Christmas 2014 in West London
Looking for some festive activities in West London this Christmas? This is our list of the places to be.
Ice Skating
Natural History Museum
Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BD
Date: Until Sunday 4th January 2015
Entry: From £12.65, children from £8.80
Quite possibly the most idyllic of West London’s outdoor ice rinks. After your skate, visit Sophie the Stegosaurus inside the Natural History Museum, who is one of the world’s most complete Stegosaurus skeletons and the NHM’s latest addition to the dinosaur floor.
Winter Wonderland
Hyde Park, London, W2 2UH
Date: Until Sunday 4th January 2015
Entry: From £14.50, children from £9.50
Nothing is more festive than taking a stroll around Winter Wonderland. There’s plenty to keep the entire family entertained, including a funfair, Christmas markets, an ice bar and Santa himself!
Westfield London
Ariel Way, London, W12 7GF
Date: Until Sunday 4th January 2015
Entry: From £9.00, children from £7.00
This is the location to choose if you want to squeeze in some shopping pre-skate!
Christmas Markets
The White Fair
Testbed1, 33 Parkgate Road, London, SW11 4NP
Date: Saturday 6th – Sunday 7th December 2014
Entry: Free
This weekend, more than 40 stalls will be bringing sterling jewellery, greetings cards and real Christmas trees and wreaths to Battersea. If you’re looking for clothing, you won’t be short of independent labels to browse either. On both days, Doodle Bar will be providing mulled wine and hot toddies, plus Uffizi Hair salon will be there to tend to your tresses at their Blow Bar.
All of this is in the name of raising money for Battersea Summer Scheme, a local children’s charity.
Chelsea Christmas Gift Fair
Chelsea Old Town Hall, King’s Road, London, SW3 5EE
Date: Friday 12th – Sunday 14th December 2014
Entry: £3 for adults
Over 65 hand-picked exhibitors will be selling gifts, food and homeware, with proceeds going to the Make A Wish foundation. The kids can take part in a free picture frame decorating workshop whilst you browse, plus everyone that attends will be entered in to a free prize draw to win £700 worth of special gifts.
The Christmas Pop Up Shop
Handmade Interiors, 4 Formosa Street, London, W9 1EE
Date: Until 24th December 2014
Entry: Free
A number of creators will be popping up throughout the month to showcase their contemporary interiors, fashions and gifts in the heart of Little Venice. If your looking for a unique present for someone special, you could find it here.
Santa Grottos
Santa and His Huskies
London Wetland Centre, Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, London, SW13 9WT
Date: Saturday 6th – Sunday 7th December 2014
Entry: £12.35, under-17s £6.90, under-fours free
The reindeer are taking a rest this Christmas, and a handsome set of huskies have stepped in to hold the fort. They’ll happily take young children (ages eight and under) for a spin and are available for photo opportunities. Afterwards, head to the northern pine forest to meet Santa in his cosy grotto – a visit costs £5 per child (cash only) and includes a goody bag.
Santa’s Floating Grotto
Little Venice between Blomfield Road, Warwick Avenue and Warwick Crescent, London, W9 2PB
Date: Saturday 13th – Sunday 21st December 2014
Entry: £10 per child
This year, Father Christmas has made himself at home in the most unlikely of settings…on a boat on the canal! During the hour-long visit, children (and their parents) can tuck in to a feast of wintry cakes and warm drinks, make gifts with the help of Santa’s elves, and sing carols and tell stories with the man himself! Every little visitor will go home with a personalised gift and a photo from their day.
Christmas at Kew
Kew Gardens, London, TW9 3AB
Date: Until Saturday 3rd January 2015
Entry: £17, children aged four-six £12, under-fours free
Christmas is truly magical at Kew Gardens – for children and adults.
Enjoy the winter landscape by exploring Kew’s stunning grounds, glasshouses, galleries and restaurants. At night, the entire trail sparkles, with a garden of fire, a tunnel of lights and giant sparkling snowflakes.
A visit to Santa in his Snowflake Grotto costs just £2, or is free for children of members.