Many of us know the South Bank for its great summer entertainment: free performances at Watch This Space, watching street performers, or just enjoying a walk along the River Thames. But did you know there's loads to see and do along the South Bank over the Christmas season?
This year visitors to London's South Bank are guaranteed more festive cheer than usual as top attractions across the area encourage visitors to slow down, let go and make Christmas 2009 a more cherished experience, as part of South Bank's Slow Christmas.
This year visitors to London's South Bank are guaranteed more festive cheer than usual as top attractions across the area encourage visitors to slow down, let go and make Christmas 2009 a more cherished experience, as part of South Bank's Slow Christmas.
- South Bank Photo Tour
- Visit www.southbanklondon.com for more details on what's on.
1. London Eye
© London Eye
Please don't think that the London Eye is only a summer attraction. I love taking a flight in the winter as London is lit up and the view is so different from a summer's day. I've always enjoyed the evening flights for that reason. The London Eye opens daily except on Christmas Day (25 December) and during its annual maintenance period from 9 to 26 January 2010. Find out more: www.londoneye.com.
2. BFI IMAX
© Peter Durant / arcblue.com
The South Bank's BFI IMAX has the largest cinema screen in the UK and has a 12,000-watt digital surround-sound system plus the most sophisticated motion-picture projector in the world. BFI IMAX's screen is more than 20 meters high - the height of five double-decker buses - and more than 26 meters wide. This Christmas season you can enjoy a magical 3D cinematic experience as The Polar Express 3D is back for the sixth year (tbc).
3. BFI Southbank
© BFI Southbank
2008 info (awaiting 2009 Christmas season):
As well as the film program - which this year ranges from the festive musical White Christmas to pink cult Japanese sexy Cinema! - BFI Southbank also has an exhibition gallery in the atrium and a Benugo bar & kitchen on the ground floor where you can sit outside and enjoy a hot drink in a great location. In the daytime you can browse the South Bank Book Market right next to the BFI Southbank, under Waterloo Bridge.
As well as the film program - which this year ranges from the festive musical White Christmas to pink cult Japanese sexy Cinema! - BFI Southbank also has an exhibition gallery in the atrium and a Benugo bar & kitchen on the ground floor where you can sit outside and enjoy a hot drink in a great location. In the daytime you can browse the South Bank Book Market right next to the BFI Southbank, under Waterloo Bridge.
4. South Bank Shopping
© Peter Durant / arcblue.com
- Cologne Christmas Market (Southbank Centre) (20 Nov-23 Dec)
60 wooden chalets with festive music and a carousel. - Christmas Slow Food Market (Southbank Centre) (19–22 Dec)
40 traders and the Demo Tent for tips on Christmas menus. - Dazzle (National Theatre) (9 Nov–10 Jan)
Showcases the work of leading European jewelry designers. - Ethical Christmas Emporium (Oxo Tower Wharf) (20–23 Nov - tbc)
Hundreds of fair trade, ethical and environmental gift ideas. Plus "Green Santa" and children's activities. £1 admission. - 50+ design boutiques at Oxo Tower Wharf and Gabriel's Wharf
Pick up chic stocking fillers from £5 or commission something fabulous. There's everything here from jewelry and glam frocks to lighting and ceramics.
5. South Bank Dining
© Coin Street Community Builders
- Dine overlooking the Thames at tamesa@oxo, or sip champagne at the breathtaking Oxo Tower Restaurant Bar & Brasserie, or sample some sake at Bincho Yakitori.
- At Gabriel's Wharf try Riviera at Gabriel's Wharf, Gourmet Pizza, or Studio Six.
- The Benugo bar & kitchen at BFI Southbank offers all day dining and cocktails.
- At Festival Riverside at Southbank Centre, you can enjoy seasonal menus at Giraffe, Strada, Wagamama and Eat. Up the stairs, at Festival Terrace, try fiesta fun at Las Iguanas, linger over coffee at Le Pain Quotidien and Caffe Vergnano 1882, get some pre-theater nibbles at Feng Sushi or Ping Pong.
