Visiting London

Cities have a particular glow during the holidays— a magic sparkle ✨ that can’t be denied, and London is one of our favourites. But is it even December if you haven’t watched British holiday classics 🍿 like The Holiday and Love Actually!? That’s what we think. Ok, let’s discuss!

Here at Flytographer we easily connect people with trusted photographers for fun photo shoots 📸 and have captured over four million memories worldwide. The magic of Flytographer is both the experience and the photos. Explore the city with a fun, talented photographer and get wall-worthy photos to relive your trip, forever! Are you travelling to London in December? Read on for the best things to do, and holiday tips from our local professional photographers in London.

TLDR

1. London in December
2. Best places to take photos in London
3. Museums & art galleries to visit
4. Cafes & restaurants
5. Seasonal events & activities
6. Day trips
7. Book a Flytographer photoshoot
8. FAQ

Photo: Emily in London for Flytographer. Meghann captures family photos at Covent Garden London.

1. London in December

December is a wonderful time to enjoy England’s liveliest winter wonderland. ❄️ Iconic landmarks like the Tower of London, Trafalgar Square and the London Eye are stunners no matter the season, and December is no different. 👍

Early December is a quieter time to visit London, meaning fewer crowds and lower prices on travel-related expenses.

We’re big fans of promoting dressing in layers – and layers and London go hand in hand! 🧤 Sunny afternoon skies and afternoon temperatures can be mild and pleasant, but chilly temps and rain should be expected and planned for; average daytime temperatures hover around 48°F (9°C). Remember that temperatures can drop below freezing and snow is possible… which is totally great, remember? We’re aiming for holiday romantic comedy weather! ☕️

Photo: Jimmy in London for Flytographer. Michael captures family photos in London at Covent Garden.

2. Best places to take photos in London

We would be remiss to talk about London’s beauty without talking about what we do best— taking photos! 📷 Here are some of our top London spots to take photos:

1. Covent Garden & Piccadilly: London’s West End is a hotbed of activity and entertainment! Start at Covent Garden and continue your walk through Soho to Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus. Hot tip: be sure to check out the Covent Garden Christmas tree! 🎄
2. Buckingham Palace & Hyde Park: Home to the monarchy and a stunning display of all things royal, this royal route will make you feel like a queen (or king) for a day. 👑 Longer bookings may continue through the posh enclave of Mayfair and Hyde Park if you want to continue feeling extra fancy.
3. “London Boy” Eras Walking Tour: This special photo tour will have you discover a few of the iconic Taylor Swift spots including SoHo, the West End, Oxford Street and Regent Street, the West End, and more! (Be sure to check out this post for a deeper dive into all things Taylor in London! 🪩)
4. Tower Bridge: One of the most iconic symbols of London, Tower Bridge boldly spans the River Thames. This route can also continue over the bridge 🚶‍♀️ to explore the Tower of London and the streets beyond.
5. Westminster Abbey & Bridge: Westminster Bridge crosses the Thames from the dazzling Westminster Palace on the west to the softly spinning London Eye on the east. 🤩 You can see both the abbey (a place of worship) and the palace (parliament building), and our fave photo pops of colour: those iconic red photo booths! ☎️

Our local photographers know even more places to take photos in London (including hidden gems) so you can return home with beautiful memories of your British adventures! Options are plentiful, so be sure to check out all of our London routes for even more ideas and examples.

Fun fact! If you’re a Bridgerton fan, we have curated a Bridgerton photo route outside of London to some of the most popular Bridgerton filming locations and photoshoots in London! 💖

Photo: Emily in London for Flytographer. Andy captures engagement photos in London at Covent Garden.

3. Museums & art galleries to visit

Visiting museums and art galleries is one of our favourite things to do— and favourite ways to stay warm— in London during the winter. We also love that quite a few of these amazing sights offer free admission, making them perfect places to add to your December must-see’s. 👏 Some of our fave museums include:

• The Natural History Museum: This place is a hit with kids and adults alike. Imagine coming face-to-face with a T-Rex or exploring the wonders of space– It’s like stepping into a science playground! 🦖
• The Victoria and Albert Museum: Ever wondered what the royals wore back in the day? Or how furniture has evolved over centuries? The V&A’s got you covered. It’s a treasure trove of design styles from around the world.
• The British Museum: History buffs, this one’s for you! From ancient Egyptian mummies to the Rosetta Stone, it’s packed with cool stuff from pretty much every corner of the globe. 🌎 Oh, and the building itself? Absolutely gorgeous.
• The Tate Modern: Picture this– cutting-edge art in a massive old power station. It’s edgy, it’s thought-provoking, and sometimes downright weird (in the best way possible). Perfect for when you’re in the mood for something different.
• The London Mithraeum: Ever fancied time-traveling back to Roman London? This place lets you do just that. It’s a slice of ancient Rome right in the heart of the city. Small but seriously cool! 📜

Photo: Jackie in London for Flytographer. Peyton captures couple photos in London at the Museum of Natural History.

