Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is possibly the most awaited and most popular Christmas destination here in London. Whenever I tell anyone about my plan of visiting all the Christmas-themed events and places here in London, they’d immediately mention Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. Obviously, I got curious and at the same time, excited about it.
It finally opened last Friday and without missing any opportunities at all, we joined hundreds of other people who I think were just as excited as we were. To be completely honest, I came unprepared and what I saw left me in shock. It was HUGE! I thought I was back in Dubai where everything is the biggest, the loudest and every superlatives you can ever think of.
I didn’t know where to start, I wanted to take as much photos as I can for the blog but there were a lot of things going on around me. I was overwhelmed and so at some point, I just had to give up. There is absolutely no way I’d be able to cover the whole of Hyde Park Winter Wonderland in one night alone. A second visit is required for another photo session and probably a third and fourth as well to experience it fully.
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland offers a myriad of activities which the whole family can enjoy, not one family member is spared by the organizers of this event. They definitely made sure that there’s something for everyone. Kids can visit Santa in Santa Land where access is free. Although there might be a huge queue to see him so you might want to do this first before anything else. They can also enjoy the numerous rides fit for their age (and height).
Older kids can enjoy thrilling rides and games that I myself might not be able to do (I’m afraid of heights and I easily get motion sickness lol). And for the much older kids (at heart) and adrenaline junkies, Munich Looping is something you shouldn’t miss among all the other adrenaline-pumping rides that you can find in Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.
You can also find the largest open air ice rink in the UK in Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. A Victorian bandstand will play live music for you as glide along the ice rink under the fairy lights roof over your head. As you know, I’m not a skater so I just enjoyed a glass of mulled wine as I watched the graceful and the not-so-graceful skaters.
Note: Ice skating sessions run every hour and lasts for 50 minutes. Standard rate is GBP14.50 per adult while it’s GBP15.50 for peak days and GBP9.50 for off peak days. Ice skates are included in the price but you can also bring your own ice skates with you. For more information about the ice rink, you can visit Hyde Park Winter Wonderland’s website.
There are different areas for food and drinks but my favorite would definitely be the wooden chalets of the Bavarian village. Mulled wine and bratwurst seem to be a popular choice so I had one of each while there. Live bands are performing in huge Bavarian halls and gardens. It will definitely put you in a festive mood.
The Christmas Market inside Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is a refuge for anyone who’s had enough of all the revelries around them. It’s the most peaceful area in this wonderland but that’s not to say that it lacks things to offer. With over 200 Bavarian style wooden chalets offering different and great gift ideas, you’re definitely spoilt for choice.
The organizers definitely didn’t think that it’s enough entertainment because apart from all that’s mentioned above (and all the others that weren’t mentioned as I didn’t have the time to visit it), Hyde Park Winter Wonderland offers so many other live entertainment options such as The Sooty Christmas Show for the kids, Cirque Berserk, Zippos Christmas Circus and of course, The Nutcracker on Ice.
This year is Hyde Park Winter Wonderland’s 10th anniversary and having said that, the park is bigger and better than the previous ones they’ve had. You need at the very least, 2 full days to fully enjoy it. Probably 3 days if you plan on trying out all the rides.
Plan your visit to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland:
Print this map. Do it, do it now. I definitely wish I did.
Entrance is free however, you will have to buy tickets in advance for some attractions. You can buy your tickets online or on the day itself as well.
Open from 10am to 10pm daily, from now until 2nd of January.
Closed on Christmas day.
Nearest underground stations: Bond Street, Green Park, Knightsbridge, Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner, Paddington and Victoria.
Check out my Snapchat story from my visit to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland:
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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Oh my gosh … you are totally making me jealous !!
Visit London Jishma. Make it happen in 2017. 🙂
Nice post! Wow, it really is a winter wonderland with all of those lights and fun things to do.
Yeah and we’ve just decided that we’ll welcome the new year here. YAY! :p
What is wrong with getting a selfie stick to include the Self in the shot please.
Love it!! Never been there in Christmas season will always venture through Hyde Park when visiting London.
Hahahaha! I am now a non-selfie person. Probably once in a blue moon. :p
This looks epic! I love your Instagram stories live from the action of these places too. Cheers from Copenhagen! Erin #FarawayFiles
Thank you very much Erin! I don’t watch my own instagram stories, I feel so awkward with myself. :p
Noemi, you’re a one-woman spreader of Christmas Joy and I love you for it! Thanks for sharing another aspect of Christmas in London with us at #FarawayFiles. Do you think you’ll be able to keep it up all through December?
