There's always so much to do this time of year in London, sometimes you don't know where to start. Whether it's seeing the lights on Oxford Street or grabbing a mulled wine at one of the many Christmas markets and everything in between. One of the better Christmas pop-ups is Winterville on Clapham Common, minutes from the tube. You really can't miss it, the bright lights and the Ferris-wheel towering above the tree's, it makes for the perfect date!
Winterville certainly isn't your run of the mill pop-up, and that's exactly what I found out when I went on a wee date there last week, and what a lovely date it was. Not only is it free to get in (except after 6pm fri and sat night-£3) there's lots of free things to do inside as well. While there's still free things to do in London, that's where you'll find me. Although not everything is free, and when we arrived, my date had pre booked the Ferris-wheel. A good idea for the weekend but we did have the wheel pretty much to ourselves that night, which was a nice touch, with great views of the city lights at night. Very romantic I must say, so romantic I didn’t see much of the views, wink wink. Other activities on offer which can all be pre booked on their website include ice skating, Plonk crazy golf, roller disco, backyard cinema, and a Christmas market which unfortunately was closed, cause I needed to buy a hat, scarf and gloves, as I was massively underprepared for how cold it was. Ice skating would be a nice touch for your date as well, and beats the queues for Somerset House.
Winterville has its very own fairground as well, with classics like the dodgems, waltzers and stall games where you can try and win your date that oversized teddy bear. Although, if like me you are hopeless, and miss the board with your first throw, maybe save your penny's for the street feast area. Street Feast brings the best of London's street food traders under one tasty roof! Maybe this is a good place to line the stomach's and warm yourself from the inside out on some wood-fired pizza's, juicy ribs or jerk chicken before heading over to one of the bars for a drink. You could party the night away in the Spiegeltent with a selection of Musical Bingo, Brass Bands, live music and DJ's depending on the night.
Winterville has a lot on offer and beats the crowds of Hyde Park, so you will never be short of something to do on a date. With most of the nights costing absolute zero pence, apart from your drinks and whatnot and tickets for certain activities online, make sure to treat your date to a festive night out this Christmas.
WORDS BY STUART GRAHAME
Stuart is one of our regular hosts and over the years has become something of an expert in dating. Watch out for his regular posts full of dating tips and advice.