Christmas Lights Switch-on, 2025

A Wicked Christmas Tree, at St Pancras International.

With Christmas fast approaching various areas of London will begin to switch-on their Christmas lights, which began this month.

With the switch-on London becomes a cluster of areas that bring their own Christmas style, as they all try to entice as many visitors as possible.

Christmas in Westminster.

Below is a list of places, with dates, that will be getting into the festive season from this month.

There are other places that have yet to announce their timings, so check your local listings.

All dates are subject to change and were correct at the time of writing.

November 1st.

Leicester Square

Piccadilly

St Martin’s Lane

St Pancras Christmas Tree

November 3rd.

Oxford Street

November 6th.

Carnaby Street

Regent Street

St James's

November 12th.

Bond Street

Covent Garden

Marylebone Village

Old Spitalfields

Strand

November 13th.

Hay's Galleria

Kensington, Churchill Arms pub

Leadenhall Market

St Katharine Docks

November 14th.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

Kew Gardens

Walking with Erin: Baker Street to Soho Square... and beyond

Saturday May 3, 2025.

Today I was joined on my London trip by Erin, who wanted to visit Liberty London, to explore the entire shop.

So, we headed off by catching a taxi to Watford Underground station, where we boarded a train to Baker Street. I then gave Erin the choice of catching a Bakerloo line train to Oxford Circus, or we could walk there. Erin decided we should walk.

We crossed Marylebone Road and headed east to Park Crescent and onto Portland Place, Langham Place and then Regent Street. For a Saturday afternoon the pavements were quite empty, making our walk a little easier. At Oxford Circus we turned onto Argyll Street, where we stopped for lunch at Wok to Walk. Erin is fond of noodles.

Once we had eaten we continued along Argyll Street and entered Liberty London, with Erin heading straight for the makeup and perfume departments. Then it was down into the basement where more perfumes and scents could be found. Various testing strips were sprayed and then wafted beneath our noses, before we made our way up the stairs to the clothing departments.

Erin checked out some of the dresses and outfits, inspecting the designs and quality, obviously deciding which designs she could use in her own designs. Every floor was investigated. Books and stationery, housewares and linen, and everything in between. Then it was back to the ground floor and the small shop, where, even the sale items, had eye-watering prices.

We exited the shop onto Carnaby Street, where around thirty to forty mopeds, including Lambrettas and Vespas, were preparing to embark on a road trip. The Mods were all dressed in period clothing, from Parkas to Italian-cut suits, while the scooters were customised with foxtails and extra mirrors, with some supporting custom paint jobs. The noise was deafening, while the smell of petrol filled the small area. I decided it was best to move onto Great Marlborough Street, where the area was more spacious and would allow for a better vantage point. Sure enough all of the scooters made their way off Carnaby Street and, as soon as the traffic allowed, took off along the road. A short video of the scooters and their departure.

We then continued our walk along Great Marlborough Street, spotting a 1948 Cadillac, before continuing onto Noel Road, where we turned south along Berwick Street, spotting a street market ahead of us. One stall, in particular, that caught Erin's eye was 'Crochets by Amy', where hand-made crocheted items were for sale. After scanning the various items Erin decided that she wanted a small pink whale, which I purchased for her. After looking at a few more stalls, chatting with the friendly vendors, we ended up going back to 'Crochets by Amy', where Erin purchased a crochet duck.

We then turned along Peter Street and onto Meard Street, up Dean Street, along Bateman Street and onto Frith Street, finally reaching Soho Square, where we sat in the dappled shade to have drink and rest. This small square was filled with people enjoying the afternoon sun. Children were running around, while others were playing table tennis. Young people were lying on the grass, while others were sitting on the countless benches. It is a wonderful little oasis, with a faux Tudor building at its centre.

Suitably rested we made our way out of Soho Square along Sutton Row to Soho Place and across Charing Cross Road to Outernet Place. A massive screen affixed to the building advertised 'Kleenex x Mr Doodle!', so we headed inside, where we were confronted by a large glass box, made to look like a tissue box, with half a dozen people inside of it, busily cleaning the glass. Intriguing. After listening to some of the other visitors and talking with one of the security personnel we discovered that Mr Doodle had teamed up with Kleenex to promote their products, for one day only. Today!

Walking with family: Baker Street to Leicester Square... and beyond

Sunday December 22, 2024.

It was a cold late morning as Emma, Keilyn, Erin and her friend Summer and I made our way to the station, ready to take in the Christmas atmosphere of London.

I did give the girls' a mission for the walk. 'The first person to find a dinosaur would be given £1'.

Our first stop, after exiting Baker Street station, was to find somewhere to eat lunch. The girls unanimously voted for KFC, which we found across the road on Baker Street.

Suitably filled we headed south along Baker Street, crossing Oxford Street, until we reached Grosvenor Square. The square was remarkably quiet so we left, via its southeast corner, and headed onto Carlos Place, where we saw The Connaught Christmas tree, our first true Christmas tree of the day.

Continuing along Carlos Place we entered Berkeley Square and Keilyn, who had been slightly ahead of us, came running back to us, demanding £1, as she had found a dinosaur. Sure enough, as we reached the corner of Berkeley Square the cast of a dinosaur stood on a plinth, staring into the heart of the Square. I reached into my pocket and handed over the prize.

After admiring the display at Annabel's Members Only Club, we headed along Bruton Street to New Bond Street, passing the Coach and Horses pub on the way.

New Bond Street was considerably busier than anywhere else that we had so far visited, due to the ornate displays of the various big names along the street. Boodles, Bvlgari, Cartier, Chanel, Dior, Givenchy, Louis Vuitton and Ralph Lauren, to name a few. 

