There are many traditional Christmas markets that take place across the UK in the run up to the festive season, but the South Bank Centre market really stands out from the crowd. Enjoying a prime location on the banks of the Thames in one of the busiest and best shopping cities in Europe, this market is also overlooked by the London Eye. Visitors can find discounted tickets through Net Voucher Codes and get themselves a bird’s eye view of the city and market before browsing through the stalls.

The market begins in mid-November and runs right up until Christmas Eve, and is open every day until 10pm so even busy worker bees can experience the wonder. There are over 80 traditional wooden chalets, each housing a selection of wonderful gift ideas that are all hand-crafted and unique. The uniformity of the high street is conspicuous by its absence here as stall after stall displays a range of goods that are each as unusual as they are beautiful. From Christmas tree decorations through hand-carved wooden toys to an array of silver and amber jewellery, there is something here for even the most difficult to buy for relative left on your list.

No Christmas market would be complete without offering some traditional German food and drink, and the South Bank Centre is no exception. Snack on gingerbread and toasted almonds as you shop, fill up on bratwurst and spiced potatoes for lunch and then warm up in the afternoon with a glass or two of the ever popular Glűhwein, or a creamy hot chocolate for the little ones. For proper foodies the best time to visit is the middle weekend in December when an additional Real Food market is in operation. Here you can purchase an array of local and global produce, from chutneys to charcuterie to cheese to chocolate and much more.