Best Christmas Markets - UK and Abroad

[Billster]

Hi All

Have always wanted to go to a good Christmas market - not one where 50% if the stuff is tat and crap like we have in Swansea!

Anyone got any reccommendations. I hear the German ones are great but ideally would prefer a train ride rather than plane [shudders at thought of flying]. I also hear Birmingham is ok? Pray do tell!

Thanks

manchester is quite good, nottingham is pretty big.

german market in cheltenham is fab from end of nov

bath was lovely last year!

B'ham is v good.

Have been to markets in Europe (Prague, Brugge, etc.) and the best Market I have ever been to is Manchester. It's absolutely fabulous!

we have a lovely one in suffolk, i go every year despite moving away

its not massive but has a fantastic atmosphere, lots of amazing food, free shows for the kids, beautiful gifts, a huge carosel etc. i love it. its usually around 24th november in bury st edmunds.

Thanks, skiinggardener, I'd intended to go there this year - now I definitely will!

I second the Bury St Ed's Christmas market. We went last year (I have lived nearby for 5 years ) and it was just beautiful.

Not too big, not too showy, it was just right.

iliketomoveit- its only been on for 2 or 3 years i think??? if not ive lived in bury 5mins walk from angel hill and missed it

it is just right though, and the carosel seems to appear from nowhere every year like its just dropped from the sky, well thats what ds thinks

Oh really, I thought it had been running for forever but just hadn't heard about it - nothing new there though!!

We took ds on the carousel last year and this year he'll be big enough to sit on a horse. It was dark, Angel Hill was lit up, Christmas music was softly playing in the background, there was a whiff of mulled wine and there was a nip in the air - magical

The two we go to regularly are Lincoln and St Nicholas Fayre in York. Both a fair way from Swansea though I'm afraid. I've heard quite good reports of the one in Worcester which is bit closer though.

i made dp squeeze on a horse with ds last year (i was sat on a bench bf dd, such fun in the cold haha) funnily enough i was doing the same the year before, dd must go on this year.

Bury St Edmunds christmas fayre for anyone whos interested.

OK so I am thinking Worcester, Birmingham or Manchester so far. Thanks so much for your feedback.

Have been told Hyde Park in London has a fab Christmas Market, runs from 20 November I think.

Hyde Park is ultra naff. Bath is lovely