Mulled wine on the South Bank

You wait all year for a Christmas market to arrive then two come at once… Having planned my festive Winchester trip for yesterday, a babysitter and no fixed plans meant I found myself wandering the market on London’s South Bank hand-in-hand with my husband on Sunday night as well.

Running until 9pm (10pm on Fridays and Saturdays), it’s a lovely place to walk with the lights reflecting in the river – although, from a friend’s experience of visiting the South Bank Christmas market during the day, you can expect it to be very busy at weekends.

There’s a carousel for all ages (very tempting), and mulled wine as soon as you enter the market – whichever direction you come from. I decided against the extra shot of Jagermeister though.

This being the South Bank, as well as the traditional bratwurst with curry sauce, there were buffalo burgers, ostrich and grilled salmon wraps, plus churros (yum!), apple strudel, crepes and waffles. I did save room for hot chocolate with a shot of Baileys though.

In between all that guzzling, the stalls sold kids’ toys (including some lovely wooden puzzles), bags, jewellery, decorations, even some replica 50s Americana if you’re looking for quirky stocking fillers.

But my favourite thing (apart from a few chilled-out hours with my lovely husband. And the gluhwein) is wandering along the glittering Thames, for some of the best views of London.

I can never get enough of wandering by the Thames – although in midwinter, that mulled wine on the South Bank is an essential against the chill.

For more ideas on which are the best Christmas markets in London with kids, check out my post, as well as my return visit to have more Southbank mulled wine and asking the big question: What makes a good Christmas market?…

Images copyright MummyTravels