ENTERTAINMENT IN LONDON - London 2015 - page 711

The grand, red-velvet-draped Royal Albert Hall hosts seasonal concerts; ask about
“carols by candlelight” events (Tube: South Kensington, box office tel. [phone],
www.royalalberthall.com ).
Christmas Travel Strategies
• There is no public transit in London (Tube, train, or bus) at all on Christmas Day,
and reduced services on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day (Dec 26). For specifics,
see www.tfl.gov.uk . Taxis are scarce, so be prepared for a long wait ( £ 4 holiday
surcharge, tel. [phone]). Better yet, bundle up and walk.
• If arriving at Heathrow Airport on Christmas Day, research transport from
the airport to your hotel in advance. There is no Tube or train service, but
buses may run between Heathrow and Paddington Station, and between Gatwick
Airport and Victoria Station (likely every 15-30 minutes; confirm in advance
at www.heathrowexpress.com and www.nationalrail.co.uk/christmas , holiday
schedules available in Nov). Or you could try a Hotel By Bus door-to-door shuttle
van (about 2/hour, reservations tel. [phone], www.hotelbybus.com ) .
• Pick a central location if staying over December 25, both to save money and
avoid transportation difficulties. Stay somewhere with a kitchen (such as an apart-
ment, hostel, or hotel room with kitchenette) so you can prepare some of your
own meals. Don't forget to buy groceries before stores close on Christmas Eve.
For tips on finding apartment rentals, see the Sleeping in London chapter.
• If you plan to eat out December 24-26 without reservations, go ethnic: Indian,
Chinese, and Middle Eastern restaurants are usually open in Soho, Chinatown,
along Edgware Road, or near the East End's Brick Lane.
• Expect closures. Museums are generally closed December 24-26, and smaller
shops are usually closed December 26.
Instead of visiting Santa Claus at the North Pole, British children see Father Christ-
mas in his grotto. In London, the poshest Santa is at Harrods, and it may be worth re-
serving in advance to avoid long lines (early Nov-Christmas Eve, reservations available
online as early as Sept, fees for reservations and photos; Tube: Knightsbridge, tel. 020/
7730-1234). Father Christmas has also been known to visit the Hyde Park Winter Won-
derland (described earlier), where you can see him for free.
Nibble your way through Borough Market, where you'll find lots of seasonal and
gourmet treats (open daily the week before Christmas, closed Dec 25-26; otherwise open