- Royal Festival Hall's Skylon restaurant is recommended.
- Canteen on Southbank Centre Square offers British seasonal food.
6. The Old Vic
Inherit the Wind is on at The Old Vic until 20 December 2008. When science teacher Bertram Cates violates a state law he finds himself at the center of a court case that not only shakes the United States but resonates across the world. Award-winning Director Trevor Nunn directs an outstanding ensemble cast including Kevin Spacey and David Troughton in this fascinating slice of American history played out in a thrilling courtroom drama.
7. National Theatre
As part of the Travelex £10 theater ticket season at the National Theatre, Fiona Shaw takes the title role in Mother Courage and Her Children by Bertolt Brecht, in a translation by Tony Kushner. The show opens in the Olivier Theatre (part of the National Theatre) on 16 September 2009 and runs till Tuesday 8 December 2009.
There's lots more going on including free live music in the main foyer before evening performances and Saturday matinees. There's even the Dazzle jewelry exhibition from 9 November to 15 January 2010 (see 'Shopping' above for more details).
There's lots more going on including free live music in the main foyer before evening performances and Saturday matinees. There's even the Dazzle jewelry exhibition from 9 November to 15 January 2010 (see 'Shopping' above for more details).
8. The Young Vic
The Young Vic aims to create and present great productions of the great plays of the world to audiences of all ages and backgrounds; to nurture the talent of younger theater professionals; to develop a love of theater amongst young people and to achieve this they always keep their prices low.
There is a place at the very heart of the forest where things are not quite what they seem. People become animals, birds become music, wood becomes water, leaves become light. Everything moves (can you hear it?), everything changes (can you see it?). It's all around you, full of adventure, bursting with life. It's The Forest. (See my review.)
9 - 24 December 2009. Suitable for 5-7 year olds.
There is a place at the very heart of the forest where things are not quite what they seem. People become animals, birds become music, wood becomes water, leaves become light. Everything moves (can you hear it?), everything changes (can you see it?). It's all around you, full of adventure, bursting with life. It's The Forest. (See my review.)
9 - 24 December 2009. Suitable for 5-7 year olds.
9. Southbank Centre
© Southbank Centre
Southbank Centre consists of the Royal Festival Hall, The Hayward, and the Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room.
Southbank Centre presents Sandi Toksvig's Christmas Cracker (15-24 December 2009): A variety show in Royal Festival Hall that, for ten days only, features a glittering array of stars from the worlds of music, magic and comedy, including the legendary Ronnie Corbett.
Southbank Centre have a full Christmas program including music, comedy, magic, and art. See the Southbank Centre Unwrapped for full details.
Southbank Centre presents Sandi Toksvig's Christmas Cracker (15-24 December 2009): A variety show in Royal Festival Hall that, for ten days only, features a glittering array of stars from the worlds of music, magic and comedy, including the legendary Ronnie Corbett.
Southbank Centre have a full Christmas program including music, comedy, magic, and art. See the Southbank Centre Unwrapped for full details.
10. South Bank Hotels
© London Marriott County Hall
There are more beds than ever across South Bank with the luxurious London Marriott County Hall to the chic Park Plaza County Hall complete with stunning atrium, take a short walk down to the stylish and contemporary Park Plaza Riverbank and Plaza on the River which both boast great riverside locations and for the perfect central base don't forget the comfortable Premier Inn County Hall or London Southwark Premier Inn.
The London Marriott County Hall has a range of festive packages and the location couldn't be better as it's next to the London Eye and opposite Big Ben. If you want to try and stay trim they have the largest and most extensive gym & pool in any London hotel. Or you could relax & rejuvenate in the Spa.
The London Marriott County Hall has a range of festive packages and the location couldn't be better as it's next to the London Eye and opposite Big Ben. If you want to try and stay trim they have the largest and most extensive gym & pool in any London hotel. Or you could relax & rejuvenate in the Spa.
