A Very London Christmas: Jet Across the Pond for Festive Magic
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- One Aldwych stages a Jane Austen–themed holiday program with tours and events.
- West End access, festive theatre and London Eye tea create seasonal city packages.
- Shopper routes and hotel hopping highlight lights, pop-ups and fast-booking teas.
Arriving at One Aldwych in London’s posh Covent Garden neighborhood, it’s easy to slip into a giddy and festive mood.
A giant red bow drapes the front door archway in grand fashion, signaling the hotel has once again famously gone all out for the holidays. But it’s inside where the cozy magic happens. This year, the independently owned hotel (which was built in 1905 and served as the home of the Morning Post newspaper) has embraced a literary theme, celebrating the 250th anniversary of British literary genius Jane Austen’s birthday in December.
Taking center stage in the lobby is a towering tree, which is decorated with florals, red bows, mini-books and silhouettes of Austen’s most popular novel characters and the author herself, while garlands of book pages drape windows. It’s all the work of long-standing resident florist Mark Siredzuk, who transforms the hotel each year into a holiday sensation.
But aside from the decorations, what stands out is their curated programming — the hotel relies on some of London’s most trusted cultural influences. Just minutes after dropping my bags, I set out with a few other guests on the Saturday tour led by historian Dr. Matthew Green, who guides visitors through Covent Garden’s literary haunts and the places where Austen drew inspiration while visiting her brother on bustling Henrietta Street. “That is the building, the very room, where much of ‘Sense and Sensibility’ and ‘Persuasion’ were written. You would see her in there, raking over sentences,” Green describes, “ever so often throwing out a stray glance for inspiration from the meridian of fashion in Covent Garden.”
The next morning, I had a reservation at their Sunday brunch, where the highlight for me was silhouettist Charles Burns, who has famously created a silhouette of the late Queen Elizabeth II on her 80th birthday and also crafted all of the silhouettes used in the hotel’s holiday decor. During the brunch that started in the lobby bar with a Bloody Mary station and a spread of antipasti dishes, Burns roamed the room, cutting out silhouettes of diners with a pair of scissors in about 90 seconds. Each cutout was an uncanny likeness, prompting delighted gasps from the diners. “In any portrait the challenge is first to get the physical likeness, and then secondly, to go beyond that and say something about who that person is,” Burns tells me. Both Burns and Green can be booked at any time of year by One Aldwych guests for tours or special events.
One Aldwych is the perfect base for a festive weekend in London, as it’s located in the West End Theatre District, within a 10-minute walk of at least 20 theatres. That means you can take in a festive matinee or evening show, like “Elf The Musical” or the latest showstopper like “The Devil Wears Prada – The Musical,” and the newest heart-warming rendition of “Oliver!” The concierge at One Aldwych can guide you on their personal favorites tailored to your tastes. And at night, you can wander over the piazza to see the large Christmas tree, where it also “snows” hourly in the evenings during the Christmas season.
If you need a reprieve from the holiday madness of London, the hotel is an oasis, with signature suites that feel more like a home. Think: soaking in a bathtub with its own TV and closet bigger than some people’s living rooms. And at the spa, all of the holiday stress will melt away with the two-hour Oskia Renaissance Ritual, which combines a body scrub, a massage using warm candle wax, and a glow-up facial. This was an indulgent gift after a busy day romping through the busy streets of London.
What To Do In London This Festive Season
Whether you’re a first-timer to London, or a regular devotee, the London Eye is one of the best ways to see the city in all its glory from above. Snuggle inside one of the large glass pods on the giant observation wheel for their new Festive Afternoon Tea to nosh on tea sandwiches, scones and sweets like a coconut cardamom tart and mince pie, while watching the city’s beauty slowly glide by.
We barely felt like we were moving, and the views of major attractions like Big Ben, The Shard and Buckingham Palace were incredible. Add in a killer playlist of Christmas tunes and upbeat dance music — and hopefully a fun crowd at your table — and it’s a dreamy experience. The dedicated hosts for the festive one-hour experience (two rotations) will go out of their way to point out the attractions and they know all the best backdrops for the perfect photo. A glass of Champagne to top off the celebratory afternoon is a must.
Traditional Afternoon Teas in London With A Festive Spin
Afternoon tea is a traditional pastime in London, and almost all of London’s most opulent hotels offer special festive afternoon teas during Christmas time, including the iconic The Ritz London and Claridge’s. (These teas book up fast and sometimes months ahead, so book early.) I chose to do the “Bridgerton” themed tea at The Lanesborough in Hyde Park, where the Regency-style hotel’s ballroom glitters with chandeliers and music from a pianist floats through the air. The glam hotel is also decked out with Christmas trees which makes for beautiful photo ops.
A holly-draped tower of sweet and savory delicacies includes standouts like turkey, cranberry and chestnut sandwiches; truffled egg salad sandwiches; and a pistachio Christmas tree dessert. The tea was exquisite (I chose one with notes of chocolate), and the experience also comes with a fancy cocktail “Friends To Lovers,” crafted with coconut tequila, cranberry juice, cherries and honey.
It’s also worth having a drink at Sketch in Mayfair just to see the bathrooms (we won’t spoil the surprise), and to catch their ever-evolving, whimsically decorated rooms. This year, the themed artists’ exhibition is “The Art of Après,” which will transport guests to ski-worthy snowy peaks and alpine bliss. During their holiday tea, you may see ballerinas twirling by tables of well-heeled guests sipping bubbly as a classical string trio plays.
Where To See The Best Christmas Lights in London
London is dressed in its festive best, and you can’t miss all of its popular shopping streets dazzling with millions of lights. I’d bundle up in the evenings to walk the posh streets like Regent Street, where the signature sparkling angels hold court over the street. On Bond Street, lit crowns dangle from above and the facades of high-end stores like Chanel and Cartier are wrapped in over-the-top décor from presents to wreaths.
And Oxford Street is draped in shining stars and is near Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland. You can easily map out those streets for about a 45-minute walk to see the lights for free. And there are no shortage of bus tours if you’d rather hitch a ride to see the glowing wonders.
For something unique, hop aboard the gourmet bus tour Bustronome to see the lights in style and comfort, paired with a six-course dinner made by a chef on board. The double-decker bus has a glass roof, so you can watch the lights go by from your table. (Though, I do wish they had some sort of narration; instead, music plays during the tour.)
Shop ‘til You Drop in London
Shopping is just as fun during the festive season in London, and it’s a treat to even window shop to gawk at display windows at shopping meccas like Fortnum & Mason and Selfridges. This year, Selfridges is dressed in an over-the-top Disney theme, with a 3D Disney castle theatrically topping the building. And for the first time, there’s a festive pop-up at the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, where you can pick up official royal gifts, commemorative ornaments and more. (Note: this is not a Christmas market as the AI-fueled rumor on social media suggests.)
It’s also worth hotel hopping to see the iconic trees at The Savoy (this year, it’s a pink dream) and Claridge’s dressed in a fashionable Burberry style. Though, for me, coming back to the cozy lobby of the One Aldwych was a Christmas dream come true.
This story was originally published December 3, 2025 at 4:31 PM with the headline "A Very London Christmas: Jet Across the Pond for Festive Magic."
