This video is bittersweet for me. I should be landing at LHR today. After visiting London five out of the past six Christmas’, it’s not be so this year. England is a magical place this time of year and I’ll miss it. Next year it shall be. Merry Christmas to all!!!
Just want to say watched video and it made me very homesick...beautiful sights, music was emotive and I have to say...as with all your videos, the commentary from your good self was perfect...thank you so much for bringing the spirit of Christmas to me now living in Cyprus.....London is such an amazing place and you do it justice in every video you make. Keep up the good work may you continue for many years to come....Merry Christmas.
I love this video. Every December, just after Christmas, I take the 139 bus from Waterloo Bridge to Abbey Road Studios to see the Christmas lights. It's the best way to see them, unless you want to pay an extortionate amount of money to buy a ticket for the Christmas Lights Tour Bus, which is a cold open top bus by the way. The 139 takes you through the Strand, past Trafalgar Square, through Piccadilly, along Regent Street and along Oxford Street. Abbey Road Studios is also worth checking out this time of year for the tree in its window. I then take the 139 back to Waterloo Bridge and from there, a 172 back to Brockley.
I have the privilege of seeing this every day as a cargo bike courier. I love London at Christmas. Please, folks, stay aware of pickpockets and please look when you walk out into the road, I don't want to collide with anyone.
Lovely feel to the walk. Gets you in the festive mood. John seemed more in the spirit after his visit to the pub. Highlights from the last year - all great. The one last week, the black path, any city of London ones, london loop, Kensal Green Cem. All been great. Many thanks for all the content, have a great festive period (maybe one with a city of London churches walk thrown in for good measure.
Of the branded decorations I think Chanel won with its elegant bow. But the best was first at Sion Hall. Scattered light in the darkness…quiet and waiting..I think Christmas is the holiday of waiting and holding one’s breath. Thank you fir all your walking gifts to all of us in 2024.
@@JohnRogersWalks I got my mum a book you recommended “The London nobody knows.” Is there a good book to pair with it that gives actual routes to walk? Mum says first book is great but that she won’t be able to follow it easily next time she ventures to London.
Although I’m more Grinch than Santa Claus, those lights look amazing, almost to the point where I could jump on a train from darkest Sussex to see them for myself 🤣
Hi John. Loved seeing the Christmas lights in this video. The crowds looked mad. My favorite walk by far is the canal walk you did. I thoroughly enjoyed the history. I am planning on doing as much of that walk this summer as I can. Cheers!
That was by far the best look at London at Christmas I have seen. You captured everything - peace on Earth, family and friends, tradition, light, spectacle .. and your framing that included street life put the beautiful lights in the context of the city. What a wonderful time that must have been for yourself and your sister. Cheers John.
This was a delightful video! Christmas lights in London are simply magical. Takes me right to when I lived in London for several years and absolutely loved it. Thank you, John.
Thank you for stopping by Temple Church, letting us enjoy the quiet and so very peaceful serenity of this special place. 🎄✨ (Visiting this church had been a dream of mine since teenage years, which came true in 2022.) All other light displays are stunning but a bit too busy, me thinks! Happy Holidays from Germany, John. 🎍🎄
Hi John, I recently lost a very good friend (and fellow Wycombe home-towner). It was him that first introduced me to your channel when we were searching for stuff filmed locally. Now whenever your videos pop up every week, it'll always remind me of Ben. Keep up the good work - have a good Christmas 🍻
Agreed I only think of that bridge and refer to it as the Wobbly Bridge as I do in the lyrics to one of my songs. Really enjoyed your video. There is such a magic to be found in London which comes a cross in your really enjoyable video. There are still stunning places you can go to get away from the crowds as you pointed out. Hatchards and Foyles Charing Cross road are two of my favourite shops. Loved this video.
Christmas greetings John, and thank you for such a beautiful video. The ambience, with the carefully chosen music, is top notch. I like how the lights in London seem to have taken a more tasteful turn. Fortnum's was lovely. My favourite lights were around Temple Lane and environs; absolutely magical in their simplicity. I also really appreciated the Mason's Arms - so inviting. Thank you for so many wonderful and interesting/informative walks this year. You are a star - and so is your knee! Wishing you, Heidi, and the boys the happiest of Christmases, and a wonderful 2025. I'll be enjoying the next walk vicariously - wherever it may be. xxx
I really enjoyed that video it was lovely to see all the Christmas lights in London. Although I was born and live in London I haven’t been up to see the lights in years. 🎄🎄
A lovely video John. I love walking around the area around Middle Temple as it makes me think of Michael Moorcock’s, ‘The Whispering Swarm’. The Seven Dials lights are very pretty as are the ones in Henry Pordes and Fortnums of course. It’s a great way to enjoy the lights. Thank you.
