LIVING URBAN CHRISTMAS
The English capital is a more than capable host for those who want to immerse themselves in the seasonal whirlwind. Yuletide proceedings, launched by switching on the specially designed lights in Oxford Circus last month, will have groups of carol singers filling the air by the Thames Embankment. Fight the biting cold with arms flailing around the magical ice rink at arts and culture hub Somerset House (Somersethouse. org.uk). Overlooking the rink, you’ll also find a new luxury pop-up mall, the Christmas Arcade (on till January 6), featuring British boutique brands and feeding your ravenous end-of-year shopping appetite. EAT AND DRINK For freshly baked mince pies and spicy mulled wine, try the discreet Maltby Street market (Matlbystreet.com) in Bermondsey, which has a sophisticated bunch of retailers like St John Bakery, La Grotta Ices and The London Honey Company. The South-
bank’s Christmas Market (a German-style set-up of wooden stalls) offers authentic gingerbread—and the opportunity to take a spin on the giant carousel. Make your Christmas lunch reservation in good time if you’re eating out. Bistrotheque (Bistrotheque.com), down in the East End, is a jovially glamorous spot; there’s also The Albermarle at Brown’s, London’s oldest hotel (Brownshotel.com), and The Zetter Townhouse (Thezettertownhouse. com) if you don’t want to go too traditional. Homesick travellers should park themselves at Indian restaurant The Cinnamon Club (Cinnamonclub.com), manned by celebrity chef Vivek Singh. STAY This time of the year is all about good old-fashioned English tradition, and it doesn’t get much better than the superbly evocative Hazlitt’s Hotel (Hazlittshotel.com). Named after prolific essayist William Hazlitt, who lived here in the 18th century, it occupies three historic houses just off Soho Square.
SHOP If you’re still on the hunt for lastminute gifts, you can get your hands on a lifesize toy reindeer at RS Currie & Co (Rscurrie.com), fragrant face oils by Aesop (Aesop.com) and books from Persephone Books (Persephonebooks.co.uk). Antique jewels are to be found at the family-run J McCarthy (Tel: 0044-20-72223588), and a huge Christmas hamper from Fortnum & Mason (Fortnumandmason.com) is always a safe bet— filled with delights like lemon biscuits and strawberry conserve, each basket is sweet perfection. DO For some breathing space, head to the ever-so-chic Holland Park, which holds a Japanese garden, an opera house and even peacocks. Plan a trip to Vauxhall City Farm (Vauxhallcityfarm.org) for a horse ride—at this time of year, you might even score a Shetland pony. But Christmas doesn’t really ring true until you’ve heard soaring carols, so take in a concert at the elegant Wigmore Hall (Wigmore-hall.org.uk), which thoughtfully provides a programme of singers and chamber ensembles. —Allie Biswas > A sunset view of the Somerset House ice rink with its huge Tiffany-sponsored Christmas tree. Inset: Mulled wine
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