There are few things better at getting you in the festive spirit than a mulled wine or spiced cider on a freezing winter night amid the sparkling lights and warmth of a Christmas market.
What's more if you live in London you're blessed with countless options when it comes to choosing a market to visit, so you can pick one for every weekend this Christmas.
To give you a rundown of all the biggest markets confirmed so far this year, we've put together a list below with all the details you need to take advantage.
Kingston's Christmas market runs from November 16 - December 31 (Image: Getty Images)
Kingston
One of London's top village feel Christmas markets is in the historic marketplace of Kingston upon Thames in the South West. This annual festive celebration sees all the usual suspects with wooden cabins set up selling sweets, drinks, and different artisanal wares from jewellery to handmade ornaments.
If you're in the mood for some proper food there's also a hog roast and bratwursts for you to dig into, and live entertainment in the form of carol singers to keep you feeling as Christmassy as possible.
This year the market is running from November 16 all the way up to December 31.
Covent Garden is set for another big Christmas (Image: George Rose/Getty Images)
Covent Garden
Christmas is coming to all of London's permanent markets too with Covent Garden in the West End pulling out all the stops to spread the festive cheer.
Visitors this winter will be treated to giant decorations including bells, bows, and baubles as well as an enormous tree outside and a free photo opportunity with Santa's sleigh which you can climb inside.
Covent Garden Market's Christmas celebrations begin on November 7.
Christmas in Leicester Square is a market in the heart of London (Image: Instagram)
Leicester Square
Leicester Square's Christmas market, known as Christmas in Leicester Square, will be returning once again this year with around 30 wooden cabins, sparkling fairy lights, and Christmas cheer.
The annual event also houses a ‘Spiegeltent’, a mirrored tent that hosts an assortment of festive shows, ranging from family-friendly performances to late-night cabarets for adults.
You can keep tuned in on the official dates this year as well as any other announcements by following the market's Instagram.
Borough market at Christmas (Image: Getty Images)
Borough
As one of London's most historic food markets Borough gets a festive makeover during the Christmas period and is perfect for a visit where you can sample delicious festive food and drink while listening to buskers belting out Christmas staples.
The real big day this year is December 13 when the market hosts its annual festive themed Evening of Cheese from 6-9pm. Enjoy tastings, and put together a festive cheeseboard featuring the highest quality cheeses from Britain, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
Greenwich
Greenwich is hosting a number of different markets this year with the main attraction in the centre of town where a classic wood cabin market is set to see its lights switched on along with a lantern parade on November 15.
There are also markets in Eltham, Thamesmead, and Woolwich all worth visiting that you can find out more about on the borough's website.
Kings Cross will be hosting a Christmas Market under the canopy at Coal Drops Yard (Image: Kings Cross Coal Drops Yard)
Kings Cross
Kings Cross' usual canopy market outside Waitrose will be given a festive twist over the Christmas period with fresh produce and amazing independent food producers, crafts, original designer and street food traders selling their best festive wares.
The market will run Tuesday to Sunday from November 23 to December 23.
The Southbank Centre's Christmas Market (Image: Getty Images)
Southbank
The Southbank Centre will be hosting it's annual German stye Christmas market again this year as part of its Winter Festival. This free market lets you stroll along the riverside among the glittery alpine chalets and soaking up the festive cheer in view of some of the city's most iconic landmarks.
The market will be up and running from November 2 to Boxing Day on December 26, from 11am each day.
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A South London council has been accused of prioritising wealthier streets in its borough ahead of others when improving traffic issues. Greenwich Council has been asked to improve the pedestrian crossing on Victory Parade outside the Elizabeth line station in Woolwich town centre to stop commuters crossing the road at other points.
The question was asked by local resident Malcolm Reid, who claimed that thousands of residents used the junction every day. Labour Councillor Averil Lekau, cabinet member for climate change, environment and transport, said at a Greenwich Council meeting on October 25 that the authority was in talks with Transport for London (TfL) about the issue, but feared a solution to the complex junction could take a “couple of years”.
Mr Reid said at the meeting: “I do seek clarification on the fact that it will take two years. I would ask whether you agree that this council is prioritising traffic areas for the wealthy streets of Hyde Vale, Croom’s Hill, compared to the people that are using public transport in Woolwich?”
