There are countless things to do during the Christmas break in and out of London. However, if you have run short of ideas, here are a few of my suggestions.
Visit Battersea Park Power Station
Having just opened up its brand-new shopping centre, Battersea Park Power Station is a great place to make the most of the January sales.
Moreover, just outside Battersea Park Power Station, you can find their seasonal ice rink sitting at the foot of the river Thames. If you haven’t gone ice skating yet this season, Battersea’s ice rink is a must, especially in the evenings when the ice rink and its surroundings are beautifully lit. Moreover, ice skating tickets here are much cheaper than other venues in London such as Somerset house so it is a great place to go for those wanting to save some cash.
Visit South Bank
South bank is home to the Tate Modern, one of London’s best art galleries. With free entry, the Tate Modern is a great place to go for a cheap day out. You will be sure to be able to spend hours here, as they have a huge collection of paintings, sculptures and other artwork.
Further west along the bank you will be able to find the London Dungeons. This is a great experience for those who fancy something educational whilst having a bit of fun at the same time. Here, they offer a guided tour around their spooky set, where you will learn about London’s gory past.
After working up an appetite, make sure to head over to Borough Market for a bite to eat. Borough Market is famous for its quality food and produce. With such a diverse variety of options, it can often be quite hard to choose what to get. So if you are looking for an option that you will be sure to not regret pick the wild mushroom risotto at Turnips.
The market also sells lots of great quality greengrocer food items, many of which are often cheaper than those found in your local Tesco’s, so make sure to hunt down any bargains. Additionally, some of the best-baked goods can be found in Borough Market. Bread Ahead is my personal favourite, selling rustic artisan bread, however, if you fancy something sweet their doughnuts are also amazing.
Trip to Brighton
If you are in need of a break from the hustle and bustle of London, why not have a trip to Brighton? Whilst most people might assume the seaside town of Brighton is reserved for summer trips down to the beach for fish and chips and ice cream, it is also a great place to visit during the winter.
Only an hour’s train ride away from London, it makes for a great day trip out. In the winter Brighton puts up its romantically lit ice rink outside the Royal Pavilion. If you are looking to save some money, make sure to bring your student ID and go during off-peak times as you can get a discount.
After ice skating, make sure to check out the best hot chocolate café in Brighton, Knoops. This is a chocolate lovers dream, where you can choose your percentages of cocoa from 30% to 100%.
Later, if you fancy some shopping the North Laine is a great place to go. These lanes filled with independent boutiques selling unique items, including jewellery, clothes and art are a great place to buy gifts. The North Laine is also well known for its vintage clothing stores which offer many bargains.
If the weather permits, be sure to head down to the seafront to walk along the beach promenade, which stretches 10 miles along the foot of Brighton Beach. However, if you fancy something more relaxing, there are many cafés located along the seafront, where you can watch the world go by.
