Christmas Holidays and New Year in London

Your chauffeur will meet you inside the arrivals hall, assist with luggage and escort you to the vehicle. Your journey time will take approximately 1hr.

Once you have checked-in and had a chance to relax and become familiar with your surroundings, your driver-guide will take you on a panoramic tour of London. See all the famous sights and also stop for photographs. 

Drive over Tower Bridge past the Tower of London and into the old City of London. Although much of London has redeveloped since World War Two, you still see the medieval street plan, ancient churches and grand houses of the past centuries. 

Stop at thriving Borough Market, and sample local cheese, artesian bread and have a pint of ale or wine in a traditional pub. 

Continue your journey along the south bank and cross Westminster Bridge passing Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. See the Royal homes of St James Palace, Buckingham Palace and end with Kensington Palace before returning to your hotel. From 4 pm onwards you will see London's fabulous Christmas light displays.

Evening: Relax and have dinner at your hotel. 

Recommended London Hotels: Luxury Accommodation London.

The best way to see London in detail is to use Taxis, the Tube and your own two feet.

It makes sense to start where it all began, in the old City of London, where the Romans first built amphitheatres, huge defensive walls and temples. We go underground to view the Roman Amphitheatre; an archaeologist team discovered the 7,000 seat arena in 1988. Roman London is still there; it is largely not visible from the surface and lies hidden 18 ft below London's streets.

We head through the tangled mass of medieval-style byways to the banks of the River Thames. See the Tower of London from the outside, London's castle and home of the Crown Jewels. The Tower river embankment allows you to see the famous Tower Bridge, with rising roadway and HMS Belfast; The Royal Navy cruiser built-in 1939 and fought on the high-seas during World War Two to the Korean War. Stop for lunch Borough Market and take a stroll around Covent Garden.

Jump in a taxi and head across the glittering west-end to Charles Dickens House and discover how Dickens invented Christmas as we know it. Learn about the real man and how he changed how we think about Christmas, which was just one of many Christian holidays. The house was the Dickens family home, and house staff often inspired him. Dickens strolled through London's streets, interacting with people of all different backgrounds and subsequently including the characters in his books.

Head back to the Hotel. Enjoy dinner at the Hotel or the Albert Hall.

Evening: Enjoy the spectacular Christmas show at the Royal Albert Hall and have a chance to sing along with the professionals in this Christmas extravaganza.

Recommended London Hotels: Luxury Accommodation London.

Christmas Day is sacred in Britain; it is a day for the family. Therefore, working on Christmas day is not considered unless people work for the Health Service, Police or Armed Forces.    
The British Christmas lunch is an extravaganza, a complete indulgence of everything you shouldn't eat but love. Well, it's once a year. Any one of our recommended hotels will put on an incredible spread.

It is tradition to go for a walk mid-morning and a magnificent lunch and watch the King's Speech at 3 pm. We will recommend a church service in the evening to hear the choirs - confirmation of St Paul's Cathedral service to follow.

Complete your day with a stroll along Regent Street, Oxford Street and Bond Street to enjoy the Christmas lights. 

Recommended London Hotels: Luxury Accommodation London.

Warwick Castle is how a medieval fort should look; huge towers, thick walls and draw-bridges. This castle is the real deal, with elements almost a thousand years old and towers dating from the 14th Century. It has the look of a fairy-tale castle, but this military building has a dark history; your driver-guide will enlighten you while exploring the interior. 

At Christmas time, Warwick Castle's state apartments are decorated beautifully. Each wing is of a different era; a visit is much like travelling through time. Every Christmas, there are various events, shows and activities available – watch this space for further information.

In the late afternoon, head into the Cotswolds, an outstanding natural beauty area, and stop at a country-house hotel for afternoon tea before heading back to London.

Option: Those of you who prefer a more sedate and grown-up day – head into Sussex and meet the Hunting Hounds. Various county villages around England organise a traditional hunt on Boxing Day (26th December). It is a chance to see the riders in their "pinks" red outfits and see the masses of hound dogs get excited before the chase. 

Recommended London Hotels: Luxury Accommodation London.

Head west with your guide to the settlement of Windsor. Enjoy a short walking tour of the town before touring Windsor Castle. 

Windsor Castle is the largest Royal residence and will not fail to impress. The castle is nearly a thousand years old and has slowly evolved, been remodelled several times and suffered a fire. Today Windsor Castle is a beautifully conserved and maintained palace of the highest order. 

This weekend home is more like a small village than a family dwelling - the footprint of the building covers thirteen acres, which is surrounded by thousands of acres of grounds. Your tour begins with St George's Chapel, a Royal peculiar, much like Westminster Abbey. Here we find tombs of the HRH Queen Elizabeth II and her husband HRH Prince Philip. The architecture is stunning and features a delicate stone fan-vault supported by soaring columns. Inside the choir, you discover the stone slabs that mark the last resting place of King Henry VIII and his beloved Queen Jane Seymour. 

St George's Chapel is also the Head Quarters of the most senior knighthood, the Order of the Garter. 

Tour the sumptuous State Apartments, the rooms built to impress foreign dignitaries. The King's art collection is mind-boggling and much admired. The display is changed regularly, and paintings are sometimes on loan at various galleries around the country. You will see the great dining and reception rooms, along with more intimate spaces. 

Recommended London Hotels: Luxury Accommodation London.

Travel by taxis, tubes and your own two feet. Explore the city like a real Londoner with an expert private tour guide by your side. Your guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel and conduct the tour using different modes of transport, avoid groups, and manage everything. It’s the eco-friendly, exhilarating and flexible way to experience one of the world’s greatest cities.

