Wednesday 24 December 2014

Christmas in the Capital

Most of my visit in London was spent rushing around catching up with family and friends but I did manage to grab a little bit of downtime to soak in some of the Festive cheer.

London at Christmas is fantastic - there are shows to see, extravagant lights to admire and the department stores do battle to create the best window display.  I managed to see the Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges displays (Selfridges won it for me with their fairytale inspired display).

 
Top of my Christmas agenda was a trip to Borough Market, London's largest permanent food market. I'd never been before, probably because I'd always heard it was really busy at weekends. Taking advantage of being in London mid week I visited early on Wednesday morning and it was lovely and peaceful.  

 
I loved it and can't recommend it enough. There were far more stalls than I ever could have imagined selling bread, cheese, meats and delicious looking cakes.

 
Being there at Christmas was extra special.  The market was beautifully decorated and the air was thick with the smell of mulled wine. 


There was only one drink I was interested in though. I'd heard that Konditor and Cook on the edge of the market sell the best hot chocolate in London so I had to try some. My little cup was exactly how hot chocolate should be - very thick and indulgently rich. 

My plan was to then walk along the Thames to the Southbank but the wet weather forced me onto the tube down to Waterloo to have a look at the Southbank Christmas Market.

This was one of my favourite festive markets when I was a Londoner. I would pick a night after work and go there for my dinner.

 
I must say it didn't really have the same atmosphere on a dreary wet Wednesday afternoon and I'd definitely recommend going after dark for the full experience. 

The last stop on my festive tour was Covent Garden.  Crammed with tourists, most Londoners avoid this area but if it's Christmas cheer you're after there really isn't anywhere better.


Giant Lego Santa had arrived in the Plaza and I happily joined the tourists jostling to stand in the best place for a good look at the amazing detail.

 
The main market looked fantastic with the roof adorned with giant baubles and lanterns.

 
And of course the best part is the huge tree that always stands proud at the back of the market.

 
Christmas in London is always special so if you get a chance to visit in December make sure you enjoy it and experience as much as you can.

 
This is my last post before Christmas so I wish you all a very happy Christmas and a nice relaxing break with your friends and family.

It's been a very successful and busy year here at New Girl in Toon.   I've had the most amazing time exploring the North East, making lots of new friends through my blog and being shortlisted for a Blog North Award which was such a huge honour. 

I intend to take a bit of a blogging break over Christmas and the New Year to recharge the batteries.   Blogging is so fun but it's also a lot of hard work and a little break is much needed.

Thank you so much for your support and kind words this year, they mean the world to me.   I have THE best readers and I appreciate each and every one of you who take the time to read and comment on my posts.  Hopefully this little blog will continue to grow and develop next year and I look forward to sharing it with you all. 

Happy Christmas x
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18 comments

  1. London remains my most favourite place, regardless where I've been on my travels. These pictures just make me want to be there more! I saw a lot of the festive fun at Somerset House when I was there at the beginning of the month but I've never really explored Covent Garden - that's definitely got to go on my London to-do list!

    Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and a very happy new year, and enjoy your blogging break. I'm excited to read more in the New Year! xx

    VIVA EPERNAY

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    1. People how often say to me "I could never live in London" but I LOVED it and never took it for granted (or at least tried not to!) it was such a fantastic place to live and I really miss it! I only got there twice this year so hoping to maybe make it a bit more next year!

      Hope you have a lovely Christmas x

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  2. I love London at Christmas. The Fortnum's Christmas tree at Somerset House was gorgeous and I had amazing fun at the Canary Wharf Ice Rink. Merry Christmas Chloe, have a good break!
    Lots of love,
    Angie
    SilverSpoon London

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    1. I'm gutted I missed the Fortnum's tree, I've seen so amazing photos of it!

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  3. You look like you fitted an amazing amount in. Really pleased that you got to Borough market and Convent Garden. As always a beautiful post. Wishing you and Simon a wonderful Christmas and New Year. I hope that 2015 is a great year with your own home Lucy x

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    1. Thank you :) I'm just gutted I wont be able to go down as much as I'd like in 2015 .. the sooner we have this house the better!

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  4. London at Christmas looks amazing - that last tree is amazing.

    Lizzie's Daily Blog

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  5. I've always wanted to go to Borough Market, I didn't think about going in the middle of the week though! Definitely on my list for 2015 now. I've never done London in December either, and now I really want to do that, you're just filling me with lust!

    Rachel x
    The Inelegant Wench

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    1. It really is so Christmassy! One of my favourite memories from living there is rushing through the tubes on Christmas Eve to catch my train back home to Norwich and hearing a busker at the bottom of the escalator playing "Silent Night" on his trumpet - it was beautiful and everyone was wishing him a happy Christmas :) It was like something out of a movie

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  6. It looks like you managed to cram a lot into a short amount of time. Merry Christmas, enjoy your break.

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    1. I even had time to take myself off to the cinema for a few hours to see Paddington!

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  7. Wow. I really need to visit London, especially at Christmas, it looks beautiful and amazing! I'm not a fan of busy places, even more so with having a child to push around, so I always stay away from cities. But I think this is one trip I need to do and I'm sure he'd love it to. :)
    Love your pictures. Especially the one of carousel with Big Ben in background! And that Lego santa looks amazing!

    Caroline.x
    notesfromcaroline.com

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    1. Yeah London with kids is probably a bit of a mission. I remember my Mum taking all three of us down on the train - we went to the Natural History Museum and loved it ... I'm sure she had her work cut out keeping an eye on us all though!

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  8. I agree, Selfridges was my favourite too! And Covent Garden is amazing at Christmas. Your photos look great :)
    Hope you had an amazing Christmas and enjoy your blogging break, I'm doing the same!
    Best of luck for New Girl in the new year :)

    Kay xx
    Idreamofcoco.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. I'm really hoping we get our little house sorted easily by Christmas so I can go back again this year!

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  9. I managed to get into London twice in the run up to Christmas and your post a lovely reminder of all the things I did. I have to say the Southbank Market was great in the evening with all the twinkly lights, but was absolutely packed so was hard to get to the stalls etc. I haven't been to Borough market so will definitely take a look at that one. I went to Covent Garden, Brick Lane and the Crafty Fox market in Dalston.
    Another Trip to London is on the cards in the new year (bonus of my friend being at uni there) so I'm definitely going to explore more. And take my camera this time!
    Hope you had a wonderful Christmas
    Kate x

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    1. I definitely missed out on the Southbank Market, I've seen so many great photos from it and it looked nothing like that when I was there!

      Hope you enjoy your New Year trip x

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