London isn’t often described as quiet, but Christmas Day is the one day of the year when the capital can feel that way. But there’s actually no shortage of things to do and Christmas Day is a rare chance to explore and experience a different side of London.

There’s no public transport on Christmas Day, but you could opt for a Boris bike to explore Central London with much less traffic around. There will also be a few taxis and mini-cabs for hire.

With limited transport options, and thousands of Christmas calories consumed, walking might be your best bet. You’ll have London’s beautiful architecture, street art and Christmas lights largely to yourself, and walking is the best way to experience it. Take a look at these photos of London on Christmas morning by IanVisits, which include Trafalgar Square, Oxford Street and Hyde Park Corner.

Tours

You can even go on a guided walking tour. London Walks hosts two walks on Christmas Day: The London of Samuel Pepys at 1pm and Charles Dickens’ London Walk at 2pm. Both walks start at the big Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square and last for two hours.

Westminster guide Peter Berthoud is offering three walking tours on Christmas Day, with the first at 6am for anyone who wants to experience an eerie 28 Days Later-style London! If you’re keen on a Christmas lie-in, you can opt for a post-lunch walk at 4pm.

Fancy a more relaxing tour? Push the boat out and have your Christmas dinner on the Thames, enjoying the sights of the river on a cruise. Or take a luxury coach tour of London with a professional guide.

Activities

Almost all of London’s attractions are closed on Christmas Day, but the weird and wonderful world of Ripley’s Believe It Or Not is open all year round. Ripley’s is open from 10am with last admission at 8.30pm on Christmas Day (closing time subject to change so check in advance).

Or, for a different kind of weird and wonderful, head to The Serpentine (lake) at Hyde Park where the hardy members of the Serpentine Swimming Club take part in the annual Peter Pan Cup swimming race. The race starts at 9am.

Christmas Services

Most London churches will have Christmas Day services. It’s best to check with the individual church in advance but Central London churches with Christmas Day services include:

• St Martin-in-the-Fields
• Southwark Cathedral (closes at 1pm)
• St Paul’s Cathedral (arrive early and be prepared to queue)

Eating and Drinking

Many restaurants close on Christmas Day but check our blog post for Christmas dinner options in London.

Some pubs open for a few hours around lunchtime but most will be closed or ticketed in the evening. Make sure you check in advance for opening hours. Hotel bars are a good bet for a drink on Christmas Day, but again, check with the hotel in advance.

Do you have any advice or suggestions for spending Christmas Day in London?

Rather than endure the stress of cooking Christmas lunch, why not take the whole family for a day out in London? Lots of restaurants are offering tasty traditional menus and festive surprises on 25 December – not to mention the guarantee of a washing-up free day! Many places will sell out, so don’t forget to book in advance.

Christmas Day Lunch Cruise
Explore London at its most peaceful on this fun day out, which includes a sightseeing tour, river cruise and Christmas lunch. Participants will be driven past London landmarks with a professional tour guide, then board a boat to enjoy a traditional Christmas lunch alongside spectacular views from the river. Don’t forget your camera!

Napa at The Chiswick Moran Hotel
Not only can guests enjoy a four-course menu and welcome drink at the hotel‘s restaurant for just £45, but they can also take a post-lunch nap in style thanks to a special meal and accommodation offer. A one-night stay on a bed & breakfast basis, plus the Christmas lunch, is £169 for two people.

Boundary, Shoreditch
New head chef Frederick Forster will be cooking up a storm at this Conran restaurant on Christmas Day. From 12pm-3.30pm you can indulge in champagne and canapés followed by a tantalising lunch menu, washed down with great wines from their extensive cellar.

The Summerhouse, Warwick Avenue
Don’t let the name fool you, this restaurant is just as good during the winter months! On Christmas Day they will be offering a four-course menu for £75, starting with delights such as a trio of Cornish crab and ending with a traditional port-soaked stilton.

Tompkins, Canary Wharf
Enjoy Christmas lunch on the water at Tompkins, whose menu is comprised of delights such as wild stone sea bass and sea salt butterscotch fondant with hot Amedei chocolate. Their three-course set menu is £55 and can be viewed here.

The Only Running Footman, Mayfair
This popular gastropub serves great food 365 days a year, and on Christmas Day you can tuck into a traditional three-course meal for £69.95. Highlights include game terrine, traditional turkey, baked vanilla cheesecake and, of course, Christmas crackers!

