How to spend Boxing Day in Central London: A one-day itinerary for 2026

After the excitement of Christmas Day, there is no need to rush into Boxing Day. Start slowly with a good breakfast and, more importantly, a strong coffee.

Fitzrovia has plenty of independent coffee shops within a short walk, making it an easy place to begin the day.

Coffee stops nearby:

– Kiss the Hippo Coffee – 36 Berners Street
– Kaffeine Great Titchfield Street – 66 Great Titchfield Street

If none of those quite fit the mood, there are plenty more cafes in Fitzrovia worth adding to your morning route.

Once coffee is finished, spend some time browsing the shops around Fitzrovia Quarter. There is a mix of fashion, beauty, footwear, gifts and specialist stores within easy walking distance of one another.

Shops to check out:

– Margaret Howell – 63 Margaret Street
– Dr Martens – 184-188 Oxford Street

There is much more beyond the big names, from familiar high-street favourites to smaller stops nearby. Take a look at shopping on Oxford Street before deciding where your Boxing Day bargain hunt should take you.

After a morning of browsing, take a break from the shops and settle in for lunch. Fitzrovia Quarter has plenty of restaurants close enough that you do not need to travel across Central London just to find something good to eat.

For lunch:

– 1947 London – 4 Great Portland Street, regular lunch hours 12pm – 3pm
– Arros QD – 64 Eastcastle Street, regular hours from 12pm – 10:30pm

Still hungry for options? There are plenty more restaurants on and nearby Oxford Street, whether you want a quick lunch or somewhere to linger for a little longer.

 

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Once the shopping crowds pick up, swap Oxford Street for a quieter afternoon of immersive art.

– Frameless – 0.8 mile (a 23-min walk from Fitzrovia Quarter), open 12pm – 7pm on Boxing Day
– Moco Museum London – 0.8 mile (a 23-min walk), open 10am – 5pm during Boxing Day

Those are only a starting point. Museums in Central London are packed if you want to spend a little longer indoors. Just keep in mind that not every museum is open on Boxing Day, so always check the venue’s official opening hours before you visit.

By this point, your feet may be asking for a Boxing Day break of their own. After shopping and a few hours exploring Central London, a massage is an easy way to slow the pace before the evening begins.

– Wumman Spa – 51 Great Portland Street, regular hours 9am – 9pm
– DAMU at The Mandrake – 19-21 Newman St, regular hours 10am – 8pm

There are more ways to unwind with a massage in Fitzrovia, especially if a little post-Christmas rest and recovery sounds better than another busy attraction.

Not quite ready for dinner? Make room for afternoon tea, from a playful British classic to a stylish spot where tea can turn into evening drinks.

Afternoon tea picks:

– Sanderson’s Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea – 50 Berners Street, open 12pm – 7pm
– Café Royal Grill at Hotel Café Royal – 68 Regent Street, open 12pm – 5:30pm – 0.7 mile (a 19-min walk)

Classic, quirky or somewhere in between, these afternoon tea spots in Fitzrovia offer plenty more inspiration.

 

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By evening, it is time to slow down and settle in for dinner. Whether you fancy a relaxed meal or something more casual, Fitzrovia has plenty of options within a short walk.

Dinner options:

– Faros Restaurant – 22-24 Great Portland Street, open 12pm – 11pm
– Honest Burgers – 4 Market Place, open 11am – 11pm

And if the group still cannot agree on what to eat, the best restaurants in Fitzrovia give you a few more options to settle the debate.

 

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Christmas Day may be over, but London clearly has not got the memo. Save the lights for last, when the streets are dark and the displays look their best.

– Best for a starry stroll: Oxford Street
– Best for angelic magic: Regent Street – 0.4 mile (a 8-min walk from Fitzrovia Quarter)
– Best for something colourful and quirky: Carnaby Street – 0.4 mile (a 10-min walk)

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Turn all three into an evening route through some of the best Christmas lights in Central London. Once you have seen the lights, wander through Soho, Fitzrovia and the surrounding West End instead of heading straight home. These walkable neighbourhoods in Central London are an easy way to keep exploring on foot.