The festive illumination and pompous decorations adorning the British capital’s foremost high streets may be gone but at the same time the hustle and bustle synonymous with the pre-Christmas shopping time has receded. Additionally, the prices traditionally high in the lead-up to Christmas have taken an obvious drop - both in the shops and for accommodation, which is notoriously expensive in London. In other words: Ideal conditions for anyone wanting to discover the city and explore new trendy places without being accompanied by the usual throngs of tourists.
Hotspot #1 - Battersea Power Station
The recently revitalised Battersea Power Station is an exciting new address in the western part of London, not only for shoppers but also for fans of good food and great architecture.
Power station turned high-lustre neighbourhood
About half an hour’s walk from Buckingham Palace or from the boutiques along King’s Road in the posh neighbourhood of Chelsea, the former power station has finally reopened its doors after having undergone a 10-year transformation. The art deco building, which until the 1980s powered a fifth of London, has been thoroughly renovated, and the entire area revamped with renowned architects such as Norman Foster and Frank Gehry actively contributing.
The result: A new, vibrant neighbourhood with around 250 shops in addition to restaurants, bars, galleries, hotels and residential units along the banks of the River Thames, easily accessible by Tube thanks to its own station, which opened in 2021.
Hotspot #2 - Mercato Metropolitano Mayfair
In addition to the Battersea power station there are other places in the city that have been repurposed, their original function having been given up in favour of the new so that they now offer an oasis of calm in the thick of the fray.
Church turned hip market
Similar to the well-known Borough Market at London Bridge, Mercato Metropolitano has become a popular venue for casual meals and drinks. However, contrary to the former, Mercato Metropolitano is not housed in an historic market hall but in industrial and other architecturally intriguing buildings.
Mercato Metropolitano was originally founded in 2015 as a pop-up in Milan, with its first London spin-off opening its doors in the Elephant and Castle neighbourhood in 2016. By now it has various branches throughout the city, the one in Mayfair - ideally situated in close proximity to the high-end boutiques on New Bond Street - standing out thanks to its locations in an old church where confessional booths and stained-glass windows serve as the backdrop for food stalls and cocktail bars.
If this has whet your appetite for more and you would like to discover other markets, preferably indoors due to the cold weather, you should head to Spitalfields Market in Shoreditch. The market is open seven days a week, serving up a choice of international dishes, art and fashion.
Hotspot #3 - Secret hidden Bars
Hotspot number three is more like a hot tip really, as it describes a trend rather than a specific location. Over the past few years, more and more bars have opened in places whose original purpose can mostly only be guessed at. These days, with their stylish interiors and exotic drinks menus, they are in stark contrast not only to their origins but also to the traditional British pubs that can be found on every other corner.
The following three are only the tip of the iceberg and have been chosen for their cosy atmosphere, which seems particularly inviting on cold winter days.
Tube station turned hip bar
The “Rev. JW Simpson” is named after its original resident, a pastor, with the dwellings being discovered in the course of renovation works performed in the 1980s. As opposed to the Mercato Metropolitano, you won’t find any stained-glass windows or confessionals but a combination of reduced interior design and atmospheric candle light makes for an inviting, warm atmosphere.
A mere ten minutes away, in the heart of Soho, you will find “Basement Sate”. This Parisian style bar made it on the list for its menu rather than its location. Apart from wine, beer and cocktails, it features decadent desserts - ideal for anyone with a sweet tooth feeling they have not yet had their share of Christmas sweets.
WC in “WC Bar” is short for wine and charcuterie, however, it could also be short for a classic water closet. After all, both of the two branches are housed in abandoned WCs - one of them at Clapham Tube Station, the other one in Bloomsbury. What may sound little appetising is really rather impressive and elegant. Apart from drinks, the menu features savoury snacks including raclette and duck rillettes - in other words, perfect cold-weather fare.
Finding warmth and cultural highlights
Speaking of cold weather: January and February are the coldest months in Great Britain, the freezing temperatures presenting a good excuse for spending time indoors. With that in mind, one should remember that the British capital has more to offer than boutiques, restaurants and bars, namely some of the world’s finest museums and galleries. This is good news for anyone wanting to appease their cultural hunger - and at the same time find some much-needed, longed-for respite from the cold.
And if it's music you are after rather than visual arts: You might be keen to know that throughout the year, a number of cathedrals, churches and other atmospheric places such as St. Martin in the Fields or Southwark Cathedral are hosting concerts by candlelight, which are ideally suited to round off a London city trip, with the programme including classic interpretations of hits by the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Coldplay or Beyoncé.
