Bath’s annual Christmas Market is a great opportunity to buy handcrafted presents, sip and taste homecooked delights and admire the cosy grandeur of fine Georgian sandstone architecture.
This year’s market has decorations made of recycled plastic bags and bottles, designed by Christine Leech who is Creative Director of Marie Claire Runway Magazine.
Browse the rows of wooden chalets, filled with goodies and decked with festive lights that line the area near Bath Cathedral and the city’s antique Pump House.
And when in a Roman city, why not do as the Romans did and take reinvigorating dip in the Thermae Baths. Shop, explore and rest in stately splendour as part of a great day out.
Market open Thursday 22nd November to Sunday 9th December.
Birmingham is the UK’s second largest city so it’s only appropriate that its Christmas market is big; it’s the biggest outdoor Christmas market in the UK, and it’s also the largest market of its kind outside of Austria and Germany.
This means around 200 festive stalls in around New Street and Victoria Square… and lots of things to buy and spoil yourself with. It’s a foodie’s paradise: experience the tastes, sights and aromas of sweet and savoury crepes, waffles, pretzles, schnitzels, bratwursts, toasted marshmallows and roasted almonds supped with a glass of fruity glühwein, a tankard of weissbeer, or comforting mug of rich hot chocolate.
Market open Thursday 15th November to Sunday 23rd December.
Birmingham Christmas Market Website
“Glasgow loves Christmas,” claims Glasgow so it’s playing host to not one but two sparkling Christmas markets in George Square and Enoch Square.
Pick up the perfect Christmas present from one of the many stalls that occupy cosmopolitan Glasgow at this time of year, with gifts and feasts aplenty made lovingly by crafts people and good cooks.
Among the jewellery, hand-knits, cosmetics, pottery, clothes, cakes, ales and superior nosh, there is a traditional German windmill, a vintage carousel and a festive helter skelter to provide fun and amusement.
The markets welcome all, and there is an autism-friendly market day on Tuesday 4th December.
St Enoch Square Market – Saturday 10th November to Saturday 22nd December.
St George Square Market – Monday 26th November to Saturday 29th December
Glasgow Christmas Market Website
The traditionally named Christkindelmarkt in Leeds has 40 authentically decorated wooden chalet stalls selling toys, traditional Christmas decorations, neat little stocking fillers and great things to eat and wear.
The German Christmas – based around Millennium Square – is also a winter wonderland for children, with a Christmas Carousel and other themed children’s rides. There’s a children’s show every Sunday morning with face painting, balloon modelling, sing-songs, crafts and guest appearances from Winter Wonderland Princesses and her festive friends.
The adults can relax in German bars, an Alpine-chalet-style eatery and – if they shop with the early birds – tuck into a buffet style breakfast.
Market open Friday 5th November to Saturday 22nd December.
