christmas markets

[franksidebottom]

Hi mn, nor sure whether to put this in the Christmas section or travel but has anyone been to paris before christmas? do they have good Xmas markets, currently checking the internet between this and berlin but paris is coming out cheaper as looking to book flights from heathrow, can anyone advise, thanks

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

frank there are previous threads on here about Christmas Markets (in non uk) , I think the German (Hamberg) or Belgian (Brussels) markets came up as favourites.

I always lust over the idea of Christmas Markets but no idea what I'd actually buy there.

I've been to Winter Wonderland and The South Bank where there are stalls set up, but it's all beer, Gluhwein ,sweets,decorations that wouldn't go in my house and hog roasts .
Just wandering about in the cold is a nice thought though

[franksidebottom]

Shall have a search, didn't think of that I have been to the southbank and winterwonderland markets and thought they were a bit pants, I think might look at the UK markets as well

[Millipedewithherfeetup]

Bath xmas market is a good one to try.

[franksidebottom]

Thanks millipede I shall look at Bath, looked at Birminghams last night, which looked lovely but not sure what else to do there in the day.

[ChristmasZombie]

I live in Birmingham and I do visit our Christmas market every year. The ambience is nice, it all feels very festive, the whole setup is very pretty, and all the food smells amazing, but the stalls are a bit rubbish. The decorations for sale are very expensive and it's the same offerings year after year. The food stalls are good, especially the garlic bread stall!
What sort of things would you be looking to do, aside from the Christmas market? The Birmingham market is right in the city centre with lots of other amenities around.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeG0es]

Winchester is lovely, it's in the grounds of the cathedral and has an ice rink in the middle so it's very atmospheric, also it's right in the city centre so lots of shops, restaurants etc close at hand, and the cathedral itself of course. Gets SO busy though. I like going at about 4.30pm when it's dark and the crowds are largely gone.

[franksidebottom]

Thanks everyone, i have booked a hotel overnight in birmingham for the Christmas market, going by train. I looked at Bath but hotels were much more expensive. Will look at Winchester for another time, sounds lovely and festive.
ChristmasZombie, I'm not sure really I suggested cadburys world to my dd but she has been and said it was ok, she wouldn't be bothered about going again? She definitely wants to wander around the shops so we'll do that, not sure why else to do, we'll do the market in the evening

[ChristmasZombie]

Cadbury World is ok, but it's not fantastic. You'd probably be better off staying in the city centre. There's a fairly good Sealife Centre and of course plenty of shopping. The Bullring has all the highstreet shops, plus Selfridges. And The Mailbox has designer stores like Hugo Boss and Harvey Nichols. If you wanted to go further afield, Drayton Manor in Tamworth is doable in a day from Birmingham. There're also two entertainment complexes nearby with restaurants and casinos. There's Star City and Resorts World, both are accessible by public transport from the city centre.

[franksidebottom]

I think we would stay close by and not travel too far out, I shall Google those places you mentioned, thanks

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Once my DC are old enough to be left at home, I will take DH to one of the markets (knowing him it'll be Belgium to sample beers)

DD and I were planning a trip to London with an overnight stay plus theatre but it didn't get beyond the planning stages.

I might try Borough Market for brrowsing (and she'll want Oxford Street/Regent street for shopping) and maybe Covent Garden.
We've been to Winter Wonderland and the south Bank when the DC were little.