Christmas in London

November 19, 2019 by: Sunny London

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.

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.

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.

The featured items are from left to right:

Stretch Cotton Cable Crew Sweater
Ladies Message Crew Sweater
Men’s Holiday Stripe Crew Sweater

Quilted Windcheater
Men’s Weekend Vest
Light Down Gilet

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.

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.

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?

November 9, 2019 by: Sunny London

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…

christmas-afternoon-tea-on-a-bus-in-london-brigits-bakery

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!

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.

View this post on Instagram
What’s the best way to kick off the holidays in London? A Christmas Afternoon Tea on a Routemaster Bus! Last night I joined 30 bloggers for a fun night of drinking 🍾 and eating delicious food while touring London! Thank you @brigitsbakery and @traverseevents for the invitation. What a fab night!
A post shared by Sunny In London☀️🇬🇧 (@sunny_in_london) on Nov 8, 2019 at 1:13pm PST

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.

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!

Brigits-Bakery-afternoon-tea-bus-tour-in-london

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.

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!

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October 19, 2019 by: Sunny London

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?

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.)

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

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December 6, 2018 by: Sunny London

Sir Christopher Wren Hotel- Where to Stay Near Windsor Castle at Christmas

If you really want to treat yourself when visiting Windsor, you need to know a great location for where to stay near Windsor Castle. Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa is beneath the castle and is inches from tons of restaurants, shops and of course- pubs!

Mr Sunny and I love Windsor because it is such a short trip from London and has such a lovely atmosphere. Recently, we made a trip to Windsor just to enjoy all the Christmas decorations. While I think London is breathtaking during the holidays, there are so many things to do in Windsor at Christmas too. That is why having a hotel in a great location matters a lot.

Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa- Check-in

We arrived at the Windsor and Eton Central Railway Station at around 5.30pm. The hotel is about a 7 minute walk away, I think. You see I am not exactly sure because as soon as you leave the station you are dazzled with numerous shops like Molton Brown, Neal’s Yard Remedies and L’Occitane. If the allure of shopping does not misguide you, you still might face another obstacle with Windsor Castle.

Its awe will strike you just as you leave the station heading toward the High Street. I think I stood in front of it for 10 minutes filming the light projection display when we arrived. But, you will have to watch my “Things to Do in Windsor at Christmas’ video to see what I mean.

You literally just wrap around the High Street and Windsor Castle to find the Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa.

Staff greeted us quickly and swiftly took us to our room, which was in a building across the road from the main building. They were clear that they wanted our stay to be relaxing and were eager to help with anything.

Our room was exactly what we needed for the quick stay- clean, quiet and comfortable. We quickly freshened up and headed to the high street to explore Christmas in Windsor at night.

Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa- Next Time

Unfortunately, with a tight timeline for a press trip, we weren’t able to enjoy more of what the hotel had to offer. Sadly, we just got to sleep and have breakfast. In fact, the images of the spa look gorgeous on the website. Mr Sunny was quite disappointed when he learned the hotel has a whirlpool, because we did not pack his bathing costume for our trip. However, with so many Christmas activities happening in the town, I can’t imagine this would have been the highlight!

The afternoon tea at Sir Christopher Wren is offered in either the Drawing Room or Brasserie. Both seem ideal for a relaxing and indulging in this British tradition.

They had a great offer for January stays while we were there, so Mr Sunny and I are going to continue to follow the Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa on Instagram so we don’t miss the chance to skip off to Windsor the next weekend we are free. It is such an easy escape from London in terms of day trips that offer English culture and history.

Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa- Christmas Season

While the hotel is absolutely dreamy for a wedding and is where celebrities stay when in Windsor for a royal wedding, it is also a popular hotel for local residents to book their Christmas parties.

In terms of festivities, there is not a corner of the Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa that isn’t sparkling with Christmas joy. I lost count of all the Christmas trees I saw. Holiday decorations are tastefully everywhere.

This further added to the warmth and lovely atmosphere of the Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa. If you seek a winter getaway that is easy from London or have some extra time to enjoy the English country atmosphere, book a stay here early. It is quite a popular place to go.

Our stay was part of a press trip to the area, but if you want to see all the other great reviews and stars from people who agree, you can visit TripAdvisor to how highly Sir Christopher Wren Hotel and Spa is ranked.

Have you been to Windsor? Aside from Windsor Castle, what other activities do you suggest? Do you have any questions for me about a trip? Stay tuned for the Sunny News YouTube video about ‘Things to Do in Windsor at Christmas’ video. You can subscribe to the Sunny News emails to make sure you don’t miss any promotions or updates too.

