Honest review of London Bridge Christmas Market

Christmas by the River has returned to London Bridge, bringing the festive spirit to central London yet one more. But, is it actually definitely worth the cash? And, is it any totally different to the numerous different Christmas markets which can be occurring in London proper now? We’re right here to reply your questions, with a really sincere evaluation of London Bridge Christmas Market. 

Right now, the UK’s Christmas markets are in full swing. And the capital is not any exception. 

During the Christmas interval, the town is brimming with the festive spirit. In reality, do you know that 23% of Brits plan an in a single day UK staycation over the Christmas and New Year interval? Turns out, at the moment of 12 months, there’s no place like residence. 

London is – for my part – at its finest throughout the festive interval. And one in all London’s hottest Christmas sights is the Christmas by the River market. It’s one of many metropolis’s largest and but most charming markets, surrounded by panoramic views of the Thames. 

But, is it actually definitely worth the hype? Well, that can assist you work out whether or not it’s actually value a go to, we’ve shared a really sincere evaluation of Christmas by the River. 

The finest Christmas market in London? – what makes Christmas by the River distinctive

Christmas by the River takes place in London Bridge, alongside the Thames. This is without doubt one of the most picture-perfect areas of East London, and the market is fantastically framed by the skyline, and pinpointed by the Shard and the enduring Tower Bridge.  

One factor’s for sure – London has no scarcity of Christmas markets. So, what does Christmas by the River have to supply that units it aside from the remainder? 

Well firstly, whereas there are many Christmas markets dotted all through the town, that is positively one of many extra peaceable ones. Of course, it’s nonetheless a busy market, however it’s infinitely calmer than the packed crowds and hectic vitality of the Christmas markets at Leicester Square or on the Southbank. These markets can shortly get claustrophobic, even throughout a weekday. 

At the chance of sounding like a Scrooge, I might fill a complete weblog publish with the explanation why I don’t suggest the Leicester Square Christmas market. Yes, it’s nice to see the festive spirit gentle up one in all London’s most well-known areas.

But, I’ve at all times discovered this market to be extraordinarily busy, full of very generic festive stalls, and really costly foods and drinks retailers. It’s very small, and it has (for my part) a Christmas theme that feels very synthetic. Plus, there’s nowhere to take a seat. So, when you’ve acquired your meals, you’re instantly pushed again out into the hustle and bustle of Leicester Square! 

So, should you actually need to go to a Central London Christmas market, I’d be much more more likely to suggest Christmas on the River than the market in Leicester Square. While the Southbank market additionally has an important vibe and a captivating festive really feel, it’s so filled with crowds, you can really feel like a salmon swimming upstream.

In comparability, Christmas on the River is much more spacious, permitting you to breathe simple and browse the stalls at your personal tempo.




Love that conventional Christmas market aesthetic? Haddon Hall Christmas market shouldn’t be one to overlook!

Secondly, one in all my favorite issues about Christmas on the River is its aesthetic. These stalls have a captivating, conventional really feel, and the abundance of fairy lights actually units the entire vibe. It’s the right household market, and there’s positively one thing for everybody. 

The market is free to enter, and also you don’t want to purchase something – you’ll be able to simply have a bit stroll by, as an additional cease throughout your London go to. But, I’d be very stunned should you left with out being tempted by the meals stalls. 

The meals alone is unquestionably a motive to go to Christmas on the River. Although there isn’t as a lot culinary creativity as you’d see in Shoreditch, at Camden market or Greenwich market, there may be nonetheless an important vary of festive meals retailers right here. 

A giant fan of festive meals? Be certain to take a look at our information to Chatsworth Christmas Market

You can sink your enamel into all of your favorite indulgences, with total fleets of stalls devoted to chips, carbs and tacky goodness. I like soiled fries at any time of 12 months, however there’s one thing nice about getting it served from a meals truck, on a freezing chilly winter night. 

