If you’re trying to get the perfect shot for your Instagram feed this Christmas, London is packed with some brilliantly photogenic festive spots. From stunning light displays and mouth-watering gourmet delights to stylish Nordic igloos and more, there are plenty of places around the city to get posing.
Read on for some of the best spots in the city to get the perfect shot, and start your day with the best English Breakfast in London, before hitting the town with your photographer in tow.
Kew Gardens
If you’re staying a few nights in the city at some of the stylish hotels in Lancaster UK, then a visit to Kew Gardens is an absolute must. Located a little further afield in south west London, this historic botanical garden is transformed into a magical winter haven at Christmas and is filled with plenty of spellbinding spots to get the perfect picture for Instagram.
This year, Kew Gardens will be festooned with colourful lights and a variety of incredible displays, that turn the already stunning gardens into something truly exceptional. Look out for the captivating laser show in the iconic building of Temperate House, which will be turned into a gorgeous kaleidoscope of colour, or pose beneath the twinkling lights that hang like vines from the branches of trees. Best of all is the dazzling archway of light, with thousands of tiny lights shimmering around you for a truly magical effect.
Winter Wonderland
Held every year at Hyde Park, Winter Wonderland is one of London’s most popular Christmas events and a brilliant place to get a festive photo. While it can get crowded and busy, it’s full of charming spots that capture the colourful side of the festive season perfectly.
If you’re trying to avoid the busier times, head to Winter Wonderland earlier in the day, after a delicious and warming brunch in London. Look out for the old fashioned carousel, complete with beautifully painted horses and rides on the merry go round, or pose beside the fantastic colourful lights. As the sun begins to set, make the most of the darker skies with a beautiful skate around the outdoor ice rink.
Covent Garden
Covent Garden always has some of the most timeless and captivating displays around Christmas, with an emphasis on charming and classic decorations. With plenty of lovely eateries and cafés in the area, it’s also a great spot to enjoy a snack or drink, or a festive brunch.
Look out for the stunning Christmas tree located in the central Piazza that will be festooned with over 30,000 lights, and their annual giant reindeer sculpture, which is a popular spot for a festive selfie, as well as the beautiful lights that take over the charming indoor market space.
Natural History Museum Skate Rink
The beautiful Victorian architecture of the Natural History Museum in South Kensington is always a brilliant place to visit when you want to capture some iconic London scenes. But at Christmas, its outdoor ice rink is one of the most perfect places to capture the feeling of magic and wonder.
Head to the rink close to sunset on a clear day, for a memorable sight of seeing the rink, skaters and the stunning museum bathed in soft winter light. Afterwards, treat yourself to a comforting dinner at the stylish restaurants in Lancaster, for a perfect end to the day.
Oxford Street Christmas Lights
No style-savvy Instagrammer worth their salt would miss out on Oxford Street at Christmas, and this year’s decorations aim to be more captivating and picturesque than ever before. With a new light display planned to adorn the busy shopping area, a visit to Oxford Street is essential this festive season.
This year, shoppers will be treated to the sight of several LED light curtains instead of the usual static light displays. Shimmering with multi-colour effects, they’ll transport you to a Nordic winter wonderland, and provide a wonderful sight against the night sky, while you hit the popular shops for some great deals.
Annabel’s in Mayfair
Annabel’s is one of London’s most exclusive member’s only clubs, located in the swanky streets of Mayfair. While the club itself is pretty difficult to get access to, at Christmas, everyone can enjoy a little of Annabel’s magic, thanks to their stunning annual festive display outside.
Alongside the classic architecture of the streets outside, the enormous tree, flanked by traditional candy canes, oversized Christmas presents and traditional coloured baubles sum up the seasonal spirit wonderfully, making it a sight always worth seeing.
The Wave at Eccleston Yards
While there are plenty of traditional Christmas light displays all over London, if you want to experience something a little different, yet equally colourful, then head to the unique pop up taking over Eccelston Yards this season.
Put together by the artist collective, Squidsoup, The Wave is a chromatherapy installation, combining hundreds of individual colourful orbs suspended from above, which combine light and colour to create a harmonic and soothing effect. The result is a perfect place to escape the more hectic side of Christmas shopping, and a calming haven to enjoy a beautiful moment of tranquillity.
Winterfest at Wembley Park
For a real visual extravaganza of light, colour and sound, head out to Wembley Park for the first-ever Winterfest. A festival of light and stunning art installations, the park will be transformed with all kinds of photogenic delights, including London’s tallest LED Christmas tree, and the iconic Sonic Runway.
A popular hit at Burning Festival, the Sonic Runway is making its European debut for the first time this year in the capital and promises to be one of London’s most Instagrammable locations this season. The runway is composed of rings of light and music that ripple hypnotically with changing colour effects as you pass through. You’ll also see several other incredible technicolour treats around the park, including stunning art installations, live performances and more, providing ample opportunities to take some wonderful photos.
