3 of the best alternative winter dates

If you’re fed up with the crowds at Winter Wonderland and worried that you’re going to be about as graceful as an elephant on a trapeze when you go ice skating – you might consider an alternative winter date. If you want to enjoy the crisp delights of the winter season without the crowds, stress and danger – don’t worry, here are the 3 best alternative winter dates.

WALKING AROUND THE SERPENTINE

Hyde Park is quiet, frost covers the ground and the dying leaves on the trees present a wonderful spectrum of colours. Yes it’s cold and yes you’ve got to be a bit stoical, but there’s nothing more magical than a walk in one of London’s most romantic locations. The Serpentine is one of London’s largest lakes and has a plethora of attractions around it. The Italian Gardens, The Diana Memorial Fountain and The Holocaust Memorial are all worth seeing and if you get really cold, you can always go into the gallery which is close by and free.

RICKSHAW RIDE

Okay, so it’s not quite like the hansom cab ride that New York is famous for – but it’s the best that London’s got. A rickshaw ride enables you to experience the hubbub and Christmas lights – all from the comfort of a man-drawn carriage. It’s a unique and fun date to go on and if the lady you’re taking has got a good sense of humour it’ll surely prove to be a winner.

THE THEATRE

On those rare days where the weather is decent in London, you don’t want to be stuck in the theatre, so winter inevitably becomes the time when the theatre is the place to be. London’s West End has always been one of the world’s preeminent theatre districts and there are a range of plays, musicals, operas and (around Christmas) pantos to choose from. If you don’t want to pay the big bucks being charged by the West End/Central London theatres – there are a multitude of other smaller venues such as the The Finborough, The Rose Theatre Kingston and The Arcola that are much more affordable.