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A London Christmas 2007: Festive Fairs
 
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Combine your Christmas shopping with some festive cheer when you visit one of London's Christmas markets. This year there are two German style markets next to outdoor ice rinks and fun fairs at Hyde Park and the Natural History Museum; it's a fun way to get festive. The South Bank is also getting Christmas-y with its Christmas lights and the Bankside Frost Fair. Street theatre, hog roasts and huskies to hug; that'll get you in the Christmas spirit.
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A London Christmas 2007: Related Articles Traditional London Christmas Map Traditional London Christmas Guide (Printable Version) Sugar & Spice | Hotel Hideaways | Food & Flower Markets | Traditional Toys | Ice Skating | Festive Fairs | Shows & Pantos | Christmas Lights | Tinsel & Trimmings | Christmas Day & Boxing Day | Carols & Services | New Year | Fish & Fowl | Greens, Cheese & Delis   Bankside Frost Fair
Bankside, SE1 9TG Friday 14th - Sunday 16th December 2007 The Frost Fair is back for its fifth year, bringing a variety of street theatre, workshops, shopping and festive cheer to Bankside along the South Bank. With carol singers, street entertainers and a concoction of musicians this event would get even Scrooge into the spirit. It's certainly a popular annual event with 140,000 visitors attending last year and the same number expected again. It's an ideal opportunity for last minute-shopping and sampling some festive food - their enormous hog roasts are irresistible. Warm yourself up with a piping cup of mulled wine served from behind the gleaming ice bar, one of many frozen sculptures adorning Bankside - which you can see being hacked into shape. This area along the Thames is a great place for a winter wander with the Southbank Centre, the Hayward Gallery, its Christmas lights, entertainment at the Royal Festival Hall and films at the BFI. Hug a husky, hear some festive music, have a hog roast and head home with armfuls of presents and a warm glow. Venue: Bankside Phone: 020 7357 9168 Date: Friday 14th - Sunday 16th December 2007 Time: Fri 11:00-21:00, Sat 10:00-21:00, Sun 10:00-18:00 Pricing: Free Nearest Station: London Bridge Tube / Rail Bankside Frost Fair - Information  Belgravia Christmas Party
Pimlico Road, Elizabeth Street and Motcomb Street Sunday 9th December 2007 Carol singers, jugglers, festive stilt walkers, competitions and Father Christmas turn the quiet streets of Belgravia into a riot of colour and Christmas fun this December. For one day only, Pimlico Road, Elizabeth Street and Motcomb Street gears up for one big street party. If the five-minute walk between streets gets too much you can get a free rickshaw from one street to the next. Local shops, including Appley Hoare Antiques, David Linley and Joanna Wood will be doing their bit too. Appley Hoare Antiques, for example, adds a French flavour with accordion players and regional French wines. Feast on roasted chestnuts and Christmas pretzels at Daylesford Organics where you can also see a demonstration of wreath-making in their 'Garden Room'. Or drop in on modern Italian restaurant, Vivezza, for a glass of warm vin brule - an Italian speciality from Piedmont - along with small, homemade savoury biscuits. Venue: Pimlico Road, Elizabeth Street and Motcomb Street Date: Sunday 9th December 2007 Time: 11:00-16:00 Pricing: Free Nearest Station: Sloane Square Tube Belgravia Christmas Party - Information  Cabbages and Frocks Market
St Marylebone Parish Church Grounds, Marylebone High Street, NW1 5LT Every Saturday Once a week this welcome addition comes to Marylebone, making a weekend stroll up the pretty high street an even more attractive proposition. On Saturdays the Cabbages and Frocks Market takes over the grounds of Marylebone Parish Church to the north of Marylebone High Street. The brainchild of the organisers of the London Fashion Designer Sales, there's a good mix of stalls selling everything from oils and balsamic vinegars to hand-made jewellery. Hidden among the vintage clothes you can, if you're lucky, find some genuine designer gear at knock-down prices. Much of the food on sale is organic with macaroons from Masayuki Hara (formerly at the Caviar House) and Moroccan Bedouin food from Abdul (ex-Momo's). Enjoy cappuccinos and cup cakes or take it all in with a freshly squeezed fruit cocktail. Address: St Marylebone Parish Church Grounds, Marylebone High Street, NW1 5LT Phone: 020 7794 1636 Timing: Sat 11:00-17:00 Nearest Station: Baker Street Tube Cabbages and Frocks Market - Information  Camden Passage
