London Christmas markets gave me a festive evening out in December 2018, even as the rain became harder to escape. This short tour begins on the South Bank, continues beside Tower Bridge and London Bridge, and finishes among the wooden stalls in Leicester Square.
The original film premiered on 22 December 2018. These photographs come from that visit, with the full eight-minute episode below. It is a record of the markets that year, including the weather that shaped the evening.
South Bank Christmas market and the Rekorderlig Lodge
I started beside the Southbank Centre, where a two-storey Swedish-style lodge stood among the food stalls. The Rekorderlig Lodge was a conspicuous part of the scene, with its bright frontage and people gathered on both levels.
Along the river, wooden chalets sold festive things beneath strings of lights. I also pointed out the food market behind the Southbank Centre and a carousel nearby. There was plenty to look at before moving on to the next stop.
The South Bank felt like a good place to begin the Christmas markets tour. People were walking between the stalls, stopping to browse and gathering around the food and drink stands. I let the camera follow that activity, with the lights overhead setting the scene.
Christmas by the River near Tower Bridge
The next part of the film starts beside Tower Bridge. I described the market as running along the riverbank towards London Bridge, giving this stop a very different backdrop from the South Bank.
However, rain was beginning to fall. I decided to head towards one of the lodge bars before looking around the market. The food smelled wonderful.
The market looked inviting, but the rain kept coming. After a brief look at the busy bar area, I began making my way towards London Bridge station. The plan was to take the Tube to another market and hope for better weather.
Shelter and a Christmas tree in Hay’s Galleria
On the way, I stepped into Hay’s Galleria to get out of the rain. There were a few stalls inside, and the large Christmas tree gave me another festive scene to film beneath the roof.
This was a welcome pause between the outdoor visits. I still liked the riverside market, but standing somewhere dry made the weather outside feel even less appealing. From here, I continued towards the station and a more central stop.
Leicester Square Christmas market in the rain
By the time I reached Leicester Square, the rain had not stopped. Nevertheless, I went into the Christmas market in the gardens to see the stalls and decorations.
Strings of lights and hanging snowflakes filled the space above the wooden chalets. Visitors carried umbrellas between the stalls, while the wet paving reflected the colours around them. Those reflections became one of the most distinctive details of the evening.
I enjoyed the market and said it was worth a visit, while admitting I would have preferred a dry evening. After looking around, I was ready to find somewhere warmer. The film leaves the market behind and follows the lights back into the surrounding streets.
A pint and a seat beside the fire
The final stop was a pub, where I had a pint of beer and found a seat beside the fire. After an evening spent walking in the rain, that was a particularly welcome place to finish.
The episode lingers on the flames rather than adding another destination. It is a simple ending to a Christmas markets tour shaped as much by the weather as by the stalls and lights.
Watch the Christmas markets tour
Watch the full film below for the South Bank, the London Bridge riverside, Hay’s Galleria and Leicester Square. The featured music includes Merry Christmas to You by Charlotte Campbell, whose work I credited in the original video description.
For more from the same season, watch my full December in London episode and revisit November’s Christmas lights and Winter Wonderland outings.
