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From The Nutcracker to a Sunday roast, Christmas in London is best served up with a side of tradition.

 

Sledging on Hampstead Heath, Hampstead
In winter, especially when it snows, Hampstead Heath gives you a chance to catch your breath way up high above the city smog, especially when you walk to the top of the many hills for sledging. Keats was inspired by the sights for much of his poetry and each time I walk around there, I'm stunned by the vast space and dense woodland. Just on the edge of the heath is an old country pub, full of Hampstead locals, called The Holly Bush. It’s the perfect spot for a traditional roast dinner and a pint of home-brewed ale on a winter’s Sunday.

 

The Nutcracker at the Royal Opera House, Aldwych
The National Ballet Company really do make a masterpiece of The Nutcracker, and the classic ballet is in cinemas this year. At Christmastime theatre-land truly is magic, the area is always ornately decorated with lights and the Jubilee Market in the Covent Garden Piazza is a fun and festive place for carol singers and gift shopping, some of the street entertainers are dressed up as Christmas character so all quite merry.

 

Carol concert at Westminster Abbey, Westminster
Again a stunning and history-rich landmark of architecture in London's centre, situated minutes from the banks of the River Thames, the Christmas Concert at Westminster Abbey is an epic and moving spectacle in a unique setting. It's normally held in mid December and the choir is amazing, whether you are a fan of carols or not. The Abbey is not far from Gordon's Wine Bar too, a port and sherry drinking establishment since 1860 and situated in the candlelit cellars of a house where Rudyard Kipling once lived.

Gift hunting on Greenwich Market
There are so many good markets around London, but during winter I love Greenwich. The market is located in an old, undercover square and is surrounded by lots of little arts and craft shops, particularly good for artisan jewelry.
On Thursdays and Fridays it’s rare collectables and antiques, as well as arts and crafts and some of the traders are really great to chat with, not to mention haggle with. For the romantics, the market is a short walk from the Royal Naval College with its enchanting Painted Hall which took Sir James Thornhill 19 years to complete, and which famously housed Lord Nelson's coffin after he died defeating Napoleon in The Battle of Trafalgar.

Text by Jem Goulding.

Based between Paris and London, Jem Goulding is a writer and film-maker. She is due to release her much anticipated photo book "The Companion" next year.

Sources: www.museyon.com

TAGS: London Xmas Xmas 2010 Christmas 2010 Christmas the Nutcracker Ballet Company the Jubilee Market Gordon's Wine Bar The Royal Naval College the Christmas Concert at Westminster Abbey the National Ballet Company Hampstead Heath The royal Opera House in Aldwych The Holly Bush museyon.com Jem Goulding