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Discover the different days of Christmas

Did you know you can find the 12 Days of Christmas right here in London?

A partridge in a pear tree

The Pear Tree in Hammersmith (Margravine Road, W6) is offering Hertfordshire partridge on its Christmas menu.
Getting there: A ten-minute walk from Barons Court or Hammersmith stations.

Two turtle doves

Rare in England in December, turtle doves migrate to North Africa each September. Instead, for winter 2014, TwoRuba at Hilton London Tower Bridge (More London Place, SE1), has created a Two Turtle Doves cocktail.
Getting there: Travel to London Bridge station.

Three French hens

Coucou de Rennes, a variety of chicken that heralds from Breton, often features on the menu at the Michelin-starred Hedone (Chiswick High Road, W4).
Getting there: Take the District line to Chiswick Park or the 27 bus to Chiswick Road.

Four calling birds

Calling birds is actually Americanisation of the traditional English 'colly birds', otherwise known
as blackbirds. For an invigorating winter's day walk, try Morden Hall Park in south west London, on the banks of the River Wandle.
Getting there: Take the tram to Phipps Bridge or Tube to Morden.

Five gold rings

Hatton Garden in Clerkenwell has been famed as the Capital's jewellery quarter since the mid-19th
century, and continues to offer the greatest cluster of jewellery stores in the UK.
Getting there: Buses 243 and 55 go to Hatton Garden, or use cycle hire for Hatton Wall.

Six geese-a-laying

Mudchute City Farm (Pier Street, E14) covers 32 acres on the Isle of Dogs. Besides horses, cows and
pigs, it has a number of Greylag and Chinese geese.
Getting there: Take the DLR to Crossharbour or the River Bus to Masthouse Terrace Pier.

Seven swans-a-swimming

Regent's Park is home to 100 species of wild bird including swans.
Getting there: Head for Baker Street station or collect a hire bike and go to Park Road or St John's Wood docking stations.

Eight maids-a-milking

Long gone are the days when you used to be able to buy fresh milk from a milkmaid in St James's Park.
Head to the V&A to check the 18th century artwork, the Milkmaid's Garland, by English painter, Francis Hayman.
Getting there: Take the Tube to South Kensington or use buses C1, 14, 74 and 414 which stop outside.

Nine ladies dancing

One of London's few remaining dance halls is the ornate Rivoli Ballroom in Brockley (Brockley Road, SE4). Enjoy a tea dance, jive or tango within its red velvet and gold-framed walls.
Getting there: Catch the London Overground to Brockley and then the 172 or 171 bus to Crofton Park.

Ten lords-a-leaping

Where else but the House of Lords? Open to the public, you can watch business in the main chamber for free.
Getting there: Head for Westminster Tube station or use buses 3, 11, 12, 24, 53, 87, 88, 148, 159, 211 or 453.

Eleven pipers piping

Strictly Come Piping is an annual competition for bagpipe players. This year's event takes place on December 6
at the The Mudlark, Montague Close, SE1. Getting there: Take the 35, 47 or 48 bus to London Bridge Borough High Street.

Twelve drummers drumming

With an estimated 10,000 performers, the annual New Year's Day Parade - which begins in Piccadilly and finishes in Parliament Square - will feature dozens of drummers.
Getting there: Decide where you want to watch the event then check tfl.gov.uk for details. 

 

Channel website: https://tfl.gov.uk/

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