Average high 9 °C / 48 °F, low 3 °C / 37 °F; damp-cold—layers are key.
What to eat in London in December: Seasonal delicacies
London turns unabashedly festive each December. Fairy-lit shopping streets, pop-up ice rinks, and mulled-wine markets animate the short days, while pubs glow with real fires and live carols. Crowds spike Christmas-week, so arrive earlier in the month for gentler lines and off-peak hotel deals—just remember buses and the Tube stop completely on 25 December.
1. Use contactless daily caps: between Tube, buses, and Elizabeth Line you’ll never pay more than £8.10 (zones 1–2) in a day; skip pricey paper Travelcards.
2. Book NYE firework zones the day tickets drop (late Sep): they sell out within 48 hours. If you miss out, Primrose Hill or Greenwich Park offer free distant views.
3. Christmas Day transport = zero: Stay central or pre-book a taxi if you must travel; city bike docks also close. Plan walking routes and stock snacks by 24 Dec.
4. Pantomime lingo: Shout “He’s behind you!” and embrace the chaos—audience participation is expected, not optional. Matinées are tamer if you’re shy.
5. Layers over bulky coats: Tube platforms run warm even in winter; a light down jacket plus thermal base keeps you comfy indoors and out. Pack quick-dry socks for drizzle days.
Yes—public transport, shops, and almost all attractions shut. A few hotel restaurants serve pre-booked lunches; otherwise plan self-catering and walking tours of quiet streets.
Thermometers read 3–9 °C, but damp wind off the Thames can feel colder. Waterproof shoes and a windproof outer layer matter more than thick knits.
Snow is rare—London averages one light dusting every few years. Expect drizzle rather than blizzards; pack an umbrella, not snow boots.
Absolutely. The British Museum , National Gallery , and Tate Modern remain free; winter weekdays often let you wander galleries almost alone. Special exhibitions still charge.
For Christmas Eve, Christmas lunch, and New Year’s Eve, yes—reserve weeks ahead. Regular mid-month dinners in pubs or casual spots are easy walk-ins before 7 pm.
Night Tube runs Fri–Sat; stations are staffed and CCTV-covered. Sit near other passengers, keep bags zipped, and you’ll be fine.
You can, but daylight is scarce and Salisbury Plains get icy. Consider Windsor or Oxford instead, or book a coach tour that guarantees timed entry and heated transport.
Shortcrust pastry bursting with spiced dried fruit, best warmed and dusted with sugar.
Where to eat: St John Bakery, 3 Neal’s Yard, Covent Garden.
Think cranberry, pigs-in-blankets, roasties, and sprouts—pub Sunday roasts double as festive feasts all month. Where to eat: The Harp, 47 Chandos Place, WC2.
Red wine simmered with orange, clove, and cinnamon serves as London’s handheld heater; reusable mugs save 50 p deposit at markets.
Where to drink: Southbank Winter Market chalets, SE1
Dense fruit cake soaked in brandy, ignited tableside; December menus only.
Where to eat: Rules, 35 Maiden Lane, Covent Garden.
