Christmas Markets in London

By Vanessa Teo

Get in the festive spirit and celebrate December with a very merry Christmas Market. With a wide range of markets to choose from, from your arts-and-crafts to your fairground-fun you can’t help but fall captive to London’s Christmas spirit. As soon as we get a hint of winter, out comes the mulled wine and cider and mince pies as a warming remedy after a day shopping or ice skating. So here are some of our favourite Christmas Markets in London which we recommend you visit whilst you’re here over the festive period. Kew Gardens Christmas at Kew is an enchanting, illuminated trail through the gorgeous Kew Gardens. Take a walk through the mile-long trail and weave your way through a wonderland of lights and musical installations. It’s as if you’ve stepped into a night-time fairytale; a land of illuminated tulips, giant mistletoe, a tunnel of lights and a Santa’s Grotto. That’s not to mention the fairground and bumper cars for the kids, too. Everywhere you turn you’ll be serenaded with Christmas carols and classic festive tunes from Frank Sinatra to the Nut Cracker. It’s a great experience for families and kids, and especially romantic if it’s just the two of you. Open: 26th November 2014 – 3rd January 2015, 5pm to 10pm. Adult: £17; Child: £12 Winter Wonderland This Christmas Market-come-Extravaganza is a great one for everyone! Right in the middle of Hyde Park, Winter Wonderland is London’s most central Christmas experience and is exactly what it says on the tin; a veritable ‘wonderland’. With a Ferris wheel, ice skating, fairground rides, mini-rollercoasters and a Bavarian village complete with wooden chalet-style bars serving everything from ‘deer’s blood’ (aka mulled wine) to egg nog and hot cider, it’s a great place to go in both the evening and night. Winter Wonderland is also a great place to go for some artisan knick-knacks and you can find everything there from novelty scarves and slippers, to hand-made silver jewellery and candles. Make sure you’ve got plenty of stamina as there’s a lot to explore, but don’t worry you’ll be well fed and well watered along the way with a wide range of food and drink stalls to stop at. Open: 21st November – 4th January 2015, 10am – 10pm. Entry is free but attractions run on ‘token’ sold at various points inside. Enchanted Woodland One of the lesser known Christmas experiences, the Enchanted Woodland at Syon Park is akin to the experience at Kew Gardens, and is pretty much around the corner in West London. Home to the Duke of Northumberland when he’s in London, Syon Park is another spectacular old estate whose gardens date back over 600 years. Syon Park is illuminated with dreamlike light installations and comes alive at night. It's a breath-taking walk through a quiet part of London and you won’t find any screaming children on merry-go-rounds here, so it might be a better option for those looking for a calmer, Christmas retreat. Catch it for its last weekend, before it closes 7th December. Open: 5pm - 9pm Fridays – Sunday. Adult: £7; Child: £3 Winterville Like any East London pop-up event, Winterville promises an alternative Christmas Market experience. With street food traders and a wide range of drink venues to choose from, it’s a great one to go to (especially for a younger crowd) if you want a mould-breaker of a market. Get your skates on if you fancy a go in the Ice Rink, or if you want something a bit more energetic there’s also a Roller Disco and the Wall of Death, a motordrome, where you can watch vintage motorcycles and daredevil stuntmen perform thrilling acts. Stick around in the evening when Winterville puts on Cabaret and Comedy nights, and even club events, too. You’ll have a Hot Cider Bar, Craft Beer area and an onsite Pub to choose from to keep you going well into the evening, so visit their website for more information if you fancy a bit of late night Christmas fun. Open: 2nd December – 1st January 2015, 10am – late. Entry is free but tickets for the attractions and events can be purchased at various points inside. Winter Festival Southbank’s Winter Festival is back another year and is – arguably – one of the most picturesque Christmas Markets in London thanks to its unique riverside position. At any time of year the Southbank is bustling with visitors and locals who like to take a walk along the promenade overlooking the Thames, Westminster and London Eye and at Christmas it's even more enchanting. Lined up along the river are stalls and selling festive food, gifts and more - plus, this year, there's a new Viewing Deck Bar where you can take refuge from the cold and warm up with a mulled wine or cider. The Winter Festival also has a Christmas Tree Maze and a number of events and shows to enjoy from the world of circus and burlesque to stand-up comedy nights. Open: 5th November – 4th January 2015, 10am – late. Entry is free but tickets for the shows and events can be purchased at the ticket offices.

