Guide to winter activities in London

Come late autumn, ice rinks start sprouting up across the capital like mushrooms. Ice skating is a top winter activity in London, perfect for families, couples, or friends, with seasonal outdoor rinks in picturesque locations and year-round indoor options. Our guide highlights the city's best rinks for a seamless skating experience.

Despite the UK's less than stellar reputation when it comes to weather, winter in London is generally pretty mild. If you're the outdoorsy type, there are plenty of spots in the city to enjoy a brisk, refreshing hike in nature. It might not be as traditionally pretty as a summer stroll in lush foliage, but winter's desolate landscapes have their own kind of charm. Our guide highlights the best walks in London.

If you've still got the will – and the budget – to go shopping after the gift-buying sprees of Christmas, you can find great bargains during the annual winter sales. Starting on Boxing Day and lasting until mid-January, the winter sales help shops offload seasonal stock and clear the shelves in anticipation of warmer months, so it's a great time to stock up on winter gear. Our guide to shopping in London highlights some of the best shops in the city.

When the weather is uncooperative, as it so often is during the winter months, there's a host of great places to hide out from the rain and keep the whole family busy. London boasts some of the best museums and art galleries in the world, covering everything from general history and natural science to more niche subjects such as gardens, ragged schools, or street art. Best of all, most of them are free.

Winter isn't really the best time to be hitting the links at your local golf club. Instead hit up one of the various indoor golf centres found across London. Our guide highlights different VR golf simulators and indoor driving ranges and putting greens you can take advantage of to make sure your swing is ready come the golfing season proper.

Speaking of simulators, if you find London in winter unbearable but can't afford the time or money to go on holiday somewhere nicer, a couple of hours in virtual reality might help take the load off. Whether you're fighting off a zombie invasion with your friends, chasing down competitors in your race car, or simply taking in the sights in a fantastical digital world, VR offers a whole lot of fun without the risks, costs, or logistical issues usually associated with such activities.

The long winter nights are perfect for catching up on any theatrical productions you might have missed out on, whether it's long-running classics or new productions that are only on for a limited time. London's West End is one of the top theatre districts in the world, and you can regularly see star actors in excellent productions here. Check out our guides for hot tips on the best theatres and musicals in London.

You might think you've had your fill of sparkly lights after Christmas, but the Canary Wharf Winter Lights festival is a whole different story. For a couple of weeks each January, the Canary Wharf estate lights up with a selection of spectacular installations by some of the top light artists in the world. Grab a hot drink and a snack from one of the local vendors and go for an evening stroll, taking in the beautiful displays. It's free to visit, too.

It might be cold and unpleasant outside, but a nice spa will have you feeling all warm and fuzzy in no time. Relax with a massage, soak in a hot tub, raise your body temperature in the sauna, and enjoy a soothing cup of herbal tea afterwards in one of London's many pampering palaces, as highlighted in our guide to the city's best spas.

Winter at Kew Gardens isn't all about the Christmas light trail. The famed botanic gardens host a free walking tour throughout the season, with an expert guide leading you through Kew's historic collections. You'll be able to see plants that not only don't mind the cold, but thrive in it, and other fascinating winter highlights.

For the most part, nature might be hibernating during winter, but the WWT London Wetland Centre is as busy as ever, with different birds making it its home during the colder months. There are all sorts of wintry art activities for all ages and abilities held throughout winter, including photography and water colour workshops, along with the usual tours, otter talks, and more.

Music festival season might still be a ways away, but in London, the music never really stops, even in the deepest, darkest winter. Winter is a great time to make your way around London's venerable club venues, cherry-picking intimate gigs by stars from all around the world and leaving the stadium bashes and park festivals for the summer.

Enjoying drinks with friends is always fun, especially when you're collectively hiding from the outside weather, but adding extra excitement to your night can make it unforgettable. You can engage in friendly competition such as axe throwing or arcade games at many of London's bars – you'll find the top ones in our guide to the best activity bars in the city.

Tea hits different in winter, and few things can match the cosiness of wrapping your cold fingers around a steaming hot mug of tea. With the British having a reputation as big tea drinkers, there's no shortage of great tea salons to be found in London. Stick a dainty pinkie out, ready some biscuits, and read our hottest tea tips (pun intended) in London.

Sea Life Centre London Aquarium on the South Bank offers an underwater adventure suitable for all ages. Boasting the UK's largest coral reef and a diverse array of marine life including penguins, octopuses, sharks, and even rainforest critters, it's a fascinating experience. Enhance your visit by attending a feeding session or an informative talk by expert staff, or participate in one of the themed events they host.

Flip Out offers an exhilarating indoor adventure playground perfect for both kids and adults, making it an ideal choice for family fun regardless of the weather. The various locations around London features a variety of activities, including trampolines, ninja playgrounds, bumper cars, roller rinks, slides, and more.

The mere thought of outdoor dining in London in winter might have you running for the snowy hills, but hear us out. The various winter pods that sprout up across London during wintertime are cosy little havens where you can snug up with a nice meal, a warm drink, and a loved one, observing the unpleasantness outside from the comfort your own igloo. It's a lovely winter take on outdoor dining that's sure to charm.

You might be a vegan lifer, or you might just be looking to offset the excesses of December – either way, January is a good time to focus on plant-based dining. Loads of restaurants across London, vegan and non-vegan alike, serve special Veganuary deals and menu items throughout the month. Discover the best offers or change up lunch at your favourite spot with the help of our guide to Veganuary in London.

The Warner Bros. film studio, home of the Harry Potter film series for over ten years, showcases original sets, props, and costumes used in the blockbuster films, meticulously preserved to capture the magic of the Harry Potter universe. Visitors can dive into the world of filmmaking with tours of original sets, animatronic creatures, and special effects. It's easily accessible from London and also undergoes seasonal transformations, such as the annual “Hogwarts in the Snow” experience.