london christmas markets: in pictures.

this weekend i paid a little visit to the big smoke to wander around the market stalls of festive food and generally soak up the christmas spirit. we headed to southbank christmas market as well as winter wonderland at hyde park - a great opportunity to try out my camera and eat lots of lovely food. there of course were lots of gift, craft and jewellery stalls but i was of course all about the grub!

southbank christmas market.
nearest tubes: waterloo or embankment.
directions: walk alongside the river on waterloo station side and follow the fairy lights...
what's there? lots of little huts selling everything from personalised christmas decorations to bratwurst and mulled wine to pocket watch pendants.

winter wonderland, hyde park.

nearest tubes: marble arch 
directions: walk across marble arch square towards hyde park...
what's there? a little more diverse in festive activity but again lots of christmassy stalls. think fairground rides, an ice rink, ice kingdom and santa's grotto as well as lots of foodie stalls and a bavarian village brimming with gluhwein. tip: get there early to avoid queues - we went there at around 11am.

on the look out for lunch, i couldn't decide between a hog roast, bratwurst, hot salmon roll or perhaps a hearty pie. i found this maggie's farm burger stand and went for a turkey and cranberry burger, which was brilliant by the way. the turkey and cranberry had already been mixed in the patty so it was basically the ultimate christmas burger. quite healthy too and i'm definitely going to recreate!

we then headed off to hamley's toy shop, a (very cramped) wander around covent garden and a tasty meal at rosa's thai cafe. 

feeling christmassy yet? check out my latest christmas night in giveaway which ends this week - or find out how to make a chocolate christmas wreath. 

more christmas posts to come so watch this space :)