The Oslo Tree and London's Christmas Lights
The tree Oslo gives London every year, and the West End in lights.
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Every year since 1947 Oslo has given London a Christmas tree as thanks for its help during the Second World War, and it stands in Trafalgar Square with choirs singing in the evenings. From the tree the walk goes through the West End, with Christmas lights in Regent Street and Oxford Street and festive windows in the department stores. Hamleys is regarded as the oldest toy shop in the world, dating from 1760. On the way you pass locations from the Christmas films “Last Christmas” and “Love Actually”.
The stops
- Tip
Somerset House
An ice rink in the great courtyard in winter, 600 metres east of Covent Garden.
- 1
Covent Garden Market
The market hall with a big Christmas tree and decorations. The Christmas shop in “Last Christmas” was a set built here.
- 2
Trafalgar Square
The tree from Oslo has stood here every December since 1947, in front of the National Gallery.
- 3
Fortnum & Mason
The grocer on Piccadilly, founded in 1707, known for its Christmas windows and hampers.
- 4
Hamleys
The toy shop from 1760 has been on Regent Street since 1881, with floor after floor of toys.
- 5
Selfridges
The department store where the necklace scene in “Love Actually” was filmed, known for its Christmas windows.
- Tip
Grosvenor Chapel
The church where the wedding in “Love Actually” was filmed, 600 metres south of Selfridges.
About the trip
- Where
- London
- Getting around
- On foot
- Time
- 2 h 21 min
- Distance
- 3.4 km
- Stops
- 5
- Season
- November–January
- Themes
- History, Family
Practical
- Start
- Covent Garden, by Covent Garden and Leicester Square Underground stations.
- Finish
- Selfridges on Oxford Street, by Bond Street (Elizabeth line) and Marble Arch.
- Toilets
- By the café in Trafalgar Square, and in the Fortnum & Mason and Selfridges department stores.
- Accessibility
- A flat route, but very crowded on Saturdays in December. There are steps between the terrace and Trafalgar Square itself, but you can go around.