21 winter hotspots you need to visit this Christmas
Grab a woolly jumper and deck the halls with boughs of holly; and as far as we’re concerned, it’s officially time to get excited about Christmas. If you want to get festive early this year, there are a tonne of pop-ups across the UK spreading Christmas cheer. From a life-size pink gingerbread house in London to a storm-watching in Cornwall; these pop-ups will have you feeling festive quicker than you can say Frosty the Snowman.
THE ROOFTOP ST. JAMES
Veuve Clicquot and The Rooftop St James have linked together to bring us the Sky High Winter Chalet, including wooden dining pods, champagne cocktails and Alpine menu. Make yourself cosy and snug in the glass conservatory and celebrate the party season.
FENTIMANS PINK GINGERBREAD HOUSE
Hold your horses. There’s a life-size Pink Gingerbread House in London, we can almost feel the stampede of influencers. Fentimans is bringing sugar, spice and all-things iced to Skylight Rooftop. It’s available to book in three hour slots and it’s running until January. Sip festive ginger cocktails and nibble on the edible sweet-filled walls while overlooking the city’s iconic skyline.
STORM WATCHING IN CORNWALL
Whatever it is with listening to the rain and watching lightening, as a nation we’re obsessed with this weird form of self-care. The Headland’s five star cottages in North Cornwall offer an unforgettable storm-watching experience overlooking Fistral Beach from their private clifftop.
THE BOUNDARY TERRACE
We cannot get enough of Alpine-style terraces this Winter and the retreat at Boundary London does not disappoint. Enjoy views of East London and Veuve Clicquot cocktails and champagne pairing menu, featuring cheese fondue, raclette and tartiflette. The terrace is complete with silver birch trees, an open fire pit, heated jumbrellas, pyramid patio heaters, blankets and innovative heated seats. NYE tickets are also available, priced at £150 per person, guests will be treated to a glass fizz and a bespoke tasting menu at Wilder.
SUPER YACHT HOTEL
All aboard the Super Yacht! This winter, located near Canary Wharf in London, guests can board the 128-metre luxury yacht for a winter dining experience. On offer is festive Norfolk bronze turkey with cranberry and stuffing, Wensleydale cheese with tomato chutney, Wye Valley smoked salmon and cream cheese and much more. The breath-taking yacht is ideal for sundowners looking across the skyline of the city of London.
THE SECRET FOREST AT HARVEY NICHOLS
Harvey Nichols and Visa have teamed up to give up an enchanted secret hideaway to enjoy some of our favourite festive films including Home Alone,The Grinch and Miracle on 34th Street. The Secret Forest at Harvey Nichols takes you on a journey from outside with the magical Northern Lights glistening across the building’s façade, through a mystical woodland and into a winter scene complete with a never-ending night sky.
RADIO ROOFTOP WINTER TERRACE
Grey Goose Vodka and Radio Rooftop have partnered together to bring us an Alpine-style winter hideaway. On the 10th floor of the ME London hotel, there’s fantastic views of London’s skyline and the Thames. Faux-fur throws, cosy blankets and flickering lanterns adorn luxurious lodges and transport guests to the picturesque French Alps where delicious food and bespoke cocktails can be enjoyed against the winter wonderland backdrop.
ALPINE LODGE FLAT IRON SQUARE
As London’s burgeoning trend for whisky drinking continues to rise, Flat Iron Square introduces a festive and warming retreat for the winter – the Alpine Whisky Lodge featuring Marker’s Mark, Laphroaig and Highland Park. The lodge will serve up exclusive warming whisky cocktails, including the Maker’s Mark S’mores Old Fashioned served with a toasted marshmallow. On Wednesdays you can jam along to some live jazz music.
MADISON LONDON ENCHANTED WOODS
Madison is fired up and ready for the festive season with the launch of its annual rooftop terrace. This year, the terrace has been transformed into an enchanted winter wonderland from November until February. As part of the new installation, Madison and Belvedere Vodka will be serving festive winter warmer drinks, cocktails, sharing boards and one of the iconic panoramic views of the City.
