The magical Kent Christmas market rated among UK’s best

If you’re in search of a Christmas market within easy reach of south east London, Canterbury Christmas Market may be one to add to your list this festive season – especially as it’s one of the largest in the south east of England.

Here you can shop for Christmas gifts surrounded by a plethora of historic buildings, which Canterbury is in bountiful supply of with over 1,500 listed buildings under its belt.

Here you can shop for Christmas gifts surrounded by a plethora of historic buildings, which Canterbury is in bountiful supply of. (Image: Visit Canterbury / Alex Hare) Its Christmas market was recently rated as one of the best in the UK by The Independent alongside Spitalfields in East London.

This popular Christmas market has been running for 16 years and brings together 150 different stallholders, as well as amusements like mini golf and a festive carousel.

These were among some of the reasons why The Independent rated it as one of the best, along with its family-friendly activates like a VR sleigh and a Santa’s grotto with a talking letterbox.

This popular Christmas market has been running for 16 years and brings together 150 different stallholders. (Image: Visit Canterbury / Alex Hare)

The market will run throughout the festive season up until Christmas Eve (December 24) and is spaced throughout various locations such as The Marlow Arcade, the High Street and Cathedral Precincts.

The market will also host live music performances to listen to whilst you shop and Father Christmas himself will be visiting the market on certain days.

Aside from shopping, the market will also host family activities like Breakfast With Santa, where for £15 a person you get a 90-minute slot with a hot drink and pastries to meet the man in red himself.

The market is spaced throughout various locations such as The Marlow Arcade, the High Street and Cathedral Precincts. (Image: Visit Canterbury / Alex Hare)

Canterbury is within easy access of south east London, with direct trains from Bromley South to Canterbury West starting at £10, as well as links by coach with National Express from south east London, with seats starting from £8.

The city is also steeped in history, with the world-famous cathedral dating back to the 11th century, this impressive Anglo-Gothic and Romanesque structure has been an integral part of the landscape for centuries.

Along with local buildings St Augustine’s Abbey, a monastery founded in 580, and St Martin’s Church, known as Britain’s oldest building, these prolific religious buildings make up a UNESCO World Heritage Site.