The Sunny News YouTube channel shares even more advice for things to do and what you’ll need to know about London and day trips from London. This includes tips for how to tip when in London, food to eat in London, and advice for exchanging money. The blog also has a Guide for Americans Visiting London which is a collection of the top experiences I recommend. You’ll definitely want to bookmark it and visit the Pinterest boards created to help trip planning too.

December 3, 2016 by: Sunny London

Ice Skating in London- Rave with Morning Gloryville

What gets me out of bed at 4am? The chance to go ice skating in London at a Christmas themed rave with Morning Gloryville! This was the third time I have attended an event with the award-winning dance immersive dance experience. The first time was their two-year anniversary party in which Fatboy Slim was the surprise guest DJ.

It takes place twice-monthly in London and generally sell-out, with 1,000 strong crowds coming together. Their December 2016 rave featured the chance to go ice skating in London at Somerset House. It was a super ‘chill’ morning, as the temperatures were at freezing levels. I could only shoot video of my epic ice skating in London morning in short segments because my hands were burning from the icy air. However, as you can see from the YouTube video below, it was a blast!

For a look at what a ice-skating morning rave held at Somerset House looks like, watch my experience here…

https://youtu.be/-HcKye-weI8

They’ve also recently started a crowd-funding campaign ‘The Gloryville Effect’ which will raise funds to take the experience around the world, starting in Africa. They will partner with charities and bring the joy of music and dance to locations like Zimbabwe and Jordan. They announced this at The View from the Shard in London event, which saw hundreds come together at 6am and included a DJ set from very special guest Felix Buxton from Basement Jaxx.

Supporters will be rewarded with a range of gifts and thank-yous – from ‘Become a Unicorn’ (a handcrafted and personally designed unicorn costume) to ‘Private Rave’ (hold a Morning Gloryville event in your own office or home). Their Indiegogo page outlines the full range of rewards. Of course, you can track the movement with the #TheGloryvilleEffect hashtag too on Twitter and Facebook.

The Sunny News YouTube channel, shares even more advice for things to do and what you’ll need to know about London. This includes safety tips, pub advice, a shopping guide, and more Christmas Things to Do in London. The blog also has a Guide for Americans Visiting London which is a collection of the top experiences I recommend. You’ll definitely want to bookmark it and visit the Pinterest boards created to help trip planning too.

November 25, 2016 by: Sunny London

Chi Kitchen Christmas Menu

Guess who’s back? Yep. Mr. Sunny and I hit Oxford Street and Regent Street to see the 2016 Christmas lights and made sure to visit Chi Kitchen again to absorb the new Christmas menu.

We reviewed the restaurant recently, and if you have been watching my tweets, you know I suggest that it is the place to visit during Christmas if you need a food and shopping stop combined in to one, as it is inside Debenham’s department store. Our experience was great. For general ambiance information, you can read about in my previous review. To summarise, it’s easy to find, and of course, in a spectacular location for Christmas shoppers.

When it comes to the food, we feel it is great for the value. The Pan-Asian twist on Christmas caught our attention. First to hit our table is the Chilli Prawns, Sweet Potato and Turkey Sliders.

I quickly munched down all the sweet potato fries and gave Mr. Sunny the spicy opportunity to devour the chilli prawns. We both were a bit puzzled about the turkey sliders because they seem a bit unnatural for a pan-Asian menu. While they are good, the real show stealer is the blueberry mayo you see in the center. Wow- I never would’ve thought of combining these ingredients.

For the Main course, we enjoyed the Grilled Turkey with a Kalamsansi Sauce, Choo Cher Prawns, and Yuzu Salmon.

It is accompanied by a lovely side of Egg friend rice with snow peas.

For dessert, the Chi Kitchen Christmas Menu includes a Walnut Chocolate Brownie with Clotted Cream and Custard. We enjoyed this but felt a bigger dollop of clotted cream would work well.

If you’ve watched my Afternoon Tea Etiquette Guide for London, you know why.

Chi Kitchen Christmas Menu- Final Thoughts

The ambiance, food quality and price definitely work. This menu will be offered from 21st November through December and is £28 per person.

Chi Kitchen opens for breakfast and serves delicious pan-Asian food throughout the day. The Group Consultant Chef is Ping Coombes, who is the 2014 Master Chef winner.

We had the opportunity to see Angela, the Restaurant Supervisor on both visits and commend her for guaranteeing excellent service too.

