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Original poster

Christmas Markets

37 replies

incandescentglow · 17/10/2023 11:11

hellooo

does anyone have any christmas market recommendations for this year? i would love to go on a weekend break anywhere in the UK to visit a really nice one with my sister, ive only ever really been to the London ones but would love to hear which ones are worth visiting for a couple of days

OP posts:
NotFastButFurious · 17/10/2023 11:57

Avoid Edinburgh, there’s a lot of tatt rather than traditional craft type items and they get hideously busy at weekends (last year the queue to get in was half way down Princes Street on Saturday afternoon).

Rocketpants50 · 17/10/2023 11:59

I don't think the uk ones are great to be honest. Would see if you can get a cheap flight over to Germany and visit one of theirs.

oohsharon · 17/10/2023 12:14

No really nice ones in the uk. See if you can get a flight to Nuremberg

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gowiththefloifonly · 17/10/2023 12:19

I think these are all just one big overpriced hype. The (UK) markets have nothing gift wise, they are expensive, so busy that you can hardly get near the stalls, a lot of it is food & drink which is very expensive, you have to eat/drink while either perched somewhere or while walking along which is impossible given the number of people bumping into you due to the crowds. You therefore cannot enjoy the food.

Sorry OP, these are just hideously overpriced and over crowded hell-holes.

ISpyNoPlumPie · 18/10/2023 11:54

Agree with everyone else about the UK ones. All bad. Recommend Budapest and Bruges.

FlickyCrumble · 18/10/2023 11:56

We’re trying Bath this year. The markets close mid December though so you’ll need to look them up for dates etc.

caringcarer · 18/10/2023 12:47

The Birmingham one is quite big and does have some nice bits. I go each year as local to me but not sure I'd book an overnight stay to go to any Xmas market.

PopSocksRock · 18/10/2023 12:52

Winchester Christmas Market is lovely, well worth a trip and very atmospheric

LivingDeadGirlUK · 18/10/2023 12:53

As people have said they all really seem to be overpriced and too busy in the UK, I used to love the Manchester one but its just too expensive now. I would say if you are going somewhere in the UK try York as its a lovely city to visit on its own right as well.

LittleMy77 · 18/10/2023 13:01

Don’t come to the York one! It’s overpriced tat and last year it was so overcrowded they nearly shut it down due to public safety concerns. The city was packed and you couldn’t get in anywhere for food or drinks

YetAnotherSpartacus · 18/10/2023 13:08

Really? There was some lovely stuff in York when I went (but that was pre-Covid).

Jorvik1978 · 18/10/2023 13:11

I'd also avoid the York one. Well, we live in York and we do avoid it, mainly due to the crowds. My husband is German and thinks the UK ones are a pale imitation. I'd second the suggestion of heading to the continent.

AnnaMagnani · 18/10/2023 13:17

None of the UK ones!

EfficientlyDecluttering · 18/10/2023 13:18

Winchester is nice if you can avoid the busiest times, its best after dark as less crowded and more atmospheric. The city is lovely too. But the market isn't massive, you don't need more than a couple of hours there. It's expensive too, a lot of it isn't specifically Christmas stuff but expensive craft items.

LittleMy77 · 18/10/2023 13:20

YetAnotherSpartacus · 18/10/2023 13:08

Really? There was some lovely stuff in York when I went (but that was pre-Covid).

Yep (we live there), unless you want a dream catcher and massively expensive luxury hot chocolate or schnapps

Lots of generic tat and food stalls with a pop up chalet type bar. Loads of complaints from locals on last years as it was a mess

froomeonthebroom · 18/10/2023 13:22

Worcester is nice but it's only one weekend.

CeaselesslyIntoThePast · 18/10/2023 13:22

Lincoln was the only decent UK one and that's now cancelled.

PinkPondQueen · 18/10/2023 13:23

The Cardiff one is nice and there are other lovely things to see and do such as the Winter Wonderland and the Light Trail at Bute Park. Here's a list of vendors for this year.

https://www.cardiffchristmasmarket.com/the-market/

The Market – Cardiff Christmas Market

https://www.cardiffchristmasmarket.com/the-market

tooktyewalletyopoolsbf · 18/10/2023 13:28

gowiththefloifonly · 17/10/2023 12:19

I think these are all just one big overpriced hype. The (UK) markets have nothing gift wise, they are expensive, so busy that you can hardly get near the stalls, a lot of it is food & drink which is very expensive, you have to eat/drink while either perched somewhere or while walking along which is impossible given the number of people bumping into you due to the crowds. You therefore cannot enjoy the food.

Sorry OP, these are just hideously overpriced and over crowded hell-holes.

I never understand responses like these. The OP has already said she’s been to Christmas markets so knows exactly what they are like.

They are asking for recommendations. If you don’t have one then don’t recommend one. Also just because something isn’t your thing doesn’t mean others can’t enjoy it.

wintertimeisbest · 18/10/2023 14:06

Dont bother with bury in suffolk its soooooo over priced that people only go to look.
Looks pretty but £6 for a small hot chocolate £8 for a festive pie bake they sell the same in greggs for £2.
Over priced cheap tat and so crowded your back to back with people.

Have heard ely in cambridgeshire is not too bad not been my self.

enchantedsquirrelwood · 18/10/2023 14:10

Totally disagree about Edinburgh, it's great.

I've not been to many in the UK but Winchester is quite a nice one.

My son lives in York and that has a nice one too.

Yes they all have tat but the atmosphere is nice especially if it's Christmassy weather.

enchantedsquirrelwood · 18/10/2023 14:11

Jorvik1978 · 18/10/2023 13:11

I'd also avoid the York one. Well, we live in York and we do avoid it, mainly due to the crowds. My husband is German and thinks the UK ones are a pale imitation. I'd second the suggestion of heading to the continent.

The German ones are massively crowded too, especially at weekends. If you can visit one in the week they are much nicer. They also sell plenty of tat, although depending on the city they have different ones which sell nice gifts.

I don't really go for the gifts, I go for the Gluehwein or Feuerzangenbowle.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 18/10/2023 15:04

Last year DH and. I went to Bath Christmas Market then the following day Oxford for shopping overnight hotel half way. It was a coach tour . Coaches were allowed to drop off in the park near The Crescent and pick up later. Every car park in town was full .Park and Ride queues were massive.

It was a nice festive trip (early December) but I wouldn’t do it again. The quests for food in the markets were huge and most of the stalls were pretty to look at but nothing I wanted to buy.

Next year we’ve book a trip to Amersham and Bruges. The towns are beautiful and I reckon they’ll do Christmas markets well

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 18/10/2023 15:05

Amersham should be Amsterdam!!

lovelands · 18/10/2023 15:07

I recommend estonia - tallinn. Flights and accommodation are cheap and you can also do a day trip to helsinki 😀