A Festive Pre-Christmas Walk

You are invited to join me on a short stroll through the festive streets of the Capital. Every so often we shall go back or forwards through the years as the occasion requests, for these scenes are pictures I have taken over twelve Christmas seasons (2006 to 2017). As you will see, I have used a short walk from Knightsbridge to Trafalgar Square to place all these pictures in their appropriate festive context. For many of you during the pandemic, it will probably not be possible to come to London in person, so do enjoy this online stroll through pre-Christmas London.

Trafalgar Square 2013
The grand finish of our walk will be Trafalgar Square.
Each year the Square hosts a Christmas tree, which is a traditional gift from Oslo.

Our December Stroll takes us from Knightsbridge - traditional home of Harrods - across Hyde Park and on to Marble Arch. Here we are at the western end of Oxford Street, usually graced at Christmas time by decorations across the road. Oxford Street is one of London's - indeed Britain's - main shopping thoroughfares. Our main port of call in Oxford Street is Selfridges, which has a great tradition and is indeed the largest shop on Oxford Street.

We then make our seasonally lit way to Oxford Circus and strike south down Nash's famous Regent Street. At the southern end, past the curved Quadrant, we reach Piccadilly Circus. Here we go further south, into Lower Regent Street. Further down, we turn west into Jermyn Street with its special shops for the well-to-do. From Jermyn Street we can also visit St James's Church and the Piccadilly Arcade.

Berry Brothers 2013
Berry Brothers & Rudd were founded in 1698.
Suppliers of wine for the discerning palate.

At the western end of Jermyn Street we turn south into St James's Street. Here is Lock & Co, the Hatters (established 1676). If you wish to become a proud owner of a top hat, or even a Fedora, this shop is for you. Next door is the suitably named Berry Brothers, wine merchants since 1698. Then comes Pickering Place with its Texan link. Onward we go, crossing Pall Mall and going down Marlborough Road until we reach The Mall. This takes us part well floodlit Carlton Terrace and - looming out of the darkness - Duke of York's Column. Yes, the Grand Old Duke of York as in, "He marched them up the hill and he marched them down again".

We are almost at our destination. First we pass under the Admiralty Arch and then we enter Trafalgar Square with the National Gallery, Nelson's Column, fountains and the Christmas tree.

Please Note. I have found that Microsoft® Edge® on Android 9® causes the four pictures marked [F] (Harrods north front 2017 and Selfridges shop windows 2014) to be rotated 90° clockwise, as you may see. You may therefore find it preferable to use Chrome® or Firefox® when viewing this web page on Android 9®.

Knightsbridge & Hyde Park

We start our festive walk in Knightsbridge, which, for the benefit of those not so well acquainted with London, lies to the south of Hyde Park. Harrods, the famous store, has been here since early Victorian times. Harrods is for the affluent in society, but even if you do not wish to make a purchase, it is interesting to have a look around. We have taken the UNDERGROUND to Knightsbridge Station, and after visiting Harrods (to buy or not to buy) we make our way into Hyde Park and aim for Marble Arch at the north eastern corner of the Park.

Harrods 2008
Harrods is brightly lit up for the festive occasion.




Harrods - Egyptian Staircase 2008
Rising to all floors under the watchful eyes of Egyptian gods.




Harrods - Egyptian Staircase 2008

Harrods 2017
Nine years further on, and the Egyptian Stairwell is still here!




Harrods 2017
During the day, the lights are not that noticeable,
but, as you saw above, they come into their own when darkness falls.




Harrods 2017
The Harrods crest graces the north east corner of the "Emporium".




Harrods 2017
The decorations on the main north front of Harrods show that Christmas is close! [F]




Harrods 2017
Each window display has a different emphasis.
This display seems to focus on giving presents within the family.




Harrods 2017
Here we see two formally dressed gentlemen with ladies in tow,
all enjoying a glass of wine or champagne.




Harrods 2017
Record Keeping and Scrapbooks?




Harrods 2017
After all that you might need to see a chemist!
This one seems to be from the 1700s or 1800s.
Nice lot of Latin names!




Hyde Park 2008
It's a brisk walk from Harrods to Marble Arch and Regent Street.
There are also buses from Knightsbridge via Hyde Park Corner.

Oxford Street & Selfridges

The Marble Arch is at the western end of Oxford Street. Each year Oxford Street tries to compete with Regent Street for the most innovative and attractive decorations. The famous Selfridges store is on our agenda. Each year the store itself has new decorations in the front shop windows.

