Christmas has well and truly taken over London; the lights are on, the trees are up, and the smell of mulled wine and mince pies is in the air. If you want to soak up all the holiday cheer but can’t face the crowds in Central, there’s one South London spot that’s the best kept secret this Christmas.
Elephant Park, right by Elephant & Castle tube and just minutes from Waterloo, is filled with festive fun for all this winter. There are Christmas lights, trees, music, and even more snow to get you in the spirit on Sayer Street, and snap a photo with Elmer the Elephant to be in with a chance of winning £100 worth of vouchers.
Still not done any Christmas shopping? Elephant Park is full of independent gems where you’ll be able to pick up a unique present, the Nunhead Gardener has you covered for green-thumbed giftees (and last-minute Christmas trees), and from 6pm-9pm on 15th December, the SoLo Craft Fair will have gifts from over 60 makers and designers on offer as well as a carols around the piano and festive drinks at the Little Louie Bar. Or if you fancy getting creative, you could make something yourself at the SoLo Craft Fair’s Christmas Embroidery class on 14th December.
You can make a real day out of it too as a whole host of cafes and restaurants in the area are running festive specials: the Rosy Hue‘s Christmas menu includes Jerusalem artichoke soup, turkey with all the trimmings and chocolate brownies; drop into Rarebit to sample its Christmas menu or one of its signature a rarebits, with two beers for £10 and two cocktails for £12 during happy hour; tuck into some tacos with festive entertainment at Cheeky Chicos. With venues like arcade bar Four Quarters and Bobo Social, you’ve even got somewhere to have a last-minute Christmas party – Elephant Park really does have it all this season.