Visiting London any time of the year is fantastic, but visiting during the end of November is magical. As the city sets up for the upcoming holidays, the lights, the Christmas markets, the vibrancy make it extra special. If you find yourself in London for Thanksgiving, take in the sites, enjoy this time of the year in a new way as you will be making memories to treasure for life. And while the focus will not be on spending time with family and friends – unless they live in London – you will be able to get into a holiday mood by enjoying the city decorations and uncovering places where chefs incorporate Thanksgiving foods into their menus.
Where to stay in London
London is one of the world’s most visited cities and it offers many different options for where to stay. Our recommendation is to stay in central London, as most everything you will visit is located in that area of the city. Our favorite hotel is the Great Scotland Yard Hotel. It is tucked in on a quiet side street but right in the center of London and is unique, charming and very, very comfortable. You will feel away from the crowds yet right in the middle of this historic city. During the holiday season, the hotel is beautifully decorated and feels extra special.
Additional places to stay that we love include:
- Rosewood London – another favorite luxury hotel located right in the heart of the city but offering quietness and one of the best modern tea services in London.
- Cheval Three Quays – for longer stays these luxury apartments are located near the Tower of London and offer much comfort and beautiful views of the city.
- The Ruby Lucy Hotel and Bar – a more budget friendly option, this hotel is centrally located near Waterloo and is unique and charming.
What to do in London
Start your visit to historic London by walking around for a few hours and taking in this magnificent city, observing its architecture and beauty. It will help you appreciate the rest of what you will see in London. Walk one of the many bridges that cross the river and take in the views.
Start at Westminster Abbey
Start by visiting Westminster Abbey – the host of coronation ceremonies of kings and queens, the site of many royal weddings and events, and the final resting place for English (and later) British monarchs. The Abbey boasts more than 1,000 years of history and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Keep in mind that Westminster Abbey is a working church and there might be service held when you visit, so plan accordingly. Tickets can be purchased online here.
Visit the Palace of Westminster
Just across from Westminster Abbey is the Palace of Westminster, the seat of the United Kingdom’s government and a must-see site for anyone interested in history. Admire the beautiful Neo-Gothic architecture of Westminster Palace on the outside and be sure to dedicate time to visit the interior. The audio tour is excellent. You will not be able to take pictures past Westminster Hall which makes for a great way to focus on learning about the history, architecture, and inner workings of the UK government. Take time to appreciate the Heritage Art Collections which hang on the walls of this magnificent building.
You do need to plan your visit well ahead of time as a limited set of tickets are released to the public and they book fast. Tickets are available only for a Saturday visit, when Parliament is not in session. You can purchase them here.
Visit The Tower of London and The Crown Jewels
A favorite tourist site, the Tower of London is usually a busy museum. The best time to visit this historic castle is during a weekday and early in the morning. Take the audio tour as the guided tours can get quite large and busy. This also gives you the ability to visit at your own pace.
During the Christmas holiday period, the castle gets decorated and transformed into a magical place which makes for an extra special visit.
Tickets are required and can be purchased either online here or onsite. Be sure to also book an audio guide when purchasing tickets.
Check out Tate Modern and Tate Britain
We truly appreciate modern art and as such always make time to visit modern art museums wherever we travel. With that in mind, Tate Modern is one of our most favorite museums in the world and we highly recommend visiting it when in London. It has great modern art masterpieces, interesting temporary exhibits and excellent river views.
Visiting the museum is free; however, you must book a ticket to see any of the special exhibitions. You can do this online here.
To explore art made in Britain you can visit the Tate Britain Museum. It is also free and only requires bookings for the special exhibits.
Visit Borough Market
For anyone who enjoys good food and fresh ingredients, Borough Market is a must stop on your visit to London. The market has rich history, but its focus is very much on the here and now. You will find foods from both across Britain and the rest of the world. The sites, the smells, the samples, the simple conversations with producers and vendors make this stop a very special experience.
Be sure to check out what special events might be going on and decide if any are of interest.
Enjoy Holiday Decorations Across London
One of the best ways to enjoy London during this time of the year is to simply walk around the city and stumble upon the holiday decorations. The main streets shine bright, and the big stores go out of their way to make their facades festive. Personal favorites include visiting Covent Garden, Soho, Chelsea and Fitzrovia.
