Here’s the kicker: every single restaurant is closed. It’s like the city collectively decided to hold its breath. You will wander past a Pret a Manger, see the dark interior, and feel a pang of genuine sorrow.
You must plan for this like a squirrel preparing for a nuclear winter. Book a Christmas lunch months in advance at a proper pub, or you’ll be eating dry crackers and leftover cheese from the 23rd.
If you do score a pub booking, consider yourself a legend. It’s a triumphant, raucous affair with terrible crackers and surprisingly good gravy. You’ll leave feeling like a stuffed turkey yourself.
40 of the Most Beautiful Places in the World at Christmastime
The Park Bench Panto
After your feast, you’ll need to roll yourself outside. Find a park bench in Greenwich or near the Thames Path. You will see a man walking a dog wearing antlers. You will see a family arguing about the route home.
It’s a free, live-action panto, and you are in the front row. The cold air will sober you up just enough to appreciate the quiet chaos. It’s oddly comforting.
