in a destination? Have you ever taken a photo and had it printed to remember your trip?

The Ice Bar London Review

Literally the coolest thing to do in London is go to the ICEBAR London. Mr Sunny and I have been to this venue just off Regent Street in Mayfair twice. We still think if you’re looking for something unique for a date, out of office experience with colleagues or night out with the girls, then keep reading.

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Back in 2011 we hit ICEBAR London for a super fun few hours. That’s because we combined it with their restaurant experience. It was pre-blog days but since I had some pictures I wrote about it as one of my first food reviews on Sunny in London.

We went on a Christmas holiday evening. Mr Sunny had booked our time well in advance. It was crowded.

While I nearly always prefer to avoid crowds, this is one of the rare times I advocate for going to a location when it is busy.

On the last Monday night of September 2019 we were nearly the only ones in the ICEBAR London at 5:45pm. Yeah, it was nice not to wait in a long queue for drinks. But, have you ever been on the dance floor by yourself at a club or wedding?

Not ideal, right?

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We literally got our drinks, took our photos and returned our capes. I think we were in the actual ice bar for 15 minutes.

They offer a range of ICEBAR experiences, and you must book in advance. Basically, you get a cape and gloves to keep you warm plus your first ice cocktail on entry. You are welcome to stay inside the bar for up to
40 minutes from the start of your session.

While you might be concerned about the chilling temperatures and your ability to withstand them, it’s not anything that would impair your ability to have fun. In fact, during the most recent visit I had my gloves off for most of the time because I was filming video and taking pictures. Below is the 45 second highlight video I published on my Instagram of our night at Ice Bar and Fire Bar.

Included in our complimentary experience was only snacks from Fire Bar on the patio because Yuu Kitchen was closed for a private event. We were informed that Yuu Kitchen isn’t open for food on Monday nights. Hopefully, we’ll have a chance to return in the future to try the food because that was one of the highlights from our first Ice Bar experience.

I absolutely loved my White Satin, which was Absolut Raspberri vodka, lychee, orgeat and apple juice. It really was so silky smooth that the name does says it all. Literally, I would put it in my top five cocktail experiences ever. The list includes my all time favourite- which was an aloe martini I had in a Toronto bar. Second is a “Peanut Butter and Jelly” creation that a bartender made me once in Hollywood. I told him I liked Chambord and requested a cocktail that wasn’t just another French martini.

Mr Sunny told them to surprise him with their choice of a cocktail and they brought him a Strawberry Crush. He said it was pretty tasty.

Sitting on the patio was a nice experience until it started to pour rain, which caused us to end our evening a bit early.

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What you might not know if you have been to the Ice Bar London previously is that they annually change the theme of the sculptures. Currently it features Norse myth and magic that comes alive inside the frozen Hall of Odin.

Valhalla Calling is the ICE BAR’s latest ice art installation and their second collaboration with the creative team at PSD Ice Art. Yes, as huge Game of Thrones fans, Mr Sunny and I each took a chance to sit on the “ice throne”.

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The concept draws its inspiration from the myths of the Norse Gods, Odin, Loki and Thor, the monsters of Ragnarok, the final war at the end of the world, and the fabulous hall of Valhalla where Odin feasts every night with the bravest warriors who have fallen in battle.

So, Sunny friends, would you take the deep freeze plunge for cocktails literally on ice? What’s been your most unique cocktail bar experience?

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  • Please note, the IceBar closed in early Spring 2020. This post was updated on 14 April to reflect this.

Top Things to Do in London for Food Travel

You probably wouldn’t think that there are tons of things to do in London for food travel fans. Most people associate visiting London with seeing iconic attractions, being close to the royal family and going to pubs.

After six years of living in London as a food and travel blogger, I have had the opportunity to learn about and experience tons of food related activities and am excited to share this list of ideas with you.