Plus, there’s sufficient sugar to fulfill even my candy tooth, with stalls promoting scorching fried cookie dough, contemporary churros, brownies, French patisserie, and an enormous macaroon stall. 

Our 10 high suggestions for a go to to Christmas by the River

In quick, as you’ll be able to in all probability inform, we’d positively suggest a visit. 

Although chilly and busy Christmas markets aren’t everybody’s cup of tea, we reckon this is without doubt one of the finest methods to get into the London Christmas spirit. 

So, should you’re suitably satisfied, and are prepared to start out planning your night, listed below are our high 10 suggestions forward of your go to to Christmas by the River. 

1. Visit the Riverside Lodge 

Don’t be fooled by the identify, that is no extraordinary lodge. Inside, there’s seats and a bar, plus it’s tremendous cosy (because of the heating) and you may take meals in, too. Although there’s not a great deal of seating – so that you’ll need to be fast off the mark! – it’s a pleasant break from the chilly, and lets you actually savour your edible purchases. 






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2. Avoid it within the rain 

This may sound choosy, however belief us – Christmas markets aren’t any enjoyable in a downpour. Because Christmas by the River is so uncovered and open to the weather, it will probably shortly get depressing on a wet night. So, examine the climate forecast forward, and be ready to reschedule if the climate turns. 

3. Best time to go to? 

Undoubtedly, the night is the perfect time of day to go to the market. Not solely is the town skyline its most lovely at night time, however the lights of the market take the environment to an entire different degree. There’s plenty of cute gentle shows all through the market, which offer a festive spectacle in-and-of-themselves. 

4. Prepare for the chilly 

At the chance of sounding like your Mum, be sure to wrap up heat. The bother with Christmas by the River is (as its identify suggests) it’s proper by the river. So you’re actually uncovered to the wind and the chilly. If you’re umming and ahhing about that additional layer, go for it. 

5. Stay for the sunshine present  

Slightly insider’s tip, the Tower of London has a night gentle present, which it places on for the guests to the market. The gentle shows are projected onto the Tower itself, which makes for a extremely beautiful impact. It’s properly value including to your go to itinerary. 

6. Expect commonplace London market costs

Not a tip par say, however it’s at all times good to have a way of what to anticipate cost-wise. The meals is beneath a tenner for a small plate, which is about common for London Christmas markets. So you received’t be ripped off, however don’t come for reasonable eats. Having mentioned that, there’s loads of samples on supply, so you’ll be able to simply replenish on these!

7. Choose your go to time properly 

Where attainable, keep away from Saturday daytime (steerage which applies to just about any exercise in London). If you’ll be able to go throughout the week, nice. If not, simply you should definitely mentally put together your self – it would positively be busy. 

8. Browse the small outlets 

We love an unbiased store, and there’s a great deal of implausible small companies to discover right here. Avoid the usual see-everywhere-stalls, and focus your purchaser’s eye on the issues which can be out of the extraordinary, and the beautiful items and contemporary meals made by small indies. 

9. Carbs, carbs and extra carbs

In true festive trend, that is the place to essentially deal with your self. While there’s not a lot in the way in which of wholesome, nutritious international meals, there are a great deal of spots to get top-tier truffles, burgers, scorching canines and scorching sandwiches. 






10. Set apart a while for present buying 

If you’re a TikTokker, you’ll have heard a great deal of hype in regards to the meals right here. And whereas sure, there’s a great deal of grub to strive, that’s solely half the story. In my opinion, the present stalls are equally pretty much as good. So, be sure to save time to examine these out (earlier than you’re drained and able to head again into the nice and cozy). 


We hope you loved this very sincere evaluation of London’s Christmas by the River. 

Are there any suggestions or insights that I’ve missed on this checklist? Or, are there any stalls that you simply’d suggest visiting, for readers searching for a evaluation of Christmas by the River? 

If you’ve acquired every other inside suggestions that you simply assume we have to add to our checklist, we’d love to listen to them! Get in contact with us within the feedback, or by our socials.


London Bridge - Christmas by the river



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