Take a winter walk on the banks of the Thames to the London Bridge Christmas Market. Known as Winter by the River, you’ll find it on the south side of the river, between London and Tower bridges. And it’s one of the best Christmas markets in London. Updated Nov 2024.
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In the heart of London, with an iconic backdrop of Tower Bridge and the city skyline, Winter by the River is a perfect place to banish seasonal gloom. Its riverside setting and fabulous views make it one of the prettiest of London’s Christmas markets. Add to this a festive atmosphere, stalls with gifts and handmade crafts, light displays and the scent of delicious food in the air. It all adds up to a must-visit destination where you can celebrate the holiday season, day or night.
Now in its ninth year, the Christmas market in London Bridge, formerly called Christmas by the River, is now known as Winter by the River to reflect its diversity.
Where is Winter by the River?
On the south bank of the Thames, overlooking the river between London Bridge and Tower Bridge, the wooden chalets of Winter by the River, decked in twinkling lights, have one of the best views in town.
Their historic setting is known as the Pool of London and was once part of London’s port district. It was packed with wharves and warehouses that received cargoes from China and India.
Some of these original lofty buildings have been re-developed into the handsome, Grade II listed Hay’s Galleria. Nowadays it’s a year-round lively zone of shops, restaurants and offices in a beautiful glass-roofed arcade. It lies adjacent to the waterside site of Winter by the River and it’s decked out in style for the festive season.
You can start your visit to the London Bridge Christmas market right here. The entrance to Hay’s Galleria, with its magnificent Christmas tree, is just opposite London Bridge train station on Tooley Street SE1 2DA.
How to get to London Bridge winter market
The Christmas market at London Bridge lies on the south side of the Thames between London and Tower Bridges. Start at the London Bridge end of the market, with the river on your left, so you can enjoy the twinkling lights of the City of London and Tower Bridge as you stroll along the riverside.
Get there by Tube The nearest Tube is London Bridge Underground station. Take the Tooley Street exit and turn right to Hay’s Galleria. Or you could take the Tube to Monument, north of the Thames, and then walk across London Bridge.
If you’re joining the Market from the easterly Tower Bridge end then you could use the Tower Hill tube station and walk across Tower Bridge to the market.
Get there by Train The nearest train station is London Bridge, located by the Shard, for Thameslink, Southern and South Eastern trains. If you exit the station onto Tooley Street the entrance to Hay’s Galleria is just across the road.
Get there on Foot From Borough High Street on the south side of London Bridge, turn into Duke Street Hill and then walk along Tooley Street to Hay’s Galleria. Or access The Queen’s Walk from the south side of London Bridge to reach the market.
London Bridge vs Tower Bridge
London Bridge is the modern, minimalist road bridge with three wide arches stretching low across the river Thames. It lies with Borough Market to its south side and The Monument to the Great Fire of London to its north.
Tower Bridge stands to the east, next to the Tower of London on the north bank of the Thames. This is the really famous bridge that’s an iconic symbol of London, known throughout the world. Two tall Victorian Gothic towers and a high walkway frame the road bridge which can split and lift to allow tall ships to pass along the river.
What to see at the London Bridge Christmas Market
We arrived at London Bridge station on a drizzly Sunday evening in November. The warm glow of light that bathes the handsome walls of Hays Galleria drew us into the high vaulted arcade. Lofty iron pillars soar to the glass canopy and are decked in twinkling lights. A bright and beautiful British-grown Christmas tree stands proud at the entrance and swags of baubles decorate the Galleria clock suspended high above the piazza.
We lingered at the stalls surrounding the cheery central bar, but we knew much more was waiting outside so we walked on through to the riverfront.
Although it’s called the London Bridge market, Winter by the River has iconic views of Tower Bridge too. In fact this whole stretch of the river Thames is looking especially festive. Stroll along the river as you browse the market stalls and you’ll see HMS Belfast, dramatically floodlit, the City of London twinkling on the north bank and the Tower of London nestled beside Tower Bridge.
It’s a beautiful walk at night. Plus it’s even more fun when you can warm your hands on a steaming cup of hot chocolate from one of the many festive stalls.
Arts and crafts stalls
About the market stalls! Obviously this is a good place to do some Christmas shopping. Unlike Christmas in Covent Garden on the north side of the river which is based around the neighbourhood’s permanent shops and stalls, Winter on the River’s shopping is mainly from the temporary Alpine style chalets. There’s a global mix of vendors selling artisan and unique gifts that you might also like to keep for yourself.
From cashmere scarves handmade in Nepal to intriguing little maritime instruments, candles in pretty tea cups and baker boy caps and trilbies, jewellery, decorative maps or modern London prints: you’ll find yourself with lots of choices.
Foodie gifts include gorgeous cheeses, chutneys and cured meats and hand-crafted spirits: parma violet gin liqueur and figgy pudding rum was only the start!
Of course there are Christmas decorations too. Plenty of twinkly candles, cute London-themed tree ornaments, which can be personalised on the spot, and gloriously scented wreathes of dried citrus and spices.
This year London Bridge City and the market traders are raising funds to support the work of local partner St Giles Pantry who help those in food poverty. And look out for the Social Enterprise cabins too.
