I went on an incredible, self-made Christmas Walking Tour in London last Friday night and I want to share it with you. In this itinerary, you’ll see some of the most popular street Christmas lights and Christmas Markets around the city. Just a bit of a warning though, I do love walking (as I haven’t had a chance to walk this much in the Middle East) and the distance I covered in this walking tour might be too much for some of you perhaps. Walking is good for your health though so, I do highly recommend it. 🙂
I started my walking tour itinerary from Marble Arch and ended it at the Southbank Centre which is near the Waterloo station where I’m going to take the train on my way home. If you live nearer to the city, you can possibly do this the other way around.
I’ve also included the blog posts I’ve created for each stops in this walking tour to give you more idea of what to expect in each places. More photos will feast your eyes in each blog posts. 🙂
Christmas Walking Tour in London (Part 1)
FIRST STOP: OXFORD STREET.
Start your walking tour from the Marble Arch underground station. Take the exit towards Oxford Street and feast your eyes with the most elaborate street Christmas light decorations you will see in this walking tour.
SECOND STOP: ST CHRISTOPHER’S PLACE
Take a left towards James Street and see the cozy St Christopher’s Place.
Distance covered from Marble Arch Station: 700m
THIRD STOP: BOND STREET
Delight your eyes with the peacock-themed Christmas decorations of Bond Street.
Distance covered from St Christopher’s Place: 371m
FOURTH STOP: CARNABY STREET
Revel on the unique Christmas decorations of Carnaby street with 60’s swing theme.
Distance covered from Bond Street: 730m
FIFTH STOP: LEICESTER SQUARE
Enjoy the Christmas market of Leicester Square.
Distance covered from Carnaby Street: 825m
SIXTH STOP: SOUTHBANK CENTRE WINTER FESTIVAL
Shop, dine, drink and rollerskate at Southbank Centre Winter Festival.
Distance covered from Leicester Square: 1.63KM
It took me about 3 hours and a half to complete this walking tour, it may be faster or slower for you depending on your pace. In between the stops, you’ll pass by some Christmas shop displays that you shouldn’t miss. Selfridges in Oxford Street and also Liberty which you will pass on your way to Carnaby Street are both must see’s. They’ve totally joined the Christmas festivities of London through their elaborate shop displays.
You will also pass by Regent Street on this walking tour however, I didn’t include this yet as the Christmas lights weren’t turned on when I did this walking tour. So that’s a bonus for you.
Total distance covered is 4.25KM which actually isn’t too bad. You won’t really feel like you’re walking for a long time though because your eyes would be busy admiring all the Christmas light decorations.
Check out my Snapchat video of my Christmas Lights and Christmas Market Itinerary in London Part 1.
You can click on this link of this map which you can use to guide you during this walking tour: Pinay Flying High’s Christmas Walking Tour in London Part 1.
For more Christmas in London festivities, do visit the below posts:
Christmas Ice Rinks in London
Natural History Museum
Skate at Somerset House
Street Christmas Lights in London
Oxford Street
Bond Street
Carnaby Street
Covent Garden
Seven Dials
Regent Street
Christmas Markets in London
Christmas in Leicester Square
Southbank Centre Winter Festival
Kingston Christmas Market
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Christmas Walking Tours
Christmas Walking Tour Part 1
Christmas Walking Tour Part 2
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Some fun walking ideas here Pinay! And beautiful photos.
Thank you Scarlett! 🙂
This looks so festive! Going to London and New York in the Christmas season is definitely on my bucket list. I have experienced Christmas in Singapore two years ago and that was amazing as well with all the colorful trees and Christmas lights that shined at Orchard Road! It’s definitely a fun time to visit when it’s actually 30 Degrees Celcius outside haha.
I used to have a similar Christmas like in Singapore when I was growing up in the Philippines but I do have to say, they do it so differently here in London. I think the cold weather adds up to the Christmas festive spirit. :p
London is my favourite city in the world. I’ve never been for Xmas but Leicester Sq is one of my favourite places to walk about!
I do love London and I like the always festive atmosphere in Leicester Square but not during the weekend. It’s just way too crowded for me. Lol. 🙂
All of these pics are soooo gorg! Ever since I saw Love Actually (for the first time haha) I wanted to go to London during the holidays. One day!
