24 hours in London in winter

London in winter rewards those who know where to look. Behind the grand avenues are little streets of antiquarian bookshops, colourful courtyards with unlikely histories and chocolatiers who take their hot chocolate very seriously. December brings festive shop windows and the unmistakable excitement of Christmas in London, but the city's quieter discoveries are every bit as rewarding once the decorations come down. If you have just 24 hours in London this winter, forget trying to see everything. The real pleasure lies in knowing where to look. 

 At Corinthia London, you're perfectly placed to do just that. Set between Trafalgar Square and the Thames, the hotel brings together the grandeur of a historic London address with some of the capital's most enticing contemporary experiences. Think afternoon tea beneath a Baccarat crystal chandelier, restorative rituals at Biome, inventive British cooking at Kerridge's and cocktails with a little theatrical flair at Velvet. It's a London itinerary that balances the pleasure of being out in the city with the considerable temptation of staying in.

8am: A leisurely start at Corinthia London 

Begin with a relaxed breakfast at Corinthia London, where there's no need to rush into the morning. Settle in at The Northall Bar over coffee and your favourite breakfast dishes or enjoy the quieter luxury of breakfast in your room or suite. 

Outside, London is already finding its rhythm. From Whitehall Place, you're only a short walk from Trafalgar Square and the streets of Covent Garden, yet the hotel feels pleasantly removed from the capital's busiest thoroughfares. It's a good moment to decide what kind of morning you're in the mood for. A little history? Some independent shopping? Or perhaps an exceptionally good hot chocolate? Fortunately, today's route makes room for all three. 

10am: London's hidden charms, one little street at a time 

Cecil Court: books, curiosities and a young Mozart 

Begin at Cecil Court, the narrow pedestrian passage between Charing Cross Road and St Martin's Lane. With its Victorian shopfronts, specialist booksellers and antique dealers, it's a world away from the pace of the surrounding West End. 

Browse the windows for rare first editions, antique maps, vintage prints and books on subjects you never realised you wanted to explore. Watkins Books, established here in 1901, specialises in esoteric literature, while the wider street is home to dealers whose collections range from fine art to unusual historical objects. 

Cecil Court has some remarkable stories of its own. In 1764, an eight-year-old Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart lived here with his family during their visit to London. Tickets for his early London concerts were sold from the barber's premises where the family lodged, and a plaque now marks the connection. 

The street later acquired the nickname Flicker Alley thanks to its association with Britain's emerging film industry. Today, the booksellers and independent traders keep its creative spirit very much alive.

Seven Dials and Neal's Yard: a different kind of London history 

Continue towards Seven Dials, where seven streets meet around a distinctive central column. The neighbourhood's unusual layout dates to the 1690s, when developer Thomas Neale devised an ambitious scheme to transform this corner of Covent Garden. 

What began as a speculative property venture has become one of London's most characterful shopping districts. Independent boutiques, specialist shops and small cafés occupy the surrounding streets, making it a particularly enjoyable place to browse for Christmas gifts or something a little less predictable than the usual souvenir. 

Tucked just off the main streets is Neal's Yard, the colourful courtyard that has become one of the neighbourhood's most recognisable sights. 

Its cheerful façades conceal a surprisingly recent transformation. Until the 1970s, this was a neglected service yard associated with Covent Garden's wholesale market. In 1976, entrepreneur Nicholas Saunders opened the Whole Food Warehouse here, helping establish a community of alternative businesses that transformed the space into the lively courtyard visitors know today. 

Step inside for a coffee, browse the independent shops and admire the colourful buildings. It's a reminder that some of London's most distinctive corners have reinvented themselves more than once. 

Smith's Court: a very good excuse for hot chocolate 

Before returning to the hotel, make a small detour into Soho for a visit to William Curley at 33 Smith's Court. 

This independent chocolatier is the work of William and Melissa Curley, whose approach to chocolate combines meticulous craftsmanship with a distinctly playful imagination. William trained in celebrated kitchens including those of Pierre Koffmann and Raymond Blanc, and has been named Britain's Best Chocolatier multiple times. 

The Soho boutique is an excellent place to discover his creations, from refined chocolate truffles to imaginative interpretations of British childhood favourites. His Nostalgia collection includes sophisticated versions of Jaffa Cakes, Bounty Bars and other familiar treats. 

