Finnish Church Christmas Fair, Rotherhithe

This is a short train-assisted ride, from Paddington across to Rotherhithe, famous for its connections to the Mayflower. Our destination is the Christmas Fair at the Finnish Church https://britannia.merimieskirkko.fi/en/tapahtuma/joulumyyjaiset-2025/ . We will allow a couple of hours to visit the Fair and to have refreshments, before using public transport to return home.

Starting from Paddington, we ride through the Royal Parks, around Buckingham Palace, and cross the river at Vauxhall Bridge. We ride on through the Oval, across Burgess Park, and then turn back up via Southwark Park, to Bermondsey Wall, where we will have a short pause to view the Salter Family Statues https://livinglondonhistory.com/dr-salters-daydream-a-very-moving-set-of-statues/. From here, it is only a brief ride to the Finnish Church in Rotherhithe.

We will lock up our bikes and go to explore the Christmas Fair. Please be aware that we might have to queue to enter. Entry is free of charge, with a requested donation of £1.

Depending how long we stay at the Fair, we have various options for refreshments and for our return journey. If time and/or energy is short, we can ride just to Canada Water, where there are cafes, also the possibility of visiting the Charity Bike Shop https://cyclistsfc.org.uk/london-shop/ which often has cycling clothing and accessories at reduced prices. We can then take the London Overground Windrush Line, changing at Whitechapel for the Elizabeth Line. If we want a slightly longer ride, we can return to Southwark Park for refreshments and then ride on to Farringdon for train services home.

Short, train-assisted ride to visit the Christmas Fair in the Finnish Church at Rotherhithe

Segregated cycle tracks, shared paths, quieter roads where possible, some short stretches on busier roads

Visit to the Christmas Fair in the Finnish Church. Refreshment stop in a cafe afterwards.

Money/card for entry to the Fair (suggested donation £1), travel fare, & cafe. Lock for your bike.

First-timers welcome!