A Student’s Guide to Christmas in London

London has no shortage of cozy pubs, perfect for spending rainy (maybe even snowy?!) evenings in with friends or study groups. There is also nothing better than a good Sunday roast at your local pub and no better time of year to enjoy one.

Much like Oxford Street, many Londoners choose to avoid Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park at Christmas. However, it is one of those places you must visit once, especially if you are happily coupled up for the holidays, with the cute (slightly over the top) Bavarian theme and festive feel. Just prepare yourself for the expensive prices which aren’t particularly student friendly! Entrance is free.

Once you’ve ticked off Winter Wonderland or made the decision to avoid it, you can visit another of London’s Christmas markets. My favorites include Winterville in Clapham Common which tends to attract a younger crowd, and Winter at Southbank Centre which is very central and open all day long.

If you’re spending Christmas Day in London, take the opportunity to explore some of London’s most visited locations while they are completely empty. It’s the only chance you’ll have, all year round, to find central London resembling a beautiful ghost town! You can take in the architecture at Trafalgar Square and appreciate Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey in ways that aren’t possible on a normal day.

Following Christmas dinner, extra helpings of everything, and too much pudding and wine, one of the nicest things you can do is get out of your halls or house and go for a walk in one of London’s beautiful parks. Visit your local green space or venture out to Hampstead Heath for beautiful views of the city.

If you want to make a difference this Christmas, there are plenty of soup kitchens and other volunteer opportunities across London to help with. Get a group of mates together and you’ll end up having a lot of fun and no doubt meet some interesting people too.