See the spirit(s) of Christmas on stage
The Old Vic Theatre’s production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol has become an annual highlight of the London festive calendar. Adapted by the brilliant Jack Thorne and directed by the theatre’s own Matthew Marchus, it sees a different actor step into the miserly boots of Scrooge each year, and this winter it’s Game of Thrones star Owen Teale who will be shouting ‘bah humbug!’. Sat in near darkness around the stage, you’ll be fully enveloped in the tale of repentance – with plenty of merriment, music and mince pies along the way.
Old Vic Theatre, The Cut, London SE1 8NB. November 12 – January 7, 7:30pm with additional 2:30pm matinees. Admission: £12+.
www.oldvictheatre.com/stage/event/a-christmas-carol-1
Get rosy-cheeked and merry over a cracking good roast
There’s nothing like a hearty roast dinner to see off winter’s chill (or Saturday’s hangover), is there? While most good pubs rustle up some gravy-drizzled roasties on a Sunday, when it comes to contenders for The Best Roast in South London, you can’t beat Stockwell gastropub the Canton Arms. Kick things off with a seasonal apéritif, and whatever else you try, leave plenty of room for the main event: sharing plates of pies, fresh fish and slow-cooked meats. If you’ve a group of four in tow, how could you resist a bubbling pot of seven-hour cooked lamb shoulder with potato and olive oil gratin? These days, they take bookings too, so hop online and secure your table.
Canton Arms, 177 S Lambeth Road, London
SW8 1XP. Tuesday – Saturday, 11am – 11pm; Sunday 11am – 4pm. www.cantonarms.com/
Watch a movie in Wandsworth’s snuggly winter wonderland
Backyard Cinema is once again immersing cinephiles in a snowy, cosy kingdom of nostalgia this winter, offering rides on an Arctic Express train set for the North Pole before depositing visitors on plump bean bags to watch their film of choice. Grab some popcorn, mulled wine or the venue’s signature ‘Gingerbreadtini’ cocktail, and nestle down for a family favourite. From rom-coms like Love Actually and The Holiday, to kids’ favourites The Grinch and The Polar Express, and golden oldies Miracle on 34th Street and It’s a Wonderful Life, there are festive flicks for all tastes.
Backyard Cinema London, Armoury Way, London SW18 1SH. Screenings at various dates and times until January 3. www.backyardcinema.co.uk/shows/london-christmas/?filter=2022-11
Markets and more on the South Bank
Let the warm, glowing bulbs of Southbank Centre’s Winter Market lure you away from the icy, blue-lit trees lining the river beyond. Here, you’ll find alpine lodges standing shoulder to shoulder, sheltering visitors from the harsher elements and serving up all things comforting and warm, from gourmet cheese toasties to truffle burgers, hot chocolate to mulled wine. Once you’re sated, pay a visit to neighbouring installation ‘Dichroic Sphere’ by Danish light artist Jakob Kvist and gaze in wonder at its multicoloured hues. Finally, head on over to another light installation, American artist Fred Tschida’s ‘Sphere’, a spinning, fiery orb the colour of a setting sun. It’ll warm cold fingers and toes (at least mentally).
The Winter Market and light installations can be found at the Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London SE1 8XX. Market November 3 – December 26, 11am – 11pm; installations November 4/8 – January 8. Admission: FREE. www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on
Take your tastebuds to the countryside
How can we get some of that rustic, farm-to-fork fare without, you know, going to a farm? Bringing a slice of Sussex countryside to Britain’s busy capital are restaurateurs the Gladwin Brothers, who have several rural-themed eateries around the city, including Nutbourne in Battersea, named after the family’s vineyard. Hunker down amid its woody interiors and tuck into some nose-to-tail dining, paired with one of their own English wines. And if you’re really craving some time in a field? We imagine Vauxhall City Farm’s fluffy animals would be grateful of some petting during these chilly months.
Nutbourne, Ransomes Dock Business Centre, 35-37 Parkgate Road, 29 Ransomes Dock,
London SW11 4NP.
www.nutbourne-restaurant.com/
Alps-on-Thames
Prefer the cosiness of apres ski to the risky business of gliding Bambi-style down a mountain? Then save yourself the flight and curl up instead in an alpine-themed ski lodge, courtesy of pop-up entrepreneur Jimmy Garcia. The lodge plus its cluster of neighbouring snow globes are back with a theme of ‘Fire and Fromage’, inviting diners to cuddle up around fire pits, chewing on hunks of bread layered with raclette and toasting their own s’mores. Your cockles will be warmed through in no time – and did we mention there’s mulled wine on arrival?
Jimmy’s Lodge, The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 8XX. November 5 – January 15, Monday – Saturday, 12pm – 10pm; Sunday 12pm – 9pm.
www.jimmyspopup.com/fire-and-fromage
