This December, David and I were fortunate to visit London. With all the sparkling lights, decorations and Christmas music you cannot help but get in the Christmas spirit.
The decorations in London are breathtaking! Every neighborhood is all decked out….
Hyde Park has the annual Winter Wonderland Christmas Fair. Christmas lights are twinkling, Christmas carols are being played and the ice skating rink is a kaleidoscope of colors as people whirl around on their skates. There is a carnival of games and rides for the young and old. Booth offering hot chocolate or mulled cider, a Bavarian Beer Garden, all sorts of delicious foods (David discovered a tasty macaroni & cheese!) and of course, booths selling Christmas decorations and small gifts. 
I loved this…an adult carousel serving “adult beverages.”
On Regent Street, near Picaddilly Circus, angels watch over the swarms of shoppers. 
This is a close-up of the angel during the day – 
Looking up St James St towards Piccadilly.
There are several passageways around Regent and Piccadilly Street that are charmingly decorated. 
I particularly liked St George St with the lights of feathers. I believe that feathers are a gift to me from my guardian angels. This was a really “big” gift!!! 
Strand Street –
Seven Dials – is one of my favorite spots near the Theater District. It is where seven streets meet. The area offers quirky boutiques, designer clothes, salons and a variety of restaurants. Just a fun place, not far from Covent Gardens, to hang out.
The center of Seven Dials
Covent Garden – In 1654, it was a small open-air fruit and vegetable market. Today, it is a popular tourist destination of restaurants, shops and vendors selling items from carts. The Royal Opera House is nearby as well. 
Restaurants and stores throughout the city get decorated….
The famous Harrods Department Store
The Pavilion Club, High Street Kensington
Not far from the Pavilion Club, on High Street Kensington, is The Milestone Hotel.
This is outside of the Ritz Hotel on Piccadilly St.
Nearby our apartment, on Fulham Street, was this jewelry store all decorated.
Even the statues were decorated!!! This one, along the Thames River, got a Santa hat!
Walking along one street, we saw Santa “climbing” a window…so cute!
Big Ben at Christmas
Sloane Square – is at the beginning of Kings Road in the Chelsea neighborhood and close to the Sloane Square tube station for the London Underground.
Peter Jones Department Store, next to Sloane Square, all decked out for Christmas.
Christmas Day
It was a quiet day for David and me. At one point, we went for a walk. We walked towards Holland Park, which we had never visited before. It was quite a lovely spot off of Kensington Street. It was a cloudy but mild day with temps around 53F (12C). 
Here was a “gift” of a feather among the bushes at Holland Park. What a lovely gift to receive and a gentle reminder that my “guardian angels” are always with me. Whenever I see a gift of a feather, I smile and say “thank you.”
A corner of the mansion – The Orangery. The Belvedere restaurant is located in the mansion.
The Orangery
Nearby the mansion.
In front of the fountain area.
This peacock had just spread his plumage and was putting it down by the time we arrived. Although there were several peacocks walking around, I didn’t see any males displaying their beautiful feathers.
From a distance, he looked real! No plaque suggesting the reason for this statue so maybe it was just for “art’s sake.”
This is Kyoto Japanese Gardens in Holland Park. It was a gift from the city of Kyoto, Japan.
What would the Christmas season be without hot chocolate….what better hot chocolate to have, than Belgium chocolate? In Belgium, they serve hot milk with melted chocolate that you pour into the milk and stir…yummy!
This was at Le Pain Quotidien Cafe off of Exhibition Road near the Victoria & Albert Museum.
What a fabulous visual tour of London bedecked for the holidays, Sharalyn! Just added this experience to my bucket list! 😉 Glad you guys had a nice time and made it home safely…