Cologne Christmas market in London

In this globalised day and age, we have all come to terms with the concept of the exact same coffee chain outlets and fast-food franchises stalking our every move across the globe.

Yet, I have to admit I felt dazed and confused as I accidentally stumbled across Cologne Christmas Market on London’s Southbank.

In fact, self confessed caffeine addict that I am, I was searching for an identikit coffee chain at the time, and then lo and behold there it was – Cologne had followed me to the heart of London! What a great excuse to swap a warming Gingerbread Latte for some real central heating for the soul – some seasonal Glühwein.

The quaint, traditional looking market comes complete with genuine wooden shacks, exactly the same as their famous continental counterparts.

The stalls offer tempting German cuisine ranging from Bratwurst (imported of course), Glühwein (mulled wine), Hamburger Speck (marshmallows) and none other than Kölsch beer, which true to its name, is brewed in the city itself.

And it goes without saying that no German Christmas market could be complete without the ubiquitous Lebkuchenherzen (gingerbread hearts), tied on strings and adorned with mottos such as ‘I Love You’, ‘Baby’, ‘You’re the Woman of my Life’ and ‘I Love London’.

Still, without wanting to sound like Scrooge himself, I was disappointed none were emblazoned with my favourite German term of endearment; ‘Schatz’, meaning ‘treasure’. So I settled for one of the ‘I Love You’s for my sweetheart, to which the stall owner merrily piped up with “yes, I love you too”.

Indeed, all though the market is quintessentially German in style, some vital ingredients have been adapted to better suit its English relocation. For example the rather strange, perhaps ingenious, concept of a traditional English Christmas dinner served in a giant edible Yorkshire pudding, complete with turkey, gravy, stuffing et al. A new culinary gimmick, which is neither German, nor nostalgic, or even remotely appealing to the appetite.

Still, hurray for Cologne Christmas Market in London, it is wonderful to have a slice of the famous merry fairs exported from the River Rhine to the Thames.

And jolly winter wonderlands that are free to visit and spread the festive spirit are always a plus in the Big Smoke.


Opening times:
Mon – Sun 11am – 10pm
Market closes Wednesday 23 December
Southbank London
Nearest tube: Waterloo