London Tour Guide

SEE 10 beautiful Christmas lights in London in less than 2 hours!

1. Covent Garden

Covent Garden is a popular destination for tourists in London year-round.

During Christmas, the area is transformed with festive lights and decorations, creating an exceptionally magical and charming atmosphere.

The enchantment is further heightened by fantastic street performers.

It’s the perfect place to kick off a Christmas walking tour of London.

2. Waterloo Place

From Covent Garden, I recommend continuing your walk along the beautifully decorated Strand Street toward Trafalgar Square.

Every year since 1947, from early December until the 6th of January, a magnificent 20-meter tall Christmas tree, traditionally gifted from Norway, graces Trafalgar Square!

Continue along this festive trail until you reach Waterloo Place.

There, you’ll encounter not only a handsome Christmas tree and charming Christmas lights but also beautiful architecture and plenty of the iconic red double-decker buses, that add to the holiday atmosphere.

3. Jermyn Street

Jermyn Street is a beautiful street that runs parallel to Piccadilly Street.

For centuries, it has been synonymous with the finest men’s fashion, bespoke tailoring, and grooming.

Winston Churchill and James Bond had their suits crafted here!

During Christmas, the historic and elegant charm of this street is enhanced with festive displays.

So, take a leisurely stroll along Jermyn Street until you reach the grand building of…

4. Fortnum & Mason

Fortnum & Mason is a renowned department store in London, situated near Piccadilly Circus.

Founded in 1707, it has a rich history of providing luxury goods, fine foods, and exceptional service.

It stands out as one of the best-decorated buildings in London, both inside and outside, during Christmas.

The iconic clock on the facade chimes every hour, attracting plenty of spectators throughout the year who come to witness the figures of the founders leaving their tiny homes to bow to each other.

I recommend taking a leisurely walk, at least outside, to admire the ground floor window displays.

Year after year, they showcase beautiful and well-crafted Christmas decorations.

5. Old & New Bond streets

Old Bond Street and New Bond Street, both situated in the heart of London’s Mayfair district, are renowned for their high-end luxury shopping and elegant surroundings.

During the Christmas season, these iconic streets undergo a magical transformation, creating a festive and enchanting atmosphere.

An absolute must-see Christmas decorations in London!

6. Oxford Street

At the end of New Bond Street, you’ll reach Oxford Street.

I encourage you to turn right and walk towards Oxford Circus tube station to experience the Christmas decorations on one of the most popular shopping streets in London.

7. Liberty

Liberty, located on Great Marlborough Street in the West End of London, is a famous luxury department store with a rich history dating back to 1875.

Its exterior and interiors are typically adorned during festive season with elegant and elaborate Christmas decorations, creating a visually stunning display.

8. Carnaby Street

Carnaby Street, situated in the Soho district of London, is renowned for its vibrant and eclectic atmosphere.

During Christmas, it undergoes a festive transformation, showcasing unique and eye-catching decorations that reflect its contemporary character.

The atmosphere becomes joyful, and the vibrant decorations contribute to the festive spirit, making it an absolute must-visit location during the Christmas season.

9. Regent Street & Piccadilly Circus!

Regent Street is undeniably one of the most beautiful streets in London, and, I would argue, a primary reason people flock to the city during Christmas.

Its breathtaking Christmas lights displays, resembling a canopy of lights, draw visitors from around the globe.

Next stop on this London Christmas walking tour is the most brilliantly illuminated junction in the city—Piccadilly Circus.

The atmosphere there during Christmas is lively, with street performers, carol singers, and a bustling crowd of locals and tourists immersing themselves in the festive ambiance.

10. Christmas market at Leicester Square

Discover the festive magic at the Christmas market in Leicester Square, where twinkling lights…

… and charming stall create a delightful holiday atmosphere.

This is a perfect, enjoyable end to this London Christmas walking tour.

These are all the places I wanted to showcase in this London Christmas walking tour.

I hope you enjoyed this post.

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contact@walkmeblog.com

London War Memorials (Free Walking Tour With a Map)

March 24, 2024November 6, 2023 by An

London is home to many war memorials, commemorating various conflicts.

