Last week I decided it was fine to embrace the festive season and start dancing (or skating) my way towards Christmas. My 'extended family' or collection of close friends are having their annual Thanksgiving this coming Sunday - actual thanksgiving is Thursday for those who don't know - and I've already been to see a musical so it's officially time to drop all pretences of being cool, don some stripy knitwear and become an overgrown child.
If you're not quite there yet, then go Skating at Somerset House. I challenge anyone to not feel a warm glow upon seeing this view. The Somerset house Skating rink has to be the best one in London. Others include Canary Wharf (just too out of the way for anyone who doesn't work there - and corporate blah) and The Westfield's own which launches this week. For the last few years Hampstead Heath transformed their tennis courts into one but sadly it won't be around this year.
So Somerset house is the best - I love the venue anyway. I feel a particular attachment to the permanent art collection at The Courtauld which keeps me going back regularly. Then of course there's London Fashion Week too but their Christmas transformation is always so magical. Ignore what people around you are wearing, and you could absolutely be in Victorian Britain. This year, their new Fernandez and Wells is open - F&W being my favourite Soho after work, pre-dinner hangout. Where else is it socially acceptable to eat a whole plate of Manchego cheese as a snack?
We were lucky with a stark clear sky, crisp air, cold sunshine for our skate. I only fell over once, which removed the fear barrier, and though it took about 20 minutes to learn how to skate, the next 40 were amazing.
Afterwards we drank extra sweet mulled wine from paper cups and enjoyed the entertaining view of other people falling over before heading through beautiful twilight-lit streets to the Covent Garden Christmas market. More lights, more cheer, oh and then more wine at the cosy Covent Garden Pix.
Book Somerset house here, See what's happening in Covent Garden over Christmas here, and get 30% off Christmas jumpers here!
Flo and Elle
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