The Woolwich Elizabeth line station opened in May 2022 (Image: Joe Coughlan)
Cllr Lekau said she took umbrage to Mr Reid’s statement and that there was no validity to it. She said in her written response that the council supported adding a new crossing outside the station, but was worried that any changes could just move the issue further along the road.
The councillor also said that TfL was carrying out a feasibility study and exploring design options for the area. She said the transport authority was committed to working on the crossing, but that the body does not typically operate at “break neck” speed.
The cabinet member said in her response: “The initial analysis we have seen, shows the majority of pedestrians using the western arm of the supercrossing, are heading east towards the station entrance but we are not sure this guarantees they would head east on the southern footway to cross at the realigned crossing, rather than crossing informally. Given the significant volumes observed on this part of the crossing we feel this warrants further investigation.”
She added: “Ultimately, we concluded that something needs to be done and agreed that what was proposed was the best option to take forward to modelling. The scheme is still at feasibility design stage and there will be an ongoing dialogue with TfL on design detail as it is developed.”
Christmas is coming up, and with it the inevitable question of what to give male friends and family members. Luckily, Amazon has a range of great deals on Lynx, L'oréal Men and ManCave gift sets from just £3.
Not only beauty sets are a handy gift but they also make a great stocking filler. Here’s a selection of the best ones to get just in time for the Holidays.
L’Oréal products are a staple in anyone’s skincare bag. The £11.40 Hydra Energetic Fully Charged Washbag is the perfect four-step giftset for him, and comes with a complimentary washbag to store and carry all of the products.
The gift set comes with a complimentary washbag to store and carry all of the products (Image: Amazon)
The set contains a face wash and moisturiser, a mask and a shower gel, all enriched with Vitamin C and Guarana for a skin left energised and hydrated. A shopper wrote: “L’Oréal never fails! [..] A must for male grooming.”
The overall review score is 4.7, based on almost 7,000 reviews, with the only negative point being that “the travel bag that was included looked as if it was very dusty and had a unflattering odour”, according to one customer.
L’Oréal Men Expert also has an Energising Duo Gift Set on sale for just £6.38. it includes a shower gel, with the same properties as the one mentioned above, and a deodorant which provides sweat protection up to 45 degrees.
A reviewer said: “ Lovely set which was good value!”, “perfect for Christmas” another added. Some shoppers have however reported that the products are not full-size: “Pic deceiving. Looked like a decent size box, but instead items were travel size.”
"'The scents are fresh and fairly long lasting" (Image: Amazon)
Lynx products are another staple when it comes to stocking fillers. But instead of gifting the classic Africa set, why not try a different scent this year?
The LYNX Epic Fresh Duo, packaged in a ready-to-wrap box, is for grabs at just £3.99. It comes with a body wash and a spray on deodorant. Both have an invigorating grapefruit and tropical pineapple scent.
For those who prefer perfumes, there’s the £13.03 LYNX Fragrance Edition Gift Set, which comes with five body sprays. The fragrances included are Epic Fresh, Recharge, Africa, Excite and Black.
A pleased shopper said: “it’s quite nice that this set mixes up the scents a bit. With 5 to choose from it means I get a wider range! The scents are fresh and fairly long lasting”. Another commented: “ Nice quality gift set for Christmas and stocking fillers.” Out of the 32 persons that reviewed the product, 96% gave four and five stars.
"They all smell really good and last a good amount of time" (Image: Amazon)
On the slightly pricier side, ManCave has a “must have” Men's Ultra-Premium Shower Gel Fragrance Gift Set, on sale at £30.60. It features four body washes with four different fragrances: Wild Mint, Lemon & Oak, Cedarwood and Sea Salt.
“They all smell really good and they’re good size bottles so they last a good amount of time, “ a buyer wrote, “I gave my three adult sons this gift set for Christmas 2021. All of them said the shower gel set had lasted them nearly a year and it was the only gift they specifically requested when asked what they would like for Christmas 2022,” another said.
