Interesting things to do in London this winter

As winter is fast approaching, we thought we’d give you some interesting ideas of things to do in London once the clocks have changed and you’re feeling all miserable!

Go and see the ‘Best Worst Movie’
Yes, you read it right. Taking place at the Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square once a month is a screening of what is regarded as the best worst movie of all time – ‘The Room’. The film is so dire that it has achieved cult status for it’s dreadful dialogue, plot and acting. Why go and see it then you ask? Well the draw to going and seeing this movie is largely the fact that you’re encouraged to throw things at the screen such as plastic cutlery. It’s also perfectly normal to shout and swear throughout the film. The next screening is on November 5th.

Circle Line Pub Crawl
For the brave out there – take a day to complete the 27 pubs included on the loop section of the Circle Line pub crawl. Start whereever you wish as the startline is also the finish line! Take it easy though and remember to have enough water throughout your journey!

Chessington World of Adventures
Chessington’s theme park and other attractions including the zoo are still open until November 1st from 10am to 5pm. You can catch a train from London Waterloo (or Vauxhall, Clapham Junction, Earlsfield or Wimbledon if easier) which will get you to Chessington South station in around 33 minutes. The theme park is signposted (but head right when you come out of the station if unsure) and is about a 10 minute walk away. Enjoy rides such as Rameses Revenge, head to the zoo to see feeding time of the Silverback Gorillas (lots of chest beating) or Siberian Tigers and when it all gets too much for you, enjoy a pint in the family inn!

Dine in the dark at ‘Dans Le Noir’
For a unique dining experience, visit Dans le Noir in Clerkenwell. After having cocktails in the lit main bar, you’ll be taken to the pitch black dining room, where you’ll be guided safely to your table and served by blind guides/waiters. Eating a 3 course meal in the pitch dark will totally change your perception of taste and is a great experience.

Have a sing along at a piano bar
Visit the Players Bar and Restaurant which is attached to the New Players theatre underneath the Arches on Villiers Street. Enjoy singing along to show tunes, golden oldies, pop music, jazz numbers and pretty much anything else you can think of at this fun, noisy bar which is heavily populated with the cast of local West End shows from 11pm onwards.

Eat at a Secret Supper Club
If you haven’t yet heard of a secret supper club, then you’ve been missing out. They’re a great idea for people that have recently moved to London as they’re an excellent opportunity to meet new people. Like a cross between a restaurant and a dinner party, you pay cash in return for a seat at someone’s dinner party in their own home with fellow diners who are also there for the experience.

Open air ice-skating
From late November till early January, various open air ice rinks open in London. The most popular are based at Somerset House, the Tower of London and Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland. It’s often a very good idea to book tickets online a few weeks in advance of going if you want to skate at popular times (eg evenings and weekends) as demand is extremely high.

Burlesque Show
Watch a burlesque show at Cellar Door bar beneath Aldwych. This converted gentlemans toilets, frequented by people such as Oscar Wilde (!) is now a tiny bar offering live acts every night from 9pm till 1am.

Go on a ghost walk
The perfect activity to do on a winter’s evening, complete with bobble hat, scarf and gloves. This two hour walk is led by ghost author Richard Jones – email hauntings at aol.com for more info and to book!

Christmas in London

Now that Oxford Street and Regent Street have had their Christmas lights turned on, London is officially in the midst of the Christmas season. Even though it’s still the first weekend in November. So what does Christmas in London have in store for 2009?

If you’d like to see more street lights being turned on, then head to Bond Street from about 5pm on the 19th November. The shops, mainly jewellers, put on quite a display and give out lots of freebies to the crowd. You should expect a winter wonderland scene with rickshaw sleighs and reindeer. The street will be closed to traffic.

Tiffany and Co is presenting Skate at Somerset House. This beautiful open air ice rink is celebrating it’s 10th anniversary this year. Tickets cost £10.50 for adults during the day and £12.50 for the evening. The event is open from the 17th November to the 24th January. You can book online through Ticketmaster.

Also returning in November, is the popular Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. Entry to the park is free, but you’ll need to shell out £10-13 for their open air ice rink and £7.50 for a ride on the Giant Wheel. There is a Santa’s grotto and a European style Christmas market with dozens of stalls selling everything from mulled wine and hot cider to reindeer hats and scented candles. This is open from the 21st November to 3rd January and is highly recommended. You’re better off going in the evening or on a week day though as it gets extraordinarily busy at the weekends.

If you’re in London on 5th December, then head to Covent Garden for the utterly bizarre Great Christmas Pudding race. Held for Cancer Research, the event has been running since 1980. Teams made up of 6 contestants in fancy dress, take part in a relay race with obstacles such as flour-filled balloons to make it more difficult and entertaining for spectators. It starts at 11am and is great fun to watch.

Carol singers are everywhere in London during December and even non-church-goers are moved by hearing the old favourites being belted out for charity. Free carol concerts take place in Trafalgar Square between the 7th and 21st December. If you’re looking for a carol service though, St Paul’s Cathedral is holding the Breast Cancer Care Service on the 9th December. Ticket prices are between £25-60. Jeremy Irons, Saffron Burrows and Sophie Okenedo are among the names of famous actors giving readings. Also unmissable is the traditional donation of a Christmas tree from the people of Oslo to London. This unveiling will take place on the 3rd December in Trafalgar Square.

London really gets into the Christmas spirit and it’s a fantastic time to be in the capital.