The December break is a chance for students to relax and reset after what is always a very busy and demanding first semester. From busy lecture schedules, coursework and internship applications, the first semester is almost always an extremely stressful season, especially for 2nd and 3rd year students.
For many international students, it is also a chance to go home to see family and friends and get a break from the UK’s cold, cloudy weather. However, this is not the case for everyone, as many students may find themselves in the UK while all their friends have gone home.
I’ve been the student who stayed in Guildford when all my friends had left for the holidays, and I understand how lonely it can be. As a result, I’ve taken the liberty of exploring some of London’s most famous Christmas Markets to give you an international student’s perspective. If you’ve read my other blogs, you may know that I love everything London, so it comes as no surprise that I decided to explore as many Christmas Markets as I could in a single day. In this blog, I will be sharing some of the best locations for international students to explore in London during Christmas!
- Covent Garden
Starting off with my favourite area in all of London, the Covent Garden Christmas Market is my personal favourite and arguably the most aesthetically pleasing of them all. From the large Christmas tree in the Piazza to the bells hanging from the ceiling, Covent Garden offers a mixture of shops to explore as well as some of London’s best restaurants and bars.
- Trafalgar Square
Within walking distance of Covent Garden, the Trafalgar Square Christmas Market can be found not too far from the Strand. Here you can enjoy a variety of food and drinks and explore the National Gallery. The gallery holds a plethora of paintings from many classic artists, including Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, and Michelangelo.
- Leicester Square
Also within walking distance from the other two markets, the Leicester Square market is known for its ice skating rink, which is surrounded by a variety of shops selling souvenirs and Christmas-themed gifts.
- Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.
Perhaps one of London’s biggest winter attractions, Winter Wonderland is a winter theme park with a selection of rides, food and drinks to choose from. It is frequented by families, couples and people who are generally looking for a good time. Make sure to buy your tickets well in advance, as they sell out very quickly!
- Oxford Street
Christmas is a time for gifts, so why not spoil yourself with an excursion to one of the finest shopping districts in the world! From the high-end brands to the more affordable options, Oxford Street has something for all tastes and budgets!
The winter break is an exciting time for many, but the thought of being far away from friends and family can cause a lot of distress and anxiety for many. This blog is a reminder that there is a lot to explore as a student at the University of Surrey, and London is always just a 35-minute train ride away! The beauty of being a student at the University of Surrey is that you can never run out of things to keep you busy, as there is always something new to explore.
I hope everyone reading this has an amazing Christmas break, whether you’re travelling back home or staying in the UK, stay safe and enjoy responsibly. To those who have exams and coursework due in early January, study hard but make sure to give yourself some time to rest as well!
