A Perfect Festive Stroll: Southbank Christmas Markets to Borough Market, with a Coffee Pause at Uncommon
- zmendelsohn9
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
If you’re planning a festive wander along the Thames, the Southbank’s Christmas Market is a brilliant first stop for mulled wine aromas, riverside lights, and late-opening street food. You can then take a lovely riverside walk along the Thames and head over to Borough Market’s seasonal stalls. This scenic route is easy to walk on foot, and its packed with photo spots, and is even better with a mid-walk coffee at Uncommon near Tate Modern—a stylish café-deli-bar that’s ideal for recharging before your Borough finale. You can even grab an Aperitivo or a winter warmer.
Southbank’s festive vibes
Riverside sparkle and wooden chalet stalls make Southbank an atmospheric start, with warming bites like churros, raclette, and hot chocolate in the mix.
It’s a compact, easy-to-browse strip along the Queen’s Walk, so you can soak in the lights, pick up small gifts, and still keep the evening moving toward London Bridge.
Why pause at Uncommon by The Tate Modern
Location made for this route: Uncommon sits near Tate Modern on Bankside, a natural midpoint between Southbank’s chalets and Borough Market.
Comfort + craft: Expect speciality coffee made with care, a relaxed modern interior, and an easy menu for quick bites if you want more than a caffeine top-up.
Stay-or-go flexibility: Settle in for a brief thaw from the winter air, or grab a takeaway flat white and continue riverside.
The easy walking route
Southbank (Queen’s Walk) → cross the Millennium Bridge or walk Bankside → Tate Modern/Triptych → Uncommon → continue Bankside to Borough Market.
You’ll keep the river on your side for most of the stroll, with postcard views and plenty of spots to pause for photos.
What to order at Uncommon Cafe
Classic flat white or a silky pour-over for coffee lovers; a good hot chocolate or tea if you’re skipping caffeine.
A light deli bite—think quiche, pastry, or a simple toastie—keeps you fuelled without slowing down the festive momentum.
Christmas @ Borough Market the finale
Borough’s Christmas stretch brings artisan produce, indie treats, and seasonal specials under twinkling canopy lights.
Arriving later in the afternoon or early evening helps you flow from Southbank’s snacky start into Borough’s fuller selection of festive food and giftable goodies.
How to find Uncommon Bar, Deli and Cafe
Uncommon is only a very short walk from Tate Modern, usually just 2–5 minutes on foot, and about 10–15 minutes’ walk from the Southbank Centre Winter Market along the river via the Millennium Bridge, covering roughly a little over 1 km at an easy pace.
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