Best Christmas Markets To Visit in England

Are you crazy about Christmas or a bah humbug? We sit in the former camp and love embracing the Christmas spirit. The last couple of years we have combined the festive season with a trip overseas to a European city, somewhere we have never been before, to soak up the Christmas market atmosphere.

There was our trip to Bruges and then Copenhagen where we got festive at Tivoli Gardens and discovered the best things to do in Copenhagen as well as a sneaky few hours in Malmo. But this year, with the constraints of the school term, we have abandoned a trip elsewhere in Europe. Instead we are looking at what the UK has to offer in the way of Christmas Markets which are becoming more and more popular here. We are very keen to squeeze in a visit but have yet to decide definitively on a city. Here’s my top Christmas markets which are currently in the running for us to visit. What other suggestions do you have?

Winchester Christmas Market

Set in the grounds of Winchester’s Gothic cathedral, the Winchester Christmas market attracts around 350,000 visitors every year. My friend Vicky, who is from the city, very enthusiastically sold it to me and it is currently our top choice of Christmas markets to attend.

Winchester Christmas Market: MummyTravels
Winchester Christmas Market: Pic courtesy of MummyTravels

It looks magical with over 100 huts which are selected by the cathedral team to ensure the upmost quality. There is a strong emphasis on British handicrafts and the usual mulled wine, mince pies and stollen. A large ice rink is also there. Distance wise it’s around an hour by car or train from London.

London

You are spoilt for choice for Christmas Markets in central London and the surrounding area. The Southbank always has a great vibe with Scandinadian-style wooden huts lining the banks of the Thames and fairground rides and a carousel too.

Wander further along and the Tate Modern has a selection of huts selling gifts, children’s toys and gingerbread while London Bridge and Greenwich have festive offerings too. There’s Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park for markets and plenty more Christmassy fun. For more Christmas market inspiration have a look at Visit London’s list and for other festive things to do in London check out my post.

South Bank, London at Christmas
London’s South Bank at Christmas

Bath

The spa city of Bath is beautiful anytime of the year but add an award-winning Christmas market into the mix and there’s even more reason to visit.  During the festive season, there are 170 wooden huts of stalls which line the area around the ancient Roman Baths and Bath Abbey.

There is a strong emphasis on supporting the local community with 85% of stallholders from Bath and the surrounding area. Plus, 89% of the stalls sell handmade products. Sounds like a great place to pick up some gifts while soaking up the historic city’s sights.

Bath Christmas Market (Visit Bath)
Picture courtesy of Visit Bath

Leeds

Leeds has one of the oldest established German Christmas markets which takes place in the city’s Millennium Square. Leeds is my husband’s home city so he has raved about the ‘Christkindelmarkt’ a lot. It has over 40 stalls and a carousel ride which will keep younger children entertained while you sip mulled wine. It also has a Santa breakfast experience (for the kids) and an apres-ski style bar (for the adults).

There are plenty of Christmas markets going on in towns and cities throughout the UK. I have listed just a few that have caught  my eye. Where is your favourite Christmas market? What else do you think I need to add to my list?

You may also enjoy reading

Tivoli Gardens in Winter, Copenhagen
Five Festive Things To Do In London with Kids
Christmas Markets and Chocolate in Bruges
12 Things To Do In Copenhagen With Kids

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Some of the best Christmas Markets to visit in England



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Wander Mum

I've always loved to travel so when my two daughters came along, I didn't stop. Travelling as a family can have its ups and downs but I love showing my children the world and helping others navigate travelling with children in tow.

49 Comments
  1. I didn’t realise the South Bank has a Christmas market – how daft am I as that’s my favourite place in London the rest of the year.
    The nearest one to us is Lincoln which is meant to be very good but it was last weekend and I’ve missed it! I really must do better next year.
    #citytripping
    Trish @ Mum’s Gone To recently posted…Falling in love with SevilleMy Profile

  2. I am warming to the markets in the U.K. A little despite my latest article! Winchester especially looks excellent. London I can do without but love Covent Garden during the festive season.#citytripping.

  3. I definitely love embracing the Christmas spirit and have a list of London things to work through with a few markets included too! 😉 #citytripping

  4. NOT A BIT A BAH HUMBUG! As you can see, I go all out for Christmas in Singapore even though it’s hot all year round hahaha Oh and Christmas Markets… we do have them here in Singapore too but the weather! It’s so hot and crowded, I get put off by them. Definitely will have to make a trip to a real wintery country for next Christmas! Or maybe Christmas in 2018 because we are already planning a Europe trip next year in Oct. #citytripping

  5. Just love reading about all these English Christmas markets – though we have our fair share of Christmas galore in NY, these markets sound and look so beautiful and old world. I especially like the sound of the market in Bath. #citytripping

  6. Hi I would add Birmingham to the list.
    I did go to Manchester’s last year but by the time we had gone out for a meal the market had closed! It was its last day too!!
    I like the look of the market in Bath – may try to fit that in before Xmas if its still on.
    Off to London to Hyde park Winter Wonderland on Saturday – can’t wait!
    Tracy recently posted…40 Stocking Filler Gift Ideas for the Travel LoverMy Profile

  7. And Nottingham!!? We have a Christmas ice rink in the square and a few other rides, plus quite and extensive market. And if it’s old architecture you like then Hockley and the Lace Market are littered with old buildings, renovated to cool bars or restaurants! #citytripping
    Alex recently posted…Wild About PembrokeshireMy Profile

  8. I’ve never experienced a Christmas market in UK before but based on your list of suggestions, I would recommend, perhaps, Bath? Since Bath is a historical city, I reckon it will be fun visiting the city and the Christmas markets during this time of the year as well 🙂 Let us know which one you finally pick! #citytripping

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