What Makes A Christmas Market So Magical
02 July 2020
Imagine the picture-perfect Christmas Market; a patchwork of chalet-style stalls cocooned under a cascade of twinkling lights, the jolly chime of bells jingling from Santa’s grotto and that warming scent of hot apple cider and mince pies.
There is nothing quite like the festive time of year, wandering around one of our nation’s most charming cities with loved ones in search of that special gift. It’s like stepping into a dazzling Christmas card scene, with plenty of time to taste homemade goodies and artisan treats, of course.
With a whole sack full of Christmas Market breaks to choose from, we’ve collected together our favourites below.
Exeter Christmas Market
Exeter serves up a huge helping of festive magic. The floodlit Gothic cathedral provides a stunning backdrop, which watches over labyrinthine rows of Christmas market stalls selling everything from artisan food, crafts and unique decorations. Recognised as one of the best speciality markets by the National Association of British Market Authorities, be sure to explore the variety of gift inspiration before having a wander around the enchanting cobbled streets, packet of roasted chestnuts in hand.
Bath Christmas Market
Perfect for a pre-Christmas celebration, Bath Christmas Market will see you returning year after year. Iced with glittering fairy lights, the yuletide stalls attract a diverse range of independent retailers offering delicious produce, handmade gifts and many other curios. A stroll around the city’s Georgian streets, all bejewelled for the season and entwined around the stunning Bath Abbey is sure to get you in the festive spirit.
Durham Christmas Market
Why do Christmas markets and cathedrals look so good together? The power couple of Durham’s Romanesque cathedral and the jumble of traditional market stalls provide a marvellous seasonal atmosphere, with a canopy of festooned lights sprinkled over this glorious, yuletide scene. There is much to explore within the helter-skelter of hilly streets and after perusing an excellent range of gifts, there is still time on our festive break to take a trip to Beamish, the open-air living museum of the North. Telling the story of a typical market town from the years leading up to the First World War and adorned with enchanting Christmas decorations of yesteryear, we enjoy some traditions of a bygone era.
Edinburgh Christmas Market
Edinburgh Christmas Market is unforgettable. Pockets of stalls cluster amongst the historic streets, and the famous gardens in the heart of the city are crammed with bespoke handicrafts, delicious crepes and bratwurst. The castle, all aglow, proudly perches on the hillside, silhouetted against the wintry sky. That jaunty carousel music beckons and a trio of glittering cathedrals crown a cobweb of meandering streets. This frosted winter wonderland is sure to get you in the seasonal spirit as you soak up the charms of the market with a festive tipple or two.
Christmas Markets At A Glance
A Christmas Market break is a magical way to enjoy the countdown to the big day itself. No matter which city you choose, all of our breaks provide that joyous festive ambience and the chance to start your Christmas shopping for some truly unique presents. These cities look magnificent, sparkling under rolls of fairy lights, all knitted together like a warming tea cosy, and you can enjoy browsing a wide selection of trinkets while taking that sip of the first mulled wine of the season. All of our breaks include return coach travel and a stay at a selected 3 or 4-star hotel with breakfast so you’ll have plenty of time to relax after a day of shopping.