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London’s Best Winter Terraces & Rooftops

Crack open the mulled wine – winter is here, and to celebrate, the capital is swathing its outdoor spaces in faux fur, fairy lights and fire pits. From rooftop ice rinks through to igloos, curling lanes and fondues, this list contains everything you need for an adventurous al fresco evening out…

Coppa Club

The ever-popular Coppa Club Igloos are back. Located between Tower Bridge and the Shard, the igloos provide one of the cosiest winter set-ups in town. Guests can get settled into the Scandinavian sleek surroundings, with sheepskin rugs, fluffy blankets and a twinkly night sky – a great way to warm up and chill out after a day in the city. New for 2018, Coppa is teaming up with gin brand Sipsmith to create a special winter gin cocktail menu – this year, we hear it’s all about the hot gins and gin-gerbread men. Make sure to book now – these sell out every season.

3 Three Quays Walk, Tower Bridge, EC3R 6AH

Visit CoppaClub.co.uk

John Lewis & Partners

Following on from its lively Summer of Sound on the Roof, John Lewis & Partners has launched the ultimate winter hideaway in collaboration with Sipsmith Gin. The winter rooftop draws inspiration from the hedonistic frost fairs that took place on the frozen River Thames during the cold months of the 17th century, when shop owners would set up stalls selling hot gin. Along with a complete makeover, for the first time ever the venue will host its own skating rink allowing visitors to practice their pirouettes right on the roof. Background Bars will be on hand, serving a variety of winter-themed tipples such as mulled apple punch and chamomile fizz.

300 Oxford Street, Marylebone, W1C 1DX

Visit JohnLewis.com

Pergola Paddington

Pergola Paddington has opened its doors for a second winter season. The 850-capacity site has transformed into a fully-covered wintry hideaway, with a new line-up of restaurants: Yucatan will serve spicy, tropically-infused Mexican food; while Patty & Bun will return alongside Vietnamese barbecue masters MAM and duck devotees Canard. Expect a warming cocktail menu across its two bars, plus a toasty overhaul that includes thick blankets, heating, plus a transparent roof on the top deck.

5 Kingdom Street, Paddington, W2 6PY

Visit PergolaLondon.com

Roof East

Roof East returns this winter with a ‘Curl Runnings’ theme, in honour of the 25th anniversary of Cool Runnings. A tropically inspired roof will be completed with a boating seating area and a bobsleigh or two to create the perfect photo opp. Sliders – London’s first ever curling club – returns alongside lane-side hosts who’ll deliver cocktails and icy libations direct to the lanes. Hot cocktails and boozy hot chocolates will be on hand to warm everyone up, and Jimmy Garcia’s BBQ Club will offer up a street food menu to salivate over.

Great Eastern Way, Stratford, E15 1BB

Visit RoofEast.com

Somerset House

Somerset House’s Edmond J. Safra Fountain courtyard is the backdrop to one of London’s most beautiful ice rinks, where you can skate day or night with family and friends. This year, Skate Lates features an extra-special series of music nights throughout the season – the perfect start to the weekend. Après-skate, guests can treat themselves at Fortnum’s Lodge with a ‘skate extra’, all designed for two to share – we like the sound of the champagne and chocolate fondue. Fortnum’s Christmas Arcade will also return, transforming the West Wing into a one-stop, essential festive shopping destination.

Somerset House, Strand, Covent Garden, WC2R 1LA; open from 12th November

Visit SomersetHouse.org.uk

Camino Bankside

Camino Bankside is eeking out the festive season for as long as possible with a winter terrace in association with Sipsmith. Decorated with whimsical lanterns and wreaths and festooned with fairy lights, the Winter Sipping Bar will be a cozy haven from the cold, with blankets and outdoor heaters keeping everyone snug. Expect a range of new festive cocktails, both hot and cold. Think mulled sloe gin, ‘Hot Gin-Gerbread’, and sloe gin with lemon and pink rosemary – all made with Sipsmith’s extensive range of gins.

5 Canvey Street, Bankside, SE1 9AN

Visit Camino.UK.com

FEST Camden

A new season brings a new experience to Fest Camden, which has converted its roof gardens into a winter chalet. Get toasty with mini hot water bottles, candlelit tables, fleece blankets and crackling fire pits. An on-site snow machine will add to the alpine effect while big screens will show Red Bull’s finest snowboarders pulling their most extreme tricks in the mountains. There’ll be live music each day, whilst the rooftop cinema club will take care of Mondays and Tuesdays – screening cosy and nostalgic films to stoke the festive spirit. A hearty menu will offer cheese boards, jacket potatoes and classic pies as well as soups, pizzas, warm pretzels and toffee apples.

Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, Camden, NW1 8AH

Visit FESTCamden.com

Johnnie Walker Frozen Forest

Game of Thrones fans, listen up. An immersive frozen forest worthy of the Night’s Watch is coming to London this November, as Johnnie Walker celebrates the launch of its limited-edition White Walker whisky, produced in collaboration with HBO. Inspired by the Frozen North, home of the much-feared Game of Thrones White Walker army, the Frozen Forest experience will allow you to breathe in the crisp air, walk through a bone-chilling winter landscape and experience the new limited-edition whisky as it’s meant to be served – ice cold. The event will also hold whisky masterclasses that showcase the innovative Scotch in three specially created cocktails: ‘The White Walker’, ‘The Long Winter’ and ‘The Night King’.