In this post, I invite you to take a short walk around nine of my favorite ones.

MAP of this walking tour

Distance to cover: 2.8 miles (4.5 km)

Enjoy the read and the walk!

In need of a private tour guide…?

contact@walkmeblog.com

War Memorials in London walking tour

1. Animals In War Memorial

I would like to start this London war memorials walking tour at a monument that is often overlooked by many due to its somewhat hidden location – the Animals in War Memorial.

Located on Park Lane, near Hyde Park, with Marble Arch being the closest tube station, the Animals in War Memorial is a moving tribute to the millions of animals that have served, suffered, and died in various wars.

The memorial features a bronze sculptures of mules, a horse and a dog.

It was unveiled to the public in November 2004, on the 90th anniversary of the start of World War I.

What is interesting about this monument is that it was not funded by the government but by the public donors.

2. Royal Artillery Memorial

The green space surrounding the Wellington Arch, located between Hyde Park and Green Park, is one of the best places in London to witness Remembrance Day celebrations on the 11th of November.

The absolute best place would be Whitehall.

It is also home to various memorials, including the Royal Artillery Memorial, which is usually the focus of the celebrations on the 11th of November at this location.

The Royal Artillery Memorial commemorates soldiers killed in the First World War.

3. Bomber Command Memorial

Not to far from The Royal Artillery Memorial you can find The Bomber Command Memorial.

It is a prominent memorial dedicated to the members of the Royal Air Force (RAF) Bomber Command who served and lost their lives during World War II.

The memorial features a large bronze sculpture of seven aircrew, representing the diversity of the individuals who served in Bomber Command.

The sculpture stands on a high plinth.

A place of reflection and remembrance.

4. King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Memorial

Next point on this walking tour is the beautiful monument to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.

Many people may not consider this memorial strictly as a war memorial. However, it does feature important moments from the lives of parents of late Queen Elizabeth II, including scenes from WWII when they bravely remained in London during the Blitz alongside the people to suffer the consequences of German bombing.

In other words to boost Londoner’s morale.

This fact was celebrated in 1941 with a patriotic song The King is still in London.

The monument shows King George VI in his naval uniform, while the Queen Mother’s sculpture portrays her at the age of 51, the age at which she became a widow after her husband’s passing in 1952.

5. Guards Memorial

The Guards Memorial is a war memorial located in St James’s Park, opposite Horse Guards Parade.

It commemorates the guards who died during the First and Second World Wars, as well as other conflicts.

6. Royal Tank Regiment Memorial

The Royal Tank Regiment Memorial is another war memorial in Westminster, located off the typical tourist and Londoner paths.

It features a larger-than-life statue of a WWII tank crew, standing in line and looking to their left.

This well-crafted monument is definitely worth a visit.

7. The Battle of Britain Monument

The Battle of Britain Monument is a beautiful memorial dedicated to the brave individuals who fought in the Battle of Britain during World War II.

It is located on the Victoria Embankment, near the River Thames, opposite the London Eye.

The monument features a group of bronze statues representing various scenes from this important battle, including airmen running towards their planes.

8. The Women of World War II

The Women of World War II Memorial is a moving tribute to the women who contributed to the war effort during World War II.

It can be found on Whitehall, near the Prime Minister’s residence at 10 Downing Street.

The central element of the sculpture is a group of uniforms that represent the various roles and services that women undertook during the war.

After the conflict ended (and men returned to their jobs), women were expected to quietly hang up their uniforms and return to more domestic roles.

This is what this monument represents.

9. The Cenotaph

And last but not least, the Cenotaph. The simplest of them all, yet perhaps it speaks volumes in its simplicity.

It is an empty grave, symbolizing the graves of all the fallen soldiers whose bodies never made it back home. Erected after WWI, it is now the center of London’s celebrations on Remembrance Day, commemorating all the soldiers who died in all conflicts Great Britain took part in.

These are the nine war monuments in London that I wanted to showcase in this walking tour.

I hope you enjoyed this post.

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contact@walkmeblog.com