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Top Things to Do in London for Food Travel- Afternoon Tea

Let’s start with a twist on the obvious first activity, afternoon tea. Instead of just having a traditional one, consider one of the many themed Afternoon Teas in London. For my top recommendations, read this detailed London Restaurant Guide. It also has restaurants in London suggested for the best views, iconic British food, pub food and healthy food.

Yes, there is a wizard themed Harry Potter tea. No, you can’t go to the Beauty and the Beast afternoon tea anymore. But, now you can eat the London Landmarks.

One of the most prestigious places to have afternoon tea is Fortnum and Mason. It is the ultimate destination for unique gifts such as hampers, elegant wines and spirits, famous teas and coffees. If you are a passionate food traveller, shopping at Fortnum and Mason for gourmet gifts as souvenirs for yourself or others is a must. However, if you miss it, you an always grab some tea at World Duty Free.

Fortnum and Mason Afternoon Tea Review

In the Sunny News video below, I list the most popular food markets in London, neighbourhoods and streets with a high concentration of restaurants, food tours and classes, annual events and food tours. There is also information about an afternoon tea that travels around London while you eat and drink!

https://youtu.be/F3dkDDKKkQo

But if you prefer to burn calories while you take a sweet themed tour, you can try one focused on English Tea and Desserts.

Top Things to Do in London for Food Travel- Tastings and Classes

Aside from the classes I mentioned in the video at Hotel Chocolat, you can also take their Chocolate Tasting Adventure, experience a Chocolate Lock-in, or schedule your children for a chocolate workshop.

Where to Buy the Best Chocolate in London- Hotel Chocolat

The Pied à Tierre news I mentioned in the video features a Masterclass and new wine experience. They open the restaurant every Friday for 5 guests to get involved in the world of a Michelin Starred kitchen and work alongside the team in creating renowned dishes. In August 2019 they are offering a Junior Masterclass. I suggest visiting the Pied à Tierre class experience page to make sure you don’t miss any of their exciting events.

If you prefer a more savoury food travel adventure, then exploring Neal’s Yard Dairy is an idea because they offer cheese tastings and workshops.

Top Things to Do in London for Food Travel- Drinks

Mr Sunny and I can’t let all this food talk go by without at least letting you know that there are drink things to do in London too. We have tons of pub crawls on the blog. But, if gin is your thing you can use a London Pass at the Beefeater Gin Distillery. And you can book a Drink Lovers’ Tour with a discount too.

Of course, you can always combine a historic pub with food and a river view too…

Top Things to Do in London for Food Travel- Festivals

On a sunny Saturday, the Duke of York Square in Chelsea explodes with food stalls. From cheesecake to sausage rolls, you will find tons of British small businesses sharing their delicious food treats. It is open from 11am-2pm and can be quite crowded in the later hours, so plan to arrive early.

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New on the food festival block is Le Cordon Bleu, who had their first ever event in June 2019. It gave food fans the chance to explore behind the scenes of the renowned cookery school. They had cookery demonstrations, wine tasting workshops and an all-day Slow Food Market.

In May, there is London Wine Week. Over the summer, there is the London Craft Beer Festival, London Dessert Festival and London Brunch Fest.

Top Things to Do in London for Food Travel- Final Thoughts

From dinner cruises to Pancake Day Races, London celebrates food throughout the year.

To get started, you can take a look at these related articles and videos on British food and drinks below. And there is also information on how to get a free, downloadable pocket guide to London restaurants too.

Want a Freebie for London?

Subscribe to the Sunny in London email and immediately get the ‘Local’s Pocket Restaurant Guide to London.’ It’s the ultimate free travel accessory for your London trip. The Guide has top recommended restaurants from a local, organised by neighbourhood. With it you can easily find a place to eat when you’re on a London street. Downloading the file to your phone means skipping Wi-fi and finding a fab foodie place- fast!

Send me the Free Pocket Restaurant Guide

The Best Place for a Picnic in London

How many options do you think you have for choosing the best place for a picnic in London?

Would you believe that London is made up of 40% public green space, totalling 35,000 acres, including 3,000 parks?

