10 traditional British Christmas markets you must visit this winter
It doesn’t get more festive than listening to Christmas melodies while perusing stalls filled with mulled wine, handcrafted gifts and roasted chestnuts.
That said, it’s easy to get carried away with thinking that the best places to do this are further afield, in the likes of Austria, Germany and Sweden.
But it couldn’t be further from the truth with at least 15 major markets to visit right here in England.
Whether it’s for an afternoon of shopping or you’re looking for a romantic evening walk under twinkling lights, there’s no shortage of festive events on offer across the country.
Express.co.uk has picked out 10 of the most worthy destinations to pay a visit this December.
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Winchester Cathedral
The historic city makes aquaint setting for a Christmas market with the stalls just a stone’s throw away from the iconic cathedral. Open now until December 21, 2023, there’s plenty of time to explore.
Visitors will find more than 100 chalets filled with exclusive gifts by hand-picked exhibitors – something that’s hard to find in high street stores.
Craft beer and mulled wine take the forefront of the food and drink offerings while skilled handmade gifts are not to be missed at what is regarded to be one of Europe’s best festive markets.
Bath Christmas Market
More than 160 pop-up chalets line the idyllic Georgian streets of Bath, all set around the famous Abbey. Food, decorations and jewellery are some of the Artisan crafts on offer here, with vendors plucked from the South West of England and further afield.
The market isn’t open for long though having opened on November 23 and ready to close on December 10.
Leeds city-wide Christmas market
In Leeds, Yorkshire, the festivities are spread across the city with around one in four of the 120 market stalls set to host a Yorkshire-based trader. From now until December 22, visitors can browse Chow Down Winter Village, which is packed with local street food vendors as well as a rooftop curling club and a heated ski lodge.
The nearby Leeds Corn Exchange has an independent market of its own and just a stone’s throw away are the speciality markets at Kirkgate. Visitors will also find plenty of festive events and markets in Millennium Square, Briggate and Cookridge Street, which is home to a Christmas carousel.
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Chester Christmas market
From now until December 21, Chester, Cheshire will host more than 70 stalls at its festive market, selling everything from handmade gifts to fudge, vodka and other stocking fillers. The star attraction is the giant sparkling Christmas tree which is surrounded by the aroma of mulled wine and hog roast from nearby kiosks.
York Christmas Market 2023
Visit Parliament Street, York, to experience the unique medieval charm of the award-winning Christmas fair. The alpine-theme offers an array of traditional foods, decorations and an abundance of local produce on sale at the Made in Yorkshire Yuletide Village. The festive events will continue until December 23, 2023.
Southbank Winter Festival, London
The popular Winter Festival is one of the longest running in England, and has made its return for 2023. Twinkling wooden cabins selling Christmas gifts line the riverbank with and eclectic range of gifts on offer. The towering Christmas tree is hard to miss, along with an array of festive shows and events running at the Southbank Centre.
10 Christmas markets to visit this year
- Winchester Cathedral, Hampshire (until December 21)
- Bath, Somerset (until December 10)
- Leeds, Yorkshire (until December 22)
- Chester, Cheshire (until December 21)
- York, Yorkshire (until December 23)
- Southbank, London (until January 7, 2024)
- Stratford-upon-Avon Victorian Christmas Market, Warwickshire (7-10 December)
- Padstow Christmas Festival, Cornwall, (7-10 December)
- Albert Square Christmas Markets, Manchester (until December 22)
- Victoria Square Christmas Market, Birmingham (until December 23)
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