RUDDING PARK
When the Christmas shopping gets a bit too hectic, take a few days out and enjoy the stargazing experience at Rudding Park in North Yorkshire. Their rooftop spa and gardens provide an exclusive experience to unwind and relax with panoramic views of the night sky.
FESTIVE AFTERNOON TEA AT THE HANSOM
From November the 18th The Hansom at St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel is launching a very special Festive Afternoon Tea, adding a touch of seasonal glamour and zing to one of London’s most exciting neighbourhoods. Visitors can keep merry and sink into the warmth of a traditional tea, a mulled tipple or a glass of crisp Perrier Jouët champagne.
WINTERLAND'S ALPINE CLUB
Summer might be over, but Fulham Beach Club is still open for business. Marking the start of the festive season it has had a hygge ski chalet makeover. New to 2019 they have a bubbling hot-tub with a magical view of the Thames, fur-lined cabins, lodges and magical igloos. They also have a variety of winter games, warming street food and live music - you’ll really feel like you’re in the depths of the Alps.
HADDON HALL
If you’re looking for a grand festive experience, you’ve got to head to Haddon Hall in Derbyshire this Christmas. It’s decked out with magnificent medieval decorations, glistening lights and trees. Joyous music will be performed daily by local choirs and bell ringers. They also have an artisan market that will showcase a selection of over 100 artisans from across the country.
MARKET HALL WEST END
Market Hall West End offers shoppers, workers, tourists and locals a new food experience. The line-up of traders include Stevie Parle’s pasta restaurant Pastaio, Angelo Sato’s Japanese Yatai, pizza purveyors Paradise Slice, and Jian Bing specialist Pleasant Lady.
ECCLESTON YARDS CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
From November to January Eccleston Yards will illuminate its courtyard with a multi-sensory light installation titled ‘Wave’ created by internationally renowned artists, Squidsoup. There’s 500 individually suspended orbs, each with a unique voice, will energise the body, stimulate happiness and calm the heart rate.
EMERALD CITY AT THE QUEEN OF HOXTON
You’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto. This Winter Queen of Hoxton’s rooftop is going green and transforming into the magical land of Oz, complete with yellow brick road, a bewitching green den and Emerald Garden. Here you’ll find fire pits to toast
marshmallows around, and walls glistening with Emerald jewels, as well as a hidden bar serving up hot and
cold green cocktail delights.
LUNA CINEMA
Summer favourite The Luna Cinema is launching a Winter series in two beautiful venues: Kensington Palace in London and the stunning St. George’s Hall in Liverpool. Escape the hustle and bustle and watch one of your favourite Christmas movies in a festive grotto, sipping mulled wine and eating mince pies.
SOUTH BANK SNOW GLOBE
Martin Miller’s Gin has partnered with Jimmy’s Lodge on Southbank to create the ultimate, Northern Lights inspired dining experience in pop up igloos with the Thames as the backdrop
JOHN LEWIS & PARTNERS WINTER CARNIVAL
The flagship John Lewis & Partners store on Oxford Street has created a Winter rooftop carnival, celebrating their love of all things music, food and arts. There’s bookable boho flower dens, Filipino food from Bong Bongs Manila Kanteen, refreshing cocktails, and a series of FREE fitness classes.
CHRISTMAS AT QUAGLINOS
Quaglino’s set in the heart of London’s thriving social scene - is open for Christmas! Bring the family along on Christmas day, and Boxing Day and celebrate the season spirit in a relaxed and glamorous style. Bring in the next generation of roaring-Twenties with crispy fireplaces, mistletoe and twinkling lights.
SNOW GLOBE EXPERIENCE LONDON EYE
One of the world-famous capsules has been fully transformed into an immersive snowy London Christmas scene, fitted with real pine trees, a flickering lamp post, quintessential London park bench and even a traditional red post box. Switch off for 30 minutes from panic of last-minute Christmas shopping.