Kachette, 347 Old Street, Shoreditch, EC1V 9LP; 9th-10th November

Visit DesignMyNight.com 

The Hari

Belgravia’s Hari hotel has created a winter terrace in partnership with Moët & Chandon. The space is decorated to reflect the winter season, with faux fur rugs and cosy blankets to keep guests warm. The menu offers both a savoury and sweet fondue: the cheese fondue is served with fresh bread, winter vegetables and a selection of charcuterie; the chocolate fondue is made with Italian dark chocolate and is served with doughnut balls, marshmallows and a selection of seasonal fruit. The Hari Bar will also be offering homemade cocoa and a host of seasonal cocktails including eggnog and ‘Santa’s Midnight Tipple’.

20 Chesham Place, Belgravia, SW1X 8HQ

Visit TheHari.com

Rosewood London

Five-star hotel Rosewood London is collaborating with whisky brand The Glenlivet to transform its courtyard into a magical woodland glade. Tucked away from the Christmas crowds, guests will find The Glenlivet Glade, an immersive winter terrace where they can settle in for the evening and enjoy a selection of cocktails and comforting dishes, all while sitting under a spectacular starry ‘night sky’. Bringing the outside in, the glade will welcome guests into an un-spoilt world of the Scottish Highlands, evoking evenings spent outside enveloped by nature, under the stars. Sounds of woodland nightfall will surround guests as they snuggle under fur blankets, sip on warming whisky cocktails and feast on sweet and savoury treats from the Holborn Dining Room kitchen.

252 High Holborn, Holborn, WC1V 7EN

Visit RosewoodHotels.com

Savage Garden

Escape the concrete jungle of the City to the ‘White Forest’ with Savage Garden’s sky-high Narnia-inspired terrace. Guests will travel 12 storeys up, via the express ‘wardrobe’, to Savage Garden’s expansive all-weather terrace, which has been transformed by silver birch and willow trees and the novel’s iconic lamppost. An abundance of twinkling fairy lights and copper lanterns illuminate hand-written luggage tags featuring well known quotes from C.S. Lewis’s most treasured story and, for the ultimate selfie, guests can take a seat on the White Witch’s throne. Libations are Narnia-esque and all made with Absolut Elyx. Choices include a ‘Magical Martini’ (fig liqueur, ‘miracle foam’ and raspberry dust); ‘Absolutely Aslan’ (Antica Formula, Amaro Angostura, sherry, cinnamon syrup and chilli bitters); and ‘The Long Winter’ (pineapple liqueur, orgeat syrup, pineapple juice, ginger and vanilla bitters).

7 Pepys Street, Tower Hill, EC3N 4AF

Visit SavageGarden.co.uk

Skylight London

Following a successful summer season, Skylight is staying open, bringing out the blankets, turning on the heaters, and transforming its sunlit terraces into warm and inviting spaces designed for shorter days and cooler nights. Its winter pop-up is home to a rooftop ice rink alongside festive food, drink and activities. The team has added cosy igloos and mountain huts on its top level, transporting guests to a wintry wonderland perched above the city – the perfect spot to sip on a mulled wine, roasted chestnuts in hand, and admire London's twinkling skyline with friends. Joining the street food team this year is Raclette Brothers, who’ll keep everyone warm with its mountains of melted cheese.

Wapping Lane, Wapping, E1W 2SF

Visit SheerLuxeVIP.com

The Prince

The latest launch from the team behind Pergola Paddington, The Prince in West Brompton has been drawing locals and young Londoners alike since it opened in late 2017. This November, it’s opened for its second winter season. Transformed with winter greenery and foliage, the whole garden lies beneath a clear roof and is fully heated – phew. Expect seasonal drinks such as ‘Sloe Gin Fizz’, 'Rhubarb Bellini’ and mulled wine, plus food from the likes of Patty & Bun, Coqfighter, Foley’s and newcomer Edu. Keep an eye out for The Tudor Room, a new snug spot that’s available to hire for parties.

14 Lillie Road, West Brompton, SW6 1TT

Visit ThePrinceLondon.com

The Churchill Bar & Terrace

Paying homage to namesake Winston Churchill’s love of Scotland and his wife Clementine’s fondness for the Highlands, Churchill’s Highlands Hideaway has launched at 30 Portman Square. A roaring fire, faux fur throws, pine trees, woodland features and a tasteful touch of tartan has transformed the award-winning bar and terrace into a cosy retreat away from the bustling Oxford Street crowds, complete with a decadent menu of inventive Scottish cocktails complemented by comfort food such as traditional Scottish steak pie and homemade Scotch eggs.

30 Portman Square, Marylebone, W1H 7BH

Visit TheChurchillBar.co.uk

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