Many thanks for another superb video John. Rather you than me though mate! Those massive crowds, coupled with people obsessed with constantly stopping to take pictures on their mobile phones, would drive me round the bloody twist. 🫣
That was great John, thanks. We haven’t travelled from Bristol to see the lights this year, so that was perfect. Just finished John Cooper Clarke’s autobiography in which he says ‘psycho geography’ and my thoughts went straight to you! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you and yours. X
Don't believe everything you hear - there's a lot of nonsense spoken and written about London by people who don't live here and just seek to sow division
Fantastic video! Really thanks for making this and taking us along with you. I’m in New York and London definitely has us beat this time of year in terms of lights and displays. I look forward to your next winter walk!
Oh John. We've watching you all year and planning our December trip, from Italy. Arrived with stinking chest infections, got battered by storm Derragh and spent most of the time lying in bed and coughing. So cross!!
That was a really great ramble. So many lights these days and I did think a lot of the others put Regent and Oxford St's a bit in the pale. Any hot chestnut men still around? I doubt it and certainly not roasted over coal which did give them a special flavour :)
Lovely video so uplifting to see the amazing lights , I used to go to Oxford Street in the fifties with my dad , I remember Selfridge's store was always the best , great memories thanks John have a great Christmas , look forward to more films in the future 🌈🙏❤️💕
Lovely to see. About to do my tenth christmas in new york, which isn't like it is in the films...but this is the first year I haven't made it back to London at all in November or December to grab a bit of real christmas spirit. Keep up the good work, very potent for an expat.
The Inns of Court lights were so sweet and cosy compared to the more high budget ones in the famous streets. My favourite decorations were those of the next village to me - Leadhills, replaced now by bland, icy silver and blue LED jobs. Each lamppost would have its own motif : a bell, an angel, a Christmas pudding, a Santa, an Xmas tree, a sprig of holly, a robin ..... They're gone now. Perhaps nostalgia is the most Christmassy thing of all eh ?
John, I took a similar route to you last Thursday, but fished with a detox in Portland Place after Oxford Circus before dropping into a near deserted Regents Park station for Marylebone and on to Aylesbury. I found the crowds a bit daunting after a five year absence, but somehow familiar and reassuring after a while. The lights here are much simpler, but very pleasant. Merry Christmas. My Bah-Humbug would be, Why oh why, don't Waterstones put the very simple but beautiful old Simpson's of Picadilly Christmas tree shaped pendant bulbs back up, so lovely.
A bit Slurry at the end there Sir!!😂😂, I miss London at night this time of year, the pubs always looked so inviting.. and a fleeting feeling of unity even?
John, who pays for these beautiful light displays. Is it the local government or is it the business owners on that street it is very beautiful for sure!,
This video is bittersweet for me. I should be landing at LHR today. After visiting London five out of the past six Christmas’, it’s not be so this year. England is a magical place this time of year and I’ll miss it. Next year it shall be. Merry Christmas to all!!!
Well, at-least your chances of being robbed or maimed by an illegal immigrant have SIGNIFICANTLY reduced. Silver linings.
Without a doubt, for me, Temple was the best. It invoked a real Christmas atmosphere and - no crowds!
completely agree Barry
I live in a small rural village so seeing my birth city of London all lit up was rather lovely. Thank you John
Just want to say watched video and it made me very homesick...beautiful sights, music was emotive and I have to say...as with all your videos, the commentary from your good self was perfect...thank you so much for bringing the spirit of Christmas to me now living in Cyprus.....London is such an amazing place and you do it justice in every video you make.
Keep up the good work may you continue for many years to come....Merry Christmas.
I love this video. Every December, just after Christmas, I take the 139 bus from Waterloo Bridge to Abbey Road Studios to see the Christmas lights. It's the best way to see them, unless you want to pay an extortionate amount of money to buy a ticket for the Christmas Lights Tour Bus, which is a cold open top bus by the way. The 139 takes you through the Strand, past Trafalgar Square, through Piccadilly, along Regent Street and along Oxford Street. Abbey Road Studios is also worth checking out this time of year for the tree in its window. I then take the 139 back to Waterloo Bridge and from there, a 172 back to Brockley.