Oxford Street 2013
Marble Arch stands at the western end of Oxford Street.
The 2013 pictures were taken at a different time of day to the 2008 pictures.
Hence we left Knightsbridge after sunset but here we are still to experience sunset!




Oxford Street 2013
In 2013 the Xmas visitor is greeted by lots and lots of baubles hanging in the sky.
A silvery-grey invasion from outer space?




Oxford Street 2013
Selfridges is in the background.




Selfridges 2013
Here is Selfridges seen from the top of a "New Routemaster".




Selfridges 2013
Here is another chance to see Selfridges,
again seen from the top of a new Routemaster.




Selfridges 2014
Selfridges - Main Entrance
A rather plump golden goose appears on the last letter (second "S") of "Christmas".
The significance of this bird may become apparent later on this page.

Selfridges 2011
Ground Floor. Entrance Floor.




Selfridges 2011
Ground Floor. Entrance Floor.




Selfridges 2011
First Floor.
A Scottish Accent.




Selfridges 2011
First Floor.
Definitely a Scottish Accent!




Selfridges 2011
First Floor.
Tartans everywhere!

Selfridges Christmas 2012
Main South Shop Front




Selfridges Christmas 2012
Main South Shop Front




Selfridges Christmas 2012
Outside - South East Corner




Selfridges Christmas 2012
Shop Window Display
Teddy Bears, Tele-Tubbies, and many more, by the Christmas Tree.




Selfridges Christmas 2012
Shop Window Display
Pearly King (left), British Cheeses (centre) and "True Brit" (right).




Selfridges Christmas 2012
The outsize christmas cracker has been pulled!
However, the clock suggests we are heading towards midnight and the New Year.




Selfridges Christmas 2012
Shop Window Display.
Giant Walnuts and a Nutcracker!
Festive Baubles galore - not to be cracked!
What is in the gold purse?
Maybe an invitation to a performance of "The Nutcracker".




Selfridges Christmas 2012
Shop Window Display
Are these two ladies relaxing in a post-prandial context?
Well? It seems they are having an after Christmas Dinner snooze.




Selfridges Christmas 2012
Shop Window Display
It's those two ladies again.




Selfridges Christmas 2012
Inside Selfridges - Main Escalator Well to all floors.




Selfridges Christmas 2012
Inside Selfridges - Main Escalator Well to all floors.
Bells, baubles and festive greenery.
And Shoppers!




Selfridges Christmas 2012
A Last Look At Selfridges 2012
On our way to Oxford Circus we see the South East Corner of Selfridges

Selfridges 2013
Oxford Street Window
Even skiers might wish for audio entertainment
This suggests good quality head phones.




Selfridges 2013
Oxford Street Window
Why not add some fragrance to a day's skiing?




Selfridges 2013
Oxford Street Window
Has Cinderella come to the ski slopes?




Selfridges 2013
Oxford Street Window
Parachuting ("para-skiing") on to the ski slopes wearing special clothing from Paris.




Selfridges 2013
Oxford Street Window
More Parachuting.




Selfridges 2013
Oxford Street Window
Après Ski? After the champagne you might see penguins on the ski slopes!




Selfridges 2013
The Champagne, like many Champagnes, is classed as "Brut".
This one is called "Blanc de Brignac", from where else but Reims.
The penguins are crowding down the slopes to get to it.
How will they open the bottle?




Selfridges 2013
Oxford Street Window
Is this lady in the golden "all-together"? Brrh! Brrh!
Is she Goldilocks without the bears?




Selfridges 2013
Oxford Street Window
"Jo Malone, London"
"Pomegranate Noir, Cologne"
Has the perfume run out?
Are the skiers attracted to the last drops in the snow?




Selfridges 2013
Oxford Street Window
Shake the bubble, and Selfridges will be in a snow storm.




Selfridges 2013
Oxford Street Window
Another view of "bubbled-up" Selfridges.




Selfridges 2013
Oxford Street Window
Somebody has dropped a tub of strawberry ice cream.
What? On to the ski slope?




Selfridges 2013
Oxford Street Window
This ski boot belongs to a giant.




Selfridges 2013
Oxford Street Window
The "Presents Express" is steaming around the mountain.




Selfridges 2013
Oxford Street Window
There go the presents.




Selfridges 2013
Oxford Street Window
If you are a ferro-equinologist and wonder what this loco is,
then please click here. Its calling in life was not exclusively to deliver Christmas presents,
but who knows, its grown-up relatives may have played
a vital part in the distribution of the said presents.