The only downside, according to shoppers, is that the scents may vary: “I've had this multipack three times now and the scents are really inconsistent, especially the mint one. The first time I had it, it smelt of absolutely nothing, the second time I had it it was the nicest scent of all four, and now the most recent time I've had it it doesn't smell of anything again,” commented a client, “I couldn't quite understand the scents. The lemon and oak didn't smell at all of lemon but smelled really strongly of oak. The mint scent you can barely smell,” a second added.
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ManCave also have a £21.30 Complete Routine Men's Toiletries Wash Bag, with shower gel, shampoo, body bar, moisturiser and face scrub and wash. Every product is designed to leave the skin feeling refreshed, nourished, revitalised and has a score of 4.7 with over 1.100 reviewers.
“I love the content of the bag. Value for money,” a shopper said. Another wrote: “I bought this product as a gift for my Dad for Fathers Day as he loves the man cave products. This was a fantastic present as it allowed him to try some of the products he wouldn’t normally buy along with some of his regulars. Fantastic scent and long lasting on the skin. The wash bag itself is fantastic if travelling for work or holiday etc.”
Some customers were however disappointed that the whole set was not practical for travel: “Good set of products, however there were a couple of items that were not travel sized and too big to pack for a weekend away so still needed to get additional items elsewhere.”
You can buy the L'Oréal Men Expert £11.40 Hydra Energetic Fully Charged Washbag here and the £6.38 Energising Duo Gift Set here. Shop the £3.99 LYNX Epic Fresh Duo here and the £13.03 LYNX Fragrance Edition Gift Set here. You can get the ManCave £30.60 Men's Ultra-Premium Shower Gel Fragrance Gift Set here and the £21.30 Complete Routine Men's Toiletries Wash Bag here.
Dave Courtney was in 'a lot of pain' according to a video recorded by the former London gangster-turned-actor before his death. The well-known figure died last week.
It is believed that the 64-year-old died by suicide. The video, released on Courtney's social media accounts on Tuesday, was filmed on July 5 in his Camelot Castle home in Plumstead, more than three months earlier.
A statement put out on his social media channels in the wake of his death said: "The video clearly shows Dave had not taken the decision to take his own life lightly, and had gone into thorough planning and preparation to ensure as little pain as possible for his loved ones in the aftermath of his death."
In the video itself, which is filmed by Courtney, he explained how painful simple things like climbing the stairs or getting in and out of cars were due to various illnesses.
"As you can all see I am in sound mind and body. Sorry I've took the coward's way out," he said. "I am hurting. I am disguising a lot of pain.
"I'm not enjoying it at the moment. That's really it. I don't want to go and waste a wicked life I've had, absolutely superb.
"And then the rest of it in pain, trying not to go and end it because it would upset everybody else. I'm not enjoying it, and I do what I want. That is really why I'm not here today. Please don't be sad."
The video was found following an examination of Courtney's personal effects by Brendan McGirr, the statement said.
Courtney, who claimed to be an associate of the notorious Kray twins, was found dead at his home on Chestnut Rise, Plumstead, in the early hours of Sunday. A post on his Instagram said he had taken his own life.
In a statement, Courtney's family said: "The physical pain of living the lifestyle he chose, especially due to the pain of both cancer and arthritis in his later years, became too much."
Where to get help if you're struggling
You don't have to suffer in silence if you're struggling with your mental health. Here are some groups you can contact when you need help.
Two identical tower blocks in West London have been plagued by similar problems with non-residents reportedly finding their way in to take drugs, sleep in stairwells and intimidate people who live there.
Sutcliffe House and Harding House in Hillingdon are functionally indistinguishable from each other with everything from the checkerboard lino flooring to the blue paint scheme.
As well as distinctly similar architecture, the apartment blocks have both seen incidents of residents terrified of intruders using their homes for various illicit and explicit activities. Residents have reported break-ins, finding needles on stairways and human faeces in the bin area.
The battle to keep the trespassers out has caused some of the tower blocks’ vulnerable residents to say they are scared to leave their homes in the evening. Cases of ‘tail-gating’ people coming into the building have left residents on the defensive, with one even revealing that they carry an illegal Taser out of fear.
