Shop until you drop in London

I’VE just survived a weekend of Christmas shopping in Central London.

I braved Oxford Street on a Saturday just less than three weeks before the big day.

It was possibly the busiest shopping day of the whole year, it was impossible to view any items in almost every single store, queues snaked from the tills to the pavements outside and you couldn’t travel on the tube without someone’s armpit in your face and rolls of wrapping paper poking in your back. But despite all this, I’d still recommend squeezing in a visit to the capital before Christmas Day.

It just wouldn’t be Christmas without a glimpse of the Oxford Street lights or standing in awe outside Harrods while gawping at their famous window displays which, this year, take on The Land of Make Believe theme, described as a ‘contemporary take on tradition set against a Scandinavian landscape of silver birch trees, ice blue skies and snowdrifts’.

We stayed at the Park Grand Lancaster Gate hotel, conveniently located just 300 metres from Paddington and a short walk to Hyde Park.

The hotel recently underwent a refurbishment, which took its star rating from three to four-plus when it was completed in August.

A chic Georgian property in a fairly upmarket and quiet area of the city – the roads were so quiet they felt pedestrianised and we were even tempted to hire bikes – the hotel was a perfect base for our festive break.

The attentive staff couldn’t do enough for us, and on arrival we were greeted with fresh apple juice and warm refreshing hand towels – a nice touch having lugged our suitcases on the train from Swindon in the freezing cold.

We were shown to our room on the fourth floor, a deluxe double club room, complete with all the usual mod cons, plus a microwave, iPod docking station, complimentary red wine and fruit bowl, a very well stocked mini bar and a bathroom which even had individual shaving kits and dental packs. Although small, the room had everything we needed and was perfect for a one night stay.

With a theatre trip booked for the evening, we decided that if you can’t beat the crowds, join them, so we braved the tube into Knightsbridge and paid a visit to the king of all department stores, Harrods.

Yes it was heaving, and no, we couldn’t afford anything, but it would be rude not to have a nosy around the famous food hall, and it was the perfect way to get into the festive spirit.

The beautiful landmark building is lit up as spectacularly as ever this year, which we viewed from the warmth of Richoux opposite, founded in 1909 and famous for their delicious patisseries and afternoon tea. I’m not a pudding fan, but even I was tempted in by the sumptuous cheesecakes and pastries. The restaurant is offering a three course Christmas menu over the festive season, perfect ahead of a night at the theatre.

Before we made our way to the Queen’s Theatre for the evening performance of Les Miserables, we joined the crowds for a spot of ice skating at Somerset House’s beautiful 18th century courtyard. But not before the perfect winter warmer – mulled cider in the skate lounge.

There are dozens of ice rinks across London during December, but Somerset House is easily the grandest of them all. If you fancy making it an extra special trip, there’s also champagne and truffles available in Fortnum’s Lodge, as well as cocktails and fondue.

We decided not to battle the crowds on the tube on our final day in the city, and instead enjoyed a Saturday morning stroll from our hotel to Hyde Park for our first experience of the much raved about Winter Wonderland.

It’s difficult to experience how close Paddington is to some of the capital’s most famous landmarks including Marble Arch, Oxford Street, Regent Street and Hyde Park itself when you’re packed in like sardines on the underground and we much preferred the pleasant 30 minute walk over to the attraction, which from afar looks like an expensive fairground with a big ferris wheel and the Star Flyer – a ride which soars over 60 metres into the air as it spins 360 degrees.

Obviously, we expected it to be crowded, it being a Saturday morning just weeks before Christmas.

There’s certainly something for all ages, at an extra cost, including ice skating, the Magical Ice Kingdom, Zippos Circus and Bar Ice, but we stuck to browsing the market which consisted of more than 200 Bavarian wooden chalets before tucking into a hog roast and mulled wine at the Star Tavern and Village Square.

It’s obvious why Winter Wonderland is so popular, but I’d say it’s almost essential to book the attractions in advance and visit on a weekday if possible, to make the most of your visit.

We couldn’t get the train home without a visit to Hamleys in Regent Street, although a snail’s pace walk around the ground floor of the heaving toy store left us regretting our decision and we escaped to the pretty Christmas lights of Carnaby Street where we enjoyed performances by the Salvation Army band and a collection of carol singers.

We left London feeling more festive than ever before. The countdown to Christmas is now well and truly on.

• Katie Bond stayed at the Park Grand Lancaster Gate, just a few minutes’ walk from Paddington and Lancaster Gate stations.

  A deluxe double room, including English breakfast, costs from £140 for a Friday night stay.The hotel is currently offering special deals, including a three-night stay with 12 per cent off, or 10 per cent off a two-night stay.

  For more information visit parkgrandlancastergate.co.uk.