Can you imagine having Christmas in London without a visit to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland? It’s a place to shop, eat, drink at bars and venture out on some rides. But most of all, “tis a place to be jolly.” Based in London’s Hyde Park, it opens every winter from 10am to 10pm each day and this year, it will be open until the 3rd of January 2016 (Except Christmas day).
Here are 4 Reasons for visiting a fairground this Christmas:
- Winter Wonderland offers a combination of a Christmas market (which is not only for the day time but extends into a night market) and seasonal activities like Ice skating, and fairground rides, although apparently the Ice on some Ice rinks in London have melted due the London’s unseasonal mild weather.
- The main attraction this year is the Ski Zillertal Ice rink and Zippo’s circus.
- It’s free but you will have to pay for rides and attractions. There are 200 Christmas market chalets with traders from all over the world exhibiting and selling different handmade crafts. I must admit that the Christmas market is the reason why I visit the venue annually because I’m not too keen on rides! It was a pleasure to treat myself to a genuine leather bag there. I later discovered that some of the traders were from Camden market.
So if you’re into handmade goods, you’ll be delighted to find some exceptional items there. Although, some can be slightly expensive as they are of exquisite quality. It’s a place to visit for some festive spirit.
If you prefer to go on some rides, the Ferris wheel, which can be seen from several kilometers away, in some parts of London, is highly recommended.

Winter Wonderland 2015 Ferris wheel
- The weekends can get crowded so I would suggest getting there early or visiting on a weekday. I got caught out last year when I visited on a Saturday evening around 5pm and only got half way there because of the huge crowd. It’s times like this that makes me question evacuation procedures, if at all there are any. You never know when you’ll need it!
Book online here to avoid tickets selling out.
Getting there: http://hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/plan-your-visit/travel
Going to the venue is enjoyable with the crowd – if you don’t mind or without but regardless of the time you choose, you will leave feeling like it was Christmas because there is no other place like it! I’ll there after Christmas so look out for me in the crowd.
Looks lovely! Too bad it closes before I get to London. Oh well, I’ll have to go another time. Where did the name, Zillertal, come from in Ski Zillertal Ice rink? One of the sponsors??
Perhaps you can book a future visit to London during the Christmas season:) I think Zillertal is from Austria and it seems they are sponsors.
Hi Bola
All I can say is wow! Thanks for sharing. Take Care
Hi Ikechi. Thanks loads! I’m certainly looking forward to many more interactions in the new year. ?
I absolutely love winter wonderland, the only downfall is that it is freezing cold.
Hopefully we’ll have a milder Winter next time around.