The school holidays are fast approaching, you have a few weeks free and are staying in London over the break. We asked some of Teaching Personnel’s Aussie teachers the best activities to partake in over the holidays and their best tips to curing any holiday boredom.
Jake, a teacher, has lived in London for nearly two years: “Since working with Teaching Personnel since I arrived from Oz, I am lucky enough to be able to take advantage of the school holidays and uncover and make the most of all London has to offer. My personal favourite is Winter Wonderland and the novelty Santacon pub crawl!”
Here are his and other Aussie teachers’ hottest tips for the festive season in the capital.
Ice skating in London
London is spotted with cool ice skating rinks all over the city during the winter period. You can skate for under £15 right next to the London Eye, glide your way through the huge rink at Somerset House, Natural History Museum and the newest addition of rinks – Canary Wharf.
Christmas in Leicester Square
Christmas in Leicester Square is the newest addition to the Crimbo celebrations this season. Smack bang in the middle of central London the square is free to enter and provides endless bargains to bag yourself, a tonne of scrumptious food stalls and La Soirée circus performances.
Christmas Lights
London lights up over Christmas, and it would seem rather grinch-like to not go and take a look at some of the displays around the city. The iconic Oxford Street Lights include 1778 snowball-like decorations and often see the likes of someone famous to switch them on. Carnaby Street usually put on an impressive display, as well as Regent and Bond Street.
Winter Festival at the Southbank Centre
The Southbank Centre right next to the Thames run their own style of Christmas. The riverside set up provides hours of fun to tick all festive boxes. Sip on a mug of mulled wine whilst browsing through the funky pop-up markets, watching Christmas shows and indulging in some heart warming seasonal produce. Don’t like mulled wine? Then Rekordelig will have you sorted with their Cider Lodge offering mulled cider and Scandinavian snacks. The Southbank Centre Christmas is open from November 11th through to 8th of Jan, best of all- its free!
Christmas Markets
There are endless markets to explore and bag yourself a bargain at this winter! You can find some of these market full of goodies spotted around the city- Whether you’re their to shop for gifts or stuff your face most of these markets tick the boxes!
Some of the best in London include Tate modern xmas market, Greenwich Market, Kingston Christmas Market.
Winter Wonderland
Definitely amongst a favourite winter holidays activity among the expats. It combines all things fun spread across Hyde Park, and open for six weeks! The combination of rides, German beer halls, Christmas markets to browse through, mulled wine stalls, circus acts, ice skating. What more could you possibly want to fill up a cold, gloomy winter’s day in London?! Or for a smaller version of Winter Wonderland, head to Victoria Park for ‘Winterville’. Jam packed with pop-up food stalls and bars, a cinema screen and mini-golf!
Santacon pub crawl
What kind of Aussie doesn’t love a pub crawl? Not just your average pub crawl however, dress as Santa Clause, gallivant about London as a sea of red stopping at numerous bars and pubs along the way on a set weekend in December. ‘Santacon’ is the answer, a must for anyone living in London over the silly season!
Post-Christmas lights
Once all the Christmas hype is over, head over to ‘Lumiere London’ for an outstanding show that lights up central London. The magical installation over various areas of London is a must see and runs usually during mid January.
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The winter break is the perfect time for teachers explore the excitement that London has to offer.
If you are interested in working with Teaching Personnel in the New Year, visit their website: www.teachingpersonnel.com
Cover image by Pixabay