Some favorite streets to walk in the evening include Regent Street, Bond Steet – home of many beautifully decorated high-end stores (Dior, Ralph Lauren, Prada and more), and Brampton Street (home of the Harrods department store, Burberry and more).
What else to do in London
If you have more time you might want to add one or more of the following to your itinerary:
- Visit the Victoria and Albert Museum
- Make a stop at the Royal Buckingham Palace
- Do some shopping – Bond Street, Oxford Street, Covent Garden, Harrods, Selfridges, Regent Street, King’s Road
- Attend a football game – Arsenal, Tottenham, West Ham, Chelsea, Fulham, Crystal Palace, QPR, and many more clubs are London based. This is a favorite British pass time and quite an experience.
- Visit the Royal Greenwich Observatory
- Take a trip to Kew Gardens for Christmas lights and displays
Favorite places to eat in London
The number of food options and places in London is simply overwhelming. Here are some recommendations from us to make choosing where to eat more manageable.
Restaurants
- Gauthier Soho – for something truly special, try this vegan restaurant from Michelin star chef Alexis Gauthier. The menu items are super creative and made of the freshest ingredients. And the wine parings were so beautifully complementary. Be sure to make a reservation.
- Dishoom Indian Restaurant – if you like Indian food, Dishoom should very much be on your list. A favorite with locals and tourists alike, this restaurant is a great choice. They have multiple locations, but our favorite is Dishoom Covent Gardens. Be sure to make a reservation as the restaurant is super popular and busy.
- Hawksmoor Steakhouse – if you enjoy steak, be sure to try this true London favorite. They have a few locations; our favorite is Hawksmoor Knightsbridge. Be sure to grab a reservation ahead of time as the restaurant is really popular. If you visit on Sunday, try the Sunday Roast for a truly traditional and delicious meal.
- Barrafina Tapas – for something more casual but still quality and very tasty, try any of the Barrafina tapas locations. You can sit and watch the chefs at work while enjoying excellent wines, Cavas or sherry.
- Thanksgiving roast at any pub.
Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea in London is a very special tradition and is really something to try. There are so many excellent places to experience this very British ritual. Our favorite, often rated as the best contemporary Afternoon Tea in the UK, is at the Rosewood London. It is often inspired by art you can see at the Tate Modern (Yayoi Kusama, Salvador Dali) and it is simply fantastic. A must do. Be sure to book your table ahead of time here.
Other great Afternoon Teas we like include:
- Fashion inspired Afternoon Tea at the Berkeley London
- Fortnum and Mason Afternoon Tea – tea service in a historic department store
- The Harrod’s Tea Rooms – a tradition since 1896
Thanksgiving meal in London
Each year on the Thanksgiving Day, different chefs and restaurants offer a Thanksgiving inspired menu that can help bring the flavors of home to Americans while visiting London. Be sure to do a search and see which places offer Thanksgiving menus during the time of your visit, as these vary each year.
The Pub Culture
There is no shortage of great pubs in London and leaving time to sit and experience the unique atmosphere of pub culture is definitely something to do. British people enjoy socializing in the evening and sharing a drink, and we strongly recommend that you join in. No matter which pub you choose you will be sure to experience local life as it happens. Just do it.
What we love about London
- The history that is ever-present in this beautiful city
- The lively atmosphere around town
- The special holiday markets and decorations if you visit in late November and during December
- The excellent transportation system that gets you around easily
- The availability of multiple airports and options on how to get to London
- There is always so much to see and do during any time of year
What to bring
- No matter the season, try to bring stylish clothes to wear as London is a stylish city and you will definitely be taking many pictures 😊
- Layers of clothing because the weather changes quite a bit
- Comfortable shoes, as you can expect to walk a lot
- Sunglasses – despite its reputation for being a rainy city, there is plenty of sunshine as well
- An umbrella. We like this one for travel – but Amazon has many reasonably priced options.
Check out our list of travel essentials on what to take and how to maximize your packing.
In closing, London is a beautiful city with so much to offer. Even if you have visited in the past, there is always something new to see and enjoy.
[All pictures taken by the Styled Traveler]
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