TRAVEL: The Ultimate London Christmas Lights self-guided walking tour!

I firmly believe that London is one of the most magical places on Earth at Christmastime, and in no way is this more clear than the effort put into the city’s Christmas lights. But London’s a big city, right? Is it really possible to see the best of London’s Christmas lights all in one go? You’ll be pleased to know that the answer is yes – just follow the route below for the Ultimate London Christmas Lights Tour!

Duration: 2 hours

Our journey begins at Regent’s Park station. Walk west on Marylebone Road before turning left onto Marylebone High Street. As you walk down the High Street, you’ll see your first set of magical Christmas lights. Peer into the windows at Daunt Books to see their best books for Christmas.

When you reach the end of the road, you can turn right here to see Selfridge’s window displays. Otherwise, turn left and then a swift right just before Costa Coffee onto St Christopher’s Place to see more lights and the off the high street shops here.

At the end of St Christopher’s Place you’ll arrive directly into the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street, one of the most famous places to see the Christmas lights. Cross the road after Bond Street and onto South Molton Lane for their impressive lights. Pop into Claridge’s to see their amazing Christmas tree, designed by a different designer every year.

Back on Brook Street, retrace your steps past South Molton and peer at the lights up and down New Bond Street before crossing Regents Street (again, famous for its lights). Peek into Liberty London for a true British department store experience and then turn right onto Carnaby Street, which this year has a stunning lights display inspired by Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody.

Turning back onto Regents Street, make your way over to Berkeley Square (Conduit Street is your most direct route here). Walk around the top of the Square, taking a quick detour on Mount Street to see their colour-changing Christmas tree before turning back to Berkeley Square and past Annabel’s Clubs incredible decorations. Turn down Berkeley Street and you’ll find yourself on Piccadilly right opposite the Ritz Hotel.

Turn left up at the street, stopping to check out Burlington Arcade and Fortnum & Mason’s window displays. Wander your way up Piccadilly until you reach Piccadilly Circus – if you look left, here’s another opportunity to see the Regents Street lights.

Turn right onto Haymarket and then a left at the bottom of the road towards Trafalgar Square and its very large Christmas tree. Walk down Duncannon Street, across the Strand and down Villiers Street, through Embankment station and up the stairs onto Golden Jubilee Bridge. You’ll get some amazing views of London across the Thames.

Across the river, now is the perfect time to stop for something to eat at the Southbank Christmas market, before turning left and then across Waterloo Bridge for some more views. Turn left onto the Strand to see the Northbank lights before turning right onto Burleigh Street.

You’ll arrive right into Covent Garden where there are some pretty lights inside the covered area as well as a huge Christmas tree to greet you outside. Turn up James Street past Covent Garden station, left onto Long Acre and right onto Mercer Street. This brings you to Seven Dials which is pretty from any of the seven sides you look at it.

Take the second exit up Earlham Street and left onto Shaftesbury Avenue. Turn right up Charing Cross Road and you’ll reach our terminus, Tottenham Court Road. I hope you enjoyed my Ultimate Christmas Lights Tour – if you decide to test it out yourself, tag me on Twitter @CiarasCountry, I’d love to see your photos! Thanks for reading!