Christmas lights in London 2012

As a child, one of our Christmas treats was to go to the West End in the evening, see the Christmas lights and check out the shop windows. It was a magical experience and even now thinking about it gives me a warm glow.

So here's a list of some places to visit:

Regents Street and Oxford Street are always the main roads everyone heads to for the Xmas lights. They are easy to get to from Lambeth by taking buses 3 or 159 which cover both roads to some extent and the 137 which swings in from Marble Arch. Shop windows to check out will be Selfridges on Oxford Street and Hamleys and Liberty on Regent Street

As you head up towards Oxford Circus, take a detour to Carnaby Street. It's quite a good place to shop if you are looking for something different. Check out Kingly Court for lots of little retailers. A Baby on board blog has reviewed these lights already!

When you are on Regent Street, take a wander down Bond Street to view their display of christmas decorations. Whilst you are there, take a look at the shop windows as many will have some special seasonal display.
 
 Another place off Bond Street is South Molton Street. It is spruced up to the Christmas nines with great illuminations. Check it out and then after this I'd recommend, heading back to Bond Street and coming out on Piccadilly.

Now to check out one of my favourite stores, Fortumn and Mason - always amazing windows and if it's still open, go and visit the sweets section and the foods downstairs. Lovely!

I've also heard that another great visual treat is Hyde Park Winter Wonderland -the market and Santa land is free and a stroll at dusk or early evening is essential. You can  pop in to see Father Christmas too-that's free as well.(I'm going to ask him for a house cleaner, a flatter stomach and a better tolerence to alcohol).

Nearest buggy friendly underground exit is Green Park. Buses into the area are 2, 159, 148, 436 and 137.

Another area for lights and windows is Knightsbridge. Harrods and Harvey Nichols always have fantastic windows - these visuals really stir the imagination.

To get there, you can catch 137 from Streatham. The area is also served by the underground.

So go take a look and find some Christmas magic!!

PS...me and Boo-boo have only seen the Brixton Christmas Windmill!

Boo-boo slept though all the excitement!