Hasan who lives in Harding House says he has been contacting the council for weeks trying to get the problem addressed. He explained how people access his building.
“What they do is they come in and they leave something in the door [so that other people can get it] and they will even sleep on the ground floor," he said.
“Sometimes when you come home it's like coming into an Amsterdam weed shop or something. If you are a young kid or an old person, it might be [stressful] to come home and find people smoking weed, it's not just one person it’s normally five or six people.
“I’ve found needles, I've found Coca-Cola bottles they’ve used to p*** in. Sometimes in the morning when you are going to work you find in both elevators someone has p***ed in them or vomited in them.”
The resident said he thinks the issue is a council one, not a police one, and added: “I feel a bit sorry for them, they are probably homeless.”
However, there have been crimes committed in the area too. Hasan said he spoke to a neighbour who told him his car had been broken into, adding that due to the number of break-ins car insurance for everyone in the block had gone up.
Hasan said: “You can’t leave anything in the car or they will come here and break in.” Hasan says people trying to get in use the intercoms to try to trick people into letting them in.
He added: “They wait outside, sometimes they pretend to be delivery drivers. They call you and they say ‘oh can you open up I got something it’s for the neighbour’.”
Rough sleeper in Harding House (Image: Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon)
Other residents reported accounts of non-residents looking for somewhere to sleep, take drugs or defecate in the housing blocks that lie to people and claim they are family members of people living there. Hasan said that the intercom at Harding House has been broken for weeks, which has stopped the cold calling but has made life much harder for residents.
He added: “We have missed two deliveries because we don’t know when it is here,” he said. The malfunctioning intercom is having an even more damaging impact on Tarun Ahluwalia, who currently requires regular lifts to the hospital.
He has been left partially blind due to symptoms received from kidney dialysis and medication to help with the procedure. He says that without the intercom he struggles to find out when his lift from an NHS minibus has arrived.
A view of Sutcliffe House from Harding house (Image: Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon)
Tarun says he has been desperately trying to get it fixed but with no success. He said: “I have made a complaint about it but no one has done anything.”
When asked if he had ever had any problems with people coming into the block Tarun said: “One a guy, he was a bit violent with me but that was the first time in about three years.”
While residents at Harding House say people coming in uninvited tend to not be aggressive, the same can not be said for its sister estate Sutcliffe. Their vulnerable residents said they are 'scared'.
One resident told LDRS that the council’s strategy, of telling residents to ensure they don’t let tailgaters into the block has not been effective. They said: “They try and get in behind you and when you pull the door shut, it’s just abuse. My neighbour, she pulled the door shut, they gained entry using the trade entrance and then threatened to beat her up. It’s terrible”
The resident says she has to kick people out or stop someone trying to enter Sutcliffe House at least once a week. She said that the caretaker found six people sleeping rough in the shed area a few days prior.
One resident who spoke told LDRS that they are so scared that they carry a Taser when they go out at night. They said: “I would rather spend a night in the cells for carrying an illegal weapon than be stabbed. I have been threatened twice with a knife for stopping these people coming in.”
Residents say they feel terrorised (Image: Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon)
Residents say that they have asked the council for a concierge who can keep an eye on the coming and going of people and ensure only those who live in the block or legitimate visitors can enter.
An elderly Sutcliffe House resident who lives on her own said she was scared to go out at night and is becoming increasingly isolated. Before she had been going out to clubs and evening meetings but now no longer felt safe to do so.
She said: “I won’t go out now, I won’t go to any meetings, because I’m frightened of coming back in and if I’m seeing my family and it's lateish, even around 5pm, my son-in-law he always makes sure whoever brings me home comes up with me and makes sure I get in and lock my door.”
Having lived in the block for decades, the resident says she believes the reason the situation has got so bad is due to the regeneration project at the Red Brick Estate in Hayes down the road, somewhere she says is a notorious hangout for drug takers and a hive of anti-social behaviour.
“So where they used to go down there maybe they’ve had to find somewhere else and they’ve decided on here,” she said, referring to the fact that many of the houses on the Red Brick Estate have now been shuttered and closed off to the public.
