What's the Weather Like in London in December?
London, in the UK is an exhilarating city to explore at any time of the year. Although December is one of the coldest months to visit, it's always enjoyable to see a typical English winter at the festive season.
What's The Weather Like In London at Christmas?
It tends to be cold, rainy and dark at Christmas but this makes for a cosy time to wrap up warm to see the Christmas lights and decorations all over the city or to get cosy in a traditional English pub. You'll need warm and waterproof clothes and sturdy footwear.
The last widespread white Christmas in the UK was in 2010, the coldest December for over 100 years. In 2019 it was 5°C and in 2018 it was also 5°C - both Christmas Days were cloudy and sunny with no snow,
How Cold Is London In December?
The average daily temperature for London in December is 7°C with an average low of 3°C.
How Wet Is London In December?
The average rainfall for December is 53mm occurring on 17 days throughout the month. This makes it highly likely that you'll experience a shower or two during your visit.
Is London Windy In December?
Across December, typical wind speeds tend to fluctuate between 1 m/s and 7 m/s, rarely rising above 10 m/s.
London Hotels in December
Rhodes Hotel
For something a bit more traditional, consider staying at Rhodes Hotel. Situated in a Georgian House only a stone's throw away from Hyde Park, this hotel offers single, double, triple and quad rooms, as well as standard, superior, deluxe and family rooms. Each guestroom features satellite TV with Freeview, WiFi access, tea/coffee making facilities and heating.
Deluxe rooms are significantly larger and come with a Whirlpool bath and fridge. Onsite services and amenities include dining room which hosts breakfast buffets with traditional English and continental options, free WiFi access throughout and limited parking.
oughout the hotel, although there is no onsite restaurant or parking. Thankfully, there are loads of services and amenities in the local area, including Olympia Exhibition Centre, Earls Court Exhibition Centre underground stations.
Brewers Inn
If you're looking for an authentic British experience during your holiday in London, check out the Brewers Inn. This traditional inn is set in the heart of Wandsworth, close to the River Thames, Chelsea Harbour, mainline station and A205.
Here guests can choose between 16 double and twin classic and superior rooms, each of which includes flat-screen Sky TV, free WiFi access, tea/coffee making facilities and private bathroom with hairdryer.
The highlight of the hotel is Young's Pub which specialises in cask ales and British food. You'll also find 17 wines by the class, three champagnes, fruity ciders and European lagers on offer here. Other services and facilities onsite include free WiFi access throughout, free private parking and garden.
Bars and Restaurants
Mother Mash
Experience a hearty, warming and traditional British classic: pie and mash. Mother Mash in Soho is the place to go for this tasty dish. Choose your pie flavour, your preferred mash, and then pick from 5 types of gravy. The Aberdeen Angus steak pie is extremely popular, and the horseradish mash is thoroughly recommended.
The Foyer At Claridge's
For an unforgettable culinary delight, experience British food at fine dining level at The Foyer At Claridge's located in the affluent area of Mayfair. Lavish and opulent decor, complimented by live piano music, you'll be treated like royalty at this unforgettable restaurant. The menu changes regularly to take advantage of seasonal produce of the utmost quality. Expect high prices, but be assured that it will be worth every penny.
The Spaniards Inn
Explore one of London's oldest pubs, in Hampstead. Built in 1585, this inn has survived the Great Fire of London and the Blitz. Here you'll find a perfect selection of craft beers, local brews and bottled beers and ales from around the world. Savour a drink and admire this beautiful time capsule, said to have been visited by Dick Turpin, Charles Dickens and William Hogarth.
Happiness Forgets
London's trendy East End neighborhoods are known for their fashionable hangouts, and Happiness Forgets is the place to go if you're looking for quiet cocktails after a heavy day of sightseeing and shopping.
This basement bar is recreated in the style of a Prohibition-era speakeasy and combines character with modern sophistication. It's a bit out of the way over in Hoxton, but the range of drinks make up for the journey.
Things to do in London in December
Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland is one of the best winter events which takes place in London. Held each year in Hyde Park throughout December and the beginning of January, Winter Wonderland features a large ice rink, an ice kingdom complete with sculptures, two circuses, giant observation wheel, various rides, Santa Land and the Arctic Circle.
There's also a superb Christmas market where you can find all sorts of festive artisan products as well as a festive assortment of food and drink from around the world.
Somerset House
If you've got your heart set on ice skating during your visit, take a trip to Somerset House. This iconic building is home to a 900m2 ice rink throughout December and provides a stunning backdrop for couples and families gliding across the ice.
If you've never gone ice skating before, you'll be pleased to hear that there is an onsite skating school which offers lessons for adults and children alike. In addition to the ice skating, Somerset House also offers a rink-side bar and lounge which serves drinks and snacks throughout the day, as well as a Christmas shop where you can buy all sorts of festive treats.
Geffrye Museum
Each December, the Geffrye Museum hosts a winter exhibition entitled Christmas Past. Suitable for visitors of all ages to enjoy, this exhibition allows you to step back in time and see how the Christmas traditions have evolved over the years, with the museum's period rooms decorated in various styles to reflect our changing tastes at this time of year.
As well as the exhibitions, there's also a programme of events and plenty of child-friendly activities such as make your own Christmas decoration workshops and carols by candlelight.
Crafty Fox Market
Visitors who want to indulge in some retail therapy during their holiday in London should check out the Crafty Fox Market at Brixton's Dogstar. This festive market is open for one weekend each year in December and provides a wonderful opportunity to try unusual food, snap up some last-minute Christmas presents or find the perfect souvenir.
The Crafty Fox Market is completely free to enter and is held over three floors of an old Victorian pub where you'll find around 80 stalls selling everything from hand-made decorations and home-made pastries to designer handbags and jewellery. In addition to the shops, there are also several workshops where you can learn origami, knitting and card-making.