November 22, 2016 by: Sunny London

What British People Eat for Christmas

Before my first holiday trip to London, my family asked what British people eat for Christmas. I arrived in the beginning of January the first time I lived in London and didn’t stay an entire calendar year. So, I wasn’t actually sure how to answer everyone.

Would it be just like how it was depicted in ‘A Christmas Carol’? Do they really eat pheasant or goose now? Was that just the Victorian era or true English tradition?

I relied heavily on my English husband (London born) for ideas to share with you, as well as a little research. After living here four years, what British people eat for Christmas still has me curious. I enjoy some of their holiday foods and drinks. Others- not so much!

You can see which British Christmas season drink has me plugging my nose and running the other direction here…

While no person’s Christmas dinner plate is ever the same, there are some general items that you see at a British holiday meal. If you’re British, be sure to add your additions and thoughts to what British people eat for Christmas in the comments below or on the YouTube video. American friends, what other things about living in London as an American expat would you like to know?

If you’re visiting London for the holidays, the blog has tons of things to do for Christmas. There is also a very popular feature about Christmas Differences Between the UK and USA. Be sure to subscribe to the blog’s newsletter so you don’t miss any fun events in London or expat advice too!

What’s on your Christmas dinner plate this year? Do you eat a meal at home or book a table at a restaurant? Do you have the same selection annually or does it depend on how your family is traveling?

November 13, 2016 by: Sunny London

Christmas in London- What You Can’t Do in NYC

What’s the difference between Christmas in London or Christmas in NYC? I’m sure there are plenty of things that are the same. However, after living as an American expat in London for several years and being married to a British bloke, I’ve learned some fun things to do for the holidays in London that you can’t find anywhere else. From Christmas markets to drinks that the English love, I share a bit about the London holiday season life below.

Of course there is great shopping in London and New York City. That’s not something I show in the video. Both cities also have great deals after Christmas too. In fact, just two years ago London really starting getting in to the Black Friday spirit. Now, for whatever reason they justify here, there are some serious deals the day after Thanksgiving. Why retailers have tried to copy the massive shopping crowd hysteria that happens on this day in the US makes no sense to me.

Take a few minutes to see what makes London unique during the Christmas holiday.

The Sunny News YouTube channel, shares even more advice for things to do and what you’ll need to know about London. This includes safety tips, pub advice, and a shopping guide. The blog also has a Guide for Americans Visiting London which is a collection of the top experiences I recommend. You’ll definitely want to bookmark it and visit the Pinterest boards created to help trip planning too.

It would be great if you were able to add your ideas about unique activities in London that I didn’t include in the video. Also, make sure to leave your ideas about Christmas things to do in New York City that you can’t do in London in the comments below. For more cultural differences, I’ve also written a blog feature on ‘Christmas Differences Between the US and UK.’

November 24, 2015 by: Sunny London

The BEST Places for Ice Skating in London for Christmas

How do you decide where to go ice skating in London for Christmas?

If you aren’t from London and are visiting for the holidays, it can be very hard to decide what to do when you visit this fabulous town.

That’s why this year I went to all the places I think are the best locations for ice skating in London and have them here for you!

Ice Skating in London: Tower of London

One of the last to open during the Christmas season, the Tower of London could be considered the most dangerous place to go ice skating in London.

Ok, ok, that’s just a silly joke because this location is historically a place of torture.

As you can see, it’s a very large rink, and the surrounding views are stunning. Not only can skaters whiz by the Tower of London every time they circle the rink, but also they can see the Mayor of London’s office, the Gherkin and The Shard. This year the Tower of London Ice Rink is open until January 3, 2016.

There is a cafe located nearby called The PieMan, so if you work up an appetite you can grab food too.

Ice Skating in London: Somerset House Ice Rink

In my Periscope broadcast of Somerset House Ice Rink, I called it the ‘most fashionable’ place to go ice skating in London. This is because the location hosted Fashion Week from 2009 up until February 2015.

During the day, people skating around the rink can see the stunning Somerset House courtyard and the beautiful Fortnum and Mason sponsored Christmas tree. It’s also right near Trafalgar Square and the National Gallery so if you’re just in London for the day, it’s easy to pair it with other fun, free things to do in London.

In the evening, this rink hosts ‘Club Nights’, which are said to be some of the best international clubs and festivals. The Skate Lounge offers cocktails and hot chocolate, and there is a Skate School and a Polar Cub Club for kids.

