Looking for a festive day out that mixes countryside calm with Christmas-market magic? This guide brings together the best Christmas Market walks near London—scenic routes where the reward isn’t just the views, but the mulled wine, glowing chalets, and seasonal cheer waiting at the finish. So, lace up your boots, grab a cosy scarf, and let’s explore the most magical Christmas Market walks you can reach from London in under 90 minutes.
At a Glance
In a hurry? Check out the table below. I go into more details in each walks in this article.
| Distance | Duration | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester | 4 mi (6.4 km) | 1 hr 40 min | Easy |
| Bath | 5.5 mi (8.9 km) | 2 hrs 30 min | Easy |
| Kingston | 10 mi (16 km) | 3 hrs 30 min | Easy |
| Arundel | 9.55 m (15.4 km) | 4 hours | Intermediate |
| St Albans | 10 mi (16 km) | 3 hrs 30 min | Easy |
| Oxford | 6.6 mi (10.6 km) | 2 hrs 35 min | Easy |
| Canterbury | 7.45 mi (12 km) | 2 hrs 20 min | Easy |
Maps of the Christmas Market Walks
Do you want to do these walks? Simply download the maps by clicking on the button below each picture. Learn how to upload the map on your navigation app by follow my guide here.
Best Christmas Market Walks
So now we covered the basics, let’s get to the Christmas spirit!
1 – Winchester
Kick off your festive adventures with a Christmas market walk that feels straight out of a storybook. Just over an hour from London, the historic city of Winchester transforms into a glowing winter haven, complete with medieval streets, riverside paths, and one of the most atmospheric Christmas markets in the country. This gentle stroll weaves past iconic landmarks and down to the twinkling chalets of the market—perfect if you want a day out that blends history, scenery, and festive shopping.
Logistics
- Distance:4 miles (6.4 km)
- Total Ascent: 161 ft (49 m)
- Highest Point: 322 ft (101 m)
- Walking Estimate: 1 hour and 40 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
How to get there:
- Direct trains from Waterloo Station to Winchester. The journey takes 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- It is a circular walk so you can buy a day return ticket.
Additional Information
- There are public toilets at the Winchester Winter Market
- This is a stile-free walk
- This is a dog-friendly walk
Where to eat and drink:
- Winchester Winter food stalls
2 – Bath
Escape the festive crowds without leaving the magic behind. Just a short train ride from London, the elegant city of Bathoffers a Christmas market walk with a twist—one that pairs Georgian charm and Roman history with sweeping hilltop views. The Bathampton Down Walk takes you from the riverside to the iconic Sham Castle and out onto peaceful, open countryside before looping back to the city’s famous Christmas Market.
Logistics
- Distance: 5.5 miles (8.9 km)
- Ascent: 636 ft (194 m)
- Highest Point: 659 ft (201 m)
- Lowest Point: 52 ft (16 m)
- Walking Estimate: 2 hours and 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy with one hill
How to get there:
- Start: Trains from London Paddington to Bath Spa. The journey takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes.
- Return: This is a circular walk coming back to Bath Spa station so you can book a day return ticket.
Additional Information
- Toilets available at Bath Spa Station
- There is one stile on this walk
- This is a dog-friendly walk
Where to eat and drink:
- Bath Christmas Market Stalls
3 – Kingston – Upon – Thames
Step into a perfect blend of history and holiday cheer just a short train ride from London. The Kingston Loop Walk leads you through the historic streets of Kingston upon Thames, past the roaming deer of Bushy Park and along the Thames toward the grand silhouette of Hampton Court Palace. And the real seasonal highlight awaits at the end: Kingston’s vibrant Christmas Market, where wooden chalets, festive food, and twinkling lights make the perfect reward after your stroll.
Logistics
- Distance: 10 miles (16 km)
- Ascent: 39 ft (12 m)
- Highest Point: 52 ft (16 m)
- Lowest Point: 16 ft (6 m)
- Walking Estimate: 3 hours and 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
How to get there:
- Start/End: Kingston Station
- Transport: Trains from Waterloo. The journey takes between 20 to 30 minutes depending on the train. Local buses also serve Kingston Station.
Additional Information:
- Public toilets are available at Kingston Station & Bushy Park
- This is a dog friendly walk
- This is a stile free walk
4 – Arundel
If you’re dreaming of a walk that ends at a fairy-tale castle and a festive market, the Amberley to Arundel route is for you. Starting in the thatched-cottage village of Amberley, this hike climbs the windswept slopes of the South Downs, follows the meandering River Arun, and finishes in the medieval market town of Arundel. In December, Arundel really comes into its own, with a charming Christmas market, carol events, and a High Street full of antique shops that are perfect for finding unique gifts.
Logistics
- Distance: 9.55 miles (15.4 km)
- Total Ascent: 777 ft (236 m)
- Highest Point: 630 ft (192 m)
- Lowest Point: -6.5 ft (-2 m)
- Walking Estimate: 4 hours
- Difficulty: Intermediate
How to get there:
- Direct train from Victoria Station to Amberley
- The journey takes 1 hour and 25 minutes.
