Things to Do in London in Winter

London is the most magical city in the world at Christmas. However, you might be surprised at how much there is to do in London in Winter after the holiday season.

Winter days in London are short, but they will obviously be longer at New Year’s. You’ll find plenty of indoor activities to enjoy at either sunrise or sunset from January to March in London.

If you are planning a trip to London, this list will also be helpful as it allows you to book activities in London that are not dependent on the weather. I know it’s funny when someone called ‘Sunny in London’ says that there are days here with bad weather. However, every city has rainy days. Planning a holiday around them when you need to book well in advance can be tricky.

1. Attend a Candlelight Concert

This is my ‘go to’ activity for many reasons. Candlelight Concerts are perfect for date nights, gifts for people or unique things to do in London for people visiting. Mr Sunny and I have attended several events.

What makes this show so enjoyable is not only the skill of the musicians but also the location where the show takes place.

We attended the Coldplay tribute at Southwark Cathedral. After that experience, we booked a night at Sea Life London Aquarium where we enjoyed the sounds of Hans Zimmer’s music against a backdrop of swimming sea life.

The list of concert options seems endless. However they were quite popular and sold out. If this is something you’re considering, visit the website well before your trip to book in advance.

Some possible options include:

• Awards for the Weekend
• Credit to Oasis
• Homage to The Beatles
• Tribute to Pink Floyd
• Hip-Hop’s Greatest Hits
• Tribute to Taylor Swift
• Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
• Credit to Adele
• Tribute to Ed Sheeran

2. Visit a Museum

Many people visiting London for the first time don’t realize that almost all of its museums are free. Additionally, many of them require advance reservations to get the quickest entry tickets.

When I moved to London 10 years ago, booking museums in advance was unheard of, except for special exhibitions that required an additional entry fee. It doesn’t change and the best ones sell quickly.

However, if you are visiting during peak times (summer, Christmas, half term and weekends), you should visit the museum’s website in advance to book an entry time.

Museums to consider for a trip to London are below. There are lots of free things to do in London that you can also combine with a museum visit.

• National Gallery
• British Museum
• Natural History Museum
• Science Museum
• Imperial War Museum
• National Maritime Museum
• Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)
• Tate Modern
• Tate England
• National Army Museum
• National Air Force Museum

3. Play mini golf

Just like in the United States, the concept of mini golf also exists in London. Here people call it ‘crazy golf’. You won’t find outdoor courses like you do in the US. There are several in London and like the American idea of ​​the ’19th hole’, the course ends at a bar.

You wouldn’t be surprised if England did that, would you?

Most activities in London and throughout the UK involve drinking in some capacity for adults. So, light golf is no different.

With this in mind, this is not an activity I would recommend for families looking for things to do in London in Winter.

Crazy golf is great for couples, friends visiting London, or coworkers looking for holiday party ideas or team building activities.

Mr. Sunny and I have been to the Swingers Golf Club and the Junkyard. Both were great nights.

4. Watching TV Shows That Are Being Recorded

Visiting a recording of a television show can be exciting or disappointing. I’ve experienced both in London.

This is because you are not guaranteed to get a ticket. I have a whole article about my experience attending a taping of The Graham Norton Show.

However, Mr Sunny and I also had ‘tickets’ to see the season finale of The Apprentice one year and were very disappointed. Despite arriving before the recommended time, we learned that they had received too many people before our arrival and had closed the entrance.

We also tried to see a recording of the pilot show and were told we were late.

So- if you get tickets to a show you really want to see- make sure you get there very, very early. And- be aware that it will take a few hours to see it.

But then again, if seeing Strictly Come Dancing is your life’s dream, make a day of it and come as soon as possible!

5. Go on the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Studio Tour

For something magical to do in London in winter, book the Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour.

Yes, I wrote the word ‘book’ above on purpose. This very popular attraction is different from generally accepted attractions like Walt Disney World.

You’ll want to visit the website before your trip to London and book and pay for your tickets in advance based on entry time.

The good thing to know about these London activities is that they are actually located in Greater London. And achieving it is not easy. I’ve written a separate article about my advice on how to attend the Harry Potter Studio Tour in London.

If you are a Harry Potter fan, this is the best activity to do in London for you. There are walking tours, West End shows and afternoon teas dedicated to this fictional hero.

But seeing sets, props and sound stages full of magical animals supersedes anything else you can do in London as a die-hard fan. Be aware that it takes at least an hour to get to the studio. Give yourself 2-3 hours to visit when you’re there too.

6. Enjoy Afternoon Tea

Our final suggestion for things to do in London in winter features a food theme.

As well as writing a lot about food and drink in London on my website and social media, I also manage the TikTok accounts of several restaurants in London. Additionally, I create video content for London’s largest hotel group.

Therefore, I am quite familiar with the food and drink scene in London. And, I’ve enjoyed most of London’s popular afternoon teas.

To be honest, there is no one afternoon tea that I think is significantly better than another. So, how do I advise people to vote?

Know that afternoon tea is a serious commitment. To enjoy it properly, you need to spend 2 – 2 1/2 hours enjoying it. Therefore, you can choose the one located in your hotel if it has a 4 or 5 star rating.

Alternatively, you can choose a themed afternoon tea that you find interesting and schedule an attraction to visit in the morning that is close to the afternoon tea location if you are visiting London.

Some popular themed afternoon teas you will find in London are:

• Wicked Afternoon Tea (located in the hotel near the Theater where the show is playing and pictured above)
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory inspired afternoon tea
• Art Afternoon Tea at Rosewood London
• Mad Hatter Afternoon Tea at Sanderson
• Jurassic Afternoon Tea at The Ampersand Hotel
• Peter Pan Afternoon Tea at The Shard
• Secrets & Spies Afternoon Tea at Raffles
• Christmas Afternoon Tea (at almost every hotel and popular location during the holidays.

There’s even a Christmas Afternoon Tea on the bus. To be fair, afternoon tea bus tours operate all year round. So- if that interests you, check it out.

Current Ticket Discounts 2026 for London

Next update on February 2, 2026

Discount Code: SUNNYINLONDON10

7. Eat and Drink at Bottomless Brunch

It took London a few years to catch on to this American food trend. But now almost every restaurant and hotel offers Bottomless Brunch. Or at least the lunch menu.

Unsurprisingly, the best ones need to be booked weeks in advance.

8. Go to a Cozy Pub

And of course, as Brits are always looking for an excuse to go to the pub, this is one of the easiest and most popular things to do in London in Winter.

One that we think is really fun in the Winter is The Ship and Shovell. Located between Charing Cross Station and the Embankment on Craven Passage.

This is a traditional Victorian pub which is a local haunt for business people and residents in the Charing Cross area. It has two parts of the pub facing each other across the hall. The parts are only connected by an underground tunnel that also houses the kitchen and cellar. Inside you will also find delicious home-cooked food.

Final Suggestions for Things to Do in London in Winter

If you’re visiting London in winter and planning activities, keep in mind that temperatures may vary slightly.

You’ve probably seen lots of pictures of snow in London. But in the 10 years I’ve lived here, it’s only snowed a few times. Three times more than 4-5 inches in Greater London. Central London received less than that.

Temperatures average between 48°F (9°C) as the highest temperature in winter and 41°F (5°C) as the lowest temperature. So, be sure to check the weather when you plan to visit and be sure to plan on dressing in layers.

Plus, the subway can be very hot, so it’s best to consider that when packing too.

If you live in London, what other suggestions could you add? What questions do you have as a visitor planning a trip to London.

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