The sky, though overcast, was still too light to get the full effect of the lights, but it still brought the feeling and atmosphere of Christmas to us.

Continuing on a light rain began to fall, so we headed into the Burlington Arcade, with its caped Beadles, exiting on Piccadilly, where the Fortnum & Mason building had its usual Advent Calendar display.

For a bit of a respite, Summer had never been on one of our walks, we headed into Waterstones bookshop, where we perused the books.

We then continued along Piccadilly to Piccadilly Circus and onto Coventry Street, where warm drinks were purchased. Before visiting the Winter Market, which had been erected in Leicester Square, Erin, Summer and I went off to see the various statues of Harry Potter, Bugs Bunny, Batman, etc.. After making a complete circuit, of the square, we met back up with Emma and Keilyn and entered the Winter Market. A few items were purchased, at inflated prices, before we headed off to grab some more snacks and warm food.

Christmas lights switch-on, 2024

With Christmas fast approaching various areas of London will begin to switch-on their Christmas lights, which begin in November.

With the switch-on London becomes a cluster of areas that bring their own Christmas style, as they all try to entice as many visitors as possible.

Below is a list of some of the areas, with dates, that will getting into the festive season from November.

November 5th

    

    Oxford Street

November 7th

    Carnaby Street

    Regent Street

    St James's 

November 8th

    Battersea Power Station

November 12th

    Covent Garden

November 13th

    Kew Gardens

    Marylebone Village

    Old Spitalfields Market

November 14th

    Leadenhall Market

    Savile Row

November 16th

    Mayfair

November 17th

    Belgravia

December 5th

    Trafalgar Square

January 2025

    Canary Wharf Light Festival

Of course, there other areas throughout London that have Christmas lights, festive activities and light festivals that are worth seeking out, too.

Please check before you travel as times and dates can be changed at the last minute.

(All dates were correct at time of publishing, but may be subject to change).

Walking with Erin: The Wallace Collection to Carnaby Street... and beyond

The Great Gallery.

Tuesday February 20, 2024.

With half term upon us I had already planned to take a walk with Keilyn, later in the week. Erin, not one for long walks wanted a day out , too, so we decided to visit the Wallace Collection.

We caught a Metropolitan line train to Baker Street and began our day.

We headed down Chiltern Street, on to Dorset Street and then on to Manchester Street, spying Hertford House on our left, all the while I was taking photos of Coal Hole Plates, as I think they are nice pieces of history.

A Coal Hole Plate.

As tickets are not required, unless seeing one of their temporary exhibitions, we headed through the doors into the entrance hall. Ahead of us carpeted marble stairs lead to the first floor, while rooms were to our left and right. We decided to start on the ground floor and work our way up the house.

We headed through the shop to the Housekeeper's Room, where paintings by Turner, Bonington and Canaletto. 

'Fishing Boats' by Bonington.

We then headed through to the first of four rooms dedicated to Arms and Armour. Weapons from India, Persia, Japan and Europe, among others, were displayed, along with armour from various countries.

Arms and Armour.

Following these rooms we headed to the Smoking Room, which was filled with jewellery, porcelain and the like, before heading to the 16th Century Gallery, the Front State Room, the Back State Room, the Dining Room and then the Billiard Room.

The Smoking Room.

We then ascended the stairs and entered the Boudoir, the West Room and the three West Galleries.

The Staircase.

The highlight, for me, was the Great Gallery, which is an amazing and spacious room. Furniture and paintings, along with ornaments were spread around this cavernous room, while seating allowed you to sit and take in the room.

The Great Gallery.

We then made our way though to the three East Galleries and then the East Drawing Room. Each room was splendid and it felt like stepping back in time. The Small Drawing Room led us to the Large Drawing Room, the Oval Drawing Room and the Study.

Erin in the Oval Drawing Room.

We then moved through the Boudoir Cabinet back in to the Boudoir and out onto the Landing. After a brief break we headed down the staircase and headed out of Hertford House.

Len's 53rd birthday: Baker Street to Borough Market... and beyond

Saturday September 7, 2013.

As has become customary, Len, Steve and myself headed off to London to celebrate Len’s birthday. Arriving at Baker Street, we took a slow walk along the Marylebone Road, turning in to Park Crescent and onto Portland Place. 

As we passed the BBC Broadcasting House, I pointed out the Dalek guarding the BBC Canteen. Seeing as both Steve and Len had never been inside, we headed in. The BBC Shop, which was due to open on September 1st still wasn’t open, so Steve settled for having his picture taken with the Dalek. We then continued our stroll by turning from Regent Street on to Margaret Street, so that we could grab a drink at the ‘Cock Tavern’ (1).

After our refreshment, we headed down Great Portland Street, crossed Oxford Street, headed along Argyll Street, crossed Great Marlborough Street and entered Carnaby Street, which is where we spotted the comedian, Sean Walsh. Still keeping a leisurely pace, we sauntered down Carnaby Street until we reached Beak Street. It was then that we noticed that many of the bars, that both Steve and I knew, were gone. Sacrilege! So, we turned on to Great Pulteney Street and headed for the ‘Vintage Magazine Shop’ on Brewer Street. 

After a damn good look around, I thought I would show Len and Steve my favourite Wine and Spirit shop. As we headed down Brewer Street to turn onto Rupert Street, we were passed by Simon ‘Scotty’ Pegg and his family. Unfortunately, due to the surprise of seeing him, I didn’t get a chance to say anything to him, so we continued on our way by turning on to Winnett Street and finally on to Old Compton Street, where ‘Gerry’s Wines & Spirits’ is situated. This was a place that my Dad had taken me to, many years ago, when he was looking for a special Vodka. Being a speciality shop, the prices on some items are truly astonishing, but it is still worth a visit.