Thanks and happy Christmas and new year 🎄🎅🥃👍😁
Thanks so much Mick - hope you have a very merry festive season
@ Thanks 🎅🎄👍
I have the privilege of seeing this every day as a cargo bike courier. I love London at Christmas.
Please, folks, stay aware of pickpockets and please look when you walk out into the road, I don't want to collide with anyone.
What an absolute treat, a Christmas Light ramble! Happy Yule, John 🎄
Ciao Marco, do you live in London?
@@rossella9010 Yes I do, for the past 12 years and counting!
Thanks so much Marco - Yuletide greetings to you too
@@MarcoViscontiBeato!
Sparkly and twinkly and lovely xxx Yuletide Blessings xxx
Yuletide Blessings to you too Morrigan
Fortnum & Mason's decoration was very good
Enjoyable,love the Christmas lights,a festive treat for the eyes.take care.
Just lovely footage, lights came out great.
London is magical at Christmas
This was a treat. London's lights are fabulous. Thank you.
The lights and decorations do look very impressive. Merry Christmas.
Merry Christmas
Thanks
Thanks very much Sheila!!
Great Christmas lights -London certainly knows how to liht herself up.
Very impressive John. Thanks very much 🎄
Glad you enjoyed it Paul
Lovely feel to the walk. Gets you in the festive mood. John seemed more in the spirit after his visit to the pub. Highlights from the last year - all great. The one last week, the black path, any city of London ones, london loop, Kensal Green Cem. All been great. Many thanks for all the content, have a great festive period (maybe one with a city of London churches walk thrown in for good measure.
I've also spent a few consecutive holiday seasons in London ... so magical and many fond memories have been stoked by this walk.
So glad you enjoyed it Carole
Excellent as always
Of the branded decorations I think Chanel won with its elegant bow. But the best was first at Sion Hall. Scattered light in the darkness…quiet and waiting..I think Christmas is the holiday of waiting and holding one’s breath. Thank you fir all your walking gifts to all of us in 2024.
Thanks Linda Sue. I agree with you about Christmas- it’s a time of pause
Thank you so much. Might jump on my bicycle and have a look in the wee hours when no crowds
That’s probably a very good idea
@@JohnRogersWalks I got my mum a book you recommended “The London nobody knows.” Is there a good book to pair with it that gives actual routes to walk? Mum says first book is great but that she won’t be able to follow it easily next time she ventures to London.
Although I’m more Grinch than Santa Claus, those lights look amazing, almost to the point where I could jump on a train from darkest Sussex to see them for myself 🤣
Lovely walk ✨️ the old law area at the beginning of the video is one of my favourite areas to stroll around in London!
Lovely! Thanks for taking me along!
A very enjoyable video to watch on a Tuesday evening. 👌
that was just wonderful, john, thanks very much! i do hope you can get in a solstice walk this year!
Something about Ondon Christmas lights always helps me get in the holiday spirit. Thank you for this magical walk , John. See you on the next one!
Hi John. Loved seeing the Christmas lights in this video. The crowds looked mad. My favorite walk by far is the canal walk you did. I thoroughly enjoyed the history. I am planning on doing as much of that walk this summer as I can. Cheers!
London looks wonderful. The lights are beautiful, and so many people are out enjoying themselves. Thanks for sharing this with us.
lovely - and the pint looked delicious! cheers! & thank you!
Thanks Timothy
That was really nice seeing it all. Merry Christmas John!
That was wonderful! I lived in London for 60 years, now exiled in Norfolk. Made me feel homesick. Thank you John, merry Christmas to you and yours!
Thanks, John, as always ... Best Martin and family .
I spent a few Christmas seasons in London, very special memories.Thank you so much for doing this.
Thanks John. Great tour.
Great sharing. Loved it. Thanks. 👍👍👍👍👍😍😍😍😍😍
Amazing displays, thanks John.
Merry Christmas mate, thanks for another great year of walks..
Hare Krishna
Matt NZ
Merry Christmas Matt
Very, very cool 😎 Thank you for sharing London lights!!❤🎄
I hope know how special your channel really is. ✨💝
Thanks for another wonderful year of entertaining and educating us on your lovely walks. Happy Christmas and new year!
Happy Christmas, John! Loved the lights tour. Looking forward to many, many wonderful walks in 2025... wherever that (those) may be!
Happy Christmas!!
This sounds amazing! Thanks John. Will get a glass of wine and watch. Have a great Christmas!
Merry Christmas Ali
👍🎄🤶-A most enjoyable Christmas perambulation. Thanks.