Leftovers from interlopers (Image: Facundo Arrizabalaga/MyLondon)
Some residents LDRS spoke to said they felt the council could be doing more for the people (some of whom appear homeless) clearly with drug and alcohol problems. Others said they wanted more security measures to ensure their safety.
'An officer from the council also makes regular visits to check the stairwells and other spaces – removing anyone who shouldn’t be there'
The council said it has a plan. A Hillingdon Council spokesperson said: “Both the council and the police are aware of the ongoing issues with drug-taking in the stairwells of these properties and have been working to address the problem.
“The council’s housing team has previously engaged with residents at the buildings to be wary of people ‘tail-gating’ them inside and to discourage residents from letting in people they don’t know. An officer from the council also makes regular visits to check the stairwells and other spaces – removing anyone who shouldn’t be there.
“The council’s CCTV doesn’t cover the stairwells, so we’re unable to act on drug use in those areas or identify anyone in these spaces. A 24/7 council concierge for the building had been mooted by residents and while this might help address the issue, it is not a sustainable solution.
“In the longer term, we’ll look to work more closely with the police on targeted work to break the cycle and will also explore how we can enable the individuals using these buildings to find support.”
MyLondon visited Sutcliffe House and Harding House as part of our London365 project, where our reporters will be visiting a different part of the city every day in 2023.
Ever wondered what it's like to live in the part of London furthest from a Tube station? Or in the shadow of one of the world's busiest airports? How is gentrification impacting some of London's neighbourhoods hardest hit by the cost of living crisis?
From Brent to Bromley, Hillingdon to Havering, and everywhere in between, the MyLondon team will explore the biggest issues facing Londoners, while celebrating every part of the city this year.
Where should we go next? Email mylondonnewsdesk@reachplc.com. To see all the other neighbourhoods we have visited in 2023, click here.
Boots have launched a £45 beauty box containing £142 of full-size makeup products from premium brand Bobbi Brown. It contains items like primer, mascara, and eyeshadow, and saves you a whopping £97 compared to buying the products individually.
The cult product is beloved by Bobbi Brown fans. The moisturising primer is meant to improve the look of your makeup and simultaneously moisturise the skin, and it has 4.85 stars on LookFantastic.
The box has full-size products and a voucher (Image: Boots)
Of the two one-star reviews, one said "Tried this when looking for a new moisturiser. It is thick- you end up smearing it about the face. Not very moisturising- feels more like a mask you should be able to wash off. Very difficult to apply makeup over it. Will be giving mine away. It also has a herbal smell which is not very pleasant.".
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You could spend that voucher on the brand's Vitamin Enriched Skin Tint, knocking the price down to £33. When you buy it, you also get a free face brush - it's usually worth £17.50 at John Lewis, meaning you could get the face tint and brush for £22.50 less than asking price.
Labelled as 'South Devon's hidden gem' this village provides the perfect backdrop for a relaxing English break. South Pool is often overshadowed by its popular neighbour, Salcombe, but it is a must add to the list of English staycations.
South Pool is the perfect place to go to enjoy blissful days and quiet, starry nights. The population is in the low hundreds so it is the perfect place to come to get away and find some peace without the tourists you find in Salcombe.
It has timeless character and charm with thatched roofs filling the village and could be great for romantic retreats, family escapes, gatherings of friends and dog-friendly getaways. The area is surrounded by countryside and coastal walks to take in Devon's beauty.
It is also home to one of the region's best gastro-pubs, The Millbrook Inn. The pub is a renowned bar and restaurant in the centre of the village.
One visitor said: "Lovely attentive staff. The food is very tasty. Always pleased." As well as exploring the area by foot you can also discover the stunning countryside by boat.
There are plenty of places to take in the view and you can walk along the water's edge on either side of the creek. South Pool Creek is known to be very tidal, so you will need to check the tides if you are planning on taking a trip on the water.
You can also follow the local trails down holloways and green lanes to the golden shores of East Portlemouth to discover a series of soft, sandy coves. If you do want to visit the raved about neighbour you can take a short trip by ferryboat to Salcombe.
Salcombe is home to two gorgeous beaches, South and North Sands and would make a lovely day out from the tranquil village. If you do plan on visiting the village prepare for a long journey as from London it takes around 5 hours by car.
