Weekend trips to visit the biggest and brightest Christmas markets are fast becoming one of the UK’s favourite seasonal traditions. Of course, letting the train take the strain is definitely the best option as the roads descend into gridlock.
No matter where you are in the country, a fully-fledged Christmas market will be taking place just a train ride away. We’ve picked out some of the best across England, Scotland and Wales – but of course there are plenty more in between, too.
Remember, you can book your train tickets through nationalrail.com – happy shopping!
Birmingham – Frankfurt Christmas Market
Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market and Craft Market, now having run for over a decade, has become a massive favourite with both residents and visitors to the city from all over the UK and Europe. With over 180 stalls, we claim it as the largest outdoor Christmas Market in the Britain, and is the centrepiece of the city’s annual Christmas events calendar.
Edinburgh’s Christmas is a spectacular, six-week season of festive entertainment in the heart of the city. Taking place in St Andrew Square and East Princes St Gardens, the festival features a host of shows in the beautiful Spiegeltent, as well as ice skating, markets and rides, including the Big Wheel and the 60-metre Star Flyer, with breathtaking views over the city.
Manchester’s award-winning Christmas Markets returns this winter offering mouth-watering international food, drinks and delicately crafted Yuletide gifts in the heart of this buzzing city.
With more than 300 beautifully festooned stalls and chalets spread across the city centre, the Christmas Markets are free and accessible to all.
Bristol German Christmas Market
Welcome to the 6th German Christmas Market in Broadmead part of Bristol Shopping Quarter from 7 November – 22 December 2014 Open from Monday – Saturday 10am – 7pm , Sundays 10am to 6pm.
The 38 traditional chalets decorated with festive greenery and colourful lights, the Christmas nativity Pyramid, giant advent calendar and beer gardens combine to create a festive atmosphere in the heart of the city centre shopping area.
Christkindelmarkt, Leeds is one of the most established German Christmas Markets in the UK, with traditional wooden stalls, festive greenery, Christmas carousel ride and twinkling colourful lights all creating a unique continental festive atmosphere in the heart of Leeds city centre.
Set in the stylish civic setting of the award winning Millennium Square, Christkindelmarkt attracts many hundred thousands of visitors to Leeds each year and forms an integral part of the city’s annual events programme.
York Christmas Market
York is a Christmas shopping heaven with its eclectic mix of shops as well as wonderful Christmas markets throughout York’s atmospheric streets! The festive shopping starts off with the ever popular St Nicholas Market on the 27th November and continues all the way to December 21st. During St Nicholas Market, there is a sense of stepping into a scene from a Dicken’s tale with bustling Victorian market stalls selling everything from local produce to traditional gifts and crafts, all accompanied by the smell of roasting chestnuts and the sound of carol singers.
For unique presents from a different era head to the Medieval Market at Barley Hall. Be sure to try a pint of traditional ale or a glass of mulled wine at the Medieval bar!
London’s Christmas markets are great places to find beautiful and unique gifts, from jewellery and crafts, to fashion and toys.
At some Christmas markets you can also hear carol singing, go on fairground rides and sample traditional Christmas treats: these are perfect for your Christmas shopping needs.
When shopping at the Cardiff Christmas Market you are viewing the products from a wide selection of local, predominantly Welsh, small businesses. As an alternative personal shopping experience, you can commission personalised gifts, sample the food and drink on offer or just enjoy a glass of mulled wine to keep you warm whilst browsing. Choose from a selection of whisky, wines, fruit and cream liqueurs, cheese, cupcakes, waffles, chocolate brownies and delicious hand-made chocolates.