Stunning video, Christmas Day viewing for us who could not get to London to see the lights. Thank you.
very nice John. Nice to see how London celebrates Christmas. Beautiful. Richard in Reno
Thanks Richard - hope you have a great Christmas in Reno
hi john,thanks for all your vlogs in 2024.cant wait for more of your vlogs in 2025.have a great Christmas and even better new year.
Thanks so much Earl
Thank you John, loved the Middle Temple.
That was by far the best look at London at Christmas I have seen. You captured everything - peace on Earth, family and friends, tradition, light, spectacle .. and your framing that included street life put the beautiful lights in the context of the city. What a wonderful time that must have been for yourself and your sister. Cheers John.
Thank you it was a fantastic day! Cathy loved it
Superb 👍👍.
This was a delightful video! Christmas lights in London are simply magical. Takes me right to when I lived in London for several years and absolutely loved it. Thank you, John.
Thank you for stopping by Temple Church, letting us enjoy the quiet and so very peaceful serenity of this special place. 🎄✨ (Visiting this church had been a dream of mine since teenage years, which came true in 2022.) All other light displays are stunning but a bit too busy, me thinks! Happy Holidays from Germany, John. 🎍🎄
Thanks John. Very inspiring. Happy Christmas matey.
Happy Christmas Tim!
Wonderful video sir. Merry Christmas & happy 25.
Hi John, I recently lost a very good friend (and fellow Wycombe home-towner). It was him that first introduced me to your channel when we were searching for stuff filmed locally.
Now whenever your videos pop up every week, it'll always remind me of Ben.
Keep up the good work - have a good Christmas 🍻
Sorry to hear of your loss. I’ll raise a glass to Ben over the festive period
Hi John 🌷really enjoy all your vids. Thank you and Very Merry Christmas!
Many thanks- merry Christmas
Follow your walking tours. Great history lessons. Happy Holidays 🌲❄️
This is beautiful! Thank you and Merry Christmas to you and your family!!❤
Thankyou John,always love your christmas videos,thankyou for all your work this year really enjoyable.good tidings to you and your family.
Thank you for sharing your walk. I used to love walking that area at Christmas but can’t get there for the moment.
Thank you for another great video. Looking forward to following in your footsteps and seeing them for myself. Happy Christmas 🎄
Happy Christmas Anthony
Thank you merry Christmas 😊
Merry Christmas Trevor
Agreed I only think of that bridge and refer to it as the Wobbly Bridge as I do in the lyrics to one of my songs. Really enjoyed your video. There is such a magic to be found in London which comes a cross in your really enjoyable video. There are still stunning places you can go to get away from the crowds as you pointed out. Hatchards and Foyles Charing Cross road are two of my favourite shops. Loved this video.
Enjoyed this walk but I'm much missing a great December snow fall.
GREAT!
Christmas greetings John, and thank you for such a beautiful video. The ambience, with the carefully chosen music, is top notch. I like how the lights in London seem to have taken a more tasteful turn. Fortnum's was lovely. My favourite lights were around Temple Lane and environs; absolutely magical in their simplicity. I also really appreciated the Mason's Arms - so inviting. Thank you for so many wonderful and interesting/informative walks this year. You are a star - and so is your knee! Wishing you, Heidi, and the boys the happiest of Christmases, and a wonderful 2025. I'll be enjoying the next walk vicariously - wherever it may be. xxx
Thanks so much Sky - hope you have a wonderful festive period
Merry Christmas John ! Marry Christmas everyone!!!
Merry Christmas
I really enjoyed that video it was lovely to see all the Christmas lights in London. Although I was born and live in London I haven’t been up to see the lights in years. 🎄🎄
Seasons Blessings to you all and your friends and family. 👼
Seasons Blessings to you too Allie
A lovely video John. I love walking around the area around Middle Temple as it makes me think of Michael Moorcock’s, ‘The Whispering Swarm’. The Seven Dials lights are very pretty as are the ones in Henry Pordes and Fortnums of course. It’s a great way to enjoy the lights. Thank you.
Thanks Mark - I really need to read some Moorcock
Thank you for this beautiful Christmas lights walk, John!
Merry Christmas to you and yours! ♥️🎄✨
Merry Christmas Lynn
End of year highlights should include Tweedy imho. Loved that one
Absolutely Tracy - that’ll definitely be in there
Many thanks for another superb video John. Rather you than me though mate! Those massive crowds, coupled with people obsessed with constantly stopping to take pictures on their mobile phones, would drive me round the bloody twist. 🫣
I thought F&M looked amazing. I might go up and see it. Thanks John.
