About Time: You Discovered London’s Cosiest Winter LodgesBy Alicia Grimshaw
Looking for the best winter lodges in London? We’ve got it sorted. If you’re willing to battle the elements for a glass of mulled wine and some nibbles, we salute you. Stay warm and dry over the festive period, and discover London’s best winter lodges. Don’t forget to check out our Christmas Special of The AT for all the festive fun in London. Happy exploring, folks:
1. For a Taste of the Highlands: Mac & Wild
The Lowdown: Escape to a Highland hideaway in the heart of the city as Mac & Wild have turned their Devonshire Square terrace into a Scottish paradise complete with winter hunting lodges in partnership with their favourite Scottish Gin, The Botanist. These cosy Highland-inspired winter lodges are the perfect festive retreat this winter, and are now available to book for brunch, lunch, drinks and dinner.
Eat and Drink: Leading the festivities is the specially curated gin-based cocktail menu from The Botanist. Highlights from the menu include The Botanist Elixir Winter Bramble, a warming but refreshing muddle of Botanist Gin, Christmas syrup, Aelder Elderberry Elixir and lemon juice. Food served in the lodges feature Mac & Wild favourites such as the Veni-Moo burger, with a beef and venison patty, melting cheese, Béarnaise and caramelised onion all served in a brioche bun, and the venison hot pot, and not forgetting the Mac & Wild staple: whisky sticky toffee pudding for afters.
Where: 9A Devonshire Square, London EC2M 4YN
2. For Gin Cocktails: Rosewood London x Monkey 47
The Lowdown: Rosewood London has partnered with artisanal German gin brand Monkey 47, transforming the hotel’s courtyard into an enchanting winter forest inspired by the verdant trees and mystical charm of the famous Black Forest. Tucked away in the heart of central London, The Monkey 47 Winter Lodge serves warming winter fare and gin cocktails aplenty.
Eat and Drink: One of our favourite winter lodges in London – the menu comprises of hot and cold gin cocktails with a selection inspired by German desserts and paired with British ones. The Monty Strudel cocktail, available either hot or cold, is paired with a spiced custard tart with Agen prunes – and for Negroni fiends, there’s a twist on the classic cocktail using Monkey 47 Sloe Gin, Belsazar Rosé Vermouth and Suze Liqueur. Holborn Dining Room Executive Head Chef Calum Franklin has created an array of ‘Monkey Bites’ including beloved classics such as the beetroot and gin cured salmon, and the Monkshill Farm Scotch egg.
Photo Credit: Addie Chinn
3. For a Trip to the Alps: Winter Lodge At Hampshire Lounge Bar
The Lowdown: Forget jetting off to St Moritz this festive season – Radisson Blu Edwardian opened the Winter Lodge At The Hampshire Lounge Bar, bringing a slice of the Alps in Leicester square. The stylish hidden mountain retreat boasts all the winter warmers: soft fur seat covers, blankets and hot cocktails to help with the chill.
Eat and Drink: One of our ultimate winter lodges in London – think hearty fare such as warm brandy and maple glazed ribs, grilled raclette cheese on chilli and rosemary bread and cinnamon and honeycomb French toast with salted caramel crème. End your stay on a sweet note with the likes of the Leicester Square hot toddy, and warm white fudge cocoa with crushed Oreo cookies.
Where: The Hampshire Lounge Bar, Radisson Blu Edwardian, 31-36 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7LH
4. For a British Winter Lodge: York and Albany
The Lowdown: One of our favourite winter lodges in London – York and Albany has pulled out all the stopped with their new Awfully British Winter Cabin, a playful experience that celebrates all things British and quirky. With smoking jackets and slippers provided on arrival, everyone is welcome to sit back and relax whilst they enjoy a spot of afternoon tea, extraordinarily unusual British cocktails, lunch or dinner canapés.
Eat and Drink: Lunch and dinner sharing menus include haggis sausage rolls; venison pigs in blankets; gin-cured salmon vol au vents; and stilton and red onion tartlets. For afternoon tea, enjoy scones with clotted cream and season jam; open sandwiches including roast turkey and cranberry sauce; smoked salmon and dill; and duck egg mayo, alongside cranberry cheesecake, blackberry Bakewell, mince pies and ‘awfully British’ cups of tea.
Where: 127-129 Parkway, London NW1 7PS
5. For Rooftop Lodges: South Pole Saloon at Brixton Rooftop
The Lowdown: One of the coziest winter lodges in London – South Pole Saloon is back; bigger, better and badder than ever before. The beloved saloon bar, heavy with sensational woodland lodge theming, is open and ready. The rooftop with a capacity of over 800 features three main bars and one private bar, and private hire areas including 8 candy cane cabins (and they’re tres rustic).
Eat and Drink: South Pole Saloon has partnered with London’s most popular street food sensations featuring festive favourites and creative classics from mac and cheese specialists, Mac To The Future, with their Christmas special; Camembert Mac – their signature mac n’ cheese dish, served inside a whole camembert. The Lambassadors are dishing up lamb wraps with harissa spiced lamb leg, mixed greens, and harissa and mint yogurt dressing. For liquid goodness, try The Snow Globe served with Double Spiced Bacardi Rum, Ginger Beer, Angostura, coconut syrup, topped with cocoa powder, or Santa’s Tart made with, Bacardi 8YO, cherry syrup, cinnamon syrup and lime juice.
Where: Pope’s End, Brixton, London SW9 8JH
Photo Credit: Marc Sethi
6. For Fondue: Winterland London
The Lowdown: Probably the most exciting thing to ever happen in Fulham: Winterland London is open and it’s essentially an adult’s playground. Think cosy winter lodges (can seat up to ten people), riverside igloos, curling lanes, mini golf, an enchanted forest, beer pong, and winter warming cocktails. The list is endless.
Eat and Drink: Feast on mouth-watering fondues and raclette burgers, whilst reclining on fur lined sofas or stay warm and dry in one of the lodges. Jimmy Garcia of Jimmy’s Lodge is hand to help soak up the eggnog with incredible cheese-based winter treats. We say, order the raclette box with new potatoes, side salad and a mountain of melted cheese.
Where: Wandsworth Bridge Road, Fulham, London SW6 2TY
7. For British Grub: John Lewis
The Lowdown: Transport yourself to a setting reminiscent of a yuletide village green at John Lewis’ winter rooftop. The Gardening Society at John Lewis has undergone a festive makeover, and now boasts a 12ft Christmas tree adorned with twinkly lights and vintage baubles and bookable private lodges.
Eat and Drink: One of our top winter lodges in London – run by brothers Matthew and Iain Pennington in a Victorian walled garden in the Mendip Hills, the award-winning restaurant has arrived in London for the first time. Tuck into The Ethicurean Christmas venison pie with port sout, mash, and cider and juniper sauce, tandoor spiced cauliflower with soft hen’s egg, smoked paprika, and almond and parsley and London sticky toffee apple cake with Thames imported spices and cinnamon cream.
Where: 300 Oxford St, London W1C 1DX