For a winter indulgence, choose a hot chocolate and allow yourself a few minutes to enjoy it properly. London may have countless coffee shops, but an excellent chocolatier is worth going out of your way for.

1pm: A leisurely lunch, London-style 

After a morning exploring the West End, lunch presents another opportunity to discover one of London's best-loved dining addresses. 

In Soho, Quo Vadis on Dean Street is a London institution with a colourful history stretching back to 1926. Today, chef Jeremy Lee brings his generous, distinctly British approach to the kitchen, where the celebrated smoked eel sandwich has become something of a signature. It's an excellent choice for a leisurely lunch with plenty of Soho character. 

If you'd prefer a more traditional setting, Rules in Covent Garden has been serving Londoners since 1798, making it the capital's oldest restaurant. Its richly decorated dining rooms, historic photographs and longstanding devotion to British cooking make it an experience in itself. The menu is particularly celebrated for game, pies and classic puddings, although a lighter lunch might be wise with afternoon tea or dinner at Kerridge's still to come. 

For something polished but less ceremonious, The Delaunay on Aldwych takes its inspiration from Europe's grand cafés. Settle into a banquette for oysters, a seasonal dish or a beautifully made schnitzel before returning to the hotel. Its central location makes it a convenient choice for guests who want to enjoy lunch without straying far from Corinthia London. 

3pm: A little winter indulgence at Corinthia London 

Option 1: Festive afternoon tea beneath the Baccarat chandelier 

Few London traditions are better suited to a winter afternoon than afternoon tea, and the Crystal Moon Lounge offers a particularly beautiful setting. 

Beneath its spectacular Baccarat crystal chandelier, settle in for a selection of delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and carefully crafted pastries, accompanied by a choice of fine teas. 

From 12 November, the hotel's festive afternoon tea introduces seasonal creations and familiar Christmas flavours. Among the details proposed by the pastry team is Christmas pudding jam, a playful twist on the traditional preserve that brings a distinctly British festive touch to the occasion. 

For a celebratory afternoon, add a glass of Champagne. There's something especially satisfying about spending a winter afternoon in London with a proper pot of tea, an excellent scone and absolutely no reason to hurry. 

Option 2: A winter escape at Biome 

If the morning's explorations have left you ready for a little restoration, head downstairs to Biome by Corinthia London. 

The spa's thermal facilities are an experience in themselves, with an indoor swimming pool, vitality pool, amphitheatre sauna, cold plunge, heated marble loungers and private sleep pods. It's an inviting contrast to the winter streets above. 

The Biome Winter Escape brings together three 30-minute Wildsmith treatments: a salt scrub, a back and shoulders massage with the option of hot stones and an instant facial. Together, they offer a carefully considered sequence of exfoliation, relaxation and skincare. 

The experience also includes a light one-course lunch with a glass of Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut, served in the spa lounge, alongside time to enjoy the thermal facilities. 

For those who prefer a more leisurely afternoon, this is an experience worth allowing extra time for. Rather than rushing between treatments, take the opportunity to make the spa the main event.

5pm: An Alpine aperitif in the heart of London 

As the evening approaches, head to The Garden, where winter brings an unexpected change of scenery. Inspired by the Alpine Club, the world's first mountaineering club, founded in London in 1857, the hotel's seasonal terrace brings the spirit of the mountains to the capital. It's an entertaining connection: you don't need to leave central London to discover a little Alpine heritage. 

The winter menu makes the theme deliciously convincing. Think bubbling Swiss cheese fondue, rich tartiflette and Austrian beef goulash, with seasonal cocktails to complete the après-ski experience.

For an aperitif before dinner, choose a warming drink and settle into the Alpine-inspired surroundings. There's something pleasingly extravagant about finding a mountain retreat just moments from Trafalgar Square. 

Alternatively: a martini at Georgie's Bar 

For those who prefer their aperitif shaken up a little differently, head to Georgie's Bar, Tom Kerridge's newly opened cocktail destination, where the Martini takes centre stage. 

