With only one weekend left until the big day, Christmas fever is certainly in full swing here in London. The streets of London sparkle 24/7 with elaborate shop window displays, glorious lights and laden Christmas trees glowing in all corners. Let us lead you on a magical journey through the best sparkle London has to offer on our Christmas Lights Tour, departing every evening until 4 Jan at 3.30pm. Now available in English, French, German and Dutch!
Impress your friends at Christmas dinner with these fascinating festive facts:
1. Those tasty Christmas puddings we all know and love weren’t always in cake form. Originally it was a soup made with raisins and wine – yum!
2. Christmas crackers originate in London. They were invented in 1846 by Thomas Smith, a London sweet shop owner. He got the idea from French sweets which were wrapped in a twist of paper. We want to know who is responsible for the terrible jokes you get in crackers these days!
3. Our Christmas Lights Tour takes you past the magnificent Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square. Did you know that this is an annual a gift sent to us from Norway every Christmas since 1947 to thank Britain for our assistance during World War II.
4. This year’s Christmas lights were switched on by Kylie Minogue all the way back in November!
5. The first commercial Christmas cards also started in London. Sir Henry Cole commissioned them back in 1843 and they featured a family drinking wine. Check out the bike themed Christmas cards we’re sending this year!
5. Shopping is a massive part of the run up to Christmas these days. But not for everyone apparently, as 1 in 3 men begin their Christmas shopping on Christmas Eve!
6. The famous shop Harrods seems to believe otherwise. They open their Christmas department July for all those early birds that think Christmas Eve is far too late to start.
7. Speaking of Harrods – did you know that it is lit up by 12,000 light bulbs? You can get a great view of it on our Christmas tour, along with many other quintessential London Christmas sights.
8. William the Conqueror was crowned King of England on Christmas Day 1066 at Westminster Abbey in London.
9. Pantomimes are a traditionally British affair, full of cross-dressing, slapstick comedy, B-list celebrities, topical humour and fairy-tale storylines. Most are suitable for family outings but there is also a huge market for “adult-only” versions where the humour takes a more scandalous turn. Our picks for family friendly pantos are Peter Pan at the New Wimbledon Theatre and Jack and the Beanstalk at The Hackney Empire.
To join us on a Christmas Lights Tour to get in the festive mood get booking now!
