The windows are open on the advent calendars, the decorations are out and the John Lewis advert has made its debut. The countdown to Christmas has officially begun. If it’s a wintery day out you’re after, or an unusual Christmas present for somebody special, the UK’s Christmas markets are bound to please. Mr Lender, a UK based short term loan provider, has put together a list of 10 must see Christmas markets around the UK this winter.
With over 170 stalls available, stocking a variety of goods produced and made by the locals, there will be something for everyone at the Bath Christmas market. Once you’ve had your fill of the market, get your skates on and whizz across the ice rink, or give the glow-in-the-dark crazy golf a shot. The market will be on until the 11th of December, so get there quick.
Running until the 8th of January, the Southbank Centre Christmas Market will make up part of the Winter Festival taking place along the river. Make sure to visit the pop-up Rekorderlig Cider Lodge, where you can sample Scandinavian street food and wintery drinks.
Enjoy a whole variety of festive treats, including panoramic views of the city atop the Big Wheel, a carousel, an ice rink surrounding the Melville Monument, and Santa Land for the children –as well as the European Market in the Mound Precinct, and the Scottish Market on George Street. This market is on until January, so there is still plenty of time to pop down.
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Birmingham – Frankfurt Christmas Market
This market has now been a staple part of Christmas in Birmingham for over 15 years, and is the biggest German market held outside of Germany and Austria. It will be open to visitors until the 29th of December this year, offering a whole variety of traditional German produce including handcrafted jewellery, toys, and decorations, as well as pretzels, schnitzels, bratwursts, beer, mulled wine, and much, much more.
Visit the iconic Brighton Lanes to get in the festive spirit. Jubilee Square will play host to the Christmas market, with 20 decorated Christmas chalets selling an assortment of handcrafted goods, food and drink.
Leeds will hold their Christmas market until the 18th of December, so there is still a couple of weeks to get involved. One of the most established German markets in the UK, guests can have a Bavarian feast in the Alp Chalet, get cosy around a log fire in the Kuh Stall, as well as getting some last minute Christmas gifts from the traditional wooden chalets.
Often listed as one of the UKs most attractive cities, Winchester’s Victorian lanes are lined with market stalls over the festive period. Now in its 10th year, the traditional Christmas market will be open to visitors until the 20th of December. Wooden chalets will line the Cathedral’s Close, with an open-air ice rink at its heart.
Surrounding the Chester Christmas tree, are over 70 traditional wooden chalets, offering everything from clothes, jewellery, stocking fillers and unique gifts. The market will be open seven days a week until the 18th of December.
Cheltenham Promenade will play host to the Christmas for their 14th year, where guests can peruse the wooden chalets for the perfect last minute Christmas gift. The market will run until the 17th of December.
This Christmas market first began in 1999, and has since won the Best Market Attraction 2010. With more than 200 stalls spread throughout the city in various locations, it would be hard to go home empty handed. The European Christmas Market will be held in front of the Town Hall on Albert Square, while the French and German markets can also be found nearby. New to the Christmas market this year is an ice rink, situated in the Cathedral Gardens. Most stalls will be open until the 20th of December, with the Albert Square market remaining open for one extra day.