If you are visiting London this festive season then Winter Wonderland is a MUST! The event has so much to offer, and it’s hard to know where to start. Not to worry, you have come to the right place. From living in London for 6 years and even working a season at Winter Wonderland, I have become a bit of a pro in this field. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know before visiting Winter Wonderland this year.
BOOK YOUR TICKETS BEFORE YOU GO
Since Covid, Winter Wonderland has become a ticketed event. Gone are the days when you could just turn up at the door and walk in. Now, tickets vary from £0 (off-peak times) to £7.50. You will be asked to select a date and time, and the price will depend on how busy the slot is. From my experience, there is no limit on how long you can stay at the event, you will just need to arrive around your selected time.
BOOK POPULAR EXPERIENCES AND ATTRACTIONS BEFORE YOU GO
Popular experiences, like ice skating or Bar Ice, sell out very quickly, so be sure to book them in advance. My advice would be to research what Winter Wonderland is offering that year and book your desired experience when buying your tickets. This guarantees a slot before you get there. Additionally, Winter Wonderland will sometimes have offers available when you purchase your tickets and experiences together.
PLAN YOUR ENTRANCES AND EXITS
Back when I used to work at Winter Wonderland, I dreaded traveling to and from work. The tube stations are a nightmare, and you often find yourself in gridlock. I always advise avoiding Hyde Park and Marble Arch stations like the plague. These stations may be closer, but they are by no means easier or quicker. My favorite stations to use are Green Park and South Kensington. Pre-warning: these are a bit of a walk, but you will save yourself so much time and stress. Also, the walks from these stations are beautiful and offer a unique London experience.
Top Tip: Always, always, always, check that the station you are planning to use is open. My favorite app for this is City Mapper. This app gives you real-time updates on all city transport.
FIND THE TOKEN BOOTH FIRST
One of the biggest mistakes I see people make on their first visit to Winter Wonderland is not using the first token booth they find. If you have not pre-booked your rides, you cannot pay at the gate; you need to find a token booth and purchase tokens to gain access to the rides. As you get further into the event, this can be a bit of a hassle to find without a huge line. So scout out the rides you want to go on and use the first token booth you see!
BE PREPARED FOR MUD
Surfaces will be laid down at the event, but mud will always find its way into Winter Wonderland. Save your nice shoes, and put on some boots.
GET TO THE BAVARIAN VILLAGE EARLY
If you are an adult attending Winter Wonderland, the Bavarian Village is a must! The Bavarian tent is one of my favorite nights out at Christmas. However, as you get closer to Christmas, it gets busier and busier, so if you want a place in that tent, go early.
Top Tip: If you are planning to go as a group of 6 or more try booking before to guarantee a bench and save some money.
GO OFF-PEAK IF YOU CAN
If you’re looking for a more affordable trip with fewer crowds, then go off-peak. This is usually in November, during the week, or in the daytime. My advice for anyone visiting London at Christmas time is to visit from Sunday to Tuesday or Thursday to Saturday if you can. This is the capital, so the same experiences will be available but won’t be as busy and often a lot cheaper. I lived in London for six years, and I always chose a weekday over a weekend; there are fewer crowds, affordable prices and a better experience all together.
WRAP UP
One thing about Winter Wonderland is that there is no escape from the cold. You will find a selection of bars with fires to keep you warm, but these fill up fast. Additionally, many of the bars and food trucks have outdoor seating with no heating, and lines for rides are mostly outside. There are not a lot of places to escape the cold, so be sure to wrap up!
IF YOU HAVE LITTLE ONES, GO EARLY
If you are planning to visit with your little ones, I would always advise going early. The later it gets, the busier it becomes, and the crowd can get a little bit rowdy. Going when it’s lighter is much easier for younger families and often a lot cheaper.
RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!
My last tip for visiting Winter Wonderland is to do your research. As soon as you enter the event, you will be overwhelmed by the sheer amount that Winter Wonderland has to offer. Get the most out of your visit by researching the event before you go.
Feel free to sign up for our mailing list to keep you updated on everything there is to know about Christmas in London!