Camden Passage, N1 8EE Wednesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays | Farmers' Market: Sundays Hidden down a cobble-stoned Angel backstreet a whimsical collection of odds and ends have been gathered together on a selection of market stalls (not to be confused with and nowhere near to Camden Market). Intermingled among elegant antique shops and restaurants, it is very easy to spend a day rummaging through the muddle of goodies. The antique shops themselves are the real hidden gems of Camden Passage. As well as the more traditional stores - a much admired doll and toy dealer, a specialist mantel clocks vendor and 'Georgian Village', full of ornate glass and precious china among them - are indulgent chocolates at Paul A Young and a brand new flagship FrostFrench store just opened. Most of the specialist traders really know their stuff so just chatting to them can be very informative as well as a lot of fun. Strive to find the bargains; prices can be high so haggling is essential. Many of the smaller shops and stalls are only open on Wednesdays and Saturdays, but the larger antique furniture shops may open on other days if visitors ring the bell. Every Sunday Camden Passage hosts a popular farmers' market selling a range of locally grown organic foods. Address: Camden Passage, N1 8EE Phone: 020 7359 0190 Timing: Wed 7:00-14:00, Thu 7:00-16:00 & Sat 8:00-16:00. Farmers' Market: Sun Nearest Station: Angel Tube Camden Passage - Information  Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair
Chelsea Physic Garden, SW3 4HS Sunday 2nd December 2007 Chelsea's historical botanical gardens open their gates for a charming walk through nature and a chance to pick up some Christmas gifts. Laid out in the 17th century, the gardens were initially intended as a place to grow medicinal plants for the Royal Hospital just up the road, taking advantage of its mild micro-climate, which allows non-native species to flourish. You're welcome to wander on your own through the charming collection of flowers and plants from across the globe. But opt for a guided tour and you can tap into a rich vein of history and some green fingered anecdotes. The 3.5-acre site on the banks of the Thames is a wonderful spot for this Christmas fair which sees a shopping marquee full of stalls selling jewellery, cashmere, gloves, bags, tasty treats and loads more. Don't worry about keeping the kids entertained either, there are plenty of activities for them too, and everyone can join in with the carol singing. Venue: Chelsea Physic Garden Address: 66 Royal Hospital Road (entrance on Swan Walk), Chelsea, SW3 4HS Phone: 020 7352 5646 Date: Sunday 2nd December 2007 Time: 11:00-16:00 Pricing: £7 (Adults), £4 (5-15 Years, Students & Unemployed) Nearest Station: Sloane Square Tube Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair - Information  Dazzle London
Olivier Foyers, National Theatre, SE1 9PX Monday 19th November 2007 - Sunday 12th January 2008 Dazzle brings together a clutch of talented international jewellery designers and presents their one-off pieces at the National Theatre. With over 80 designers taking part, there are certainly plenty of beautiful, glinting decorative pieces to catch your eye. There's even something for the boys: a special men's section featuring cufflinks and pins as well as a dedicated 'Dazzle Men' shopping evening on 6th December (4-8pm) when the potential pit-falls of gift buying can be avoided thanks to expert advice from personal shoppers, gift-wrapping and complimentary drinks. There's also a special 'Dazzle in Stitches' feature including embroidery and textile work, showing the work of five internationally respected contemporary embroiderers who work in figurative and abstract pictures. Alongside established designers such as Jane Adam, Elizabeth Bone and Kate Hodgson, are talented youngsters fresh from their college degree shows; Anna Wales, Jan Rooney and Momoko Kumai among them. With a line-up like that, they're all set to sparkle. Venue: Olivier Foyers, National Theatre Address: South Bank, SE1 9PX Date: Monday 19th November 2007 - Sunday 12th January 2008 Time: Mon to Fri 10:00-22:00 | Sat 10:00-23:00 | Bank Holidays 16:00-22:00 | Christmas Day & Boxing Day Closed Pricing: Free Nearest Station: Waterloo Tube / Rail Dazzle London - Information  Ham House Christmas Fair
Ham House, TW10 7RS Saturday 1st, Sunday 2nd, Sunday 9th, Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th December 2007 To celebrate Christmas, Ham House is hosting a fantastic Christmas fair in a heated marquee in the grounds. It's a great way to find those stocking fillers and one-off gifts with the individual touch (many are made by local traders) and, with free admission, browsing won't cost you a penny. Over the weekend of Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd December you'll also be able to see selected rooms decorated in the style of an early 19th-century Christmas. It's all part of their Austen-tacious Christmas (£3, Adults; £2, Children) when the historic house shows a selection of costumes recently made for 'Miss Austen Regrets' a lavish BBC production coming to the small screen soon, focusing on the life and career of Jane Austen. During that weekend you can see demonstrations of Regency dance in the Great Hall by Ellis Rogers, an expert on the subject, and the Quadrille