Ice Skating in London: Eyeskate Ice Rink

While the rink at the London Eye is certainly the smallest of all the ones listed on the blog, it’s by far the most breathtaking at night.

It’s the centerpiece of ‘Frostival’ in the Southbank Centre are of London for Christmas.

For this reason, I would suggest making sure you give yourself enough time to enjoy all the surrounding festivities when you visit.

Eyeskate closes January 3, 2016.

Since I am super scared of ice skating myself, I suggest that if you’re going to visit Eyeskate either to actually skate or to take stunning pictures, that you also visit Bump. It’s only a minute or two walk from the London Eye, and it’s for four-wheelers. 😉

Ice Skating in London: Ski Zilertall Ice Rink

Everyone in London looks forward to Winter Wonderland, so it stands to reason that this ice rink is probably the ‘most popular’ during the holiday season. Of all the ice skating in London rinks, this one is certainly the most stereotypical of the ‘London attraction’ experience.

They have professional photographers who can take souvenir photos for you, and it’s super crowded during peak times. I suggest this location for thrill-seekers because there are also so many amusement rides at Winter Wonderland. If you aren’t going to pair your evening with those activities and a trip to the Bavarian Village, you probably want to consider another rink.

Ice skating sessions here last 50 minutes like nearly all the other rinks. Guests must arrive 20 minutes prior to their booking time. Winter Wonderland ends January 3, 2016.

Ice Skating in London: Swarovski Ice Rink

This ice skating location sits with a fabulous backdrop of the Natural History Museum. It’s very convenient from the South Kensington Underground Station, as you walk underground following the ‘Museum’ signs until you arrive at the rink.

The Café Bar has a bird’s-eye view of the rink and is open daily until the Ice Rink closes. It has a range of tea, coffee, hot chocolate, mulled wine, a variety of wines, beers and soft drinks. Other special offers are the Cream Tea Skate and Champagne Skate

Given its outside the Natural History Museum, I vote this location as the best for families and children because you can pair it with a free museum.

The Swarovski Rink at the Natural History Museum closes January 3, 2016.

Given its outside the Natural History Museum, I vote this location as the best for families and children because you can pair it with a free museum trip.

The Swarovski Rink at the Natural History Museum closes January 3, 2016.

Ice Skating in London: Ice Rink Canary Wharf

This is the only ice rink on this list that is not in Central London. It’s in the heart of Canary Wharf and is just a few minutes walk from both the Canary Wharf Underground and DLR stations.

It’s billed as ‘London’s 5 Star Ice Rink.’ Canary Wharf has London’s only skate path, which is a ‘glittering trail of fairy-lit trees beneath Canary Wharf’s soaring towers’. I agree. It’s the most luxurious experience of all the ones listed on the blog.

Attached to the rink is a fantastic outdoor viewing terrace where people can sit and watch the skaters. Also part of this rink is The Tasting Room.

It has sharing menus, sandwiches, and cheese fondue. The venue offers winter cocktails, wines, draught and craft beers and is available for private parties.

For the 2015 holiday season, Ice Rink Canary Wharf is open until February 27.

Personally, I wouldn’t mix my drinks with ice, but if you think you can handle them both, please tag me in your video on Instagram!

Before you book your tickets online (as most of the locations require that), check to see how far in advance you must arrive before your session. One does suggest 40 minutes. Some of their prices fluctuate based on peak times.

So, those are the Sunny in London blog picks for the best places for ice skating in London for Christmas. Where do you recommend? Have you been to these ice rinks? Or, are you like me and you prefer to leave your skates safely here and watch all the other brave individuals…

For ways to save money on attractions in London, be sure to spend a few minutes on my London Pass section. The blog has has a very popular Guide to London, Best Things to Do in London for Christmas, and Advice for Winter Wonderland available to you too!

November 20, 2015 by: Sunny London

5 Tips for How to Survive the Holidays as an Expat

As an expat living in London, sometimes it is tough celebrating the ‘most wonderful time of the year’ when you’re in a foreign place. That’s why I have written a list of strategies for how to survive the holidays as an expat. Looking for more information on living as an expat? Maybe in specific locations, you could look at these Montenegro Guides that has very detailed information on living as an expat in Montenegro.

You’re not going to find all the answers to every problem expats encounter during the holidays here. However, I will list five strategies for you that have worked for me to make the holidays spirited and happy in another country.

Maybe these tips will help you, and hopefully you can add some more. I feel it helps expats to share ideas either in person or virtually with people going through a similar life adventure.

