The best Christmas markets in central London

[Ironfloor269]

Which ones are the best? I've heard of Leicester Square and South Bank. I've been to Winter Wonderland. Are there any I haven't heard of? And which one is the best?

We want to make a trio to central London and visit a Christmas market and depending on how close by they are, we could go to several?

Natural history museum is quite atmospheric, all sell much the same stuff so you may as well do for p icturesque

@longwayoff, I didn't know NHM did a Christmas market, I thought it was only the ice rink. I much prefer picturesque, as we are not going to be buying much anyway. Thanks.

I didn’t think the Southbank one was that good.

@hmmwhattodo, thanks, that's good to know. DH (having worked in that area when younger) doesn't think much of it either.

Urgh! Havent been for years and believe you're right, my apologies. When I was last there they definitely had stalls with christmassy bits but probably not enough to call a market. Hmm. Hope fully someone else will fill you in as to whether its worth it. Whatever you decide, have a great time.

I hadn't realised the one in Southbank was a Christmas market when we passed the other day as it was mostly food vendors. I thought it was just a food market there all year round.

The problem with the SouthBank one is that it costs vendors £24,000 to rent a cabin for a month

Only a food stall can make that much - there are no 'crafts' unless you count the shipped in fairy lights from China ones

It's really depressing as it looks lovely and it would be an ideal showcase for lots of little crafts made in Britain stalls

I also think the Christmas market at winter wonderland is a bit rubbish unless you like chalets all selling he same stuff ‘made in china’. I’ve yet to hear of a really good one in London. I’m thinking of visiting one in Blenheim Palace which looks more like it.

Quite a nice one in Winchester, in cathedral grounds, very attractive. One hour anand a bit, train from waterloo.

TBH all the Christmas markets that I have been to in and around London sell the same old tat, so it doesn't matter where you go. They will all have Amber jewellery, really expensive personalised decorations, random carved wooden stuff, German sausages in mini baguettes, dangly wind chime like stuff, etc.