The Serpentine

If Harrod's has left you broke and claustrophobic, and your trip to the Royal Albert Hall has left you wanting to cosplay Victorian dandies, then a promenade along the Serpentine is most certainly in order. The snaking lake, connected through underground waterways to the Thames, has remained an iconic part of London's most illustrious aristocracy, artists, and society scandal (Shelley's first wife drowned herself in the waters in 1816). Now the lake sits within a stone's throw of the Diana Memorial Fountain, bustling Speakers' Corner, and, of course, the Serpentine Gallery. While the perfect spot for a summer stroll, The Serpentine is especially beautiful in the cold seasons. If you're lucky enough to spend your holiday season in London, make your way there for an authentic Boxing Day outing.