How to deal with the weather
London isn’t exactly known for its beautiful weather and coming from
somewhere where it’s usually warm and sunny can be a bit of a shock.
Your first winter may be the hardest, but taking it easy with a
little knowledge and an idea of what to expect can make it more
bearable.
Plan ahead for snow
Even though it snows, London is not very well prepared for it. In the
last six years, London has only experienced a handful of snowy days,
and while elusive, they can be a lot of fun – but also a bit of a
headache.
First all public transport shuts down (yup, that’s right, the trains
just can’t handle it), then the roads get clogged with buses and you
know what that means? A day off from work and school for everyone
(unless you are within walking distance or work for the emergency
services).
Everyone flocks to their local parks to make snowmen and throw
snowballs, and all of a sudden you have a park full of grown kids making
new friends.
At the other end of the scale, you experience hot summers (where
everyone also flocks to the parks to sunbathe and have a picnic). And
you’ll want to buy a desk fan, because there’s no air conditioning in
London.
Make the most of the proximity to Europe
Cheap getaways to (slightly) sunnier European locations are just a few pounds away, sometimes costing as little as £20 return.
The idea of having several countries in a matter of hours takes
some getting used to, but make the most of it while you can! There’s a
whole world of discoveries to be had, and the world is at your feet for
the same price as a cheap new pair of shoes.
If you are environmentally conscious and watch your carbon footprint
or air miles, you can even take the Eurostar to France, Belgium or
Amsterdam.
Enjoy the sun while you still can
London has some sunny days, so it’s best to make the most of them while they last.
Most boroughs have a popular park to escape to (London Fields in
Hackney, Clapham Common in the south, Regents Park in the west) and
there are several lidos and rooftops where you can get your dose of
vitamin D while the sun shines.
If you’re looking for something a little further afield, Brighton is just an hour’s drive from London.
Brighton is one of three beaches near London, and the most popular
(for good reason). They have the largest pier (full of seaside
amusements), a thriving and diverse community, and some great alleys to
explore.
Pack your swimsuit, some sandwiches and your bathing suit, but don’t
forget some sandals or beach shoes as it’s a pebble beach (not sandy)
and nothing hurts more than pebbles under your feet after you’ve
softened your feet in the water.
Go outside in winter
Don’t become a homebody just because the temperature has dropped, there’s plenty to do in London during the colder months.
As the leaves begin to change, take a day trip to one of the larger
conservation areas (Richmond Park, Epping Forest or Victoria Park) to
see the beautiful array of color changes in the leaves. You may even see
some wild deer. This is also the best time of year to spot squirrels!
As you get close to Christmas the markets start to open, the big
shops (Harrods & Selfridges) open their famous Christmas windows and
the streetlights are lit by C grade celebrities in most of the
boroughs.
And don’t forget skating. Perhaps the prettiest of them all is
Somerset House’s ice rink, with twinkling lights and dedicated staff
ready to help if you’re feeling a little like Bambi on ice