There are plenty of things to see in London all year round, but for a truly memorable experience, you cannot beat visiting the city at Christmas.

After all, the British capital hosts many events and spectacles at this time of year to get people in the mood for the festive season.

If you are taking the whole family to London, then it will be hard to find somewhere better to go than its Christmas markets.

There are many being staged in the area during November and December, and they can really help visitors get in a Christmassy frame of mind.

One of the very best Christmas markets is staged on the South Bank, right at the heart of the city alongside the Thames.

Yes, it can get a bit nippy on a typical winter evening, but this gives you a perfect excuse to pull out the winter woollies and try some of the warming foods on offer.

Indeed, the Cologne Christmas Market brings the very best German delicacies straight to the middle of London.

Try out a hearty steak or sausage, or perhaps indulge in a mouth-watering selection of sweets and chocolate.

Alternatively, why not sample a pancake made right before your eyes - it's all here for your enjoyment.

Germany is famous for many things, but one of its most highly regarded exports is undoubtedly beer.

So any adults who are attending the Christmas market should seriously think about trying some of the tipples on offer.

This is not mass produced, tasteless drink that you can find in your local off-licence - this is the real deal and certainly not to be missed.

Visitors to the Cologne Christmas Market can also snap up plenty of souvenirs during their stay, including some handmade gifts and trinkets, including toys, ornaments and jewellery.

Children, meanwhile, will have the chance to meet Santa Claus and enjoy some fairground rides.

With a soundtrack of classic Christmas hits and carols, this can really evoke the spirit of the festive season and get that Yuletide feeling going in even the most Scrooge-like characters.

And to top it off, the whole event takes place under the watchful gaze of the London Eye.

It may be cold and dark on a night out in London at this time of year, but it means you are guaranteed to see some of its most remarkable landmarks floodlit in a very dramatic manner.

This alone can make a visit to a Christmas market worth it.

Of course, this is just one of many such experiences taking place across London during November and December.

Another of London's very best Christmas markets takes place in Hyde Park.

You can wear down plenty of shoe leather at this huge but charming event, where a similarly dazzling array of food, drink and souvenirs are on offer.

Again, visitors will certainly find it a good idea to make sure they are wearing their hat and scarf.

But if that is not enough to keep out the harsh winter chill, try some superb German sausages and wash it down with a glass of authentic mulled wine.

Your limbs may be freezing, but your heart and stomach will be suitably warmed by the entire experience.

People of all ages and nationalities will come here to get a taste of Christmas before the big day, so you definitely should as well.