Tour Royal Westminster, and see The Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, the Churchill War Rooms (private tour inside), experience the Guard Change, Westminster Abbey (private tour inside). Stroll through the elegant streets of St James's and discover aristocratic London with a private guide.

Tour the Churchill War Rooms where Sir Winston Churchill conducted operations during wartime London when London sustained massive a bombing campaign, known as The Blitz. The Prime Minister and his team of government officials, secretaries and military personnel sought refuge beneath the streets of London. You will experience the sights and sounds of this perfectly preserved WW2 bunker, see operations' rooms, map room and the PM’s bedroom left as if the war ended only yesterday. 

Private guided tour of Westminster Abbey

Enjoy a private tour inside Westminster Abbey, famous for coronations and weddings of Royalty. The Abbey is one of Britain’s most iconic historic buildings, a Royal church with the tombs of Kings and Queens. The Abbey has become a place of burial for the great and the good of British history. See the coronation chair and the spectacular King Henry VII chapel.

Private guided walking tour of Royal St. James's

Strolling through aristocratic London characterised by elegant squares, specialist shops and smart restaurants. Before large department stores, ladies and gentlemen had a tailor, a hatter, shoemaker, cheese-monger, wine merchant and so on. These specialist stores can still be seen in the small streets of Mayfair and St James's today. An opportunity to taste local cheese, buy beautifully crafted shoes, shirts, and have lunch. 

Enjoy afternoon tea or late lunch at Fortnums and Mason, the famous high-end department store. Finish the evening with Ice Skating at Somerset House. Option to take a Horse Drawn Ride through London and return to your hotel. 

Evening: Pantomime is a British tradition; telling old stories in a fun way to entertain children and adults. The children enjoy the slap-stick humour while the adults giggle along with the mischievous innuendos. It is harmless fun and should be taken as such – tongue and cheek culture with marvellous British comedy. 

Recommended London Hotels: Luxury Accommodation London.

Head west out of London into the frosty English countryside.

The ancient monument of Stonehenge could well be covered in frost and shrouded in mist. Winter is a great time to experience the henge. This magical timepiece has mystified and fascinated visitors for thousands of years. Learn what we know about Stonehenge from your driver guide and marvel at this amazing engineering feat.

Drive into Nadder valley and see tiny thatched cottages, streams and old parish churches. Stop at a true locals pub and enjoy a hearty lunch by the roaring fireplace.

The glorious city of Bath, although 2000 years old, much of what you see today dates from the 18th Century. The settlement was rebuilt as a modern spa resort 250 years ago and attracted the elite of society until the 1830's when seaside towns became popular.

Bath is known for its beautiful and elegantly designed houses; it's not surprising to learn Bath doubled as Mayfair in the hit TV drama "Bridgerton". But, it is the spring water that attracted people to the site. The Roman's constructed a magnificent suite of baths, plunge pools and steam rooms. Much of which is still intact, and a visit is a highlight of a Tour of Bath.

Return to London in time for dinner. 

Recommended London Hotels: Luxury Accommodation London.

Head Northwest into the Cotswolds region.

Your driver-guide will be with you 15 minutes before you need to depart.

You will head into the Chiltern hills and to the Cotswolds region. Your guide will enlighten you on the background history before you go inside and tour the staterooms. Blenheim Palace is the vast baroque home of the 12th Duke of Marlborough, and Sir Winston Churchill's birthplace who's grandfather was the 7th Duke of Marlborough. The Palace will be decorated in true Christmas style.

Blenheim Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which houses unique tapestries detailing the war between King Louis 14th and allied forces of Europe, including Britain. The landscaped grounds are much admired and are the work of Lancelot "Capability" Brown, England's most prolific estate designer.

Enjoy lunch in a country-style pub in the historic village of Woodstock. Head into Oxford and take a stroll with your driver-guide through the ancient college squares and passageways. Depending on openings, we will endeavour to access one of the historic colleges before heading south through the beautiful Thames Valley. 
Option to stop at Cliveden House Hotel for afternoon tea.

Evening: Relax at the Hotel or have the LVUK Tour Designer team arrange reservations at a smart gastropub.

Recommended London Hotels: Luxury Accommodation London.

New Year's Eve in London

Enjoy a quiet evening with a sumptuous meal or push the boat out and enjoy a New Year's Eve Thames cruise or stay on dry land and watch the fireworks from a ticketed area on the banks of the Thames.

The fireworks display on New Year's Eve is pretty spectacular. Organisers launch over 12 thousand fireworks from barges, moving boats and the London Eye. Designated ticketed viewing areas on the river banks have loud music, and the atmosphere is family-friendly; the entertainment starts at around 8 pm. At midnight, the display begins and lasts between 12 and 15 minutes.

New Years Eve options include; 

• A River Thames Boat Tour with an evening meal, music and a good position to see the fireworks. Contact us for various operators.
• Enjoy an early evening meal, join the River Bank party, and get a prime position to see the fireworks. Ticketed event. The weather can be very cold and on occasions wet – there is no shelter.
• Stay inside and join in a festive event at a hotel or club with live music.

Recommended London Hotels: Luxury Accommodation London.

The New Year's Day Parade began in 1987 with only 2,000 cheerleaders and performers. It has now grown to more than 10,000 participants, with half-million people lining the streets to watch, plus a tv audience of 450 million.

The event raises money for charity, and performers come from the US, UK and EU.

Let us provide an afternoon chauffeur-driven service to help you navigate the different shopping areas and have our drivers help with bags and generally be a helping hand.

Recommended London Hotels: Luxury Accommodation London.

Your chauffeur will be with you 15 minutes before you need to depart, allowing him or her enough time to load the car. The Journey time to Heathrow airport is around 45 minutes.