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The EDF Energy London Eye at Night

The London Eye at Christmas

With Frostival at The London Eye and the Southbank Centre Christmas Market, the riverside will be sparkling this winter

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This festive season The London Eye will be transformed into the perfect winter destination and become the focal point of the South Bank's Christmas events. There's an array of fun-filled winter activities for all ages as well as fantastic markets for bargain hunting, gift browsing and treats to take home.

From November 15 to January 4 2015, Frostival will offer an array of icy excitement, on and around the iconic London Eye itself. Inside the capsules special treats including Champagne and Cocktail Experience are on offer, or you can embark on an immersive Frosty Guided Experience. On the ground there will also be the return of Eyeskate, the much-loved rink that's a favourite of skaters of all abilities. Frostival and Eyeskate events do sell out, so pre-booking is absolutely recommended, especially for dates during the school break. And don't miss our special offer and competition!

Close to The London Eye you can also enjoy the Southbank Centre Winter Festival, including spectacular shows and free activities, the brand new Southbank Centre Christmas Market and the chance to tuck into excellent Yuletide nosh at the Real Food Christmas Market. It's just a short walk to the National Theatre to see the theatre adventure 'Treasure Island', 'Grimm Tales for Young and Old' at the Bargehouse, and the village of designer-maker shops at Gabriel's Wharf and the boutiques of Oxo Tower Wharf.

Enjoy riverside ice skating daily until January 4 2015, from 10am to 9pm. Adults can skate from £9.45 (bought online), while children's tickets (age 4-15) are just £6.75. For a limited time only family tickets are available from £18.90 off peak through an early bird offer when bought online before November 30 for skate sessions before December 12. For a complete list of prices see Eyeskate or take advantage of a great offer.

The London Eye sits between Jubilee Gardens and the Thames just five minutes east of Waterloo station (rail and tube), though visitors travelling on the District or Circle lines will find it easier – and far more scenic – to alight at Westminster station and walk across Westminster Bridge. Charing Cross and Embankment tube stations are also within comfortable walking distance, and nearby bus routes include the 211, 77 and 381.

Critics’ choice restaurants near The London Eye

Masters Super Fish

  • British
  • Waterloo
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended
Masters Super Fish
Masters Super Fish
Cabbies love it, fish is brought in daily from Billingsgate, and service is so no-nonsense it’s entertaining – Masters ticks a lot of ‘London institution’ boxes. Step through from the small takeaway section into a simple dining room painted floor-to-ceiling turquoise. Fellow diners, from older couples to office workers and tourists, sit at functional tables that lend a canteen feel to the place. Food, though, is of a high quality. Starters showcased the fruits of the fryer, from spring rolls to whitebait and battered mussels, but we stuck to the complimentary bread and cold prawn. A wide range of fish comes either battered or grilled (generally pricier). Classic cod was generously sized and delivered quick-sharp from the fryer, its soft flesh suggesting freshness. Grilled tuna had the thickness of two T-bone steaks and showed good grill-bar charring, though its dryness needed the rich tartare sauce and free juicy pickles to provide lubrication. Accompanying chips were pale and uninteresting, yet so hot they practically fizzed. You can bring your own booze here, despite wine being available from £10.95 a bottle.

Anchor & Hope

  • Gastropubs
  • Southwark
  • price 2 of 4
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended
Anchor & Hope
Anchor & Hope
© Tricia de Courcy Ling
The Anchor & Hope has dominated Waterloo’s gastronomic scene for over a decade, and is still among its highlights. The well-known ‘no reservations’ seating policy doesn’t seem to deter punters, meaning that diners wanting to sample the robust seasonal British cooking must often wait in the pub area (separated from the restaurant by a heavy drape) until a table becomes free. Fortunately, decent draught ales and wines are on hand. On busy weekday evenings, things can get noisy, and some diners are seated at communal tables, so this isn’t an ideal spot for an intimate dinner. But there’s a convivial vibe, helped by pleasingly down-to-earth yet efficient staff. Maroon walls are hung with for-sale modern art, and heavily weathered wooden tables are surrounded by mismatched chairs – but don’t mistake the A&H for a prosaic gastropub. It’s always filled with chatter, and customers range from laddy City boys to thespians filling up before a visit to the nearby Old or Young Vic theatres. The nose-to-tail menu features dishes such as thinly sliced ox tongue with lentils, green sauce and mustard fruits; and braised suckling kid with bacon, fennel, chickpeas and aïoli. Vegetarian food is limited, but a flavourful chicory tart came with a rich concoction of dried ceps, cream and parmesan.
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The Delaunay

  • Brasseries
  • Aldwych
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended
The Delaunay
The Delaunay
As you might expect from the younger sibling of the Wolseley, there’s glam-factor aplenty here, and the Delaunay manages to attract the intelligentsia out on smart dinner dates. Its interior provides more than a fitting setting, echoing European grand brasserie design, but also evoking Edwardian clubs and the Orient Express. The menu is far from cutting-edge, experimental or modernist; instead, it celebrates the heritage dishes of mittel-Europe, particularly Austria, Germany and France. Tarte flambée (from Alsace) arrives as thin as a crispbread, but topped like a pizza with smoked bacon and shallots cooked to softness; piping hot, it’s a great appetiser. Wiener schnitzel might follow: boneless veal beaten to a thin layer with a mallet, then breadcrumbed and fried – a classic dish, perfectly created. Desserts include strudels, or for the chocolate-lover, what might well be London’s best sachertorte. This is a proper brasserie operating all day, serving breakfast from 7am on weekdays, afternoon teas from 3pm. The adjacent café (called the Counter) is open throughout the day, supplying snacks such as chicken soup with dumplings, or salt beef pretzels. Refreshingly, you’re treated with equal decorum at the Delaunay, whether you’re a big spender, a celeb, or just popping in for welsh rarebit or hot chocolate. It’s a real treat of a place. The design is of particular note. David Collins has long been the go-to guy for restaurateurs wanting chic, high-class surrounds in which their
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Opera Tavern

