Lighten Up with London’s West End

 “London is a series of villages,” they used to say.

That’s almost true. Take our famous West End, with its discrete pools of activity. Soho and St James’s are recognisably distinct, but the area as a whole has a compact, magnetic quality that makes sense.

Likewise the high profile streets that mark the centre’s main arteries: iconic Piccadilly to the South; Oxford Street’s shopping mecca to the North; Bond Street’s chic 800 metres connecting the two. 

Now, for the first time, this celebrated centre has switched on all its Christmas lights simultaneously.

That’s over 1 million energy–saving LED bulbs across London’s West End, which adds up to the world’s biggest seasonal switch–on, an illuminated trail taking in Oxford Street, Regent Street and Piccadilly Circus; covering Bond Street, South Molton Street and North Audley Street; Leicester Square, St James’s and Piccadilly. In all there are 20 streets taking part in this mega switch–on. 

It’s an invitation for people to get to know the West End as never before. On foot.

The second largest metropolis in Europe, the centre of London is actually quite human in scale.

So what’s on show in today’s illuminated West End? Below are 50 things to do and see, taking in shops old and new, entertainments and sight-seeing, punctuated by some historic watering holes and intriguing cafes.

It’s an illuminated ramble through the West End. But check online with shops, cafes and places of indoor entertainment for Covid compliant guidance.

1. Selfridges returns with its outdoor Christmas Market on the Mews: festive gifts, a Helter Skelter, a performing Santa (and Friends), eco Christmas trees and toys. The Selfridges window displays on Oxford Street are a must–see, too.

2. The Disney Store on Oxford Street: the widest imaginable selection of authentic merchandise.

3. Dyson Beauty Lab. Salon offering high–tech blow–dry. Curls, waves, or straight for Christmas? Above the Dyson Demo Store, Oxford St.

4. With a menu that takes its inspiration from the nation’s favourite biscuits and baked tarts, the Langham Afternoon Tea is both terribly British and beautiful. All day dining too. Palm Court at The Langham, Portland Place W1.

5. Sonic Bloom is an interactive, outdoor sound installation in Mayfair’s Brown Hart Gardens, just South of Oxford St – an Alice in Wonderland of sound art. Artist Yuri Suzuki.

6. The Colony Grill Room at The Beaumont. Discover Mayfair’s classic grill room: deemed “London’s best steak restaurant” by The Tatler. The Beaumont, 8 Balderton St, Brown Hart Gardens, London W1

7. McQueens Flowers. Luxury Seasonal Wreaths and gorgeous floral creations from this florist and floral school. Located at 29 North Audley St W1.

8. Mayfair’s latest restaurant, BiBi: delicious chaat and grills, contemporary Indian cuisine. 42 North Audley Street W1.

9. Danceworks London has daily drop–in classes. Go online for Christmas opening times. Christmas gifts, too. Beginners, private lessons, intensive mentoring.16 Balderton Street Mayfair W1 (near Brown Hart Gardens).

10. Jazz every night in December at Mercato Mayfair: food stalls, eateries and a vaulted wine cellar within a beautiful church conversion. Cultural hub, sustainable community market. St Mark’s Church, North Audley St W1.

11. The John Lewis Christmas Shop: satisfyingly eye–popping Christmas windows and manifold gifts.

12. Flannels on Oxford St is showcasing stunning displays by emerging artists. LED screens all across the flagship store’s facade. Art, not ads, say the curators!  Flannels: 161, 167 Oxford St.

13. Liberty on Great Marlborough Street: iconic listed Arts and Crafts, Tudor style department store. A thing of beauty, fine gifts. Must see.

14. The David Bowie Experience at 14 Haddon St W1 in Soho. Shop located near where that iconic photo of Bowie–in –a –phone –box was taken. Celebrating 75 years of Ziggy, Thin White Duke etc. Time limited pop-up.

15. Lush, Oxford St: 3 floors of cruelty free, handmade soaps, cosmetics, perfumes. Includes personalisation station and popular Snow Fairy range, reusable knot gift wraps. Plus a vegan coffee shop.

16. The first immersive, DC Comics–inspired gastronomic restaurant in the world. Park Row in Soho. Bat cave optional. 77 Brewer St, W1

17. Step into Christmas on Oxford Street and Bond Street this year with the first-ever immersive AR festive trail. Look out for QR codes dotted along the street to discover festive magic from this pocket concierge.

18. Hamleys, THE toy store on Regent Street. What more is there to say? Find the perfect present in the oldest toy store in the world.

19. Burberry, Regent Street. Iconic British brand. Plenty to covet in its flagship store, now dedicated to more sustainable fashion.

20. The Microsoft Experience, 253–259 Regent St. On the corner of Oxford Circus. Tech heaven.

21. Bottletop on Regent St: THE zero waste store; find accessories from the finest sustainably sourced materials.

22. Located within the Cafe Royal Hotel on Regent St is Akasha, a hidden sanctuary with an 18m pool, sauna, hammam, jacuzzi, gym, studios and lounge bar.

