Christmas in London

Visiting the Tower of London was the highlight of our trip, and it is one of the top places that should be visited while in London! This infamous royal palace is a castle, built like a fortress and used as a prison in the past. If you travel to the middle of London and visit the Tower of London, you will learn 900 years of history from one of the Warders, which are also known as Beefeaters.

The Tower of London also boats an impressive collection of Crown jewels, as well as torture tools known as Royal Armories, including swords, armors, and more. In order for you to take full advantage of the tour, purchase tickets ahead and plan to arrive early. Visit official Tower of London website for ticket information.

Top Attraction of the Tower of London:

• The White Tower and the Line of Kings
• The Jewel House: Home of the Crown Jewels
• Coins and Kings: The Royal Mint
• The Medieval Palace
• The Bloody Tower
• Terror on Tower Green
• Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula
• The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Museum
• The Other Towers
• The Beefeaters and the Ceremony of the Keys

Pro Tip(s):

• The best way to learn about the Tower of London is to participate in a guided tour (included with the cost of admission).
• Purchase tickets in advance if possible. A London Pass maybe the best option.

Visiting Windsor Castle was one of the first tourist trips we took while in London, and we had an amazing time. As the world’s largest and oldest continuously occupied fortress, it set the mood for the entire trip, and it offered plenty to see for all ages.

Windsor Castle has been a summer residence for British Royals for 900 years, and it is still one of Queen of England's principal residences. It is also occasionally used for state events.

Windsor castle is very friendly to families and young children. Visit official Windsor Castle family section for ideas to plan your visit.

Top Attraction Windsor Castle:

• The State Apartments
• Queen Mary's Dolls' House
• St. George's Chapel
• Castle Precincts
• Waterloo Chamber
• The semi-state rooms
• Changing the Guard
• Fine Art
• The China Museum

Transportation:

Getting to Windsor castle was a breeze using public transportation. We took a train from Waterloo station to Eton which was the last stop. You can also get to Windsor & Eton Central or Windsor & Eton Riverside from London Paddington

Pro Tip(s):

• Purchase tickets in advance if possible. A London Pass maybe the best option.
• There are great restaurants by Windsor Castle, if you are looking for a place for lunch or dinner.
• Public transportation is NOT 24 hours.  Plan your trip according to the train schedule

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland and Christmas Market is a spectacular, festive event in the heart of the capital. For six weeks, London’s famous Hyde Park is transformed into a magical wonderland of winter festivities. Visiting the Christmas market was the absolute best find, and the only way to describe the place is that it's something you would see in a movie. The best part is that It’s FREE to enter so you can walk around at your leisure and soak up the atmosphere!

There are plenty of activities such as shows, rides, games, ice skating, Santa Land, and, last but not least, Christmas Market! You can walk for hours enjoying a festive shopping experience. If you're visiting London during Christmas time, I would highly recommend visiting Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.

Transportation:

Getting to Hyde Park was a breeze using public transportation.

Regent Street is a major shopping area and one of the busiest tourist attractions in the West London. Visiting Regent Street in Christmas time is special. Streets are festive and decorated to ignite the holiday spirit. You can spend half a day or more walking around in the area, and you can dine at a restaurant or visit shops such as Hamleys.

The London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames in London. As of mid-January 2015, it has been known as the Coca-Cola London Eye. London Eye is within walking distance of Westminster Bridge and Big Ben. You'll be able to spend a few hours here.

The Houses of Parliament and Elizabeth Tower, commonly called Big Ben, are among London's most iconic landmarks and must-see attractions. Big Ben is the massive bell inside the clock tower, and it weighs more than 13 tons.

The best time to visit the tower is at night when the clock is illuminated. The absolute best place to take pictures of Big Ben and House of Parliament is Westminster Bridge.

Pro Tip(s):

• You can combine London Eye, Westminster Bridge and Big Ben in a single trip as they are all near each other.  I would recommend planning the second half of the day, as Big Ben and London Eye are illuminated in the evening. 
• If you plan on visiting Houses of Parliament, add few more hours and plan ahead.