These are the strategies I’ve developed for making the holidays better while living as an American expat in London married to a British man…

1. How to Survive the Holidays as an Expat: Embrace the Place

You wouldn’t have left your home country if you weren’t adventurous and excited about other cultures and traveling. Remember that during the holidays.

Embrace all that your new location has to offer. For example, this year for the holidays in London I’ve decided to spend several days a week in November and December seeing sights and doing activities that I could never experience in Florida.

In October I researched when all the neighborhoods and streets I love were turning on their Christmas lights and having launch parties to celebrate the event. I tried to get to each one on the day it happened or soon after.

Next, I focused on ice skating. There’s no way I’m going to step on to the ice myself. However, ice skating seems like a fun (and definitely romantic) holiday activity. Seeing people enjoy it is very exciting to me.

In my home state of Florida, there are no outdoor ice skating rinks, even in December.

My research lead me to several other things to do in London for Christmas that I didn’t know about (including the Hogwarts in the Snow Harry Potter Studio Tour). Many of the activities I found are free too!

2. How to Survive the Holidays as an Expat: Get Up and MeetUp

I’ve always been keen to gather expats together for social events. Most recently I organized a fun, casual dinner for 7 American expats I’ve met as a London blogger.

We agreed to leave the cameras outside and met at Dirty Bones in Kingly Court of Carnaby in London last week.

During our evening, we talked about being married to British men, UK Schools vs American, benefits of acquiring UK citizenship, and confusing things British people say and do. BTW American friends from dinner, I still can’t figure out the different interpretations you suggested for closing an email to a British person… ‘Kind regards’?

If aren’t a blogger and haven’t connected with people through that pathway, you should investigate Internations. I’ve attended a few of their events and definitely recommend it to expats in large cities all over the world.

You might find it’s more for single people, but if you’re an expat living on your own in another country this will likely be your target audience for friends, so give it a go!

3. How to Survive the Holidays as an Expat: Get Crackin’

It helps to learn about your new culture as quickly as possible. While you’re making friends from international backgrounds, don’t forget to integrate the new ideas of your resident country. Learn about how people celebrate Christmas or other holidays in this town and see if you would like to adopt any of these activities as new traditions.

In England, I’ve become quite intrigued with Christmas Crackers, even though at first I thought they were really silly.

4. How to Survive the Holidays as an Expat: Make and Bake

After three long years of waiting for all my personal belongings to arrive in London, I will finally reunite with the contents of my townhouse in the US in mid-January 2016. I’ll write a blog post about the international shipping process later, as well as a review of the international shipping company I am using. I’ll include why I’ve waited three years to send all of my items in these blog posts too.

When my 45+ boxes arrive in London, I will finally have all my baking pans and dishes that I used faithfully every year in America before I moved to London. Some expats, recommended US Citizens opening a bank account in the UK
before leaving America, in a bid for you to be able to embrace all the British festivities as soon as you arrive. Additionally, they said it helped relieve initial money worries and helped them find their groundings in a new country more efficiently.

This means next year I will be baking all my favourite Italian Christmas cookie recipes for my husband (Mr. Sunny), his family, my friends, and all his work mates.

If you like to bake and cook, this is a great way to make the holidays special no matter where you are. Yes, you’ll have to struggle a bit to find all the ingredients to which you are accustom, but along the way you may learn about some new ones that might spice up your life too!

Now, I just have to hope that all my roasting pans and cookie sheets fit inside my tiny London oven!

5. How to Survive the Holidays as an Expat: Find Your Flicks

When I’m not out exploring London’s Christmas events and I want to avoid the holiday crowds, I watch Christmas movies from America in my flat so I can be in the holiday spirit.

Unlike in America, Christmas specials and movies aren’t on often in London, so I have purchased many American Christmas Movies through Amazon UK. I lost count how many times last year Mr. Sunny watched Fred Claus with me. It’s my favourite.

How to Survive the Holidays as an Expat: Final Thoughts?

Sunny friends, those are a few tips that work for me during the holidays living as an American expat in London. Since I really do believe that it helps to make virtual friends in the expat community, I’d love it for you to leave your strategies below.

Please make sure to include where you are from and where you are living. I look forward to everything you will share!

You can find more of the blog’s Christmas features here. There are also many posts on Expat Life too, plus one that includes an international shipping discount. If you’re interested in a weekly newsletter about London and don’t want to miss any Sunny news, you can subscribe here.
Happy Holidays!