Selfridges 2013
Oxford Street Window
The presents haven't fallen off yet.
Shh! I think they are glued on!




Selfridges 2013
Oxford Street Window
We have left the ski slopes but are still with snow. How many things can you spot here?
The Old London Bridge. A boat on a brackish river. A well-tank loco hauling a short train. A Pyramid. At least two outsize red 'phone boxes (K6). Spires. Churches. ...




Selfridges 2013
Oxford Street Window
Here's another view of the above scene.




Selfridges 2013
Oxford Street Window
Yes, it's a veritable "I-Spy" game!
Remember the "I-Spy" books?




Selfridges 2013
Oxford Street Window
Magic is a serious, if fruity, business!




Selfridges 2013
Inside Selfridges. Ground Floor. Entrance Floor. Main Escalator Well.




Selfridges 2013
Inside Selfridges. Ground Floor. Entrance Floor. Main Escalator Well.
Festive branches, baubles large and small, and shoppers.




Selfridges 2013
First Floor.
Festive branches.




Selfridges 2013
First Floor.
Festive branches.




Oxford Street 2013
We are back in the outside world
and will shortly reach Oxford Circus - gateway to Regent Street.

Selfridges Windows 2014
The golden goose, while having obvious festive connotations, may also refer to a commercial outfit, a few streets away, with which Selfridges has dealings. [F]




Selfridges Windows 2014
This looks like the "Gingerbread House"in Hänsel und Gretel (EN).
This is the "Knusperhäuschen" in Hänsel und Gretel (DE).




Selfridges Windows 2014
Here is another view of the Gingerbread House. [F]




Selfridges Windows 2014
This looks like Paddington Bear - a grown up edition. [F]




Selfridges Windows 2014
Paddington Bear has taken a golden taxi to the middle of a forest of birches. The suggestion is that the honey bees live here, so Paddington Bear is keen to collect his honey supply for Christmas. At least, so it might seem.

Oxford Street 2009
However, let's look back to see the Oxford Street decorations of that year.
Wrapped Cristmas presents are on display this year.
(The two strip lights at the top are on
the top deck of a bus from which I took this picture.)




Oxford Street 2009
Here's some more from 2009.
(Again, the two strip lights at the top are on
the top deck of a bus from which I took this picture.)

Oxford Street 2006
Looking westwards from Oxford Circus




Oxford Street 2006
Looking westwards from Oxford Circus




Regent Street 2006
Looking south from Oxford Circus.




Regent Street 2006
Looking south from Oxford Circus.




Regent Street 2006
Looking south from Oxford Circus.




Oxford Circus 2006




Oxford Circus 2006
Here we can admire some of the traditional architecture ...




Oxford Circus 2006
... and wonder who that lady in the window is?




Oxford Circus 2006

Regent Street

Thinking of Christmas decorations in central London, Regent Street usually comes first to people's minds. So, Regent Street is on our pre-festive agenda. From Regent Street we can also make detours to the Tudor elegance of Liberty's, as well as to the nearby Carnaby Street, which is forever associated with the "swinging sixties".

Christmas 2012
The " Twelve Days of Christmas" is the theme in Regent Street.




Christmas 2012
A Partridge in a Pear Tree - Day One.




Christmas 2012
Nine Maids A Dancing - Day Nine.

Regent Street 2013
In 2013, Peabody and Sherman from New York have
displaced some of Regent Street's "Twelve Days of Christmas".




Regent Street 2013




Regent Street 2013




Liberty 2013
Liberty, with its Mock Tudor style, is just off Regent Street.




Liberty 2013
Christmas trees hug the first floor.




Liberty 2013
The Tudor arch connects the two architectural styles - Tudor and Nash -
which are the hall marks of Liberty.




Liberty 2013
Innovative Window display at Liberty




Liberty 2012
Christmas trees hug the first floor




Liberty 2012
Yes, it's Christmas at Liberty.




Carnaby Street 2014
Carnaby Street is close to Liberty and to Regent Street.




Regent Street 2013
The Twelve Days of Christmas vie with Peabody and Sherman.




Regent Street 2013
Hey! These guys will get caught up in the French Revolution. Parbleu!




Regent Street 2013




Regent Street 2013
On the seventh day of Christmas my true love sent to me:
7 Swans a Swimming, 6 Geese a Laying, 5 Golden Rings,
4 Calling Birds, 3 French Hens, 2 Turtle Doves, 1 Partridge in a Pear Tree.
OK then, you enthusiastic mathematicians, here's something to look at over Christmas.
The connection of the "Twelve Days of Christmas" with Pascal's triangle.
You might also like to look at Dr Wilson's Web Page and at Wikipedia.




