London Winter Wonderlands to Wander Through

At first thought, a long walk outside might not sound like the most appealing thing to do this season. But the truth is, if you dress up properly in your favourite boots and scarf, and make sure you schedule in stops for warm beverages along the way, you can experience London through an entirely new lens. Here are a few places where you can enjoy the special, frosty winter atmosphere and scenery.

Enjoy some Christmas vibes along the Thames

The walk from Tower Bridge to Southbank Centre takes around 40 minutes, and there are several Christmas gems to marvel at along the way. You will walk through the Christmas by the River and the Southbank Christmas markets, both of which offer a variety of food and drink options, and festive handmade items. The view of Tower Bridge, the City’s skyscrapers, St Paul’s, and finally the London Eye provide a stunning background for your walk, which ends with the Southbank Centre’s Winter Lights Exhibition. This free, outdoors exhibition features light-based creations from several artists, and will be on until the beginning of January along with the Christmas markets.

See wildlife in the winter in Richmond Park

If you feel like you need a break from the hustle and bustle of Central London, Richmond Park is the perfect winter getaway - 1.5 hours on the tube can get you to a place with tranquil countryside vibes. With its 1012 hectares size, Richmond Park is the biggest out of all the Royal Parks, and its most unique feature is the flocks of deer that roam freely on its grounds. Have your cameras ready for the perfect shot of deer among frosty trees! The park has several lovely café spots for warming up during your winter walk.

Be surrounded by nature at Hampstead Heath

This wild park of woodland and meadows is surprisingly close to the city centre with its Zone 2 location. Wander around the lakes and the ice-kissed trees, and get a sense of the magical atmosphere that is supposed to have inspired C.S. Lewis to write Narnia. You can also marvel at an outstanding view of Central London's iconic buildings from Parliament Hill. If you’d prefer to enjoy some Christmas vibes in natural surroundings, arrive after 4.30pm, and explore the magical illuminations of the Kenwood light trail - a ticket costs £19.50.

See Kew Gardens as you never have before

Kew Gardens is not only stunning during the warmer seasons - it is worth taking a walk through the botanic gardens during wintertime as well. The huge palm houses provide a great opportunity to warm up after exploring the plantations, lakes, and woodlands. During the Christmas season, there is also an after-hours event featuring light tunnels, lakeside reflections, and dressed-up trees. The Christmas at Kew event can be visited until the 8th of January between 4.20 and 10pm, and an off-peak ticket costs £21.50.

Explore the gothic charm of Highgate Cemetery

Want to do something a little different? Visit Highgate Cemetery, and explore its mysterious atmosphere to get literal chills this winter. Opened in 1839, the cemetery was a really popular burial spot during the Victorian era, and became widely used again in the 1970s. The labyrinth of elaborately crafted tombs and buildings includes the gravestones of people like Karl Marx, Michael Faraday, and George Eliot. The oldest section of the cemetery can only be visited in tour groups, but the newer ones can be explored unescorted.