That was great John, thanks. We haven’t travelled from Bristol to see the lights this year, so that was perfect.
Just finished John Cooper Clarke’s autobiography in which he says ‘psycho geography’ and my thoughts went straight to you!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you and yours. X
A big thankyou and a merry Christmas to one and a all
Merry Christmas Harry
Great video, bringing lots of memories for me.
That was fantastic John thank you for taking us on that journey, was beautiful ❤
Merry Christmas John! ❄️
Merry Christmas Khrystyna
Can't beat a good Christmas lights walk. This is a really good video,John. 👍🏻.
So glad Christmas is in full swing there despite the current "cultural shift" we hear about constantly.
Don't believe everything you hear - there's a lot of nonsense spoken and written about London by people who don't live here and just seek to sow division
Having worked by there in the early 60s i find Leadenhall Market has that real Dickensian Christmas feel
Fantastic video! Really thanks for making this and taking us along with you. I’m in New York and London definitely has us beat this time of year in terms of lights and displays.
I look forward to your next winter walk!
Cheers Steve
The wobbly bridge that opened around Y2K, remember that? Then had to close again for them to re-engineer it. Seems like a lifetime ago now.
If you're 24 years old then it was a lifetime ago. I feel old.
No, I’m a lot older than that. In fact, I’m what most people would probably consider to be an old git now. 🤣
Great video john thank you for showing lovely 😊have a great Christmas 🎄 🎅
Oh John. We've watching you all year and planning our December trip, from Italy. Arrived with stinking chest infections, got battered by storm Derragh and spent most of the time lying in bed and coughing. So cross!!
so sorry to hear that Jennifer, hope you get to come back soon
That was a really great ramble. So many lights these days and I did think a lot of the others put Regent and Oxford St's a bit in the pale. Any hot chestnut men still around? I doubt it and certainly not roasted over coal which did give them a special flavour :)
Many thanks it was a lot of fun. No, good flag on the Chestnut sellers, haven’t seen them for a while
Many thanks it was a lot of fun. No, good flag on the Chestnut sellers, haven’t seen them for a while
Lovely video so uplifting to see the amazing lights , I used to go to Oxford Street in the fifties with my dad , I remember Selfridge's store was always the best , great memories thanks John have a great Christmas , look forward to more films in the future 🌈🙏❤️💕
Evening John 🎄
Evening Danny
Lovely to see. About to do my tenth christmas in new york, which isn't like it is in the films...but this is the first year I haven't made it back to London at all in November or December to grab a bit of real christmas spirit. Keep up the good work, very potent for an expat.
Glad to bring a bit of midwinter London to you in New York Alaster
The Inns of Court lights were so sweet and cosy compared to the more high budget ones in the famous streets. My favourite decorations were those of the next village to me - Leadhills, replaced now by bland, icy silver and blue LED jobs. Each lamppost would have its own motif : a bell, an angel, a Christmas pudding, a Santa, an Xmas tree, a sprig of holly, a robin ..... They're gone now. Perhaps nostalgia is the most Christmassy thing of all eh ?
I'm so pleased to see the angels. Christmas is after all a Christian festival but can be enjoyed by everyone whatever their religious beliefs.
John, I took a similar route to you last Thursday, but fished with a detox in Portland Place after Oxford Circus before dropping into a near deserted Regents Park station for Marylebone and on to Aylesbury. I found the crowds a bit daunting after a five year absence, but somehow familiar and reassuring after a while.
The lights here are much simpler, but very pleasant. Merry Christmas.
My Bah-Humbug would be, Why oh why, don't Waterstones put the very simple but beautiful old Simpson's of Picadilly Christmas tree shaped pendant bulbs back up, so lovely.
Greenwich is also nice for lights.
I wish I was there
Good evening John
A bit Slurry at the end there Sir!!😂😂, I miss London at night this time of year, the pubs always looked so inviting.. and a fleeting feeling of unity even?
I like the Christmas tree in Trafalgar sq, not for the tree but because of what it represents.
Hi, caught relevant EVP at the 'black hole', listen at 0.25x video speed, please:
12:28 'Ulrik The Völve', 12:29 'A black hole'.
Thank you John
John, who pays for these beautiful light displays. Is it the local government or is it the business owners on that street it is very beautiful for sure!,
I’m not sure tbh Tom - I imagine the various traders associations for those areas plus some might be covered by the local authority