Some say it isn’t Christmas until the John Lewis advert appears. Others say it isn’t Christmas until December 1. Now, they’re both right in their own ways, but we think the surest sign of impending Christmas is the grand switch-on of The Churchill Arms‘ iconic Christmas lights. Well, roll us up in wrapping paper and stick some tinsel on us, because they’ve turned on their glorious light display and Christmas cheer has arrived in London
Now, to our eyes, the Kensington boozer always establishes the perfect level of festive-ness. We’ve never really been ones for subtlety here at Secret London. We shudder, however, to think what the electricity bill must be at the end of the year! But, hey, The Churchill Arms drops £25,000 on flowers every year. So, they’re clearly happy to shoulder the cost required for the stunning sight.
And when those Christmas lights go up, it’s hard to argue with their allure. I mean, just look at them lighting up:
In years past, the Churchill Arms Christmas display has seen some 80 Christmas trees festoon the West London pub, with a whopping 22,000 lights covering the exterior. And this year’s display just as stunning.
The warm glow of softly illuminated Christmas trees just beckons us all to escape the cold and prop up the bar with a pint. Go on then, it’s (nearly) Christmas after all.
You’ll find The Churchill Arms at 119 Kensington Church Street, W8 7LN. It’s just a stone’s throw away from Notting Hill Gate tube. Head inside for wartime memorabilia (look out for a cardboard cutout of the pub’s namesake, Winston Churchill), beer, and delicious Thai food. Which aren’t especially Christmassy, I suppose, but come on, that exterior more than makes up for it!