12 Days of Christmas

Outdoors

Frost Fair Exhibition at the Globe

On exceptionally cold winters the River Thames used to freeze over between London Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge and Londoners used to take to the ice for all manners of activities.

And it wasn't just the ordinary Londoners who enjoyed a good Frost Fair - royalty, including Charles II and Queen Elizabeth I, could be seen practising archery and target shooting amidst the crowds and carnival atmosphere that bought a wealth of life to the frozen Thames. The scene at Bankside was described by 17th century diarist John Evelyn as 'a Bacchanalian triumph of carnival on the water'.

The last great Frost Fair of Old was held in 1814 due to the milder winters, the dismantling of the old London Bridge whose many wooden posts had stemmed the flow of the river, and the draining of river-side marshes serving to increase the flow of the Thames.

The popular 'Frost Fair' exhibition will return to Shakespeare's Globe Exhibition from 1 December 2011 to 2 January 2012. This fascinating and temporary exhibition showcases traditional London winters from Elizabethan Frost Fairs to Christmases of the late 1800's.


Somerset House Skating, Tea & Storytelling

Somerset House is one of this country's finest and largest 18th century buildings and is of international importance to British architectural heritage. During the Christmas and New Year period, the courtyard has become the backdrop to many popular events including Somerset House Ice Rink presented by Tiffany & Co.

On Saturday afternoons in the lead up to Christmas, you can enjoy a Teatime with Tiffany skate session, accompanied by tea-dance music and live ice-dance displays. Visitors are encouraged to join in or just admire from afar. Skate sessions are gloriously followed by a free hot drink to warm you up, a Tiffany treat and a luxurious glass of champagne for adults.

After or during the skate session, as children count down the days to Christmas, they will be enchanted as they sit beside the beautiful Tiffany Christmas Tree for Storytelling by renowned authors. Signed copies of the authors' books will be available to buy as a souvenir of this memorable event or as a perfect Christmas gift. Storytelling sessions are free outdoor events, so warm attire is advised.

The Ceremony of the Keys

The Ceremony of the Keys is the traditional locking up of the Tower of London which has taken place on each and every night, without fail, for at least 700 years. Each evening approximately 40-50 visitors are allowed in to watch this exclusive event. Every night, at exactly seven minutes to 10 o'clock, the Chief Yeoman Warder of the Tower emerges from the Byward Tower wearing his long red coat and Tudor bonnet. He carries in one hand a candle lantern and in the other hand the Queens Keys.

It has been reported that the only time the ceremony was interrupted was during WW2 during the Blitz when the gentlemen performing the ceremony were actually thrown to their feet from the power of a blast of bombs that fell. They immediately rose back to their feet, shook the dust off and continued the ceremony. The importance of securing this fortress for the night is still very relevant due to the fact that the Crown Jewels reside in the Tower to this very day.

The Tower is closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day (although the ceremony still takes places behind closed doors). Free tickets are available by writing to the Tower. It is recommended to request tickets months in advance, as well as list alternative dates you are available due to the popularity of this ceremony.