I have to watch that movie again, I appreciate those movies now since the places featured look all so familiar to me. 🙂
This looks like a wonderful tour! I’ve been dying to go to London during Christmas after seeing love actually a million times hahah. It looks so festive and magical!! Saving this for when I go!
Oh you must! I think it’s the most beautiful time to visit London. 🙂
I would be in heaven surrounded by all of these Christmas lights. Although I will be in the U.S. during Christmas, I can always dream of being in Europe ;). Thank you for sharing, your pictures are beautiful!
Hahaha! It was also very crowded but I braved it, for the sake of the Christmas lights. :p
That was the first thing that I did here in London, WALKED! Lol. Simple things in life that we don’t get in the Middle EAst. :p
Even my non-christmassy totally grinch-like self is warmed by all the lights in London at this time of year and I truly miss them! So thanks for this, it’s lovely to be able to experience them with you. Also you covered some serious ground!!
Thank you Millie, that’s such a compliment that I made you warm up to Christmas. :p
Omg I’m saving this, because this is just A-MA-ZING! They are really serious about xmas lights, it must be magical to wander through these illuminated streets!
They do take Christmas quite seriously here and I love it. 🙂
This is fantastic. I love walking too, especially when the surroundings are this beautiful!
It’s hard to feel tired of walking when you’ve got these surrounding you as you do. 🙂
I’ve only visited London during the summer, but it looks like I’ll have to do a holiday trip next time so I don’t miss out! We have plenty of holiday markets here, but they’re no where near as colorful as your photos. Looks so festive!
I think the Christmas season is the best time to visit London, although it’s a bit too cold. :p
Saving this for when I get a chance to go!!!
Which is soon I believe. 🙂
I had read about the Christmas markets in London and I was trying to decide between it and Germany. It’s becoming a tough choice as this sounds fantastic.
I think the Germany Christmas markets are much better although I haven’t been to one. They’re just more popular when it comes to Christmas Markets but London does have good ones too. 🙂
Great idea! Looks beautiful and now I am thinking that I need to go to London one year before Christmas.
I think it should be in everyone’s bucket list, visit London during Christmas season. :p
Oh , so beautiful! I’ve been to some European cities around Christmas but none looked so amazing!
I so missed London, hope to make it back someday!
Do they also have things like these in Greece?
It is like you are my fairy godmother! I was literally moaning at my partner this morning about how I wanted to see all the christmassy stuff in London this year but wasn’t sure how to get around it all in one day and then you share this! YIPPEEEE! Thanks so much, I will be doing this walking tour in a few weeks! 🙂
That is soooo great!!! I will be creating more walking tours based on the new ones that I’ll visit in the coming days. Hopefully I’ll be able to publish it before your trip. 🙂
Excellent post and am planning to be in London in a few weeks so will be using this a lot. I managed to catch some of the lights last week but your photos are so good I have to go back for more.
That’s so awesome to hear that I encouraged you to go back and take more photos. Lol. I took hundreds of photos while there, it was so hard to choose which ones to put in the blog. Lol.
I live near London and I always love seeing it around Christmas. It’s so magical and your post has captured the magic perfectly. It’s made me really want to walk around the London Christmas lights with my DSLR!
I don’t have a DSLR so I’m pretty sure you’d take amazing photos with yours. 🙂
This looks so insanely like Christmas, I want to go right this instant! The city does a great job of keeping up their #1 christmas city reputation. Lovely that you just got to experience it!
I never knew that their reputation of #1 Christmas city but now that I’ve seen it, it’s not really hard to believe. It’s amazing!
Been loving this since you posted it on Instagram. Such a lively place, and the Christmas spirit there is insane!
Yes it is, it’s the best time to visit London that’s for sure. 🙂
I can’t wait to check out the London Christmas lights this year! May have to get round to doing a walking tour of my own.
It’s a must when you’re here during this season. You’ll love it! 🙂
This is amazing, I only got to see Oxford Street and Carnaby last time I was there but hopefully will get another trip before Christmas now I know exactly where else to go!
I hope you do, there will be so many other markets and street lights by that time. 🙂
I’m so excited to visit London for the first time next month. I’ll get to see these lights – woo!
I’m so excited for you too! You’ll definitely have a great time! 🙂