12 Days of Christmas

For the Family

Carols and Christmas lunch at St. Paul's

Feast on a festive meal this season with traditional fare, alongside forgotten recipes from across the country at St. Paul's. To add to the splendour, carolling events for the family are also on the menu. Here are the details:

CHRISTMAS LUNCH IN THE RESTAURANT AT ST PAUL'S
from Thursday 1 to Friday 23 December
A carefully considered menu, courtesy of head chef Gavin Quinn.

DELICIOUS CHRISTMAS TREATS IN THE CAFE AT ST PAUL'S
This year, The Cafe at St Paul's will have a range of festive treats for you to enjoy at home including their secret recipe plum pudding, Christmas biscuits and homemade mincemeat.

FAMILY CAROLS
17 Dec 2011 1pm
Sung by Cantate. Enjoy Christmas favourites in a service lasting 45 minutes. Children especially welcome. Doors open an hour before the service starts. You are encouraged to arrive early to this service as there is limited capacity in the cathedral.

Hyde Park Stables

Saddling up and taking off throughout the cold winter air is a tradition not to be missed this season. Whether you're an old hat at riding, or it's your first time, giving the gift of riding lessons for a group is the perfect family day out. Personally, I've never met a child that wasn't absolutely dazzled by the beauty of a horse.

Rotten Row, in London's Hyde Park, has been the most famous equestrian venue in England for 300 years. Hyde Park Stables offer horse riding and horse riding lessons all year round in Central London on horses and ponies chosen for their safe temperament. There are five miles of bridleways for horse riding in London's Hyde Park beside the Serpentine Lake, in the most beautiful setting for horse riding in a Capital City anywhere in the world. There are also two outdoor riding arenas, for more formal horse riding lessons and dressage. The riding stables in Hyde Park, London, cater for riders of all abilities and previous experience is not necessary. Gift certificates are available.

Christmas Market on Southbank

A cherished event at Christmas time is a traditional Christmas Market. Having tasted my first marroni in Zurich a few years back, I have since been on the hunt for the perfect roasted chestnut in some of the best Christmas Markets in Berlin and Switzerland. These pop up markets during the holiday season dazzle me every time. Enjoying mulled wine, sweets shopping and original hand crafted toys provides a full day of festive entertainment to tickle my fancy.

Sixty wooden chalets situated this season between the Southbank Centre and London Eye along Queen's Walk are sure to offer a sparkling local alternative to an enchanting foreign tradition. A decorative carousel rocking Christmas music will offer younger visitors playtime whilst their parents can sip and nosh it up with "Glühwein" (German Mulled Wine) and Bratwurst.