Street food stalls
All that riverside fresh air gives you an appetite. As does the feel-good atmosphere and the tempting scents wafting around the food stalls. Celebrating street food from around the world there’s a dizzying array of flavours. So don’t eat at home first or you’ll be kicking yourself, you definitely need to arrive hungry.
And you’ll want to try it all! Choose between hog roast or sizzling steak with cheese on fries. Try steamy dumplings or empanadas, Singapore fusion, Indian curries or Nepalese chow mein. With Korean corndogs, South American arepas, bratwurst, chillis, burgers and burritos, your mouth will be watering as you try to pick just one.
Sweet treats
If you’re on the lookout for a sweet something then the London Bridge market can provide. Mountains of chocolate kisses and fudge await. Rank upon rank of pretty macarons and colourful gummy sweets compete for your attention. Cookies and brownies are easy to nibble as you walk from stall to stall. Or, for a warming snack, dutch pancakes, crepes and churros scent the air and magnetically attract passing shoppers. It’s all extremely tempting.
Bars and Entertainment at Winter on the River
Perhaps you’d like to stop for a drink, or a festive tipple like mulled wine or a hot toddy? You can choose between the festive indoor bar in Hay’s Galleria or the pop-up bars Glasshouse and Little Glasshouse on the riverside. Here you can join special events like wine-tasting, cocktail masterclasses, wreath-making workshops or a Christmas sing-along night.
Or try your hand at curling. This year London Bridge City Pier will be the venue for the pop-up Swift Stone curling experience.
To really get in the festive spirit, time your visit to London Bridge’s Christmas market to coincide with one of the choir performances in Hay’s Galleria. You can check the Choir Schedule here for a range of concerts and even Morris dancing.
Winter by the River 2024: Dates and Times
The Festival runs from 12 Nov 2024 until 5 January 2025
11am until 10pm daily
Christmas Eve 24 December: 11am to 5pm
Christmas Day 25 December: CLOSED
New Year’s Eve 31 December: 11am to 9pm
NB Check the Winter by the River website for up to date times before your visit.
Things to do near London Bridge
This whole area south of the river between Blackfriars and Tower Bridges has been revitalised in recent years. There is so much to do here you could easily spend a whole day exploring. Here are a few of the most famous local attractions.
- Tower Bridge
- HMS Belfast
- Hay’s Galleria
- Tate Modern
- Borough Market
- Shakespeare’s Globe
- Southbank Centre winter market
- Stroll along the riverside from London Bridge to the London Eye. This hour long walk on the south side of the Thames takes in some of London’s most iconic landmarks
Top Tips for visiting London Bridge Christmas Market
⭐️I recommend after dark as the best time to visit the Winter by the River market, simply because the fairy lights are at their best and so are the illuminated bridges and city skyline. NB at this time of year the sun sets in London at 4pm.
🧣Wrap up warm because it’s colder on the banks of the river than it is on the city streets. You’ll want to dawdle and enjoy the open air stalls so throw on an extra layer plus a hat and scarf to ensure you’re comfortably cosy. And if in doubt pack an umbrella. This is London in winter after all and we’re never quite sure what the weather might do next.
🌂By the same token, don’t be put off by a bit of drizzle. On the night we visited the wet pavements reflected the light displays beautifully. And you can always take shelter inside Hay’s Galleria if the weather takes a turn for the worse.
🗓️In my experience Winter by the River is one of London’s quieter Christmas markets. The whole area is busy at the weekends, but then that applies to most of central London. So choose a weekday if you prefer to enjoy it with fewer crowds.
⭐️You could also make an evening of it and visit the Southbank Christmas market as well. We did this and it takes about 30 minutes to walk between the two, with the majority of the route on the riverbank walkway. You’ll pass St Paul’s Cathedral looking magnificent on the north side of the river and since the Southbank is close to Waterloo station you’ll have lots of transport options to get home.
Where to stay near Winter by the River market
Stay for the night or the weekend to make the most of winter in London or enjoy a festive escape to the city.
Cheval Three Quays at the Tower of London On the banks of the Thames beside the Tower of London these modern luxury serviced apartments range from studios to penthouses. Pick one with a river view!
The Dixon Tower Bridge Autograph Collection South of the river, between the bridges, a Grade II listed magistrates court has been transformed into a stylish, contemporary hotel with a boutique feel. A Marriott Autograph hotel.
Shangri La The Shard Spanning 18 floors of the tallest building in western Europe, the Shangri La has views for miles from its luxury rooms and suites. Enjoy Frette bedlinens, marble bathrooms, and the infinity pool on level 52.
More London Christmas Markets
You can get into the festive spirit at Christmas markets in many of London’s most iconic locations:
- Southbank Centre Christmas Market
- Covent Garden Christmas Market
- Leicester Square Christmas Market
- Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
- And there’s plenty of festive cheer at Trafalgar Square, Old Spitalfields market and Greenwich market too.
For a fabulous festive London light trail through the historical botanic gardens, book quickly for Christmas in Kew Gardens
Please note that all visitor information here is for guidance only. Please check the relevant websites for the most up to date information eg. accommodation details, tickets, entrance requirements, opening times etc.
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About the author Nancy Roberts is a former women’s magazine editor and writer. She lives in London and is mum to two 20-something boys. In Map&Family she shares info and inspiration for curious travellers: singles and couples as well as families travelling with teens and young adults.
All photos are all rights reserved. Please do not reproduce these photos without prior written permission
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