The Merriest Market Adventure Part 3: UK
Rides and food in Hyde Park, a clean loop through the lights, and a day trip that lands just right
I landed in London ready for rides and snacks and ended up with a night that moved perfectly. Then I hopped north for an Edinburgh day trip that gave me the city center market, a night wheel, and Christmas at the Botanics with a smart timing trick I’ll repeat.
Magic, Glam, Lights and More my Perfect London December Plan
I purchased my entry into Hyde Park Winter Wonderland for 5 p.m. It was already dark, the crowds were still light, and the timing along with going on a Wednesday made the whole evening easier. I’d booked timed entry with a food voucher, which took the edge off decisions and kept the budget in check.
I started with a slow lap to map the rides and food zones, then doubled back with purpose. If you like big coasters or the ice bar, prebook one headliner so you don’t spend the night shopping for a time slot. Long walk? Hit the back first, then nibble your way forward.
Why this worked: at five, lights are on and lines haven’t peaked. You can get your bearings without dodging a wall of people, pick a route that hits your must-dos, and tuck your food voucher into a stall that looks and smells right in the moment. Midweek nights felt calmer, and exits were painless if you wanted to bounce to the city lights after.
Best bites: I went for smash patties and they hit the spot. A few quick realities here: yes, it’s busy later. So be aware, there will be lines. But if you plan it right and come in with an idea in mind of what you want to do, ride and eat, you can wander without feeling squeezed. When I’d had my fill, I stepped out for city lights, stores, and small moments.
Would I go back? Yes. I’d do exactly the same 5 p.m. entry and add one or two timed rides if a friend wanted a big coaster.
Hamleys Toy Store, London
Hamleys reminded me of Duncan’s Toy Chest come to life; I kept waiting for Kevin McAllister to come running out as he was “Home Alone” in London and not New York City this time. You walk in and ride up floor after floor of demos, magic tricks, RC cars, soft toys, Lego builds including Dobby from Harry Potter. And the staff who work there actually play with the toys and you so you can see what’s fun. It’s busy, but the energy is part of the charm.
Pro tip: ask for a quick demo or sample; half the fun is letting them wow you for a minute.
London’s Department Stores at Christmas
If you love markets but also want that big, glittery department-store moment, London delivers.
Selfridges — Disney Pop-Up: head to Selfridges for the seasonal Disney corner that basically feels like a mini park shop dropped into Oxford Street. You’ll find character ornaments, cozy knitwear, plush, and giftable bits that actually pack well. The displays are playful without being hectic, and staff are great about helping you find sizes or the last ornament hiding in back. If you’re chasing a specific character or film, ask—stock moves fast, but they’ll usually check other floors.
Liberty London — Christmas Store: Liberty’s Tudor-style building sells the season before you even step inside. The Christmas floor is a calm, curated treasure hunt: glass baubles by color, British-made decorations, ribbon walls, and tree toppers that look handmade rather than mass-market. It’s the place to buy one heirloom ornament and feel zero buyer’s remorse. Take five minutes to wander the wooden galleries for photos, then circle back to the Christmas floor for a final sweep—you’ll always spot one more perfect thing.
Harrods — Christmas Market & Food Halls: Harrods runs its own festive market outside some years, but even if you miss it, the Food Halls are a Christmas event on their own. Think tins, truffles, mince pies, and hampers ready to gift or check as luggage if you’re feeling bold. If you want a quick “treat yourself” stop, build-your-own pasta or a pastry from the counters turns into a warm, easy pause before you dive back into the lights.
London Christmas Lights You Should See
London does December like a stage set. Start on Regent Street for the glowing spirits across the whole avenue, then swing to Oxford Street for the hanging constellations. Cut down to Carnaby for rotating themed installs that feel artsy and playful, and roll through Covent Garden for the giant tree and the sparkling market arches. If you want the peacock-feather glam, peek at Bond Street. You can walk it all, but a Tootbus Christmas Lights Tour is a smart warm-up on colder nights. Sit up top, get your photos without fighting the crowds, then return to where the vibe were the best later on.
Harrods Food Hall wasn’t a market, but the make-your-own pasta counter was a fun curveball and a warm place to sit for a few minutes. After grabbing my fancy pasta and Chicken I ran over to a Coffee Shop and got a much needed caffeine fix and ate my lunch before trekking out to see more lights, london and experiencing the christmas of it all.
Outernet London: A Free, Immersive Warm-Up
Outernet is like stepping inside a living screen. Massive wraparound displays play short, rotating shows that feel part art gallery, part tech demo, and it’s free to wander. The content changes often, so you might see winter scenes, music videos, or clever visual loops that make for easy photos. It’s also a great weather dodge. Duck in, thaw out, and reset before you tackle the next market or lights trail. If you’re planning a route, pair Outernet with Oxford and Regent Street, then head to Covent Garden to finish under the tree.
Edinburgh: a short window that still felt full
I arrived around 1 p.m. and kept it simple: Christmas at the Botanics with the first entry time slot. Then East Princes Street Gardens Market, the LNER Big Wheel at about 6 p.m., That order mattered.
Christmas at the Botanics: Booking first entry sounds too early for a light trail, but here’s the trick. The route is a loop. You enter while it’s still light, catch the early installations as they warm up, then as you swing back around, the darkness settles in and the whole place glows. It felt like watching the event wake up. The crowd was calm at that hour, and I got the photos I wanted without parking in one spot.
Would I go back? Yes, exactly this route, maybe with a café stop near Waverley to defrost if the wind is up. Edinburgh is drama in the best way, and December fits it.
Market After: The Princes Street Gardens market gives you all the staples with the Castle looming behind. I grabbed mac and cheese with crispy “bacon” that warmed me up and kept me moving. If you’re the person who loves a bench, there are just enough spots to recalibrate without losing your place in the day.
Big Wheel at night: The LNER Big Wheel at five gave me the city view with the last last of blue in the sky. I am a heights fanatic; I ride roller coaster at every amusement; and for me the Starflyer was a hard pass. The Wheel was perfect fit,at least for me, plus being enclosed I didn’t have to worry about the wind at any height. It’s always okay to pick the ride that suits your mood and skip the one that looks great in someone else’s story.ck the ride that suits your mood and skip the one that looks great in someone else’s story.
The Sound of Bagpipes at the Market
You’ll hear bagpipes drifting across Princes Street and the Royal Mile, especially near the market and Waverley Bridge. It’s part of the soundtrack in December. The tunes roll over the lights and stalls, and every so often you catch a set close enough to feel it in your chest.
Edinburgh’s Harry Potter Vibe
Old Town has that storybook feel people link to Harry Potter. If you have some time, and want to experience this aspect of Edinburgh take a moment to explore the Royal Mile, ducking into the narrow wynds and Victoria Street which many people assume inspired Diagon Alley.
A London–Edinburgh flow you can copy
- London Day: book Winter Wonderland for a 5 p.m. entry with a food voucher, ride what you like, then step out for a lights loop and a quick store wander.
- Edinburgh Day: land around 1 p.m., market first, Wheel at five, Botanics on first entry so you see the trail twice, once in the glow-up phase and once when it’s dark.
These two days together give you a big-city night and a classic market-plus-light-trail day without running yourself into the ground. You’ll sleep well and wake up happy.