Continue reading

Blog

Summer in London: Last Chance

We’ve come up with a last-minute article about last-minute things that last-minute you can do to get the most out of summer in London. We’re not big on technicalities here. If it’s sunnier and warmer than the majority of the year, then it’s probably still summer. So here are some ideas to get you going (you’d better get going quick). But first, an appropriate verse from Mr Bob Dylan’s Desolation Row, a perfect depiction of the twilight of the good times. They’re sweeping up the mounds of confetti, They’re taking the bunting down, The bouncy castle’s been deflated, The ice cream man’s left town. But there’s still time to see some of the following Events as you’re about to read, Who are point blank refusing to come inside Like a dog running off from its lead. And if you have any suggestions On stuff to do before the summer goes Just let us know with a comment in the Comment box below. Get Down by the River Totally Thames is a festival that encourages you to get outside (whatever the weather) to engage with and celebrate the city’s main water feature, the River Thames. The month-long festival of events kicks off on 1st September and wraps up on the 30th, meaning its perfectly placed to pick you up as the holidays draw to a close. Highlights include nighttime kayak tours on the river, a huge regatta challenge event on the 29th and concerts in the bascule chambers of Tower Bridge. The centrepiece artwork of the festival is The Ship of Tolerance, a boat with a sail made up of illustrations by 100 local schoolchildren. It will be bobbing up to the Tate Modern from the 4th September, but for now it’s at the Royal Docks. Find out more on the Totally Thames website. Go Royal Yeah, yeah, not very summery is it. We know. But this is still one the best things to do with your summer in London, particularly as it cools down. September is the last month in which you can enjoy a visit to Buckingham Palace and its wonderful state rooms. The Queen and her family are still on their summer holidays, so take up the chance to see the magnificent Grand Staircase and marvel at the cream and gold fixtures and fittings of the White Drawing Room. Don't forget to take a walk around the sprawling Palace Garden with its grand herbaceous border and rose garden. You can take a tour of Buckingham Palace up until the 29th September, so book now to avoid disappointment. Check availability on their website here. Stay Outside as Long as You Can OK, this is more like it. Just because it’s September doesn’t mean the sun’s completely gone and being outside is unbearable. You’re thinking of October. Until October, Summer in London is go. And where better to enjoy Summer in London than on one of the capital’s best rooftop bars. From Shoreditch’s buzzing Queen of Hoxton, to Lost in Brixton’s new jungle-themed roof terrace, there are plenty of above-ground areas where you can drink, eat and wave a long goodbye to the sun. Check out our recommendations for the best rooftop bars in London here. Music-wise, we’re really excited about The Nest Collective’s Campfire Club events taking place in September. They’ve been delighting intimate audiences all summer with folk acts and drinks around the campfire. There’s nothing quite like music round the flames as the nights draw in and these guys know it. Check out all their September events here. The capital’s excellent set of outdoor cinemas are not willing to give up on summer in London. Pop Up Screens’ enthusiasm for movies alfresco isn’t going anywhere any time soon, with the touring screen heading to Fulham, Holborn, Hammersmith, Greenwich and Parsons Green before September is through. Bohemian Rhapsody, The Incredibles 2, The Greatest Showman and Get Out are among some of the flicks they’re bringing with them. The Luna Cinema is also still going through September, with showings of The Meg, The Favourite and A Star is Born at various London venues. And the always-popular Rooftop Film Club are bringing screenings of Cruel Intentions, Rocketman, The Blair Witch Project and many more to Roof East, the Bussey Building and Queen of Hoxton. A Different Kind of Festival Season Well, we’ve already told you about the Totally Thames festival that is totally happening this September, but there are other fantastic to get out and enjoy as summer in London wraps up as slowly as we’ll allow it to. The Udderbelly Festival on the South Bank is enjoying its biggest and most popular year yet. It has plenty of family-friendly arts events, Udderbelly Lates evenings for adults-only and live podcast recordings this year. That’s in addition to its usual packed schedule of fantastic circus, comedy, cabaret and music performances. With tons of street food places available at each performance, this London pop-up has a real festival atmosphere that’ll help you forget that school is back and you’ve got deadlines coming up. Have a look-see here for more info on what to book. London Design Festival kicks off on 14th September, turning the city into its stage until the 22nd. There’s a ludicrous amount of stuff to see this year, with over 400 large-scale pieces of public art and installations, exhibitions and talks across the city. We’re particularly looking forward to seeing Japanese architect Kengo Kuma’s Bamboo Ring outside the Victoria and Albert Museum, as well as Please Be Seated by Paul Cocksedge in Finsbury Square. Work out your festival itinerary here. And dovetailing seamlessly with the London Design Festival is Open House London. This annual festival of architecture that sees many of London’s architectural landmarks open their doors for free. This year, it’s taking place on the weekend of 21st-22nd September. Take a look inside the Greek Masonic Temple close to Liverpool Street, explore the iconic Custom House on the north bank of the Thames, or join the ballot to be in with a chance of heading up The Shard. Check out the extensive set of buildings open this year on the Open House London website. So, those are some of the things we’ll be doing to cling onto summer in London. If you’ve got any other ideas, let us know in the comments below.
Matthew Pearson
Blog

