Get the most out of London this winter

Rooftops, riversides and secluded corners of the city transform into cosy places to while away even the coldest of nights in total comfort, from festive entertainment and street markets at Winterville on Clapham Common to the annual wigwam on the roof of Queen of Hoxton. At Skylight at Tobacco Dock, from November to January, you can snuggle up in your very own igloo. Grab a blanket, position yourself by a heater and get toasty. Entry is free.

Getting to Winterville Northern line to Clapham Common.
Local bus routes 35, 37, 50, 88, 137, 155, 249, 255, 345, 355, 417, G1.
Getting to Queen of Hoxton Overground to Shoreditch High Street.
Local bus routes 8, 26, 35, 47, 48, 67, 78, 135, 149, 205, 242, N26, N205.
Getting to Skylight Overground or DLR to Shadwell.
Local bus routes 15, 100, 115, 135, 339, D3.

During the winter months, ice rinks pop up all over London. One of the loveliest (and most fun for families) can be found outside the Natural History Museum, edged by trees dripping with festive lights. Wrap up warm, strap on a pair of skates and zip around, or watch from the sidelines. Adults from £12.65, children from £8.80.

Getting there Circle, District or Piccadilly line to South Kensington.
Local bus routes 14, 49, 70, 74, 345, 360, 414, 430, C1.

There’s no better time of year to settle down on a plush cinema seat. Better still, lie back on a red double bed in a nest of cashmere blankets at the super-sumptuous Electric Cinema in Portobello Road. Just be careful not to relax so much that you doze off. Adults from £15, children from £8.

Getting there Hammersmith & City or Circle line to Ladbroke Grove.
Local bus routes 7, 23, 28, 52, 70, 228, 295, 316, 452, N7.

Waterlow Park, with its pretty trails and serene ponds, has been ‘a garden for the gardenless’ in London since 1889. Embrace the chill, walking through rusty orange leaves – and make sure you take a moment to appreciate the spectacular views of London’s skyline beyond the trees. Free.

Getting there Northern line to Archway.
Local bus routes 4, 17, 41, 43, 134, 210, 263, 271, 390, C11, W5.

The city is full of lovely libraries and incredible independent bookshops, perfect for curling up and whiling away the hours reading. Daunt Books in Marylebone is our fave: an Edwardian, galleried shop with arched windows, quiet corners and all the books you could need to entertain yourself on a dark December afternoon. Free.

Getting there Hammersmith & City, Circle, Metropolitan, Jubilee or Bakerloo line to Baker Street.
Local bus routes 2, 13, 18, 27, 30, 74, 113, 139, 189, 205, 274, 453, N18, N74.

From November onwards, streets, parks and landmarks in London find themselves lit up with brightly coloured bulbs. One of the best places to take in such glowing finery is Syon Park’s Enchanted Woodland, where an illuminated trail leads families, couples and friends around the lake, conservatory and arboretum after hours. Adults £10-£12, children £5.

Getting there Piccadilly line to Boston Manor station then E8 bus.
Local bus routes 195, 235, 237, 267, E2, E8.

No need to save your stellar board-game skills for Boxing Day. Grab your more competitive mates and head to Draughts, London’s original board-game café, for hours of indoor fun. It has an enormous library of games that are perfect for getting seriously stuck into on wintry Sunday afternoons. Ticket to Ride, anyone? Adults £5 cover charge, children £3.50.

Getting there Overground to Haggerston.
Local bus routes 67, 149, 236, 242, 243, 394.

This ten-room time capsule is enchanting all year round, but it’s especially captivating at Christmas time. Each space in the charming Georgian house – from the sumptuous dining room to the luxurious bedrooms – has been decked out to recreate a snapshot of Huguenot family life in Spitalfields between 1724 and 1914. From November 24 to January 4 2019, on selected evenings and Sunday afternoons, you can take a fascinating tour through decades of festive ‘still life’. Tours start from £10.

Getting there Central, Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan, Overground or TfL Rail to Liverpool Street.
Local bus routes 8, 11, 26, 35, 42, 47, 48, 78, 100, 133, 135, 149, 205, 242, 344, 388.