4. Cafes & restaurants

Another awesome way to stay warm, rest your feet, get some cute pics, and of course, fill your bellies, is to visit London’s yummy eateries. 😋 Although the list of must-try cafes and restaurants is somewhat endless and plentiful (thank you, social media!), some of our highlights include:

• Sketch for brunch
• Brasserie of Light for perfect festive dining
• St. JOHN for Michelin star-rated British food
• Paul Rothe & Son for a great sandwich
• Algerian Coffee Stores for famous coffee and tea (plus great takeaway options)
• The Monocle Café for cool (/hot) coffee
• Biscuiteers for the warmest bundle of glutenous joy on a cold day

Photo: Jimmy in London for Flytographer. Janice captures family memories photos in London at Notting Hill.

5. Seasonal events & activities

Let’s dive into the best seasonal stuff in London, namely Christmas lights and carols! 🎵

1. Visiting Christmas Markets: There are so many amazing holiday markets in London! Borough Market is always a year-round treat, but what about at Christmastime? Be sure to visit Covent Garden Christmas Market, Leicester Square Christmas Market (Christmas in Leicester Square), and Trafalgar Square Christmas Market.
2. Ice Skating: Skate at Somerset House is entering its 25th year as the most popular ice rink in London. Be prepared for crowds, but a totally memorable holiday experience! ⛸️
3. Christmas Caroling: Christmas isn’t complete without carols so be sure to check out Carols at the Royal Albert Hall, where they host 15 performances of sing-along carols across six days. It doesn’t get more magically merry than this!
4. Experiencing Afternoon Tea: Surely you can’t do London and not do afternoon tea! Although there are plenty of options (we already mentioned Sketch above), we love tea at the British Museum for its reasonable pricing and enjoyment for all ages. 🫖
5. Celebrating Christmas Eve & Christmas Day: London public transit (including the Tube) does not run on Christmas Day so it’s important to plan accordingly— take a long stroll, schedule a Christmas Day boat cruise down the Thames, and make reservations for a beautiful Christmas dinner.
6. Ringing in the New Year: A beautiful dinner, show, party, club, and of course, London’s world-famous fireworks are a perfect way to celebrate New Year’s Eve!

Photo: Hector in London for Flytographer. Lauren captures couple photos in London at Covent Garden.

6. Day trips from London

Although there is plenty of X-mas fun in London to keep you busy, if you’re looking for sightseeing outside the city 🗺 check out some of our recommended day trips: 

1. Windsor, England: the city of Windsor is about an hour’s train ride from London, making it one of our recommended day trips outside the city. Windsor Castle is the residence of the British royal family and is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world.
2. Surrey, England: Although the cottage from The Holiday isn’t an actual spot to visit, the small Surrey towns of Godalming and Shere are, and they make for a great day trip!  
3. Edinburgh, Scotland: Scotland is about 4-5 hours from London by train so this might be an easier multi-day trip! Speaking of trains, the world-famous Jacobite Steam Train (aka: Harry Potter’s Hogwarts Express) is probably the most scenic train journey in the world! 🚂 Don’t forget to hire a local Edinburgh photographer for your day trip.

Photos: Kim in Edinburgh for Flytographer. Aileen captures anniversary photos in Scotland.

7. Book a Flytographer photoshoot

We have a spectacular team of professional Flytographers in London who eagerly look forward to capturing you while you’re in London this December. Be sure to check availability with our local London photographers to capture the perfect English souvenir— Christmastime photos in London town! 🎄❤️

Photo: Emily in London for Flytographer. Vicky captures family photos in London at Westminster Bridge.

8. FAQ

Is December a good time to visit London?

December is a great time to visit London! Whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned pro, the charm of London is extra glitzy in December.

Is December the coldest month in London?

Great news— December is not the coldest month in London (you’re looking at February for that achievement), so although cold, that holiday sparkle is sure to keep you cozy! We think the holiday warmth is worth the chill.

Is London expensive in December?

Visiting London over Christmas and New Years can be pricey but a visit early in December means more economy and lower crowds. The whole month of December leading up to the holidays offers ample merriment!

Is London at Christmas worth it?

Christmas in London is worth the visit! Especially if kids are older, you’re flying solo, or you just need a bit of a change, London at Christmastime provides even more merriment for your very Merry Christmas. 

Photo: Emily in London for Flytographer. Leo captures engagement photos in London at Covent Garden.

Capturing Memories in London

We’re no strangers to loving holidays in big cities (New York! Paris! We see you!), and London is one of our top choices. Tell Santa 🎅 you’re ready for some holiday cheer, and make your way to Europe this holiday season… while you’re there, be sure to reach out and schedule your London photoshoot. We can’t wait to help you capture your London memories this December.

See you soon! 👋