Best Winter Day Trips
and Hidden Places to Visit in London
When the festive rush fades and the city slows to a winter hush, London reveals another side of itself — softer, quieter, and irresistibly atmospheric. Beyond the glow of Christmas lights, it’s a season for lingering strolls, fireside lunches, and unexpected discoveries tucked between cobbled streets and frosted park paths. From secret gardens to creative corners, here are a few of our favourite winter wonders to explore — all perfectly paired with a stay at Hotel Saint.
Winter Walks & Cosy Corners in the City
Trade the bustle of Oxford Street for London’s quieter charms. St Dunstan-in-the-East, a hidden garden just off Lower Thames Street, is one of the city’s most peaceful pockets — ivy-covered church ruins open to the winter sky, often dusted with frost and almost always quiet. Over in Hampstead Heath, climb to Parliament Hill for sweeping views of the skyline, then take shelter in The Spaniards Inn, one of London’s oldest pubs with crackling fires and hearty fare.
Back in Aldgate, warm up with something stronger at The Cardinal on the ground floor of Hotel Saint — the perfect spot to sink into a comfy booth and thaw out with a winter drink.
Hidden Neighbourhoods to Explore
Beyond London’s big attractions lie neighbourhoods that reveal its real character. Start with Primrose Hill, where pastel-painted townhouses frame views of the city, and independent cafés serve hot chocolate worth braving the chill for.
Head south to Peckham Levels, a creative hub built inside a multi-storey car park. Inside you’ll find artist studios, pop-up restaurants, yoga spaces and rooftop bars that stay lively even in winter. The atmosphere is laid-back and local — a reminder that London’s cultural energy doesn’t hibernate when the weather turns.
For something more serene, wander through Little Venice, where the canals stay mirror-still in winter light. Stop for brunch at The Waterway or stroll west to explore the antique shops of Notting Hill.
Winter Day Trips Worth the Journey
A short train ride opens up some of the season’s most picturesque escapes. Richmond Park offers open skies and herds of wild deer wandering through misty grasslands — it feels miles from the city but is only 30 minutes away.
For storybook charm, take the train to Rye in East Sussex. Its cobbled streets, Tudor houses and cosy tea rooms look especially magical under low winter light. Closer still, Henley-on-Thames delivers riverside calm and elegant boutiques — ideal for a day spent browsing before returning to the city.
Each is an easy journey from Hotel Saint, and even easier to return from: the best kind of winter adventure.
After-Dark Discoveries
When daylight fades early, London’s evenings take on a cinematic quality. Try The Courtauld Gallery’s After Hours for intimate art viewings and live music, or seek out The Jazz Café in Camden for late-night rhythm and soul. Those who prefer something more glacially elegant can glide across the ice at Somerset House, with the neoclassical façade lit up like a film set.
End the evening at The Cardinal, where the bar’s glow and a perfectly stirred martini make the city outside feel a world away.
Where to Stay
Whether you’re exploring London’s quiet corners or escaping for a countryside day trip, winter in the city is full of unexpected beauty. Make Hotel Saint your base – a sanctuary above the streets, where crisp mornings start with skyline views and evenings end with a toast to the season.