Historic Buildings and Monuments in London

Learn about London’s heritage at the best historic buildings in London The City of London dates back to Roman times so there’s no shortage of historic attractions to visit. One of the most impressive and iconic attractions, and one of the most important London landmarks, is the Tower of London. Dating back to 1066 and the Norman Conquest, this historic fortress is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city as it documents over eight centuries' worth of London history from the royal family, to notorious prisoners and politicians. Visit the oldest exhibition in the world, the Line of Kings, to see the armor of the old rulers, as well as the priceless Crown Jewels and Traitor’s Gate. See the legendary ravens hopping around the courtyard, pop into the Jewel Tower and follow a Beefeater Tour to learn of the tales of those who used to live in this historic building. Just in front of the Tower of London is the Tower Bridge (often mistaken for London Bridge). Tower Bridge is one of London’s most iconic landmarks and has sat astride the River Thames since 1894. This Victorian bascule steam-powered bridge was a feat of industrial engineering in its time. Now, it’s been opened up to the public to take a look into the bowels of the bridge, and also to walk across the top walkways featuring the new Glass Walkways to look down at the river and see the pedestrians walking below. Offering great views up and downstream, it’s a great historic building in London to learn about the city both past and present. Another famous historic site in London is Westminster Abbey, the stunning Gothic UNESCO World Heritage Site and coronation church since the 11th century. Westminster Abbey is one of the most beautiful and impressive historic buildings in London and is the burial ground of some of England’s legendary authors, scientists and great thinkers, from Charles Darwin to Geoffrey Chaucer. It’s been in the spotlight more recently as it was the site of Kate & Wills’ wedding in 2011 and it’s also open daily for sermons and worship. If you are a fan of the Royal Family and the history of the monarchy, make sure you visit one of the many royal residences in London. The picturesque Kensington Palace in West London was the childhood home of Queen Victoria; then it was the home of the late Princess Diana and now her eldest son, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, who lives there with Kate and his two children. Kensington Palace also has a series of fascinating exhibits on show, opening up its State Rooms to the public, and has an Orangery on the grounds serving traditional Afternoon Tea! Windsor Castle on the outskirts of London is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world – and is the Queen’s preferred weekend residence. Set in the small borough of Windsor, this rural town is a great place for a day trip. With the Changing of the Guard, 39 State Rooms and a famous Dolls House, it’s one of England’s most popular royal palaces for both locals and visitors alike. Hampton Court Palace is another historic building outside London where you can learn about King Henry VIII and his life as a Tudor King. Visit the historic hedgerow maze, tennis courts, manicured gardens and Tudor Kitchens. Join in on a tour and learn about the secrets and scandals of life at court and just what went on under King Henry VIIIs rule! 
Kirsten McCroskrie
Blog

