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Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is a massive draw for hundreds of thousands of Christmas fans when it sets up in West London every year, but not everyone is a big fan
Winter Wonderland ‘Value For Money’ Hunt
I arrived at Hyde Park with low expectations, put off by the annual outrage at how expensive the rides and food are.
Despite being born and raised in London, I seem to be one of the few who has avoided the festive affair that runs from 21 November to 5 January 2025.- It was starting to rain as we entered Winter Wonderland – the smell of deep-fried churros overpowering. The Tripadvisor review I read on the tube was ringing in my ears. “There’s nothing wonderful about the winter wonderland. It’s a glorified funfair designed to rinse you dry at every opportunity.”
After scanning our tickets and trooping through the festive golden gates, my colleague Rai Singh and I were immediately pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere. The drone of nondescript Christmas songs and loved-up couples trying to win soft toys was Hallmark-perfect, and there was something sweet about thousands of people out on a Monday night to embark on festive cheer.
Our goal was simple – have as much fun as possible for £100, and work out if it felt like a good deal at the end of it all. We decided to plan ahead of time so that if we booked £50 worth of attractions then the £5 entry would be ‘free’. There was a £6.10 booking fee though to bear in mind…
Feeling slightly short-changed we headed for another ‘freebie’, the complimentary Mixtons cocktail you receive in Bar Ice. After the first complimentary round, the drinks cost £31.00 for two people, as you get one free with each £15.50 entry. After that, they cost £9 a pop. It would be hard to find cocktails for much less in any bar in the luxurious W2 postcode, whether or not that makes it a good deal. Bar Ice does have a special frosty charm most bars don’t however – its walls, glasses, and bar are all made of (you guessed it!) – ice.
The ‘Powder Passion Martini’ was very sweet but tasty, and the ice tumbler made it look much more impressive than the can it usually comes in. Gimmick? Yes. Fun? Definitely. The bar provides gloves and a jacket, so if you are planning on visiting Bar Ice – I’d wrap up warm. It’s quite hard to enjoy a tipple when you can’t feel your fingers!
Keen to get out of the igloo, we headed to The Giant Wheel. It was £16 for two people which is a high price, but not as high as the towering view of the park and West London you get from the top. At 70m high, you can see the Shard, Battersea Power Station, London Eye to your left and the glowing Winter Wonderland to your right. I am a self-professed Grinch, but for £8, Rai and I both agreed it was worth seeing the Christmassy lights and droves of people squealing on the rides. If you were in a larger group or family, though, the price would add up.
For dinner, our budget stretched to two ‘Olde English Hotdogs’ at £8.50 each. Like a child moving helplessly towards a pick ‘n’ mix stall, we were drawn in by the smell of caramelising onions and an impressive fire pit. To tell the truth, the hotdog was chewy, the bread dry, and the sauces were unimaginative. Rai and I both agreed the food stalls looked like a better shout and would go there instead next time. Winter Wonderland boasts more than 40 food and drink places, so don’t get duped into a dry sausage.
We ended our festive trip with the adrenaline rush of Ice Mountain. From the outside, it looks like a traditional ‘runaway train’ fairground ride, and we were impressed by the stomach-flipping experience. Not for the faint-hearted, the ride spins you around and flashes you with the “dazzling northern lights.” We laughed hysterically and completed the evening with a delicious mulled cider for £6.30.
Given my general hatred of Christmas, I wasn’t expecting to have as much fun as I did at Winter Wonderland and I am planning to make another trip before the festivities end in the new year.
The total for the evening came to over £100 for two, which is not good value for money, but in London it is far from unheard of for entertainment, food and drink. I would recommend making the trip if you’re happy to spend, and keep in mind what one of the bartenders told us: “People come for the experience. It’s not about the food and drink.”
So, as winter drags on and the sun continues to disappear from our lives each day at 3pm, why not lean into some childlike fun and dazzle yourselves in the glittery lights of Winter Wonderland on one of these cold evenings ahead?