Today I want to bring you A Lady in London’s guide to the best British Christmas markets. From London to Edinburgh, these seasonal extravaganzas will get you in the Christmas spirit wherever you are in the UK.
British Christmas Markets
I love a good Christmas market. Whether it’s a traditional German one, a stylish Parisian one, or a contemporary Viennese one, I revel in their festive cheer.
But perhaps the best thing about them is that I don’t have to travel to Europe to find one. The UK has plenty, and they’re getting bigger and brighter every year.
From England to Scotland, Kent to Devon, there’s no shortage of towns and cities preparing for Christmas right now.
I spent yesterday discovering York’s offerings, and I’ve traveled up and down the country over the years to see the others on this list. If you get a chance to visit any or all, I hope you enjoy these British Christmas markets as much as I have.
1. York Christmas Markets
I knew I had to explore the York Christmas markets after seeing friends’ photos of them last year. When I arrived in the city I was amazed at how many there were. They make this one of the best places to visit at Christmas in Britain.
From squares and courtyards to streets and lanes, every inch of York was filled with British Christmas market stalls. I particularly liked the ones outside The Judge’s Lodging, which specialized in handcrafted gifts.
2. Canterbury Christmas Market
The first British Christmas market I ever went to was the one in Canterbury. A friend and I took a day trip from London to explore the city, not realizing we would stumble upon festive rows of chalets selling food and presents when we arrived.
It was a pleasant surprise, and it has remained one of my favorite Christmas memories ever since.
3. Bath Christmas Market
I visited Bath one winter and fell in love with its Christmas market (among other things…Bath is too pretty for words).
From wooden stalls decked with pine boughs to a huge Christmas tree in front of Bath Abbey, the city knows how to put on a beautiful display for the season.
4. Exeter Christmas Market
One of my favorite under-the-radar British Christmas markets is the one in Exeter. Taking up a festive space in the city center, the market has everything from winter comfort food to traditional crafts.
Add to that the backdrop of Exeter Cathedral, and it’s one of the most picturesque markets in Britain.
5. Edinburgh Christmas Market
The Christmas market in Edinburgh’s East Princes Street Gardens is one of the biggest I’ve been to in the UK.
With everything from traditional chalets to a Christmas tree maze, miniature train, and Ferris wheel, this market is worth planning a special trip to Scotland for.
It’s not the only Christmas market in the city, either. There are others dotted throughout the center, and finding them is one of the most fun things to do in Edinburgh at Christmas.
6. Birmingham Christmas Market
Speaking of fun things to do, I took a day trip to Birmingham just to see the city’s Christmas markets (they claim to be the biggest of their kind in Britain). I spent the entire day exploring, and I particularly loved the one in Victoria Square.
In addition to lights and colors, it has the beautiful Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in the background. It flows all the way down New Street, too.
7. Manchester Christmas Markets
I once took a day trip to Manchester to see the famous Christmas markets there. I was amazed at how many there were, not to mention the fact that they were all connected by a trail through the city.
From Cathedral Gardens to Albert Square, Manchester’s Christmas markets take over the city each year. With everything from chalets selling food and gifts to ice skating rinks and carnival rides, they’re full of the seasonal spirit.
8. London Christmas Markets
No list of British Christmas markets would be complete without mentioning London’s, and the capital has a lot to choose from.
But my favorite of the Christmas markets in London has always been the one in Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.
It’s gotten bigger and better every year, and it has everything from an ice skating rink to a circus tent. Which is to say nothing of Santa’s Pub, a sight that makes me laugh every time.
Other popular ones in London include Winter by the River, the Christmas market in Trafalgar Square, the Winter Market on the South Bank, and the one in Leicester Square. There are smaller ones in areas like Wimbledon, too.
Christmas Markets in the UK
And that’s what keeps me coming back to the markets. They put a smile on my face and cheer in my heart, which is exactly what I want for Christmas every year.
How about you? What do you think are the best British Christmas markets?
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10 Comments on Lady’s 8 Amazing British Christmas Markets
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York and Edinburgh are my two favourites so glad they’ve made it onto your list. I’d love to check out the Bath one at some point. I’ve also heard good things about Lincoln and the Leeds one is pretty good.
That’s great! I will have to put those on my list, too. I’ve also heard good things about the ones in Winchester.
Lincoln has a great Christmas market too!
Nice! Sounds like I need to go back there to see it. Lincoln is such a pretty city that I can imagine the market is beautiful.
I’ve just returned from the Edinburgh Christmas markets and they were sooo good! I’ve always heard great things about the Birmingham ones, would you say they are any better than the other ones on your list? I haven’t thought of going to half of these places for Christmas markets!
I’m glad you enjoyed the Edinburgh ones! The ones in Birmingham are big, so it’s fun to explore them around the city center. That said, every city’s markets are so different that it’s hard to choose a favorite!
im missing the market this year 🙁
i really want to go to york, it’s on the list next year
I hope you can go next year!
I have been to Cambridge Christmas market and it was lovely, a great atmosphere surrounded by beautiful architecture!
That’s great! I will have to add that one to my list.