London shivered last week when the UK was given a chilly taste of what the weather has in store as winter inches ever closer. The city is well known for its cold winter temperatures, welcoming tourists into its wintery wonderland with snow-coated (but accommodating) arms.
On the other hand, London is arguably at its best in winter, with picture perfect scenes and a jam-packed calendar offering all sorts of exciting things to see and do.
You wouldn’t be put off going to Iceland because of the cold – so if you’re hesitant, suck it up and go ahead with your trip, taking heed of the following advice.
Use your luggage limit
Most airlines give you around 20kg to play with, so if you’re jetting off to the English capital this winter, make full use of this and stuff a coat, scarf, gloves, bed socks (for the day) and appropriate footwear into your suitcase. This is not the season for travelling light!
Coffee shop hop
When out and about on your London adventures, make coffee your indispensable travel buddy. With coffee shops on every corner, this is as easy done as it is said. A glimpse through the windows will reveal the cosy atmosphere of these London gems, where you can happily while away an afternoon.
Keep yourself busy
Staying busy and on the move is one of the best ways to fend off the cold. London has an impressive calendar of events in the winter, including Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. Make a beeline for the ice skating rink as this is great way to keep warm, and there’s often somewhere to get a mug of hot chocolate afterwards as well.
Find cosy lodgings
After a day out in the cold, you’ll want to come back to a warm place to put your feet up. Enjoy someone else’s heating for free by sinking into the wonderful and sociable world of couchsurfing, or if you’re staying in self catering apartments in London, crank the heating up or leave the oven open after cooking to inject some additional warmth into the room.
Seek indoor attractions
London is home to a wealth of exciting indoor attractions, including fascinating museums and show-stopping theatre, so head to these to stay warm. London is also teeming with lively nightclubs where you’ll quickly don your alcohol jacket.
