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Christmas

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Original poster

Bath at Christmas

27 replies

Imustbemad00 · 30/09/2019 20:25

Bath the city, not the one that cleans you Grin
Has anyone been? I’ve wanted to go for a while and found a cheap travel lodge deal so could stay over night.
I’m unsure whether I’d bring my just turned 7 year old. I think he’d probably get bored beciase id like to explore a bit as well as the market. I’ve heard it gets really busy.
The last day of the market is actually the 15th, which I think is surprisingly early. It’s a Sunday and the day I’d be most likely to go as it works best for me. I’d stay the night and then use the Monday to explore the city and do a bit of sight seeing.
Would you say it’s worth it? Is the atmosphere nice? Or is it no more special than other markets? I live in London by the way.

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RuskBaby · 30/09/2019 20:30

Bath is such a lovely place. The market is better than the London offering imo. I’m sure the 7yr old would enjoy it too. You can take the train as everything is central so no need to worry about parking and travel once there.

Letthemysterybe · 30/09/2019 20:33

The market is insanely busy.

BumpkinSpiceBatty · 30/09/2019 20:35

It is crazy busy at the weekends. I wouldn't take a 7 year old. I went last year and it was so busy I couldn't actually see what the chalets were selling.

Toomanycats99 · 30/09/2019 20:37

Depending what side of London you live you can get a really cheap train from Clapham junction. Takes longer than Paddington but half the price! For me it was the same overall journey time. Station was central.

Figgygal · 30/09/2019 20:38

It's crazy busy at the weekends
I wouldn't take my 7yo it's just shopping to that age

It is lovely though

Original poster
Imustbemad00 · 30/09/2019 20:40

What do you think the Sunday would be like being the last day. Busier or quieter? Would you recommend a week day instead if I can manage it?
I’m equal distance from Clapham or Paddington really. I was debating if I should drive or not, I like driving and it’ll probably work out cheaper than train as my cars good with petrol. I was hoping to find accommodation with free parking but it looks unlikely if I want to be central. Even with parking fees it’s still cheaper. Although train will be less hassle, no traffic or getting lost.
I’ll look at trains from Clapham.

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Original poster
Imustbemad00 · 30/09/2019 20:41

I’m leaning towards taking my teen and leaving youngest home if I do go. He hates crowds and probably wouldn’t enjoy it.

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Letthemysterybe · 30/09/2019 20:45

The last Sunday will still be very busy. It’s only bearable first thing in the morning as far as I’m concerned!

MsTSwift · 30/09/2019 20:47

It’s really nice in the week

unwravellingagain · 30/09/2019 20:53

Go by train, parking is terrible during the market, and the Park and Rides are miles out, but the station is bang in the centre 5 min walk from the market.

Toomanycats99 · 30/09/2019 20:57

@Imustbemad00

I paid £28 return from Clapham!

Mrsfussypants1 · 30/09/2019 21:05

I love bath. We stayed in a lovely log cabin through airbnb. I would love to go at Christmas. There is loads to do for younger ones like the Roman baths, walk to the circle, visit the canal. So many nice places near by if you were taking a car, longleat, cheddar gorge etc. We went during summer and it was busy with tourists from around the world, not sure how busy it would be at Christmas. Definatley will be visiting over Christmas one year.

Vebrithien · 30/09/2019 21:06

Live locally, use the train! Parking is terrible in the centre. The carparks are working at capacity before 11am.
Approx 400,000 visitors are expected (there were approx 30,000 visitors on the first weekend last year). Bath's population is only about 90,000, so it is a BIG event. Visit midweek if you can. Last year, the last day was heaving.
However, it is a lovely event, slightly more spread out this year again. The Abbey usually has carols playing/being sung and there are lots of places to eat.
Walked around one evening, years ago, when it was less busy, with the snow falling and a cup of hot mulled wine. Magical!

Imnotthrowingawaymyshot · 30/09/2019 21:17

Op have you been to Bath before? It's beautiful. Aodre it.

In fact I booked to go today for Xmas, air b n b. However we will do longleat santa train first day, Longlet illumination then stay night in Bath and spend most of the day in Bath... Home.

We did same thing couple of years ago and must admit the market was beautiful but packed solid, no browsing...

Two had to stand at edge, two went in to specific stall then out

Original poster
Imustbemad00 · 30/09/2019 21:17

Thanks. I’ll see if I can manage a weekday. I’m off work from the 13th but it finishes that weekend..Sad

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inwood · 30/09/2019 21:33

Parking is awful, take the train.

The Christmas market is ok but personally think they're all the same. Not much in it for a 7 yo.

mumwon · 30/09/2019 21:34

2 dd & I went a couple of years ago - we stayed in travel lodge nearby & came in early eat breakfast there - so it wasn't too busy - we thoroughly enjoyed it - don't take your little one though your teen will enjoy it.

tunnocksreturns2019 · 30/09/2019 21:39

Also local. Echoing go on a weekday, and use public transport!! Have a bun in Sally Lunn’s.

FlyingFlamingo · 30/09/2019 21:46

I wouldn’t. It’s one of my few ‘never again’ experiences. The Park and Ride was so busy we waited an hour in the rain for the bus that crawled into the city centre because of the traffic. When we finally got off the bus we couldn’t find anywhere to eat because everywhere was full. Then we couldn’t get near the stalls due to the crowds. It really wasn’t worth it, sorry.

We went to Cheltenham last year, it was not on the same scale but was still a nice day. Exeter was also nice when we went there for the Christmas parade. Or Cardiff is a lovely place to shop.

Original poster
Imustbemad00 · 30/09/2019 21:57

Hmmm interesting. It’s a stretch for me money wise, even worth a good deal, so don’t want to go and it’s so busy it spoils it Confused

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ValiaH · 01/10/2019 10:04

I used to live in Bath and work in retail, the Christmas Market weekends were manic. You couldn't pay me to go there after 3pm on a weekday or at any point on a weekend- crowds 6 people deep, having to squash in to see any of the stalls etc. I would go on a school day, during school time, as it is calmer then and your 7 year old would be more likely to enjoy it. However, I would either choose Bristol Christmas Market or just go to Bath Christmas shopping and skip the market- there used to be some lovely independent toy shops, book shops, and Jollys department store was great too plus the other chain stores.

LauraPalmersBodybag · 01/10/2019 10:28

I’m not sure I get the whole Christmas market thing - it’s all expensive generic tat that you can find in most cities. I grew up near Bath and the market makes it unbearable through December - no parking, everything overpriced and it’s rammed. Plus nothing there that isn’t everywhere else come December. Yes, the abbey is lovely and it’s a pretty city but I’m not sure i’d make the journey if there’s the whole of London to choose Christmas stuff from. HTH.

Peridot1 · 01/10/2019 10:40

I’ve been twice and wouldn’t bother again. Really busy and as others have said not really worth it.

thatmustbenigelwiththebrie · 01/10/2019 11:00

We went between Christmas and new year. I really liked it. We went to the Roman Baths museum which felt super busy to me, but the guy working there said it was actually a lot quieter than normal.

And the weather felt really warm to me, I guess because it's down south.

Original poster
Imustbemad00 · 01/10/2019 15:32

I think I’m going to give it a miss. It doesn’t sound great. I’ll just visit bath another time rather than for the markets. I’d still like to visit. I’ll do a weekend in the new year at some point I think.
Money saved can be spent on a panto for all of us

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