As a child I could feel the Christmas magic for £1. That one coin could get me into Santa’s grotto, I could tell him I’d been well-behaved this year and he didn’t need to bring a lump of coal to my home. I’d even be on my way with a small chocolate treat.
Some years, if I was lucky, I’d go ice-skating in the local rink with red and green flashing lights and Mariah Carey in the background for £5. I’ve always loved Christmas. I put my tree up in October , I start buying gifts in September, and I’ve been known to start playing festive tunes in the car even earlier.
It truly is a magical time of year. So it seemed only natural that I should go to London’s biggest Christmas market – Winter Wonderland – which last year was named as one of the best in the UK. Coming from a small town in the south of England, I’ve always been surprised by London prices.
I knew a jaunt to the Christmas market wouldn’t come cheap but I was not prepared for the dent in my bank account the following morning. The event opens up for 2024 today, and usually sees 2.5 million people every year, but I have a warning if you’re planning on going: you need deep pockets.
By the time I arrived, I’d already spent hundreds. I figured if I was travelling to the festive event people rave about, I should see what they have to offer. The entry fee was £7.
50 per person (which is waivered if you spend over £25 on activities beforehand – which I did). For two people, a 45-minute ice-skating.