In my Spring/Summer Guide to London that is part of the free guide series you get when subscribing to the Sunny News Weekly Email, I include planning a picnic in London on the list of best things to do during the season. You can find more out about these guides if you keep reading.

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This is one of the reasons why I was very excited when I received the research that Zipcar UK completed as part of their campaign with Park4Picnics. It turns out that Londoners have some strong thoughts about the best place for a picnic in London, and it’s quite interesting!

Foremost, over four in five Londoners (85%) are planning at least one picnic this summer. This adds up to an estimated 5.8 million picnics happening in London at this time!

The Best Place for a Picnic in London- Top Choices

Now, Londoners don’t mess around when it comes to picking a place to enjoy the summer sun and traditional British food. Research from July 2019 indicates Londoners chose the best place for a picnic in London with a view to be: (in order of preference)

  • Greenwich Park (36%)
  • Primrose Hill (19%)
  • Parliament Hill (14%)
  • Hyde Park, Battersea Park and Richmond Park

If you’re in Greenwich, make sure you take a few minutes to stand on the Prime Meridian Line. Standing with one foot on each side means you are perfectly in the middle of east and west.

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When visiting Primrose Hill, you might want to scope out your spot to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks. Mr Sunny has been there a few times and he says it’s certainly the most posh, free activity that evening.

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The Best Place for a Picnic in London- Hidden Gems

Of course, if you want to go somewhere off the beaten path, there are some great ideas in the research too. And, in the spirit of the North vs South River Thames debate that playfully takes place among all Londoners, the spots are divided this way too.

North London hidden gems:

  • Waterlow Park, Highate
  • Forty Hall, Enfield
  • Harrow View Point, Harrow
  • Gladstone Park, Dollis Hill
  • Kenwood House, Hampstead

South London under the radar spots:

  • Horniman Museum Gardens, Forest Hill
  • Burgess Park, Camberwell(ish)
  • Eltham Palace PArk, Eltham
  • The Rookery, Streatham
  • Danson Park, Bexleyheath

The Best Place for a Picnic in London- What to Pack

If you are new to the British picnic process, Mr Sunny and I can help. We produced a video back in 2016 showing how much fun a picnic in London can be. It’s less than 2 minutes and gives you a feel for what to pack in a picnic hamper. If you would rather read about it on the blog rather than watch it on the Sunny News YouTube, that is possible too.

The Best Place for a Picnic in London- How to Get There

What I think could stop many people from planning a picnic in London is how to transport their hamper, blanket, and other fun items to make the day enjoyable. At the time we shot the video, we were living very close to a local park but still appreciated using Mr Sunny’s car to make the process easier. For those of you who don’t have cars in London, I guess you could take public transport.

But I wouldn’t want to do that!

Another alternative would be to use a network of floating cars, so you don’t have to lug around picnic baskets and pay for parking at your picnic in London destination. Additionally, it’s a great way to save pennies and the planet.

The Best Place for a Picnic in London- Final Thoughts

Sunny friends, have you gone on a picnic to any of these places or can you add an idea to the best place for a picnic in London? What’s your ‘must have’ picnic food item or special treat?

Want a freebie for London?

Subscribe to the Sunny in London weekly email and immediately get the ‘Local’s Pocket Restaurant Guide to London.’ It’s the ultimate free travel accessory for your London trip. The Guide has top recommended restaurants from a local, organised by neighbourhood. With it you can easily find a place to eat when you’re on a London street. Downloading the file to your phone means skipping Wi-fi and finding a fab foodie place- fast!

As part of the welcome, you will also receive several other free downloads that will guide you through trip planning, plus a weekly edition of the hottest happenings in London.

Send me the Free Pocket Restaurant Guide

The blog also has an additional list more detailed list of London restaurants too, as well as many other ideas for a foodie traveller.

THE ESSENTIAL FIRST TIME GUIDE TO

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HARRY POTTER

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YOUTUBE

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