There’s a reason that the British talk about the weather – there’s just so much of it! It’s incredibly varied and over the course of a day can go from glorious sunshine to sub-zero grey. This Winter the temperature across the UK has plummeted, probably not for the last time before Spring. So for visitors to London it’s important to know how to work with this. To make the best of this chilly season, why not embrace the outlook of another nation entirely – the Danish!
Despite experiencing far darker winters than we do here in London, the Danes are reportedly the happiest nation in the world. Hygge (pronounced more like nougat than jiggy) is the Danish art of being cosy and serene. It exploded in the UK as a trend a couple of years ago and it’s now had time to become well and truly embedded in London culture. So where and how should you love London with a hygge view?
Sauna
There’s no better way to blast away the cold than a good sauna. A standard feature within health clubs and some 5* luxury serviced apartment complexes, booking your sauna is a great use of concierge services. But for a flying visit, why not check out KXU in Chelsea? This pay as you go gym includes yoga classes, massage sessions and infra red sauna experience.
Roaring Fires
To experience hygge with a very British twist, recline in front of an open fireplace in a good old English pub. Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese sits on Fleet Street and is a real piece of history. Rebuilt after the Great Fire of London in 1666 it’s hosted historic figures like Charles Dickens and PG Wodehouse. The pub’s fireplace, low ceilings and multiple small rooms are the ultimate in British hygge!
Coffee and Cake
As hygge is about comfort as much as warmth, it’s important to experience the best of London’s Nordic coffee and cake. Head to the Nordic Bakery in Soho. Here you’ll enjoy a cinnamon bun with your coffee in a peaceful and warm environment. The establishment carries an ethos of reducing visual clutter to enhance the calm of your experience.
Nordic Shopping
Skandium’s outlets on Thurloe Place very near our Luxury Serviced Apartments in Kensington and Marylebone High Street offer the ultimate in Nordic shopping. So you can dabble in simple uncluttered and beautiful design pieces with which to return home. Skandium have optimised their hygge by opening a ‘concept store’ across the road from their Thurloe Place location. This is a four storey townhouse ‘transformed into a fully shoppable, Scandinavian-inspired home, with living rooms, dining areas, a reading nook, a children’s bedroom and even a Scandinavian garden.’ How better to immerse yourself in Nordic cool?
Dinner
Aquavit is situated in St James’s Market and operates under executive chef Henrik Ritzén. Decorated in Nordic simplicity with a luxurious slant, this restaurant offers everything from a traditional sharing Smörgåsbord to a full à la carte evening menu (including meatballs of course!)
Experience
The best way to feel truly cosy and serene is to watch the world go by from inside a warm and snug pod. The Coppa Club at Tower Bridge operate Winter igloos on their roof terrace throughout the season up to the end of April. These glass pods are furnished with fluffy blankets and sheepskin rugs so you can cosy up and marvel at the bustle of London below.
Home from Home
As a visitor to London, especially during these icy Winter months, the ultimate way to keep your hygge constant is to choose luxury serviced apartment accommodation. With up to 30% more space than a hotel suite, the highest quality utilities and furnishings and services to ensure your every need is met, comfort comes as standard. Enhance the experience by searching one of Spotify’s many hygge playlists. At your luxury serviced apartment, free wifi allows you to stream from your smartphone to your heart’s content! So sit back to such artists as Vagabon and Angel Olsen and allow the music to lift your stress and calm your soul.
