Street food, local markets and social scenes have popped up all over south London for years and the best ones always arise in grassroot areas with a deep sense of community.
Up along the Thames from the Southbank is an experience that is quite unique. A long-established community of Scandinavians made Rotherhithe their home centuries ago and their traditional celebrations throughout the year attract more than just Finnish and Norwegian visitors. This Christmas there will be a Scandinavian Market along Albion Street near Rotherhithe station and, if the weather is right, it’s likely to make for a very atmospheric weekend at the end of November.
Home to both the Finnish and Norwegian churches Albion Street has a cute parade of shops and eateries too – very much in the tradition of old London, making it a very different day out to Bankside and its market crowds.
If you are missing the snow-capped pistes or fancy an early flavour of Santa’s Lapland then pop these dates into your diary:
Friday 22 November 12noon-7pm
Saturday 23 November 10am-6pm
Sunday 24 November 10am-5pm
The nearest stations are Bermondsey and Canada Water and there’s even a Thames Clipper service nearby.
As the scandimarket.co.uk says, ‘Come and experience the Nordic atmosphere’ – reading between the lines no doubt there’ll be plenty of traditional costumes, hotdogs and beer too.
Sjømannskirken – The Norwegian Church Abroad
1 St.Olav’s Square
Albion Street
Rotherhithe
SE16 7JB
t: 020 7740 3900
e: london@church.no
w: church.no/londonevents
