Are you getting excited about Christmas? I thought I’d give you a run down of a few luxurious festive things happening in London to get you even more into the Christmas spirit. Make sure you scroll to the end of this post for a Christmas competition to win a special afternoon tea.
Ice-Skating
Skate at Somerset House is probably the prettiest ice-rink in London. During the day you can enjoy the stunning backdrop of the courtyard and then go a little crazy at night as the rink will be hosting some international club nights. Go on, drunken ice-skating is always a good idea. And even better, Fortnum & Mason have partnered up with Somerset House so that you can enjoy cocktails at the Fortnum’s Lodge or visit the Christmas Arcade, a pop-up version of the iconic department store. 
Last year Mr S and I loved our experience skating at Ice Rink Canary Wharf, and one of London’s largest ice rink is back again this year. If you’re anything like me, you’ll skate for half an hour with a glass of mulled wine afterwards as your reward for being so active! This year the East London rink features The Tasting Room which offers sharing menus, chacuterie boards, cheese fondue was well as winter cocktails, wine and beer.
Forest on the Roof
Forest Restaurant & Bar on the Roof is a gorgeous sparkly pop-up winter wonderland on the roof at Selfridge’s.
Last year Mr S and I visited the restaurant in its previous guise as Le Chalet and it’s the perfect place to enjoy some delicious wintery dishes after Christmas shopping. I highly recommended the alcoholic choc-tails but if you still want to fit into your Christmas dress, they also serve my new favourite tipple, Skinny Champagne.
The Rosewood Mini-Hamper
You may have seen this familiar face driving around town already or in front of the stunning Rosewood London hotel…
Rosewood London are offering the ultimate Christmas Hamper worth £60,000 in support of Samuel L Jackson’s charity One for the Boy’s. The ‘Mini’ Hamper is actually a 1993 red convertible mini packed full of Christmas presents, candy canes, champagne and ginger bread man which will be sold by silent auction. If you see Santa driving the mini around London don’t forget to share a picture on Twitter or Instagram and use the hashtag #RosewoodMiniHamper for the chance to win a five night stay at any Rosewood property around the world including return business class flights.
The hamper will be on the road until 22nd December and you can find out where it will be by following @RosewoodLondon on Twitter.
Shepherd Market
Last week I popped down to Shepherd Market in Mayfair to see the turning on of the Christmas lights by Michael Palin.
It’s an area I hadn’t really explored much in London but going there made me feel like I’d been transported back to Victorian London with its narrow streets, cosy pubs and charming shops and restaurants. It’s a lovely place to explore at Christmas time and you can pop to L’Eto Caffe for a cake, have lunch at restaurant hot-spot Kitty Fisher’s and buy beautiful bespoke jewellery at Guy and Max. 
Afternoon Tea
I’m still yet to make it to a festive afternoon tea in London this year but my mouth has been watering over pictures from some of my favourite bloggers:
Aftab from Fresh and Fearless loved The Snow Queen Afternoon Tea at The Conrad Westminster…
And he also enjoyed the indulgent Nutcracker Afternoon Tea at the Langham with these gorgeous pastries. 
Photo Credit: Aftab from Fresh and Fearless
Mehreen loved the Christmas Unwrapped Afternoon Tea at The Intercontinental which was an interpretation of Christmas lunch presented as afternoon tea.
Photo Credit: Mehreen from Wrap Your Lips Around This
Finally, Sam from Crossing Lemons tasted the adorable Christmas Afternoon tea at Lanes of London at the London Marriott Hotel Park Lane. 
Photo Credit: Sam from Crossing Lemons
The Height of Winter at The View from The Shard
London’s tallest building, The Shard has been transformed into a sensory winter grotto with giant glowing crystals and touch responsive iridescent lights. The Height of Winter is the creation of innovative designers Bompas and Parr who have also created special treats such as Snow White Hot Chocolate, Mulled Champagne and Christmas Candy Floss available to purchase at the summit.
Photo Credit: BuyaGift
Photo Credit: Tom Mannion
As a little festive thank you to my readers I’ve teamed up with BuyaGift to give away the opportunity to visit The Height of Winter at The View from The Shard followed by afternoon tea at Hotel Chocolat’s Rabot 1745 located at London’s famous Borough Market a short walk away.
While I was on the beautiful island of St Lucia I visited Hotel Chocolat’s own cocoa plantation and restaurant, Boucan, which serves ‘cacao cuisine’ and presents a menu using cocoa throughout sometimes as a spice and occasionally as an infusion. It was so interesting to try this cuisine in St Lucia and Rabot 1745 brings this cocoa-based cuisine to London.
The afternoon tea that forms part of this prize includes cacao-infused drinks and treats such as cacao gin cured salmon and avocado sandwiches, chocolate and orange cones and caramelised chocolate cheesecake that have all been created by a first-class British chocolatier and cocoa grower.
You can enter the comepetition via Rafflecopter with the options listed below. The message to tweet is:
RT and follow @SilverSpoonLDN to win a festive visit to the Shard and tea at Hotel Chocolat
http://www.silverspoonlondon.co.uk/2015/12/luxury-london-happenings-this-christmas-and-win-afternoon-tea-at-hotel-chocolat.html
For the last three actions you can simply write ‘yes’ in the box once the action is completed. The competition will run for one week and end on the 16th December.
Terms and Conditions:
- Please note that The Height of Winter installation runs until the 31st of January but the prize is valid for 10 months and can still be claimed after the exhibition has closed.
- The prize is tickets to the The View from The Shard and afternoon tea at Hotel Chocolat’s Rabot 1745 for two people including a glass of prosecco. The vouchers will come separately so the experiences do not need to be taken on the same day.
- The complimentary prosecco is only available before 31st March 2016 after that date it is £5 per person.
- Booking is subject to availability.
- The Hotel Chocolat Afternoon Tea is available Fridays and Saturdays from 3pm – 5pm and advance booking is recommended.
- The Shard is available all week but opening times vary.
- Minimum age for the Shard experience is 4 years old.
- Both vouchers are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- It is not necessary to book ahead for the Shard and it is an open-dated ticket that can be used any time before the expiration date.