For the return
- Direct train from Arundel to Victoria Station
- The journey takes 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Amberley and Arundel stations are operated by Southern trains so you can book an Arundel anytime return ticket and get off at Amberley.
Additional Information:
- There are no public toilets on this hike, however, there is a pub in Burpham village where you can stop for a drink and a toilet break
Where to Eat
- White Hart, Arundel, West Sussex
5 – St Albans
The Abbey Line Trail is a point-to-point walk that follows the route of the old railway line linking Watford to St Albans. It leads you from vibrant Watford into a peaceful world of open fields, quiet riverside paths, and the gentle rolling landscapes that define the Hertfordshire countryside, before guiding you into the historic heart of St Albans. And if you’re visiting in winter, the trail ends on its brightest note: the St Albans Christmas Market, where local crafts, twinkling lights, mulled wine, and festive stalls transform the city centre into a warm seasonal haven.
Logistics
- Distance: 10 mi (16 km)
- Total Ascent: 282 ft (86 m)
- Highest Point: 364 ft (111 m)
- Lowest Point: 187 ft (57 m)
- Walking Estimate: 3 hours and 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
How to get there:
- Direct train from London Euston to Watford Junction
- The journey takes between 15 minutes to 45 minutes depending on the train you take
For the Return:
- Direct train from St Albans to London St Pancras International
- The journey takes between 20 to 35 minutes depending on the train
Additional Information:
- Toilets are available at Watford Junction Station and St Albans City Station
- There are no public toilets available during the walk
- This is a stile-free walk
- This is a dog-friendly walk
Where to Eat
- The Kings Arm, St Albans
6 – Oxford
The Oxford Thames Path Walk is a gentle circular route that follows a peaceful stretch of the River Thames before looping back through the wide-open fields of Port Meadow. It’s perfect for anyone wanting a dose of countryside calm without straying far from the historic streets of Oxford. Along the way, you’ll wander past houseboats, grazing ponies, medieval ruins, and expansive meadow views—all on an easy, scenic path. And if you visit during the festive period, here is a bonus: you’ll finish just steps away from the Oxford Christmas Market, where wooden stalls, seasonal treats, and twinkling lights await.
Logictics
- Distance:6.6 miles (10.62 km)
- Ascent: 36 ft (8 m)
- Highest Point: 210 ft (64 m)
- Lowest Point: 184 ft (56 m)
- Walking Estimate: 2 hours and 35 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
How to get there:
- Direct trains from Paddington or Marylebone to Oxford. The journey takes approximately 1 hour with the fast train and 1 hour and 30 minutes with the slow train
For the return:
- It is a circular walk so you can buy a day return ticket.
- Please note that Chiltern Railway requires that you book a seat to guarantee your access to the train.
Additional Information
- There are no public toilets on this walk
- This is a stile-free walk
- Dog-friendly walk
Where to eat and drink:
- The Trout Inn, Godstow
- Oxford Retreat Pub, Oxford
7 – Canterbury
The Crab and Winkle Way is one of Kent’s most surprising trails—a former Victorian railway line that now connects Whitstable’s salty sea breeze with the spires and storybook streets of Canterbury. What begins as a coastal departure quickly becomes a journey through quiet woodland and open farmland, ending in the cathedral city after just a few relaxed miles. And if you time your visit for winter, the finale is especially worth the miles: Canterbury’s Christmas Market, filled with glowing stalls, festive flavours, and plenty of charm to round off the day.
Logistics
- Distance: 7.45 mi (12 km)
- Total Ascent: 305 ft (93 m)
- Highest Point: 259 ft (79 m)
- Lowest Point: 26 ft (8 m)
- Walking Estimate: 2 hours and 20 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
How to get there:
- Direct train from London Victoria or London St Pancras to Whistable
- The journey from any of the two stations mentioned above takes 1 hour and 20 minutes
For the Return:
- Direct train from Canterbury West to London Victoria. The journey takes 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Direct train from Canterbury West to London St Pancras. This is a fast train and the journey takes under 1 hour
- There is a slow train running from Canterbury West to London Charing Cross. The journey takes 1 hour and 45 minutes
Additional Information:
- There are passenger toilets at Whitstable and Canterbury West train stations
- There are customer toilets available at the Tesco Extra on South Street as you are leaving Whitstable
- There are no public toilets available on this walk
- This is a stile-free walk
- This is a dog-friendly walk
- Suitable for cyclists
Where to Eat
- Christmas Market, Canterbury, Kent
- The Lobster Shack, Whitstable, Kent
Final Thoughts on the Christmas Market Walks
I hope this guide inspires your next festive adventure—whichever walk you choose, you’re in for a day of fresh air, twinkling lights, and a Christmas market waiting to welcome you at the end.
Happy walking and Merry Christmas!
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