At the heart of the experience is Georgie's Martini Club, a celebration of the classic cocktail with four distinct interpretations, each served straight from the freezer. Purists can choose the Proper Dry, with gin or vodka, a touch of dry vermouth and lemon zest, or the Proper Wet, with a more generous measure of vermouth, triple-orange bitters and orange zest. For something savoury, the Proper Dirty combines house pickle brine and olives, while the wonderfully unconventional Proper Steak comes garnished with house-smoked onions and the chef's own beef jerky. A Martini with a distinctly Kerridge twist, and certainly one worth talking about.

7pm: British comfort food, with a little Kerridge magic 

Dinner at Kerridge's is an excellent reminder that British comfort food can be every bit as exciting as the most elaborate tasting menu. 

Tom Kerridge's cooking has long celebrated the flavours and traditions of British cuisine, bringing generous portions, confident technique and unexpected refinements to familiar favourites. In winter, the menu leans into the season's richest pleasures. Begin with spiced parsnip soup, lifted by chestnut, truffle and Madeira, or choose smoked haddock with celeriac risotto, Espelette pepper and capers. For the main course, the braised brisket and horseradish pie is the sort of dish that makes cold weather feel like a very good idea. Served with parsley mash, malt vinegar gel and sauce Périgourdine, it takes a familiar British classic in a rather more indulgent direction. Alternatively, roasted Cornish brill with Champagne and oyster sauce offers something lighter, with wild sea herbs bringing a subtle coastal note to the plate. 

And dessert? The festive trifle combines mandarin, cranberry, gingerbread and mascarpone in a celebration of Christmas flavours. Or choose sticky toffee pudding with coffee bean ice cream and Kraken sauce, a suitably decadent finish to the evening.

This is food designed to be enjoyed rather than admired from a distance. Generous, imaginative and deeply satisfying, it's a particularly good match for a London winter's night.

9pm: Cocktails and live music at Velvet 

After dinner, continue the evening at Velvet by Salvatore Calabrese, where cocktails come with a generous helping of theatre. Created in partnership with the celebrated mixologist known as The Maestro, Velvet combines intimate, richly coloured interiors with an imaginative approach to the art of the cocktail. 

The bar's current menu, Echoes of Memory, explores the extraordinary relationship between flavour and recollection. Its different chapters draw on familiar sensations, textures, imagined destinations and those elusive moments of déjà vu. 

It's a wonderfully intriguing concept. A cocktail might evoke a familiar scent, a particular place or a memory you hadn't thought about in years. The pleasure lies in discovering how the ingredients come together to tell their story. 

For those who prefer the classics, Salvatore Calabrese is renowned for his mastery of traditional cocktails, making this an excellent place to order a martini or another timeless favourite. From Tuesday to Saturday, live music begins at 9pm, adding another dimension to the evening. Settle in, enjoy the performance and allow London's nightlife to come to you. 

11pm: A peaceful return to your suite 

After a day of London discoveries, return to the comfort of your suite at Corinthia London. The city's historic streets, independent shops and festive pleasures may be just beyond the doors, but upstairs there's a different kind of luxury waiting: the pleasure of complete privacy and a little space to yourself. 

Whether you've spent the day uncovering rare books, indulging in chocolate, enjoying the spa or discovering new favourites at the hotel's restaurants and bars, a restful night is a fitting reward.

The next morning: One last London indulgence 

After breakfast, make time for a final visit to Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly, one of London's most enduring shopping institutions. 

Founded in 1707 by William Fortnum and Hugh Mason, the store has an origin story that could only belong to London. Fortnum worked in Queen Anne's household, where fresh candles were required each evening. The unused wax became an entrepreneurial opportunity, and a small business selling candles eventually grew into one of the capital's most celebrated food emporiums. 

More than three centuries later, Fortnum's remains a destination for exceptional teas, beautifully presented preserves, chocolates, biscuits and thoughtful gifts. Its food halls are particularly rewarding during the festive season, when the shop windows and Christmas collections become attractions in their own right. 

Look out for the famous Fortnum's hampers, explore the tea selection or choose a beautifully packaged tin of biscuits to take home. The store is also associated with the Scotch egg, a British picnic favourite that Fortnum's traces back to its own kitchens in the 18th century. 

Before leaving, pause outside to admire the famous clock above the Piccadilly entrance. On the hour, figures of William Fortnum and Hugh Mason emerge to greet one another, a delightfully eccentric piece of London theatre. 

It's a fitting final stop in a city that has always understood the appeal of good food, curious traditions and a little indulgence.