Regent Street 2013
Quadrant and decorations do a left curve to Piccadilly Circus.




Regent Street 2013
A festive display in a shop in Regent Street's Quadrant.




Regent Street 2013
Looking south towards the Quadrant.




Regent Street 2013
Peabody and Sherman in their motor scooter and sidecar.
They are on their time travel, but where in time are they?




Regent Street 2013
Looking south again towards the Quadrant.

Regent St 2008
Before we leave Regent Street, here are some views of the filigree-like nets which were "spun" over Regent Street for Christmas 2008. These five views are at the Oxford Circus end of Regent Street.




Regent St 2008
Filigree Nets.




Regent St 2008
Filigree Nets and Chandelier waving in the wind at Oxford Circus.




Regent St 2009
Filigree Nets and - in 2009 - "A Christmas Carol".




Regent St 2009
The theme here is Charles Dickens's well known Christmas story - "A Christmas Carol".
The figure above the legend looks like Scrooge himself.




Regent St 2009
Filigree Nets and - in 2009 - "A Christmas Carol".

Piccadilly Circus 2013
Piccadilly Circus and adverts are almost synonymous.




Piccadilly Circus 2013
This time Eros has been given protection - perhaps against the effects of over enthusiastic Christmas and New Year revellers. By the way, which way does the arrow of Eros point?




Piccadilly Circus 2013
How many visitors take in the elegant architecture - complete with decorative time-keeping top floor? How many visitors notice the Dutch gable hiding to the right of this building and to the left of the famous adverts?




Piccadilly Circus 2013
It's worth looking at the top floor.
The lighting engineers wanted you to notice.
Reminiscent of a wedding cake.

Jermyn Street

We now go a short way down Lower Regent Street and then turn westwards down Jermyn Street. Now Jermyn Street has many small specialist shops for the well to do. Perfume, Hosiers and Cheese are some of these specialities. St James's Church and the Piccadilly Arcade. The Piccadilly Arcade can also be readily reached from Jermyn Street. Shops, Arcade and Church all are decked for the festive season. Decorations across the street also remind us that Christmas is coming.

Lower Regent Street 2013




Christmas 2012
We turn off into Jermyn Street, where the Christmas Decorations
are elegant but more modest than those in Regent Street.




Jermyn Street 2013
The decorations are repeated in the following year 2013.




Christmas 2012
Before St James's Church we can stop off for afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason.
Conveniently two entrances - from Piccadilly and from Jermyn Street.
Fortnum and Mason goes back to 1707. Fortnum was a footman at the court of Queen Anne. Queen Anne wanted new candles every evening, so, Fortnum said, "Thank you very much". He melted down the wax of the old candles to create new candles for resale. A nice little earner for Fortnum. Mason joined later and helped to expand the business.




Christmas 2009
On the other side of Fortnum and Mason (facing on to Picadilly)
we have the famous clock with the figures on either side appearing on the hour.




St James's Church 2013




St James's Church 2013




St James's Church 2013




St James's Church 2013
Carving by Grinling Gibbons.
Christmas Trees a seasonal addition.




St James's Church 2013




St James's Church 2013




St James's Church 2014
Carving by Grinling Gibbons.
Christmas Trees a seasonal addition.




St James's Church 2014




Christmas 2012
On the south side of Jermyn Street is Floris of London.
They are Perfumers by Royal Appointment,
and were founded in 1730.




Piccadilly Arcade 2013
Here is the Jermyn Street (southern) entrance to the festively decorated Piccadilly Arcade which connects Piccadilly and Jermyn Street.




Piccadilly Arcade 2013




Piccadilly Arcade 2013




Beau Brummell 2013
Beau Brummell "stands guard" at the southern end of the Piccadilly Arcade.




Piccadilly Arcade 2012
Here is a view of the Piccadilly Arcade a year earlier.




Jermyn Street 2013
In Jermyn Street we also find Turnbull & Asser.
Since 1885, they have been providing the well-heeled with hosiery, gloves and shirts.
I find the crest attractive.

St James's Street & St James's Palace

St James's Street connects Piccadilly and St James's Palace. St James's Street has a number of interesting, and festively decorated, shops, including Lock & Co, the Hatters (established 1676) and the aptly named Berry Brothers, wine merchants since 1698.