Club, a dance club he and his wife host once a month at Cecil Sharp House, London. Venue: Ham House Address: Ham, Richmond-upon-Thames, TW10 7RS Phone: 020 8940 1950 Date: Sat 1st, Sun 2nd, Sun 9th, Sat 15th & Sun 16th December 2007 Time: 11:00-16:00 Pricing: Free Nearest Station: Richmond Tube / Rail Ham House Christmas Fair - Information  Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Hyde Park, W2 2UH Saturday 1st December 2007 - Sunday 6th January 2008 Throughout December and into early January a section of Hyde Park - between Hyde Park Corner and the Serpentine - is transformed into a Winter Wonderland. Get in the Christmas spirit at the traditional German market, with wooden chalets full of gifts, food and drink. Carol concerts and fairground rides are among the entertainment or you could try the less traditional bungydome - a mix of trampolining and bungy under the cover of a domed sphere. There's also the outdoor ice rink - billed as London's largest - open from 10am to 10pm. It's a great way to embrace the cold - and flailing your arms around as you try to stay upright will soon warm you up. Doing a turn on the giant wheel, at 50 metres high, will give you great views over this winter wonderland, taking in the stunning scene over Hyde Park. Venue: Hyde Park Address: Knightsbridge, W2 2UH Phone: 0871 231 0824 Date: Saturday 1st December 2007 - Sunday 6th January 2008. Closed Christmas Day Time: 10:00-22:00 Pricing: Free Nearest Station: Knightsbridge Tube Hyde Park Winter Wonderland - Information  Kenwood House Christmas Fair
Kenwood House, NW3 7JR Saturday 10th November 2007 - Sunday 27th January 2008 Kenwood House, Robert Adam's neoclassical villa to the north of Hampstead Heath, houses an impressive collection of paintings by artists like Rembrandt, Vermeer and Reynolds. Now, just for Christmas, they're hosting a Christmas Fair in the Orangery so you can mix your culture with some shopping and make a day of it. You'll find a wide selection of gift ideas at the fair which stays open until 5pm on Sundays before Christmas in December with early mornings from 10am on Sunday 16th and 23rd December. A bracing hike across the heath to get to the fair is recommended - not only will you get that rosy-cheeked glow but you'll be rewarded with wonderful views across north London. Venue: Kenwood House Address: Hampstead Lane, NW3 7JR Phone: 020 8348 1286 Date: Saturday 10th November 2007 - Sunday 27th January 2008 Time: 11:00-16:00 | Extended to 17:00 on Sundays in Dec up to Christmas | Early morning shopping from 10:00 on Sun 16th & 23rd Dec Pricing: Free Nearest Station: Hampstead Tube Kenwood House Christmas Fair - Information  Menier Chocolate Factory Craft & Design Fair
Menier Chocolate Factory, Menier Gallery, SE1 1RU Friday 7th & Saturday 8th December 2007 The third annual Craft and Design Fair at the Menier Gallery showcases the work of over 35 contemporary makers. This year, Megan Price sells her kitsch print 'n' stitch canvasses next to original items including jewellery, ceramics, prints, leatherware and homeware. With the fair spread across two floors of the Menier Gallery you're sure to find some unique and imaginative Christmas presents. And, seeing as it's all in aid of Paintings in Hospitals - whose permanent home is here at the Menier Gallery - you'll feel kind and clever at the same time for effectively giving twice. Venue: Menier Chocolate Factory, Menier Gallery Address: 51 Southwark Street, SE1 1RU Phone: 020 7407 3222 Date: Friday 7th & Saturday 8th December 2007 Time: 11:00-18:30 Pricing: £1 (Donation to Paintings in Hospitals) Nearest Station: London Bridge Tube / Rail Menier Chocolate Factory Craft & Design Fair - Information  Natural History Museum Christmas Fair
Natural History Museum, SW7 5BD Tuesday 20th November 2007 - Sunday 6th January 2008. Closed Mondays & Christmas Day. The Natural History Museum gets festive at this time of year with its annual German-style Christmas fair and ice rink. Wooden chalet huts house a cluster of 38 stalls near the outdoor ice rink, offering a choice of unusual gifts and food, selling everything from glassware to toys, ceramics to candles. It's a great place to do a spot of Christmas shopping - and sample some seriously good chocolate. With the market on site, you can combine a visit to the museum with some Christmas shopping. While you're here leave time to stop off at the rink-side cafe, where you can sip on something hot while watching the skaters slip up. It's a great way to enjoy the seasonal cheer while soaking up the atmosphere in the shadow of this great museum. Venue: Natural History Museum Address: Cromwell Road, SW7 5BD Phone: 0844 847 1576 Date: Tuesday 20th November 2007 - Sunday 6th January 2008. Closed Mondays & 25th December (Christmas Day). Time: 10:00-22:00 | 24th & 31st Dec 10:00-21:45 | 26th Dec 12:15-20:45 Pricing: Free Nearest Station: South Kensington Tube Natural History Museum Christmas Fair - Information  Petticoat Lane Market
