12 Things to do in London this Christmas

🎁 If you’re looking for my 2024 Christmas in London Guide - click here 🎁

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. In the most wonderful city in this world! Here is a list of my personal favourite things to do for Christmas 2019 in London:

1. Ice skating at Bar Elba - It’s a tiny ice rink but the cocktails are amazing!

2. Ice skating in Greenwich - Perfect for bigger groups or days out in London with Kids.

3. Visit Winterland London - A cosy ski hut inspired bar with outdoor hot tub! Fancy it?

4. Have crazy Christmas Cocktails at Henrietta Hotel - Kitsch par excellence! I love it!

5. Have mulled wine and explore Borough Market - Also very good for Christmas presents!

6. Eat Christmas dinner in a wrap at Underbelly - It’s in a giant Yorkshire Pudding!

7. Visit Royal Botanic Gardens or Kew Gardens - I do think it is mostly sold out but worth a try!

8. The Emerald City in London for Christmas - Crazy? Yes! Fun? Yes!

9. See a Christmas Show at the Old Vic Theatre - We saw a Christmas Carol and oh it was just so London!

10. See the Carnaby Street Christmas lights - This year’s theme is Project Zero.

11. Go shopping at Selfridges - My favourite department store! Oh and do make sure you visit the food hall, too!

12. Have a cosy Hot Chocolate at Said Dal - London’s best hot chocolate?

3 Day Peak District Itinerary

Exploring Peveril Castle. It’s haunted by a white knight…

Looking to visit the Peak District and Yorkshire? Here is what to see, best photo spots, where to eat and more!
For me, the best way to travel is by immersing yourself in local stories and going on paths less discovered. This is exactly the kind of travel Rabbie’s Tours offer, so without question, I hopped onto one of their minibuses for a 3 day adventure in around the Peak District and Yorkshire, and here is what we saw and why you should go and see it too :) You can go and visit them on your own little adventure, or you can join the tour with Rabbie’s. After watching my vlog you will know what I personally recommend :)

1. Visit Castleton: A picturesque little village crowned by Peveril Castle. Take lots of pictures, walk up to the castle (it takes 15 minutes) and imagine what it was like living in the UK countryside. I did.

The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop. The number 1 spot for indulging in Bakewell.

2. Eat a Bakewell Tart or a Bakewell Pudding: Where? In Bakewell obviously!

3. Visit Chatsworth House: One of the UK’s most iconic filming locations and I promise it will make you feel like Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice.

4. Stay overnight in York: Because York is lovely and mystical and well, apparently Europe’s most haunted city. Fun!

5. Explore the grounds of Fountains Abbey: Woha! 13 Monks once build this impressive Abbey after being banned from York. Nobody knows why…eerie? Yes!

These are my personal highlights from the trip. Have a look at my videos below to get a feel for the real magic of the Peak District and Yorkshire. Hopefully you’ll feel inspired. England is beautiful and sometimes the most beautiful things are only a train journey away.

This post is sponsored by Rabbie’s Tours.

My Favourite Restaurants In London

London’s restaurant scene is the most diverse one I have ever experienced. Living in London is like living in a foodie heaven where every single day you are surprised with a brand new and exciting restaurant, from anywhere in the world. Yum!

This is a list of my personal top 7 favourite restaurants in London. Are they the best restaurants in London? Depends on what you consider as best, but if you are looking for fun, affordable and delicious then, jackpot:

1. Franco Manca - A sourdough pizza place par excellence. Simple menu, simple design, unbeatable taste and prices! It is and has always been the best pizza in London for me. They have recently added their vegan special so now it really is a restaurant for everybody! I am a fan. In fact, writing about it makes me crave it so much, ha!

2. Flat Iron - London’s best steak restaurant, if you ask me! A high quality flat iron steak for £10. You read correctly. It’s popular though, so my tip would be to arrive as early as you can for dinner, or arrive at odd times, because otherwise you might have to wait for quite a while - worth it though.

3. Bone Daddies - It’s Ramen! Everybody loves Ramen and so do I. You will have tons of fun visiting Bone Daddies, that is guaranteed. Bibs, hair-ties and everything you need to prepare yourself for the Noodles! Rich in taste and oh so filling, Bone Daddies Ramen combined with Sake to drink guarantee an epic eating out experience.

