A Guide to the Best Christmas Markets in the UK
If you are looking for something unique this Christmas but really don’t fancy slogging it out on Oxford Street, why not enjoy your shopping with some of these magical festive experiences at the best Christmas Markets in the UK.
London Southbank
This market always offers a festive log cabin experience. Why not take a trip on the London Eye to take in a bird’s eye view of the festivities below? A typical German style market with log cabins offering plenty of gift ideas for you to take home as well as sampling some festive food. Stretching along the Southbank all the way to Waterloo Bridge. There is plenty for all to do, a carousels for the little ones and plenty of Gluhwhein stalls for the adults! 16th November – 24th December 2012
Edinburgh
If you are planning to head there for Hogmanay then why not head up early and do a bit of Christmas shopping first. Edinburgh offers not just one Christmas Market but two, Set around the mound the traditional Market with stalls from Frankfurt offering traditional and contemporary gifts and of course more Gluhwhein! When you’ve had your fill of Gluhwein here you can move onto the Highland Village Christmas Market on East Princes Street Gardens. Here, there is a definite Scottish theme with locally produced goods such as food, jewellery, and crafts. Take it all in with a warming Whisky hot toddy!
York
For a truly medieval affair hop over to York and indulge in a truly historical spectacular. St Nicholas Fayre starts on 29th November and is set in a series of locations. Barley Hall, York’s Medieval townhouse, restored to its former glory in the early nineties, now hosts a spectacular Christmas Fayre once a year, with costumed traders, live crafting and plenty of unique gifts. This is just one of the delights York has to offer it’s shoppers over the festive period. Visit Guild Hall and you’ll find it filled to the brim with local artisans creating some of Yorkshires finest goods. Outdoors there is the traditional Christmas Market on Parliament Street, St Sampson’s Square and Coppergate. The weekends see Carol singers, buskers and street entertainers to keep you entertained while you shop.
Bath
Plays host to one of the UKs most famous Christmas Markets. Head off to the main Square beside the Cathedral and the Roman Baths and there are 140 wooden chalets, selling everything from decorations to handmade gifts. You will be hard pressed to not get into the festive swing of things here. If you are feeling a little chilly whilst exploring the shops, why not pop into the Cathedral and listen to some Carols while you warm up?
Lincoln
You can’t help but be in awe of the breath taking view of Lincoln Cathedral lit up at night and it has never looked quite as spectacular as when it is surrounded by festive lights and stalls. Lincoln used to be a tiny Christmas market offering just a few stalls, now it has grown into a huge street festival with around 300 stalls stretching past the castle to the lawn. What better place is there to enjoy some of the local produce? Traditional Lincolnshire food is a plenty and wash it all down with some wine from Neustadt an der Weinstrasse – Lincoln’s twin city in Germany.
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About The Author: Daniel works for Personalised Gifts Shop, a supplier of Christmas baubles and personalised gifts for all occasions. When he’s not writing about Christmas, Daniel enjoys finding strange and unusual travel stories on the internet.
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