Christmas Markets in the U.K.- are they all cr@p?

I went to the Nottingham one pre-Covid and quite liked it but wouldn’t make a special journey. Nowadays I tend to avoid such places. Families seem to enjoy the skating and other activities, but the food and drink are expensive, the goods are generally of inferior quality, with some exceptions, but the crowds are what I want to avoid. Especially those who behave badly.

I used to work in Winchester overlooking the Cathedral so went to the one there, very pretty in beautiful surroundings, but only ever bought a tree ornament or two.
aonk I do my shopping from the warmth and comfort of my armchair!

Christmas markets in German & Austria are lovely - good food, mulled wine.

Locally StEdmundsbury and Ely are quite nice. Castle Combe used to be wonderful, but we haven't been that way recently - could be less lovely?

Of course they’re not all crap. I’d have looked at the reviews on the Bath one beforehand and decided not to bother.

We loved the Chatsworth one when we went years ago. Everything was quality and mostly locally made - I bought a beautiful woollen throw that I managed to ruin with its first wash, and took the recipe sheet for the pies we had, which were possibly the best we’d tasted. I still use those recipes. I’d never pay £20 just for parking though.

I agree with skunkhair63 about the Halifax Piece Hall - it’s a lovely small market in a stunning setting. I’ve hopes of the Leeds one being good this year - it was scattered around the city in 2023, which didn’t work imo, but the stalls are going to be in just two squares this time.

I love York, but not the Christmas market. It’s way too big and gets too crowded.

I do not go to Christmas markets/Fairs - big town ones, to spend money, except, possibly, on food. I certainly do not go there expecting to buy presents.

I just enjoy the Christmassy atmosphere, drink an expensive mug of mulled wine and a sausage on a bun with onions.

This is what was so exceptional about Winchester last year. I actually bought stuff, coming away with Christmas presents - 2 pairs of beautiful warm, fur lined leather gloves, and some wonderful home made samosas.

I haven’t been to a Christmas market since before Covid, but I went to the Winchester one a few times then, and it was lovely, all the stalls set around an outdoor ice rink, next to the cathedral. I’ve also been to the Chichester one. It was very similar, but no ice skating. There is also one at Gunwharf Quays but I’ve only walked through it.

I’ve also been to a couple in Europe; Brussels and Berlin. The chocolate shops in Brussels are an absolute picture at Christmas time. Such gorgeous window displays.

Agree about Chatsworth. I've been to the Lincoln one a few times, and the York one. The setting is fabulous, but sadly any old market stall, selling any old normal market tat- is allowed.

On the Continent, Advent/Christmas markets have very stric regulations about what they can sell, and they have to strictly only propose quality crafts. So they tend to be more expensive but so exciting.

* can you explain for me when "marché de l'avent" is used in France, please Fleurpepper? I've never seen it. While I understand that Christmas markets take place prior to 25th December, during Advent, my understanding is that they are called "marchés de Noël" because they're during the Christmas season.

I used to go to the Bath one but it became same old. I primarily went to buy a truckle of Godminster cheddar.

Fleurpepper

Agree about Chatsworth. I've been to the Lincoln one a few times, and the York one. The setting is fabulous, but sadly any old market stall, selling any old normal market tat- is allowed.

On the Continent, Advent/Christmas markets have very stric regulations about what they can sell, and they have to strictly only propose quality crafts. So they tend to be more expensive but so exciting.

Not true according to some who live there.

Some of the goods can be found in shops outside the markets.
Some, not all, of the goods sold are imported from China and elsewhere.

I do not know what it is like now but the one in Piazza Navona in Rome used to be magical. It was mainly nativity fighters and sweets. The nativity items used to be carved by the shepherds who made them in the summer. They used to come and play their pipes in advent.
I find British ones are awful, expensive, crowded and goods not always up to much. The last one I went to was in a stately home and selling local food and drink, good but nothing that I could not have bought cheaper in Waitrose. It was a magical evening though.

escaped

* can you explain for me when "marché de l'avent" is used in France, please Fleurpepper? I've never seen it. While I understand that Christmas markets take place prior to 25th December, during Advent, my understanding is that they are called "marchés de Noël" because they're during the Christmas season.

Advent and Christmas are two separate seasons; Christmas begins at midnight on the 24th December and Advent ends.

Yes, I know that, keepingquiet. I was asking
how the different names came about because the markets called "Christmas" markets in many languages actually start way before 24th December, ie during Advent. I remember when in Vienna last December we were told that it was in the 13th century an Emperor gave permission to hold a "Christmas" market during Advent so citizens of Vienna could stock up on supplies before the cold weather set in. I think they called it Krippenmarkt.
That's why I wondered if someone with knowledge of French markets could run through the various names given, and an example of Advent being used as I don't think I've heard it.

