Hyde Park goes a little bit German for Christmas, setting up streets of colourfully lit chalets selling festive fayre and Christmas market style gifts. A 50 metre ‘observation wheel’ – the grown up name for a ferris wheel – a charming carousel and a not quite on theme Haunted House top the bill for fair rides but there are others – book tickets beforehand to avoid having to queue.

Santa is here, of course, and you could try and get into his good graces by buying his a tasty treat from the vaguely Germanic menu. Or a cup of mulled wine if it looks like he’s having a hard day.

A skating rink, purporting to be London’s largest is set up as well.

All in all it’s atmospheric, but not as charming as the markets they set up in Covent Garden or the beautifully lit up Somerset House skating rink. The lights on the trees do look lovely though.

Written by  Kat Mackintosh.

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Disappointing

This was a very disappointing (and overrated) experience indeed. I went with my husband and 3-year-old son today, and there was absolutely nothing we wanted to try (OK, I absolutely love skating but not in water puddles, and the skating rink was simply overcrowded anyway - the place looked miserable!). The rides were just common-place rides at triple prices, and the food looked like dog food (it was a lunch time, and we were hungry all right!). Give it a miss!

 

Review posted 30th November 2008 by Siberiada.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

Hyde Park is transformed into a charming Winter Wonderland. The largest outdoor ice rink in Europe awaits those who take the time to meander down the Serpentine River. Chalets selling tasty drinks, sumptuous Christmas food, and a huge variety of handmade arts and craft are surrounded by a number of entertaining activities. Children, and adults too of course, are invited to take a ride on the Carousel or venture into the Haunted House. The Big Wheel will carry you up over the market, where, along with views of the helter-skelter and other exciting rides, you might catch a glimpse of jolly Father Christmas.

 

Review posted 26th October 2007 by Sarah Clise.

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