St James's Street 2013




St James's Street 2013



Lock & Co 2013
Now you know where to get your bespoke Top Hat,
or perhaps you have you sights set on a more modest Fedora?




Lock & Co 2013
First Floor: Millinery - Perhaps a hat for Ascot?




Lock & Co 2013




Berry Brothers 2013




Berry Brothers 2013




Berry Brothers 2013




Berry Brothers 2013




Christmas 2012
Berry Brothers Window Display the previous December.




Pickering Place 2013
Shortly before we cross Pall Mall, we find a passageway leading to Pickering Place.




Pickering Place 2013
There is a hint of the Dickensian and only the merest hint of Christmas.
But this small courtyard is notable nonetheless, for here was
the Legation of the Republic of Texas, before it joined the USA in 1845.




Pall Mall 2013
Heritage Routemaster Bus for the tourists.




Trafalgar Square 2013
Another Routemaster Bus for The Tourists.
(Seen nearby on Trafalgar Square).




St James's Palace 2013
Any Ghosts Around?




St James's Palace 2013
Christmas Tree, but where are the ghosts?




St James's Palace 2013

The Mall

We have passed Pall Mall and St James's Palace and reach the Mall. This links Buckingham Palace to Trafalgar Square via the Admiralty Arch. Carlton Terrace is brightly flood-lit. Hiding somewhat in the darkness is the Duke of York's Column. The Duke of York is of course known to the younger generation by the "hill marching" song suitably entitled the "Grand Old Duke of York".

The Mall 2008
Carlton Terrace is an elegant London landmark
which at one time was going to be demolished.




The Mall 2008
Carlton Terrace




The Mall 2008
Duke of York's Column




The Mall 2014
Carlton Terrace - Pediment

Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square [link] is the centre of London. Well, OK, officially, and more accurately, the centre of London is the intersection of The Strand, Whitehall and Cockspur Street on the south side of Trafalgar Square. This road intersection is often referred to as Charing Cross, not to be confused with the nearby Victorian Eleanor Cross itself, nor the station in front of which the cross stands! The National Gallery, Nelson's Column, Landseer's Lions and the fountains are all part of the Square. Of course, in the Festive Season, there is also the Christmas Tree, an annual gift from Norway.

On the north east corner of Trafalgar Square we see Saint Martin-in-the-Fields. The fields have long gone, but this church leads the "Nationwide Annual Christmas Appeal".

Trafalgar Square
with the Christmas Tree, which is an annual gift from Norway.
Behind the Tree is Nelson's Column and, in the distance, Big Ben.
Big Ben is actually the four-faced clock, but the name is also used for the tower itself.

Trafalgar Square 2006
Trafalgar Square on 18th December 2006.
Here is a north-facing view of the Christmas Tree and the National Gallery.




Trafalgar Square 2006
Christmas Tree and National Gallery.




Trafalgar Square 2006
National Gallery: Lights in the Portico.




Trafalgar Square 2006
Carol Singers by the Christmas Tree
as seen from the Portico of the National Gallery.




Trafalgar Square 2006
Carol Singers by the Christmas Tree
as seen from the Portico of the National Gallery.

Trafalgar Square 2013
Light Green Fountain.
Saint Martin-in-the-Fields can be seen
in the background to the right of the Christmas Tree.




Trafalgar Square 2013
Red Fountain




Trafalgar Square 2013
Green Fountain




Trafalgar Square 2013
Blue Fountain




Trafalgar Square 2013
Purple Fountain




Trafalgar Square 2013
Pink Fountain




Trafalgar Square 2013
Yellow Fountain




Trafalgar Square 2013
Nelson's Column rises up into the night sky.
Nelson is bathed in a blue light.




Trafalgar Square 2013
A Landseer Lion reflects the evening light.




Trafalgar Square 2013
Here he is again with shining mane.




Trafalgar Square 2013
Nelson is reaching for the night sky.




Trafalgar Square 2012
The previous year (2012) he was joined by a group of Santa Clauses.
(Apologies for the fuzziness,
which you might suggest disguises the identies of the Santa impersonators!)




Trafalgar Square 2013
Two last looks ...




Trafalgar Square 2013
... before going home.




Trafalgar Square 2013
The UNDERGROUND is close by.

It's Time to Say Goodbye

Dear web-visitor, I hope that this page enabled you to experience at least some of the pre-Christmas sparkle in downtown London - even if distance or health reasons might preclude an actual visit. In addition, I hope you liked the idea of trying to follow a fixed route through town, stopping occasionally to move between the years.

A Safe and Happy Christmas
to you all!