4. Señor Ceviche - Let’s go to Peru! This probably is the priciest restaurant on the list. It’s Peruvian cuisine for a special occasion. The flavours range from spicy to sour to sweet, or all 3 combined. Every time I have visited I was left saying: ‘This flavour though! I have never tasted anything like it before!’ Drink a Pisco Sour (cocktail) when you’re there and I promise this will become your new favourite poison of choice! I made a vlog about it here.

5. Martello Hall - Bottomless Brunch recommendation no. 1! Pizzas for every taste (and I mean EVERY taste), brunch dishes that make your mouth water and service quality like no other! I have been twice for Bottomless Brunch and every time I was absolutely amazed by the service. Often waiters are stingy whilst you’re trying to get the best out of your 2 hours - not here! Fun, delicious and I mean the interior … THAT is a whole other story! A visit will instantly turn you into a hipster, hurray :)

6. Coin Laundry - Bottomless Brunch recommendation no. 2! Understated, colourful and cool. Coin Laundry comes at you with delicious brunch choices, hilarious waiters that will make your brunch that little bit extra special and a vibe I can only describe as: ‘You’re in London, Baby!’

7. Homeslice - Wagon Wheel Pizza! Pizza so huge you will have to share it. Really, do share! I tried to eat one on my own which was a bad idea! If you are coming to eat Hawaiian pizza I’m sorry to disappoint you. The toppings are everything but usual. You will find things like ‘Spice Lamb, Savoy Cabbage & Sumac Yoghurt’ or ‘Kimchi, Porcini Cream & Basil’ and they are all oh so scrumptious you really don’t want to share. But you have to, remember? :)

How to do NYE in London right!

London is one of the most popular cities in the world. And on New Year’s eve, every year, it becomes even more popular. Thousands of people travel to London to see the world famous firework display at the London Eye. Understandably. I have done it, too.

However, this is an honest guide to NYE in London and how to get the best out of it - because maybe just maybe, the firework at the London Eye isn’t too high on my list of recommendations, and here is why:

1. If you really want to see the London Eye firework display properly, book and come EARLY. For NYE 2019, you can still book tickets today! Click the link above to see the options. However, once you have clicked through you will find out that the latest entry time available is around 3:00pm. This means you will have to be at the London Eye at 3:00pm and will have to spend money and exactly 8 hours there outside in the cold, until the firework starts. If it is your dream to see it up close, if you have gloves and a hat and a bit of cash to spend on mulled wine to keep you warm, then go ahead and enjoy every minute! :) Tickets cost £25 and upwards.

2. If you’re thinking about just watching the London Eye display from afar and not spend any money, then I’m sorry to let you know this will be very, very difficult. I have tried it. The good places in the city are all bridges, all hills like Primrose Hill or Greenwich, all free skyscrapers, or anywhere along the Thames, if you’re lucky. The problem however is that you and I are not the only people who will have this idea. All of these places, and I do mean everywhere, gets crowded from about 6/7pm onwards. Tube stations anywhere close to Embankment will shut down for entry and thousands of people will try to get a ‘good spot’ just like you. Unfortunately this means overcrowding, harsh police regulations in terms of where you can even go, and potentially that will also mean you miss the firework :( If you are willing to reserve a seat on, for instance, Primrose Hill from 4:00pm onwards then you will have a great night! :) But again, bring your gloves!

What I really recommend:

1. The splash the cash version - Book a table in one of London’s most exciting restaurants, bars or clubs with a view. Each year there are many options to do so. Madison or OXO Tower are just two places that guarantee you a first class view with first class service, often a welcome drink or canapés and, obviously, no crowds. You can check Design my Night for more inspiration. Now, please be aware that this is the splash the cash version. It will be totally worth it, but you will need to be ready to spend roughly £150 or more per person.

2. The budget version - And this is my favourite one and the one I recommend the most. Stay at home :) Buy a fondue set and invite all your friends over. Get some sparklers, buy ingredients for £10 a head and drink Prosecco! Honestly guys, this is by far the best way to celebrate NYE in London. If you are visiting, and you don’t have a ‘home’, how about doing something in your hotel room or in your airbnb? You can go to a pub, have a delicious NYE dinner and toast at midnight, how about that? :) You could also ‘just’ go out for dinner to your favourite restaurant and celebrate there? Most restaurants will offer somewhat of a NYE menu and close around 22:30pm to give you enough time to head back ‘home’ for midnight (you and them I might say). Last year I went to Mac and Wild and tried their NYE menu which was ootw - out of this world!

Enjoy! x Sandy