  • Italian
  • Covent Garden
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended
Opera Tavern
Opera Tavern
Despite growing competition, the Opera Tavern remains one of Covent Garden's best dining options and among London’s top tapas restaurants. Formerly a pub, it’s split into a slightly charmless upstairs restaurant and a cosy, mirror-backed bar at street level. The latter has been stylishly updated with chocolate leather bar stools, copper spotlights and an open grill; the main kitchen is in the beer cellar. The Spanish-Italian menu is kept fresh with regular specials. The signature burger of juicy ibérico pork and foie gras remains deservedly popular, though more inventive combinations better showcase the kitchen’s delicate touch and careful sourcing of ingredients. Char-coated venison was enlivened by jerusalem artichoke, pickled walnuts and truffle, while the natural sweetness of scallops (served in the shell) was balanced by a feather-light pea, fennel and mint purée. Watch out, though: portions are dainty and it’s easy to rack up a hefty bill. The Spanish and Italian wine list is well curated; smooth and nutty manzanilla pasada is the ideal aperitif for sherry sceptics. Little touches such as allowing diners a taste before committing to a glass exemplify the sophisticated, amiable service. Opera Tavern is part of the Salt Yard Group, along with Dehesa in Soho and Salt Yard in Fitzrovia.
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Hotels near the London Eye

Haymarket Hotel

  • Hotels
  • Leicester Square
  • price 4 of 4
Haymarket Hotel
Haymarket Hotel
A terrific addition to Kit Kemp’s Firmdale portfolio, this block-size building (a private townhouse within the hotel can be rented) was designed by John Nash, the architect of Regency London. The public spaces are a delight, with Kemp’s trademark combination of contemporary arty surprises (a giant light-bulb affair over the library’s chessboard, a gothic little paper-cut of layered skulls above the tray of free afternoon canapés) and impossible-to-leave, bright, plump, floral sofas. Wow-factors include the surprisingly bling basement swimming pool and bar (shiny sofas, twinkly roof) and the couldn’t-be-more central location. Rooms are generously sized (as are bathrooms), individually decorated and discreetly stuffed with facilities, and there’s plenty of attention from the switched-on staff. The street-side bar and restaurant are top-notch, the breakfast exquisite.
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Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane

  • Hotels
  • Park Lane
Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane
Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane
With an ideal location in the centre of London, between Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace Gardens, this Park Lane hotel boasts stunning city views. There is free Wi-Fi throughout, and free parking on site.Rooms at Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane are elegant and modern, with sleek design. Many have picturesque views, and all benefit from a contemporary bathroom and a TV.The hotel’s Amaranto restaurant, lounge and bar serves an Italian-inspired menu – with in-room dining also possible in the comfort of your own private space. Guests can enjoy delicious breakfasts, lunch, evening meals and afternoon tea.In the heart of Mayfair, the hotel is just a 15-minute walk from the world-famous shops of Oxford Street. Harrods is less than a mile from the building.
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Marisa Hotel

  • Hotels
  • Oxford Street
This smart and functional hotel is located in the heart of London’s famous Oxford Street. With various bars, restaurants, shops and nightclubs within a short stroll, the Marisa Hotel offers en suite rooms with free Wi-Fi.Heated rooms at the property are tastefully decorated and feature an LCD Freeview TV, mini-fridge and an en suite shower room.Soho, Chinatown and the iconic West End are all within 5 minutes’ walk of the Marisa, while the heart of Covent Garden is half a mile away. The British Museum can be reached by foot in 7 minutes and Regent’s Park, home to London Zoo, is less than 1 mile away.Tottenham Court Tube Station is just 2 minutes’ walk from the hotel, with direct services to St Pancras International, Kings Cross, Charing Cross and Euston Train Stations.
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St John Hotel

  • Hotels
  • Chinatown
St John Hotel
St John Hotel
St John Hotel is now closed; it is now occupied by One Leicester Street. The review below no longer applies. On premises well known to a previous generation of Soho theatre-diners – the site used to be Manzi’s ‘famous seafood restaurant’ – the decor is in keeping with the white, masculine, minimalist style of the original Smithfield restaurant, itself converted from a derelict smokehouse. St John’s approach to the hotel trade isn’t entirely unprecedented. The template of carefully designed but thoroughly simple rooms that was set by the Soho House hotels (Dean Street Townhouse; Shoreditch Rooms; High Road House) can perhaps be seen in St John Hotel’s offhand self-descriptions: ‘Mini Grand, Urban Hut’ or, in relation to the cheapest ‘Post-Supper Rooms’, ‘These smaller guest rooms remove the need for a taxi home after supper.’
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Guides to areas near The London Eye

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