Asia De Cuba, Covent Garden
Diners can enjoy the best of both worlds at Asia de Cuba on Christmas Day, as it is offering both a set menu at lunch and an a la carte service at dinner. Located in the St Martin’s Lane hotel, this chic restaurant is a great base for a festive exploration of London, particularly as it’s just yards from the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square.

The Hilton, Park Lane
If you’re not in the mood for Christmas lunch but are looking for a sweet festive treat, the Park Lane Hilton‘s afternoon tea should definitely hit the spot. Their Christmas afternoon tea is served on a solid chocolate plate and includes a variety of Christmas-themed delicacies including snow-topped chocolate Christmas trees and miniature Christmas pudding parfait. Tea is served from 2pm-6pm and is £32.50, or £39.50 with a glass of champagne.

Alyn Willams at The Westbury, Mayfair
Follow the Michelin star to this sumptuous Mayfair restaurant, where you can indulge in a nine-course Christmas feast for £160. (£40 for children) The menu features everything from sweet onion mouse and pumpernickel crisps to the traditional turkey.

Cinnamon Club, Westminster
Spice up your Christmas lunch at this acclaimed Indian restaurant, which is offering a three course meal for £75 on Christmas Day. Feast on dishes such as clove-roasted goose breast and garam masala Christmas pudding with nutmeg custard before heading to the downstairs bar for festive cocktails and DJ music until the early hours.

The Kings Head, Roehampton
There are few things as festive as an open fire, and you can snuggle in its warm glow at this popular pub, which is offering a four-course lunch for £75. Highlights include venison carpaccio, wild mushroom, spinach and chestnut wellington and a range of decadent puddings.

Min Jiang at the Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington
This luxury Chinese restaurant is offering a variety of set menus, starting from £60 per head. These offer a delicious alternative to traditional festive fare – why have turkey when you could have “grilled drunken chicken”?

Bumpkin, Notting Hill and South Kensington
Enjoy a four course feast, a glass of English sparkling wine and traditional crackers at two of the Bumpkin branches, which also offer a smaller menu for children. Lunch is £75 for adults, or £14.95 for children.

Dean Street Townhouse, Soho
Snuggle up in the cosy dining room of this Georgian townhouse for a festive set menu, which features all the traditional favourites. The meal is priced at £95 and the menu can  be viewed here.

The Hoxton Grill, Shoreditch
This popular neighbourhood restaurant is open for both lunch and dinner on Christmas Day. There’s even an outdoor space, so you might be able to play in the snow!

Almeida, Islington
Both turkey and goose with all the trimmings are on the menu at this north London restaurant, which offers four traditional courses for £65.

The Blueprint Café, Bermondsey
The Blueprint Café at the design museum is offering a four-course lunch, accompanied  by spectacular views of the Thames, on Christmas Day. Highlights include braised oxtail ravioli, fallow venison and a wedge of Stilton served family-style to finish.

Spice Market at the W Hotel, Leicester Square
The south-east Asian restaurant at this trendy hotel is offering a four course menu plus a Christmas treat for £40. Dishes include spicy chicken samosas, miso sour with shrimp dumplings, and duck a l’orange with carrot and crystallised tamarind.

Orrery, Marylebone
Enjoy an indulgent French take on Christmas lunch at Orrery, whose six-course tasting menu includes foie gras terrine, grilled lobster, turkey and Christmas pudding. The meal costs £80 per person.

Paradise at Kensal Green
This popular Kensal Green gastropub is offering a five-course feasting menu on Christmas Day, with a focus on British ingredients. Guests start off with mulled cider or champagne, before munching their way through a traditional menu that features Severn & Wye smoked salmon, Goosnargh turkey and home-made Christmas pudding. The meal costs £85, or £35 for children.

Koffmann’s at the Berkeley, Knightsbridge
Renowned chef Pierre Koffman’s Knightsbridge restaurant will be serving a four-course menu that features signature dishes such as scallops with squid ink, braised hare with foie gras, and pistachio souffle. Tickets are £110.

Looking for more festive activities in London? Check out our Christmas page.

Tibits in Heddon Street is a turkey-free zone and the perfect place to head for a veggie Christmas meal.

If you fancy treating yourself and five friends to Christmas dinner and festive cocktails at Tibits, enter our tasty competition today!

Enter Day 4: A Vegetarian Christmas Meal for Six at Tibits here