I avoid them like the plague.
The one in my home city is all of crap.Expensive dodgy looking food, heath and hygiene would have a nightmare.Rubbish you would buy just because it is there, then get it home and realised you have thrown money away.

henetha

What a lovely idea, escaped. We were up to our necks in snow yesterday, but it's all disappeared and it's a sunny day here now. But storm Bert is on the way apparently..so we'll see what that brings. But if next week is ok I really will try to get there.

I met my cousin this week for lunch at a place just by the Market so we had a wander round before eating. Some reasonable offerings along with the expected rubbishy ones! . My grandaughter wanted to go so I returned yesterday late afternoon after school with her &DD and in order to actually get into the market, we had to fight our way past the crowds thronging round the food stalls, in the dark, the ground soggy from yesterday’s snow. It wasn’t a pleasant visit and I just wanted to go home, put my feet up and keep warm! IMO it’s too early to ‘do’ Christmas & everything is so unbelievably expensive but it is of course, a commercial venture and not a whole lot to do with the meaning of Christmas. The best part was the Nativity scene in front of the Cathedral! (I think I must be a bit humbug - or just past it…..)

Yes, they are crap/rubbish/extortionate. I went to one in Preston, 2019 before Covid struck. Quite unimpressed.

I hope the Pandemic wiped it out.

escaped

Yes, I know that, keepingquiet. I was asking
how the different names came about because the markets called "Christmas" markets in many languages actually start way before 24th December, ie during Advent. I remember when in Vienna last December we were told that it was in the 13th century an Emperor gave permission to hold a "Christmas" market during Advent so citizens of Vienna could stock up on supplies before the cold weather set in. I think they called it Krippenmarkt.
That's why I wondered if someone with knowledge of French markets could run through the various names given, and an example of Advent being used as I don't think I've heard it.

Advent is the season leading up to Christmas- the period of preparation.

Of course there are markets in Advent. How else would people stock up the winter, as you say?

I think the use of Christmas to describe these markets is that Adevent, as it's own season, is disappearing in many places- the reason for this is, as you say, mostly commercial.

If there is money to be made, change happens.

used to go every year to the european christmas markets, valkenburg was especially enchanting with its stalls being in the caves, cologne also excellent, found basle a little expensive, brussels not that impressed with. Agree with the comment about lincoln market being very crowded. have also visited chester, york, leeds and grasmere, although all good in their own way are not a patch on the european markets

Agree 100%. To me, it represents what the UK has become - too commercially focussed, grab as much money from gullible consumers, cheap, no class, tacky. I've been to Christmas markets in Prague, France, Bruges - all were charming (maybe a slight erring towards consumerism) and I guess the cold weather helped with the charm. I'd go to another European market but never, ever to the dreadful tat on offer in the UK

We have been to the Birmingham one a couple of times. I’d spent years fantasising it in my head, and finally went about 4 years ago. (And every year since). It’s very disappointing. Lots of sausage eating shacks. A few other foods, always enjoyable eating. But no places to sit, other than on the odd wall, or corner of the fountain. (Flousie in the Jacuzzi). A couple of gift stalls, but nothing much at all. We enjoyed the walk, and people watching, and travelling was free with our senior passes. We certainly aren’t going this year. Might give the Stratford one a try. Our daughter has been to the Liverpool one this weekend and said it’s far superior to Birmingham.

I am familiar with Bath market. I was horrified by the cost of renting a shed/space per day so can understand the price they have to charge. I was told that the crowds ease out by 4pm when the coaches from the surrounding villages that do 'daytips' head for home.

Not a Xmas Market but a food fair here this summer. OH paid £8 for 1 hotdog!! I avoid all these events now.

Haddon Hall in Derbyshire has a beautiful Artisan market much better than Chatsworth in our opinion 😀
The traders have to put their prices up to cover the cost the venues charge, £500 per week for Haddon and even more for Chatsworth 😲

Haddon Hall is absolutely lovely Gingerjude. It's well worth the admission fee for the hall decoration alone. Every stall sells unique and locally made items, it's an absolutely brilliant market.

escaped

* can you explain for me when "marché de l'avent" is used in France, please Fleurpepper? I've never seen it. While I understand that Christmas markets take place prior to 25th December, during Advent, my understanding is that they are called "marchés de Noël" because they're during the Christmas season.

You are right.