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Just super Christmas markets!
05.12.07
How sweet: Shoppers admire the festive treats on offer at Tower Bridge European Christmas Market
Treats galore: Covent Garden's 12 Day Christmas Market
Hyde Park's Christmas market features Europe's largest outdoor ice rink
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What better way to combine the twin pleasures of shopping and eating than at one of London's new crop of Christmas markets? This year, you can leave those claustrophobically thronged high streets to masochists with sharp elbows.
The rest of us, meanwhile, will be warming our mitts on a steaming mug of gluhwein, tucking into a mince pie and listening to carol singers, all the while fitting in some Christmas shopping in the company of our mates and, of course, not neglecting to make that all-important visit to Santa's grotto.
There are Christmas markets dotted all over the capital this year. Wherever you work or live, there's somewhere fun and convenient for you to visit to choose original gifts, sample good food and enjoy seasonal entertainment.
So, try one of the markets from our pick of the best and we promise you Christmas shopping will never be the same again.
Winter Wonderland
The ice rink, helter-skelter, big wheel, and classic carousel make Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park fun for all the family. However, those who would prefer to be indulging in some festive feasting rather than fairground thrills should head straight for the authentic German Christmas Market, flooded in special illuminations, at its heart. Here you can sample sweet German classics like stollen, gingerbread and some strangely appealing marzipan "potatoes". But if with the chilly weather you find yourself in need of something that is savoury and a little more substantial, tuck into some traditional German suckling pig in a roll, £5, white sausage, £3, or even that old exchange student favourite, currywurst, £3.
WHAT TO TRY? Pork with fried potatoes and sauerkraut, £9.
WHAT TO BUY? Cosy reindeer throws (from £60) for snuggling under on the big wheel.
WHERE? Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, between Hyde Park Corner and the Serpentine.
WHEN? Until 6 January (excluding 25 December).
OPENING TIMES? Winter Wonderland 10am-10pm; market trading 11am-8pm Monday-Friday; 10am-8pm Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays.
Covent Garden's 12 Day Christmas Market
Part of Christmas Deluxe, Covent Garden Piazza's 2007 festive bonanza, the Twelve Days of Christmas Market offers entertainment and gourmet treats galore. Tempting stocking fillers like hand-made chocolates and candy canes will be on offer alongside treats for your groaning Christmas table. Figgy pudding, roasted chestnuts, and truckles of Stilton hit the right olde worlde note.
WHAT TO TRY? A cup of hot mulled wine and a mince pie, £3.50.
WHAT TO BUY? A turducken from the poultry stand - that's a turkey stuffed with a duck stuffed with a chicken.
WHERE? Covent Garden Piazza, Covent Garden.
WHEN? 12 December to 23 December.
OPENING TIMES? 10am-6pm.
Tower Bridge European Christmas Market
This small market by Tower Bridge offers good shopping, eating and drinking with heated outdoor seating. There are a few rides for children and plenty of stalls selling handicrafts, sweetmeats and assorted knick-knacks, but the biggest draw is the food and drink. Head for the Hofbr‰uhaus, a mini beer hall, where you can listen to German rock, tuck into a schnitzel, £6, and enjoy a pint of wheat beer, £4. Combine your visit with a trip to the ice rink at Tower Bridge to make a real evening of it.
WHAT TO TRY? Flammkuchen, a pizza-like tart topped with onions and cheese, £5.
WHAT TO BUY? The kitsch gift of choice - gingerbread hearts iced with messages for your loved ones, £3.50 each.
WHERE? Potters Fields Park, Southwark, between Tower Bridge and City Hall.
WHEN? Until 22 December.
OPENING TIMES? 10am-8pm.
Greenwich Christmas Market
Kicking off tomorrow, a Christmas Market lends an extra touch of foodie allure to the draw of Greenwich's already famous covered market, with a food court at weekends. This is the place for those south of the river to fill their larders for the holiday season with sides of the best smoked salmon, boxes of authentic Turkish delight and strings of traditional pork chipolata. Take a break from the shopping with a hot berry punch from Ye Olde Drinks - an excellent on-the-wagon alternative to all that head-spinning mulled wine. And look out for those stalls which are trading in "mince pounds" - no, not your festive season weight gain, but Greenwich Market's very own Christmas currency which entitles you to discounted panto tickets and skating.
WHAT TO BUY? Rich fruit Christmas cakes, iced or studded with nuts, from the Real Baking Company, £7.95.
WHAT TO TRY? Freshly-shucked native oysters from Mac's fish stall.
WHERE? Greenwich Covered Market, College Approach, Greenwich.
WHEN? 6 December-24 December, then 28 December-31 December.
OPENING TIMES? 10am-5.30pm.
Whitecross Christmas Food Festival
This two-day event at Whitecross Street Market near Old Street starts on Friday with late-night shopping until 9pm, overseen by the team from the rejuvenated Borough Market. The 80-plus stalls include such well-known names as Neal's Yard Dairy, Sillfield Farm and Flour Power City Bakery. A full programme in the demo kitchen should ensure that it's a little different from your average Christmas shopping trip.
WHAT TO BUY? Wild boar sausages and hams from Sillfield Farm in Cumbria.
WHAT TO TRY? Homemade soup from Jamie Oliver's students.
WHERE? Whitecross Street, EC1.
WHEN? 7 & 8 December.
OPENING TIMES? 11am-9pm Friday; 11am-4pm Saturday.
Slow Food Market
Slow Food UK, which campaigns for food produced in an environmentally and ethically sound manner, is launching London's first Slow Food Market at Southbank Centre. There are 25 stalls selling game pies, biodynamic vegetables and flourless Christmas puddings. Look out for Stichelton Blue, an unpasteurised alte rnative to the usual Christmas Stilton, from Neal's Yard Dairy.
WHAT TO BUY? An organic, heritage turkey from Sheepdrove Farm.
WHAT TO TRY? Spit roast pork with apple sauce and hot spicy cider from the Canteen stall.
WHERE? Southbank Centre Square, outside the Royal Festival Hall.
WHEN? 20 December until 23 December.
OPENING TIMES? 11am-8pm.
Waltham Cross
For extra shopping opportunities get down to the Waltham Cross market open every Sunday (10am to 4pm) from now until Christmas. Goods for sale include men's and women's fashion, cards and wrapping paper, jewellery and fine linens.
Newham International Market
With traders from across Europe, this market in Meridian Square, Stratford, has a real continental feel. From French bread to Dutch cheese and German sausage, there's something for virtually every taste. Other goods being sold are jams, biscuits, crepes, herbs, hand cut soaps and lace tablecloths.
3-7 December.
Frost Fair
Husky dog sledding is among the December attractions at the Bankside Frost Fair, by the river outside Tate Modern and Shakespeare's Globe.
Click here for more details
Kingston Christmas German Market
Traditional German gifts such as candles, crystals, wooden toys, and jewellery will be on sale, while delicacies such as bratwurst, stöllen and glühwein will also be available.
17-22 December. Ancient Market Place, Kingston.
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Reader views (2)
Agree with AJ - although free entry, found the Winter Wonderland dissapointing. Just needed candy floss to top it off.
- Tm, Battersea
I went to the Winter Wonderland on Saturday - it was very tacky and cheap. The stalls were nothing to do with German goodies and the rest was just a low-grade funfair. My advice? Don't bother.
- Aj, London
