Christmas spirit is alive and well in the capital – you might not know it from the stressed shoppers charging around Oxford Street, but take a walk round the corner to Hyde Park and you'll arrive in their Winter Wonderland.

This is the third year London's Hyde Park has hosted this Christmas fair and it's bigger and better than ever before – the size of the fair now covers 32 acres.

Give yourself a rest from the rush of Christmas shopping and relax in the Winter Wonderland, where you'll remember exactly why the festive season is so magical, whatever your age.

Whether you're into rides, skating, shopping, or want to take the kids to see Santa, Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland has it all covered.

And an added bonus is the celebrity spotting – in the past, visitors to this attraction have included the Beckhams, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, Nicole Kidman, Chris Martin, Gwen Stefani, Hugh Jackman and Girls Aloud. If it's good enough for them...

Santa Land

If you're taking kids to the Winter Wonderland, the main draw is likely to be Santa Land.

Previously, a visit to Santa here has been voted Best Outdoor Experience by London's Time Out entertainment magazine. So this year looks set to be even more magical, as Santa gets his very own quarters in Hyde Park – Santa Land.

A visit to Santa is absolutely free and is on a first come, first served basis, with gifts for lucky children who meet him.

Step outside of the grotto and you can enjoy some gentle rides suitable for little ones, like the North Pole Slide, Christmas Jumper, Balloon Ride and an Elves' Workshop. If you're feeling peckish after that, you can pay a visit to the Elves' Soup Kitchen for a bite to eat.

One of the best attractions at Santa Land is the Santa Land Express, a train that travels round the area with its own station, bridge and level crossing.

Santa Land is open 10am – 10pm, Santa's grotto is open noon – 6pm and noon – 4pm Christmas Eve.

Festive Rides

Bigger kids and grown ups are catered for, too – there are plenty of exciting rides and attractions to keep you busy.

If you're afraid of heights, you might want to stay away from the Power Tower. This drop ride is a terrifying 66 metres above the ground, making for an exhilarating experience.

Thrill seekers won't want to miss out on the new rollercoaster either, or the Black Hole ride which sends you spinning and plunging through the dark.

Explore the inside of an Ice Monster, and brave the Christmas Pirate Adventure.

Buy tokens for each ride and attraction.

Skating Rink

Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a glide (or slip and slide) around an ice rink.

Winter Wonderland is the perfect place for a family skate, skate date, or to practice your ice moves.

You can even hire an ice guide, who will take groups of up to 15 people around the rink.

Wheelchairs are welcome at most skating sessions, too.

See The Lowdown for prices.

Zippo's Christmas Circus

The famous Zippo's Circus puts on two festive treats for visitors to Hyde Park.

During the day, Timoni the Elf and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer open a magic toy box to present some exciting circus stars.

Then at night time, there's a show for older audiences, The Palace of Grand Illusion.

International illusionist Guy Barrett shows off a series of tricks and magic that will amaze you.

See The Lowdown for prices.

95.8 Capital FM Giant Wheel

Forget the London Eye, there's only one place to get a bird's eye view of London at Christmas.

The giant wheel stands at a massive 200 feet, with 40 pods that hold six people each.

Take a trip around the wheel and look out over the rest of the fair, as well as Hyde Park and the capital.

Pods are heated to keep you toasty while you look out across London.

And for special occasions you can hire a private pod or even a VIP one, which comes with leather seats, screens, tinted windows and a glass floor.

See The Lowdown for prices.

Markets, Gifts and Goodies

Back again this year is the popular German market, a great alternative to high street shopping.

There are 50 beautifully decorated wooden chalets with a great range of gifts and some delicious food and drink.

For those who love continental food there are seasonal treats from Germany and the rest of Europe.

But if you fancy something more traditional, there's real ale, hot cider, pies and a hog roast.

The lowdown

Address: Serpentine Road, Hyde Park, London, W2 2UH

Web: www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

Tel: 0844 847 1771

Open: Until January 3, 10am – 10pm daily except Christmas Day

Prices: Free entry, buy tokens for rides and book tickets for skating, wheel and circus. Combination tickets available for skating, wheel and circus. Skating: adults from £10, children from £7.50, concessions from £9, families from £20, ice guides £30. Wheel: adults £7.50, children £4.50, families £20, private pods from £45, VIP pods from £60. Circus: adults from £7.50, children from £4.50, concessions from £6.50, families from £19.50

All photos courtesy of Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.