Classy Christmas Markets U.K

Oh no, that came out wrong of a certain age, although I have seen a few grannies on the Tornado and the Wilde Maus.
I meant 20 - 30 - 40 years old.

Don't bother with Brighton Christmas market it is very tacky..

I have been twice to theNottingham market which I have enjoyed.
The main attraction for me is the large skating rink in the middle which I could just watch for ages.
We stayed at a very good Premier Inn literally minutes from the Market square so I could just go back when I felt tired.
Also some decent restaurants again minutes from the market.
There was very good live music on all the time.
However this was before Covid so I can’t say what this year’s will be like.
Although I live a very short train ride away I give the Manchester one a miss after visiting just once.

Any in Kent?

I have been to several markets and found them to be much the same. Also too crowded and quite expensive. Not for me.

I’ve been to the markets in Edinburgh, Manchester, Nottingham, York (and Lincoln when they did it), but found them to be quite “samey” and very busy.

For the York one, we stayed overnight, so we’re able to go when it first opened (before the day trippers arrived) and later in the evening when the day trippers had left, which made it more pleasant to get around and see things properly.

The Beverley one sounds nice Siope.

I was just reading that the Christmas Fair at Holkham Hall in Norfolk is one of the best in the Country.

Nannytopsy

Any in Kent?

There are nice ones in Rochester and Tenterden. Others in Folkestone, Faversham and Tonbridge but wouldn't recommend the Tonbridge one which was overpriced and tacky!

We enjoyed York- we stay just outside York and use our bus passes. Winchester was good too. It felt really Christmassy being in the grounds of the cathedral.

I’d say Chester or Chatsworth.

Lovely Welsh food one at Aberglasney . November I think

I thought the Lincoln Christmas Market had been cancelled.
Holkham Hall is to be recommended as Primrose said.

sodapop

I thought the Lincoln Christmas Market had been cancelled.
Holkham Hall is to be recommended as Primrose said.

They did a programme about Holkham Hall Christmas fair last year and all the months of preparation involved. They say it gets better each year. I have never been but my friend lives on the Holkham estate so I might see if she wants to go.

There is also the Thursford Spectacular just a few miles away which is the biggest Christmas event in Europe. People say it’s better than any London show and haS a cast of hundreds.

I went to the Thursford Christmas show for many years. From small beginnings it has become a wonderful event well worth a visit.

sodapop

I went to the Thursford Christmas show for many years. From small beginnings it has become a wonderful event well worth a visit.

We took my late MIL and her eyes were out on stalks the whole time. She could not believe that such a massive show could take place in a tiny village without even a shop. She loved it.

Yes Lincoln market is no more, sodapop, that’s why I said “when they did it”.

I would avoid the Manchester one. I used to work in that area and its really tacky with a lot of watery beer and overpriced tat. It was right next to where I usually went for my taxi home and I resented having to join a queue of randoms. So I used to wait a few dozen yards away where the taxis pulled in and flag one down there. Got a few dirty looks from the randoms hahaha

Thank You everyone xx
Lots of suggestions to look into 🙂🩷🧡💜

Nannytopsy

Any in Kent?

Canterbury, but it's quite small.

Last year we went to Bath and came home with Covid. It's extensive and very busy. I saw recommendations for Cardiff on Mumsnet so we are going there this year.

Edinburgh was rated the top one is one survey

Ailidh

I found Leeds Christmas Market surprisingly good - far less tacky that some "traditional German markets" I'd travelled abroad to visit.

I used to enjoy the Leeds one - the Christkindelmarkt - too. The same stallholders came year after year from Germany, and it was kept fairly small. Sadly it didn’t start up again after the pandemic, and though it’s on this year, it’s going to be in a different format, organised by an events company, and scattered round the city instead of being in one spot. So fingers crossed it’ll be as good.

Floradora9

Edinburgh was rated the top one is one survey

I was always a tad disappointed with the Edinburgh one.

Bath and Cardiff, they're close enough to go to both. Neither of these are the identikit "German" markets full of tat. Cardiff especially is mainly local crafts.

Haven't seen the Kingston-on-Thames one mentioned - anyone been there?

I’m another who would recommend Winchester