With supermarkets stocking the Christmas shelves, now is the time to think about the time of tinsel and mince pies, it’s a treat that in the UK we have lots of wonderful Christmas Markets to visit. However, if like me you want to steer clear of the hustle and bustle of the crowds here are our top 4 alternative Christmas markets to visit.
Edinburgh Christmas Market
Edinburgh is the largest of our choice Christmas Markets as it hosts many different squares and gardens with a variety of activities and events.
The East Princes Street Gardens this year is home to the big wheel, which at night lights up and you can see over all the markets and the beautiful river Water of Leith. The gardens also host the Star flyer rides and a carousel. If you’re searching for Santa then it’s on to Castle Street where his grotto lies also here the balloon rides depart.
Take a walk down St Andrew Square to find the 360 circular ice rink that skates you all the way around the beautifully lit up St Andrew square.
Nottingham Christmas Market
Nottingham is famous for Robin Hood, but it’s getting a name for innovation at Christmas, with its ice bar, ice rink and new après bar it hosts many unique attractions to keep you busy.
This year their Christmas market is offering 20 new stalls, so a total of 70 vendors in their Victorian-style stalls are there to offer everything you could possibly need from cheese, chutneys, jewellery, fashion to continental food and even traditional mead.
The Narniesque’s ice bar is returning with new ice designs and ice sculptures, experience these whilst drinking a range of vodkas / cocktails from glasses made from real ice.This year also sees the introduction of the Sur La Piste - The après ski bar will offer guests a host of food and drink including a specialist beer from Czechs oldest distillery in Europe. The best part, table service is pre-bookable to hold your table before you arrive.
Leeds Christmas Market
This year the Millennium Square will be turned into Christkindelmarkt, a village made up of all your favourite traditional German Christmas delights.
The 40 authentic chalet stalls, will offer a range of hand crafted woodwork, German butter biscuits and treats ‘Heifesand’ and Gluewien to keep you warm in the evenings. There are also a few indoor hideaways to keep snug and watch some of the daily and evening entertainment.
The centre of the German Christmas Market features a traditional carousel lit up by night. Although this is a smaller market it is full of Christmas charm.
Cheshire Christmas Market
Chester is home to many must see landmarks such as the beautiful cathedral and Roman amphitheatre. The highlights at Christmas are the market stalls in the heart of the old town. There are over 70 wooden ‘chalets’ and centre stage is the huge lit up Christmas tree.
Like other markets, Chester host a range of food and drink stalls, however, here they keep it home-made with crafts, clothing, stocking fillers and host of unique gifts that are locally sourced. The biggest feature this year is the Gin and Ale bar, plethora with 40 local ales, cocktails and gins.