Between Middlesex and Goulston Streets, E1 7HT Every Sunday Petticoat Lane is London's world-famous Sunday market and sells mainly clothes for men, women and children, from street-cred clubwear to over-orders of designer goods and last year's must-haves. One of its specialities is leatherwear at the Aldgate East end and there's bric-a-brac, household goods, in fact everything you could possibly think of plus some other bits and bobs too. The market is held in and around Middlesex Street on Sundays from 9am to 2pm, with a smaller market open on Wentworth Street from Monday to Friday. Confusingly, the actual street 'Petticoat Lane' doesn't exist any more - we have the Victorians' prudishness to thank for that; wishing to avoid any reference to undergarments they changed the name to Middlesex Street in 1846. More than 1,000 stalls line the streets on a Sunday, it's a great scene worth the trip even if you're not shopping. With Spitalfields Market and Brick Lane within walking distance, you can easily cover two markets in one day - just be sure to start early as Spitalfields, in particular, gets very busy on a Sunday. A visit to Petticoat Lane, however, is best for bargains, haggling and seeing a wonderful cross-section of London life. Address: Between Middlesex and Goulston Streets, E1 7HT Timing: Sun 9:00-14:00. Smaller market open from Mon to Fri on Wentworth Street. Nearest Station: Liverpool Street Tube / Rail Petticoat Lane Market - Information  Portobello Road Market
Portobello Road, W11 1LU Every Saturday The famous Portobello Road antiques and flea market in Notting Hill takes place every Saturday although there are also stalls from Monday to Friday. Running from Chepstow Villas to just under the Westway, it is a colourful, dynamic stretch of London that oozes trendiness and fun. On Saturday, it's huge, with over 2,000 stalls, selling everything from books to bric-a-brac, lace to Limoges, fresh fruit to fashion. Thousands of people mill around browsing second-hand clothing stalls or choosing outlandish material. For those who have the patience to search, there are some fantastic bargains. This really is the place to shop and eat and then shop some more while soaking up the bo-ho atmosphere. It is best to go in the morning, by the afternoon you will find yourself getting a little flustered winding your way through the crowds. Address: Portobello Road, W11 1LU Phone: 020 7229 8354 Timing: Mon to Wed & Fri 8:00 - 18:30, Thu half day till 13:00, Sat 8:00 - 18:30 Nearest Station: Ladbroke Grove Tube Portobello Road Market - Information  Spitalfields Market
109 Commercial Street, between Lamb and Brushfield Streets, E1 6BG Daily Nestled in the heart of the City, in the shadow of Christ Church, Old Spitalfields Market offers the perfect antidote to out-of-town shopping malls. You'll find the delightful, old covered market off Brushfield Street if you're coming from Liverpool Street station. The stalls under the covered part of the market are the place to look for something original, of excellent quality and value for money. Sundays are by far the busiest, with over 200 stalls operating, including a specialist organic market. On weekdays between 11:00 and 16:00 the market's varied stalls are quieter, except at lunchtime, when the choice of eating places attracts the young City crowd. On Fridays, there's a fun fashion market where young designers showcase their work. There's so much to do and see here - and plenty of interesting one-off shops with character surrounding the covered market too. Spitalfields has evolved elegantly, combining the new with the old so you'll get new brands like Canteen and Benefit behind the large, glass-fronted stores happily sitting next to sole traders selling quirky clothes from their market stalls. Days & Stalls: Mondays to Fridays & Sundays: Market Stalls Wednesdays: Fine Food Market, Records & Books (1st & 3rd of the month) Thursdays: Antiques Market Fridays: Fashion & Art Sundays: Busiest da - Fine Food, Fashion & Art Address: 109 Commercial Street, between Lamb and Brushfield Streets, E1 6BG Timing: Market Stalls: Mon to Fri 10:00-16:00, Sun 9:00-17:00. Restaurants: Mon to Fri 11:00-23:00, Sun 9:00-17:00. Shops: Times vary but generally Mon to Sun 11:00-19:00 Nearest Station: Shoreditch Tube or Liverpool Street Tube / Rail Spitalfields Market - Information  Sutton House Christmas Craft Fair Sutton House, E9 6JQ Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd December 2007 Sutton House is a fantastic example of a medieval Tudor home. Built in 1535 it's one of the oldest brick buildings in Hackney. The historic, oak-panelled rooms are a wonderful place to host a craft fair and get in the Christmas mood. Browse the stalls for gifts and you'll be treated to some festive music. Bring the kids too and they'll be kept busy with activities specially arranged for children. If you've made the journey to Hackney, leave time for some discount shopping at the Burberry Factory Outlet store, not far from Hackney Central station at 29-53 Chatam Place, E9 6LP, where you can sa |
