Are you looking to do something festive and fun but don’t want to trek too far from campus? You’re in the right spot — keep reading for some of my top tips for holiday activities within walking distance from LSE. It can be fun to do a whole day of festive activities, but as students we have to balance studying with all that living in London has to offer. These are all fun activities that you can do on a study break or after an exam to participate in the festive season without compromising your study schedule.
Skate at Somerset House
Somerset House is located quite close to LSE and is a great place to visit anytime of the year, but it is especially worth a trip during the holiday season. From 13 November – 12 January, there is a pop-up ice rink where you can skate against the backdrop of Somerset House. You do need to book tickets in advance (tickets include skate rental, but you can bring your own if you have them), and you’ll be given a one-hour skating timeslot, which makes it a perfect study break. I would recommend giving yourself about two hours total to walk from LSE to Somerset House, get all set up with skates, do the actual skating itself, and then grab a quick hot chocolate on your way back to the Library. If you don’t like the idea of ice skating, it’s still a beautiful spot to wander to and have a warm drink and a snack, along with some fresh air, before getting back to studying.
Quick Christmas lights
There are beautiful Christmas lights all over London, but if you’re looking for the best spot closest to campus, I would recommend walking down the Strand, which has gorgeous lights on display. The display is inspired by the history of the Savoy Theatre and the lights typically go on around 4.00pm, so it’s a perfect thing to do after a long day of studying.
Post-exam food
After a long day, why not take a walk over Waterloo Bridge and head for the Southbank Centre Winter Market? There are loads of festive food stands and pop-ups – whether you want to have a full meal, a snack, or just dessert, you’re guaranteed to find something you like. And if you have a bit of extra time, take a walk along the river towards Westminster Bridge, which will give you stunning views of Big Ben and Parliament.
Covent Garden
Only a quick walk away from LSE, Covent Garden is absolutely magical during the holiday season. Besides the gorgeous decorations, the West Piazza does an hourly snow shower — it happens every hour on the hour between midday and 9.00pm. If you’re looking to have a bit of a snowy Christmas experience, you won’t want to miss this! Alternatively, the Banana Warehouse at Seven Dials Market also does a snowfall at 8.30pm from Wednesday to Saturday, with a couple of extra ones on Fridays and Saturdays. If you’ve ever wondered what it might feel like to be literally inside a snowglobe, head to Seven Dials Market to find out for yourself!
Quick coffee break
Take a walk over to the Covent Garden location of Kiss the Hippo to try one of their holiday drinks: this year they have a cherry hot chocolate and a Nutcracker latte (cinnamon, maple, and nutmeg) on offer. If you are looking for a chance to get away from the library, stretch your legs a little bit, and give yourself a small boost in energy, this would be a great option.
