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Thameside Winter Markets (Tower Hill to Westminster) Short Walk

Easy walk along the Thames and across two bridges while passing through three winter or Christmas markets

Easy London Short

History

Club walks since April 2015, and a summary which goes back to Jan 2010.

Date Option Post # Weather
Tue, 23-Dec-25 Evening Walk - Heiligabend (*) by the Thames: Southbank Winter Market and Winter by the River 8 cold but clear
Thu, 16-Nov-23 An Evening Dawdle Along the Thames (Westminster to London Bridge) 7 dry
Thomas G
Length : 5 km
Ascent : none
Net Walking Time : 1 ½ hour
Meet: 18:30 at Westminster Tube Station at street level, by the only exit across the street from the Clock Tower (containing Big Ben), with Westminster Bridge to the left.
Finish: London Bridge Station
Easy walk along the South Bank of the Thames, taking in the Southbank Winter Market and Winter by the River, further along between London Bridge and Tower Bridge (then walk back to London Bridge, or take a bus). There will be food and drink stalls (including an apres-ski themed bar), knick-knacks, no doubt any amount of tacky Christmas gear but maybe also some useful and tasteful stuff, Stone Curling lanes and much more.
*) Winter by the River closes early on Heiligabend (Christmas Eve), which is why we are walking this the day before.
For a map, gpx/kml files, height profile and walk directions, click here .

  • Thomas G
    Dec-25

    Depending on progress, at the end we could nip across Tower Bridge to the St. Katherine Docks Christmas Market (closes at 20.00 hours though): https://www.skdocks.co.uk/events/st-katharine-docks-christmas-market/

  • Thomas G
    Dec-25

    8 assembled at one of six (!) exits of Westminster tube station (note to walk poster) on a cold but clear evening.

    We kind of barged our way through the throng of tourists hogging space on Westminster Bridge and along the following stretch of the Thames Path past the London Eye. The following Southbank Winter Market was mainly food stalls and bars and not very interesting for that, but here - just as all along the route - it was still a nice walk, what with all the lit and decorated buildings.

    In the bottleneck that is the path under the Hungerford Pedestrian Bridges we unfortunateky lost one walker and then strode on to the Winter by the River bit near London Bridge. This had a bit more of a Chrismassy atmosphere to it and the paths there are wider as well. All in, more pleasant.

    At Tower Bridge by 19.40, we decided to cross the bridge and check out the St. Katherine Dock market, which wasn't much more than a handful of stalls really. But the docks were splendidly decorated and a very fine sight indeed. Off to The Dickens Inn then for dinner (6 of us).

    A fine end to this year's Evening Walk Season.

Stargazer
Evening Walk SWC 245: Westminster to London Bridge
Meet: 18:30 at the Westminster Tube Station (just outside the exit across the street from Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament with Westminster Bridge to the left when looking at Big Ben).
End: London Bridge -- Tube/Mainline Station
Distance: Approximately 2 miles
This is a short easy evening saunter along the South Bank of the Thames. Take your time perusing and enjoying the sights and sounds of the annual Southbank Christmas Market! More information about the route can be found here.
Refreshment stalls and opportunities are plentiful as are various hostelries near London Bridge for a post walk meal and/or drink.
Have fun!
  • Gavin
    Nov-23

    7 of us met at Westminister station , and walked along the south bank to London Bridge. It was an enjoyable stroll and hot mulled wine taken in by some along the way.

    The weather was dry, and a fun time was had by all.

    The walk could have gone on for ever as the building work by Southwark bridge meant that we could have gone round and round forever. As the lack of signs brought confusion. However we were intelligent enough to find a way forward.

    Six of us went in the very busy, as pretty well always, Market Porter in Borough Market (9th best pub in London), and I enjoyed three pints of the Portobello breweries Market Porter beer. Some of us had a small meal.

  • Sandy
    Nov-23

    7 dry

    Gavin your “9th best pub” comment sounds very definite - do you have an authoritative source?