Thank you Clare, I will take that title proudly. I’m glad my obsession of Christmas is getting to you now. :p
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to keep up as you can see. 🙁
You just brought back some of our wonderful memories. We visited winter wonderland last Christmas and loved the lights and the lively ambiance. There is so much to do and see and lots of fun for kids and adults alike.
Oh that’s so cool! I’m glad I was able to bring back some good memories for you. 🙂
I just love all your pictures – great job with the lights and nighttime photography! It’s definitely heightened my desire to see London at Christmas. Thank you for sharing your advice and the map!!
Thank you very much Cynthia. I hope you’d be able to see London during Christmas time too. 🙂
This looks amazing. I didn’t realize it was so big. I love all the lights, so pretty! Going to try and make it there during my December trip.
Oh Anisa! You’re coming over or are you already here in London? I would love to meet you (if you have time). :p
Lucky you! I plan to visit London next year – maybe also during Christmas time!
It’s the best time to visit London. 🙂
I’ve been to this once before and loved it. Definitely want to go again this year! Awesome post and I like your photos.
Thank you Corinne! You should definitely try it again. 🙂
I am so excited I am headed that way next week and am really looking forward to checking this out. Your pictures are amazing I have just showed them to my husband and we cannot wait to see this is person. We are staying at a hotel pretty close to the park so we plan to spend some quality time there…lol
Oh that is absolutely fantastic! I’m so happy I made you more excited that you already were. Lol. I hope it meets your expectations. 🙂
I went last night and it took forever to find my friends – it really is huge!! But we had a good time in the Bavarian Village beer hall!
I was traveling with friends as well but since I’m going to take photos for my blog, I told them I’ll just meet them somewhere at a specific time. Thankfully, we found each other quite easily. :p
I love visiting Winter Wonderland each year, it’s so magical. Your photos are stunning, which camera and lens did you use?
I use Nikon J2 and the lens which came with it. Some of the photos on this post are from GoPro Hero4 though. 🙂
Never thought of going to London for the holidays but that does look like a lot fun! Was it cold at all?
Oh yes! My hands were freezing but it’s quite hard to take a photo with gloves on so I had freezing hands the whole time. Lol.
Seeing these pics and reading your post makes me a little home sick to Europe. I live in Bali and I don’t like winter, but you made me miss christmas it a little.
I lived in the Philippines and the Middle East my whole life so I’m loving winter, for now. Not sure until when. Lol.
I love Christmas and I love theme parks! This would be an ideal spot to visit for me!!
Yep, Christmas and theme park in one place. Dream come true for you. 🙂
Oh my gosh, what could be better than a carnival / Christmas Market / beer garden? It looks like the most amazing way to celebrate the holidays! Count me in!
It’s definitely all-in-one. :p
I’m visiting Winter Wonderland in December and can’t wait! I’ve visited it for the last two years running and loved it every time!
It’s only my first time to go there but I can see myself visiting it again. Specially now that I already know what to expect and I won’t be overwhelmed anymore. Lol.
I am speachless…the festive spirit can be felt right from your post..I wish to take my daughter here
I hope you will soon. 🙂
I have so much love for Winter Wonderland! It is my favourite thing to do in London! I am actually heading over to Hyde Park in a few weeks for an interview which happens to be in a hotel opposite this beaut! Can’t wait! This year I think I will check out the Ice bar! 🙂
The Ice Bar. Lol. How will you be able to handle it when it’s already cold outside. :p
I love your photos! What camera did you use? I think this is the largest park. Everything looks so grand and whimsical! I would love to buy some hot chocolate there.
I use Nikon J2 and GoPro Hero4 🙂
This looks so much fun! No need to worry if you did not cover all the sights as long as you had a wonderful time :). Christmas will always be my favorite time of the year.
I’ll need to go back there and enjoy it fully, not take photos of it. Lol.
very festive indeed! #farawayfiles
Absolutely! 🙂
Reading this posts reminded us of our time in London while we were doing our Masters! Such a wonderful way to celebrate! Your pictures are amazing Noemi! Waiting for more posts on Christmas in London!!
Thank you so much! 🙂