Christmas in ''heavenly peace in'' London - mission impossible?

While most of my friends are going to the airport to catch a flight home and spend their Christmas in hometown, I am planning my Christmas List To Do in London 2019 while waiting for a train towards Paddington. Although Christmas is a family celebration, the universe brought my family to London, where I am welcomed with warmth and love each time I come. This year my Christmas celebration is going to be different – not sure what it will bring, but one thing I know for sure is that the City of London with 607 square miles cannot be insufficient for such adventurer curious traveller as I am. Therefore, I am excitedly planning to absorb as much as I can of the British Christmas exploring top places, markets and attractions for the next two weeks. From my previous trip to London I am in love with the stunning London, its diversity and international environment, different spoken languages from all over the world and meeting new people, who shine even more in this Christmas time.

One of the most surprising things I notice in London every time I come is the time pace of the moment. Time here flies in milliseconds as if it would be in another world, and I am the Alice who had lost her time and haven’t had a chance to tick her all Things To See on her bucket list. Thus, this time I planned my transport and destination I could visit during half of the day which is of course not enough.

The things to Do in London at Christmas time

1. Visit South Kensington (Ice Skating, Natural Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum)

2. Check what concerts are available – maybe you are lucky and will be surprised with the warm musical welcome in Victoria and Albert Museum?

3. Visit Covent Garden Market

4. Visit St. Paul’s Cathedral

If you are interested in particular experience, just scroll down and you will my find tips for a student, photos were taken literally yesterday and main suggestions what you can do if you are running out of time.

How to get to the city centre?

I’m sure you heard many of your teacher or parents telling you: "the key to success (or time-management) is planning". Here you can see how I plan and move in London, always trying my best to make it both reasonable and sensible according to price as well as allowing me to see London from the Londoners’ perspective.

My first destination was South Kensington. As I was located in Leytonstone I took a Central Line towards Mile End, where I had to change for District Line (green) towards Wimbledon. This tube is one of my favourites as usually, it is less crowded compared to Central Line which is the main one in London because it will get (sometimes delays/closure) you to the city centre.

District Line tube in the morning. At 10 am travelling under the earth can be really peaceful and may bring new insights into the diversity of London which I admire every time.

For those you are coming to London for the first time, I would recommend following directions carefully, as finding the right tube or platform in London underground may be tricky. This is how it looks like. Do you remember where is east and west?

Natural History Museum Ice Rink

As far as I don’t like geography, I found out the knowledge I gained at school very useful for my orientation in this 8 mln city! Following intuition, I arrived at my destination and saw the most wonderful Ice Skating Rink next to the Natural Museum (just 10 min from the South Kensington station). If you would like to jump into your childhood and skate singing Christmas songs – book your tickets in advance and skate for 50 min for £17. Also, you will be so tempted to try hot chocolate or the warm waffle with Nutella, as its smell reaches all your senses boosting your endorphins levels and Christmas spirit.

V&A Christmas Tree ‘’Freedom’’

Afterwards, I went to the Victoria and Albert Museum to find out if there any new art exhibitions or Christmas events happening. Straight after, I entered this massive building and saw a breath-taking Christmas tree. I was amazed - Is it possible to make a tree of 200 folded white paper origami birds? For Anna Huennerkopf it was. This design student from the University of Applied Sciences in Coburg created this magical, unique tree, which today shines in its tranquillity and joy, encouraging visitors to stop right where they are. To Slow Down in front of the ‘’Freedom’’– the most stunning and creative Christmas Tree I have ever seen.

Christmas Choirs and Concerts

My eyes saw the piece of heaven, while my heart was singing together with the choir singing Christmas carols filling the entrance to V&A Museum with the music, joy and love. Despite I had my long list of plans and time restrictions, I decided to spend here a while, enjoying this special moment. I realised I was so lucky to see this performance from London’s choral scene and would recommend it to everybody. If you are in London, you still have a chance to catch special recitals and performance till the 30 December from 10 am to 5 pm. Entrance to the Museum is free.

Lifelike Gingerbread Covent Garden Model

Next destination on my list was Covent Garden, which is 10 min on Piccadilly Line from South Kensington. I was happy I didn’t waste time on transport sitting in the tube, but my joy vanished quickly when I saw… the stairs! Should I stay or should I go? – I asked myself and started going up, meeting people on my way resting from this ‘’cardio’’ exercise. Disclaimer – you can use the lift, but remember, you are not only one tourist visiting London in this winter season.

When I appeared at the top of the stairs and saw the beam of light I was even more amused with the local musicians singing and playing the guitar, stylish decorations at every corner and warm, positive atmosphere of Christmas spirit. For anyone who has a passion for handmade jewellery, glass, postcards, gingerbread cookies I would suggest checking Covent Garden. Also, for those who still haven’t found any presents or are picky – Covent Garden may be a good place to start your ‘’investigation’’. Handmade earrings with the dried flowers caught my eye, but soon I found myself drinking the most delicious Christmas Chai from Whitthard and deciding which gingerbread cookies are most beautiful (after analysing how creative you should be in order to create such masterpiece). Suddenly, I noticed people gathering in the middle of the alley in one of these tiny narrow streets of Covent Garden Market. My curiosity elevated instantly and in a second I saw a massive architecture model of the Covent Garden made from gingerbread! This decoration is made from 5 kg of icing and it weights more than 10 kg. No wonder why so many people were there taking pictures of their children in front of of the Biscuiteers Christmas Decoration, made by Biscuiteers Baking Company, British gifting retailer specialising in hand-made cookies, chocolate and cakes. To see more photos use #biscuiteers

Christmas in Covent Garden is open for the public every day, but the Gingerbread House will be there only till 24 December.

''Silent Night'' at St. Paul’s Cathedral

My final destination was the Carol Service and readings in the iconic Anglican church in the centre of London - St. Paul’s Cathedral. Every year this sacral place is hosting carols, services, recital and performing music for Advent. This time I attended a Light in the Darkness event, which was an incredible experience of traditional carol service run by the priest and the angelic voices of the choir. Usually, visitors should buy tickets to enter the cathedral, but this time it was open to the public. Therefore, if you want to reflect on the real meaning of Christmas, pray and absorb the peace of ‘’Silent Night’’, St. Paul’s Cathedral is must-visit.

Overall, after this trip 2 days before Christmas, I realised that everything is possible during Christmas! Even London, crowded and busy place, can become the spot where the true meaning of Christmas, joy and peace can be found giving the right direction towards awakening of your heart set.