23. The Avocado Show is dedicated to making all its dishes from sustainably sourced avocados. That’s it. The first of its kind in the UK. New, unique, delicious. Find it at 6 Princes Street W1.

24. Bond Street’s best kept secret, Boodles Brasserie returns to this famous store in time for Christmas. Open Tuesday to Saturday during December. Those with an eye for gorgeous jewellery can lunch in style.

25. Bar No.39 is a new watering hole inside Browns Fashion. Tucked inside the flagship Mayfair boutique, it promises seriously retro glam from the 70s and early 80s. Immersive, too… 39 Brook Street W1.

26. Brown’s Hotel’s festive collaboration with celebrated Asprey. Two Mayfair legends meet. Seeing is believing.

27. Immerse yourself in Ralph Lauren’s flagship at No.1 New Bond St and stop off for a coffee at Ralph’s pop up, now back.

28. Snap a selfie at Bond Street’s iconic Christmas Tree. All part of the magic of this historic shopping street.

29. Claridge’s famous Christmas tree and festive afternoon teas are a big draw. Sometimes called an “annexe to Buckingham Palace” Claridge’s is on the corner of Brook Street and Davies St, Mayfair W1

30. Matches Fashion. Five floors of fashion, lifestyle and events, digital and physical, in Mayfair. Exquisite. 5 Carlos Place W1.

31. The new Connaught Patisserie can be found beside The Connaught Hotel, but on Mount St. W1. Serves and sells delicious handmade delicacies. Interior from Ab Rogers Design. Fabulous.

32. Mount Street Printers in the heart of Mayfair deals in the finest stationery. Christmas Cards, Thank You Cards and Notecards, plus leather bound notebooks. Also personalised stationery. Mount Street runs from Park Lane to Davies Street W1.

33. Also on Mount St (No. 125) is Dr Barbara Sturm’s new flagship boutique and Spa. Innovative treatments, a beautiful product range, suitable for sensitive skins. “Rigidly” cruelty–free.

34. On Piccadilly itself is the Royal Academy. Exhibitions include the photographs of Hélène Binet. The title, “Light Lines,” doesn’t quite do justice to the work, which is superb. Burlington House, Piccadilly.

35. Opposite the RA is Fortnum & Mason, with its Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon, the epitome of sophisticated afternoon/high teas. Trad splendour since 1707. Fab Christmas displays, too.

36. Also on Piccadilly is Hatchards, founded in the 18th century, the oldest bookshop in the UK, which (when appropriate) hosts literary events and book signings.

37. The Ever After Garden in Grosvenor Square is a haunting display of thousands of illuminated white roses. It returns this year in support of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. Garden open till 23rd December, free to view, but donations gratefully accepted.

38. And there is always The Ritz on Piccadilly… the only hotel in London to have a certified Tea Master and its own theme tune. Cool.

39. Not to mention The Wolseley next door. All-day Cafe-Restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and weekend brunch. Spectacular interior.

40. Peter Rabbit afternoon tea at The Dilly (on Piccadilly). Tasty themed treats, near Piccadilly Circus. Vegan options, restaurant within luxury hotel.

  41. On the way to Trafalgar Square you might visit the Bollinger 007 Champagne Bar, Burlington Arcade. Bar downstairs, lounge on first floor, all in London’s historic shopping spot.

42. Princes Arcade, 196 Piccadilly. A beautiful selection of boutiques within a delightful arcade in St James’s, connecting Piccadilly with Jermyn St.

43. Paxton & Whitfield, Jermyn St deserves respect for its legendary tiered Xmas cheesecake, featuring four classic Christmas artisan cheeses.

44. Fallow Restaurant at 2 St James’s Market SW1 started life as a pop up on Soho’s Haddon St. Now a sustainably–minded eatery with a permanent, upmarket address. Also shop online. Seasonal, award winning food.

45. Mason Assouline, 196a Piccadilly. Flagship store and “oasis of culture,” housed in a former bank designed by Lutyens in 1922. One of the world’s most beautiful bookstores, they say, it also offers furniture and limited edition gift items. Plus themed exhibitions AND cocktails or a light lunch at the Swans Bar.  

46. In Trafalgar Square itself, you will find the truly awesome National Gallery. Not to be missed.

47. Leicester Square: Scenes in the Square. The London home of film and entertainment displays 100 years of cinema via an interactive statue trail. Includes Laurel & Hardy, Bugs Bunny, Mr Bean.

48. Whitcomb’s at The Londoner Hotel. Simple, elegant French Mediterranean cuisine, great wine list, terrace overlooking Leicester Square.

49. Matinee or evening theatre performances on London’s West End Stage. Discover family friendly, classical and contemporary theatre in the cultural heart of London.

50. Enjoy the magic of English National Ballet’s glistening, frost–sprinkled performance of The Nutcracker at the London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane. A sparkling family favourite.