Vegan Nights 2nd Birthday Party: September 5th 2019

A popular East London vegan street food market and party, Vegan Nights celebrates its second birthday on 5th September 2019. Come along for stall after stall of the best vegan street food in the country, wash it down with drinks from the 100% vegan bar, then check out the covered warehouse dancefloor where DJs spin cruelty-free reggae, roots, grime, house and bashment tunes until 11pm. Two might not seem like a huge number birthday-wise. But in the context of vegan parties, it’s worth celebrating. These guys were pioneers when they set up their festival-style night of plant-based eats and beats back in September 2017. The whole project has grown so much since the first night they put on: Vegan Nights events currently stretch out across 50,000ft2 of the old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane. The clue’s in the name. This isn’t a place about tote bag shopping for strange spiky cabbages or mixing your own muesli. This is all about the night. It’s about going out with your pals. It’s a place where being vegan gives you something extra, it doesn’t take it away. There’s an emphasis on dirty vegan stuff, late night eats and fast food...but there’s more besides the burgers, the loaded fries and the kebabishes. It’s a party and a celebration. And because it’s their birthday, they’re going bigger than ever before. Here’s a little taster of what you can expect to find... The Food The list of street food vendors confirmed for the Vegan Nights birthday bash is sure to get anyone excited. Big names like Jake’s Vegan Steaks, Pig Out, Cupcakes and Shhht, and Wholesome Junkies are all coming along, making the line up one of the most eclectic and innovative yet. We’re particularly excited about Yo Dough coming down from Birmingham with their deep fried vegan cookie dough. Read that again and weep. Happy dairy-free tears. The Hogless Roast guys have come up with something new: the UK’s first 100% plant-based hog roast roll. Their plant protein ‘hog’ is deliciously smoky; it comes topped with salty crackling and tangy apple sauce...all stuffed in a toasted roll. Order one with a side of their mini hash browns and you’ll be happy as a pig in... Phung Kay Vegan! Their vegan takes on Chinese dim sum classics are inspired. The two chefs behind this plant-based venture are super passionate about the food they’re making and prioritise experimenting on new recipes as their mouthwatering Instagram shows. Fresh from freshening up the options at Netil Market in London Fields and Sourced Market at St Pancras Station, Dappa are at Vegan Nights this year. Their plant-based soft serve ice creams come generously drizzled with sauce and topped with nuts and choc and all the good stuff. Made from almonds and cashews, the soft serve is super soft and creamy - ideal for when you need to cool off and satisfy a sweet tooth in your group. Tickets Get tickets on their website. General admission is a tenner, but you’ll find deals for those who buy a few at a time. If you’ve bought multiple tickets, make sure you have your whole group with you when you enter. The Rules and Facts Kick off is at 5pm and the place closes at 11pm. Last entry is at 10.15pm. But that will be a pretty intense 45 mins run round all the stalls, stuff your face as you go, grab a beer, quick dance and go. You may be able to get tickets on the door, but it’s subject to availability. Given that their first year saw 3000 folks descending on what was then a 500 capacity venue, it’s safe to say you may want to book online in advance. This event is for all ages. Under 12s even get in free. But you should know that the music is pretty loud, it gets pretty packed and alcohol is served at all Vegan Nights events. So, you know, earplugs are a maybe, keeping an eye on them is a must. Don’t bring any of your own food or liquids into the event. Bring empty bottles and containers only. Some traders even offer discounts if you’re using reusables. There is a water point in the venue. You can bring a dog. But they have to be into loud music. And vegan. Just kidding on the second one. Vegan Nights events are no reentry and tickets are non-refundable. There are no cloakrooms available, so leave your big bags back at home or the Airbnb. If you can’t make their Birthday party on the 5th September, make sure you get down to their party on 31st October 2019 at the same venue. They’re celebrating World Vegan Day and Halloween. There’s a fancy dress code. See if you can guess what it is. So we hope you have a blast at Vegan Nights 2nd Birthday Party. Looking for a little more info on green living in London? Look no further.
Matthew Pearson

Have a 10% discount, on us!

Sign up to our newsletter and receive exclusive discounts, trip inspiration and attraction updates straight to your inbox.

  • Thick check Icon