insideKENT Magazine Issue 32 - November 2014 | Page 46

LONDON

London Christmas Events
We are so lucky in Kent; we have the best of all worlds. The countryside is on our doorstep (literally
in some cases), yet we have access via the roads and railways to some of the most exciting cities
in the UK, including our nation’s capital, London. There’s nowhere quite like London at Christmas,
and if you want to enjoy some real festive spirit, this is the place to go.

Ice Skating at Somerset House

Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland

It’s an iconic image when it comes to Christmas – skaters merrily sliding
around an ice rink in front of a massive lit up Christmas tree, complete with
baubles and tinsel. It’s an image that we might associate more with New
York’s Rockefeller Centre than London, but that would be doing the capital
a disservice
because the ice
skating rink at
Somerset House
looks exactly how
you would imagine
a traditional
Christmas rink to
look.
Open from
11th November
2014 until 11th
January 2015, there are plenty of opportunities to get your skates on and
give this a go. Fun and guaranteed to raise a smile, there are extras that
you won’t want to miss out on. Every week is Glad Tidings Tuesday, a live
music event that really captures the spirit of Christmas. Alternatively, you
can upgrade your standard ticket to include delights such as truffles and
cream tea at the Fortnum and Mason’s Lodge (where you can also get
some Christmas shopping done).
Prices range from £7.50 for children to £35 for the skate and cream
tea package.
www.somersethouse.org.uk/ice-rink

The Snowman
We’ve all seen The Snowman
a million times. A charming
story, it’s a Christmas tradition
that always brings joy (and a
little sadness, it’s true) to
proceedings. Now you can see
it in the theatre as a live
production from Sadler’s Wells,
and feel the magic come alive.
The music is performed by a
live band, and includes the
classic "Walking in the Air",
which will have your spine
tingling with emotion. This
show has been making
Christmasses for young and
old for 15 years now, so why
not make this the year you join
in the wonder?
The show runs at the
Peacock Theatre from 26th
November 2014 until 5th
January 2015. Tickets cost
from £15 to £35, depending
on where you choose to sit.

For the full Christmas experience, why not visit Hyde Park’s astonishing
Winter Wonderland? Running from 21st November 2014 to 4th January
2015, you won’t be able to feel anything but festive once you are through
the Father Christmas gate and into the magically illuminated Christmas
market area. However, there is more to Winter Wonderland than shopping;
there is the ice skating rink; Christmas circus; Magical Ice Kingdom;
fairground, including the giant wheel; an ice bar; and as much mulled wine
and gingerbread as you could ever need.
Although entry is free, many of the attractions at Winter Wonderland
have a cost, so it’s wise to book in advance online to make sure you can
plan your entire festive fun day out – you wouldn’t want to miss anything!
www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

Oxford Street Lights
It’s crowded and cold, but that doesn’t put anyone off from experiencing
the Oxford Street lights. Even if you miss the big switch on (usually at the
end of November, although details aren’t out yet), the lights stay lit for many
weeks, and you can come and gaze at their splendour at any time during
the Christmas period. Each year has a different theme, and although 2014’s
is still under wraps, it’s sure to be a wonderful and memorable experience.

www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/2014/the-snowman

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