Classy Christmas Markets U.K

I like Stratford upon Avon Christmas market, it’s only for 4 days this year 7-10 December. Lots of lovely restaurants.

Nottingham have a nice one

I’d recommend Chatsworth House Christmas market. I think it’s only on during the month of November.

York Christmas market is good, and so is Lincoln.

Doodledog

York Christmas market is good, and so is Lincoln.

I’m going to the York one. Mostly because I love the city.

I think a lot of City Markets have morphed into much the same sort of thing. I found York very similar to Newcastle and lots now have teepees with open fires for drinks.
Personally, I’d pick the City I preferred first, then see if there’s a Christmas Market and take it from there.
I’ve been to Chatsworth House (not Crimbo) and can thoroughly recommend The Devonshire Arms for food and accommodation, which is very near to the house.

Down south I'd recommend Bath or Winchester. Both are set against the backdrop of the Abbey or Cathedral.

Bath, but I haven't been to any Northern ones.

Beverley, although (because) it’s very different to the more customary offer.

Siope

Beverley, although (because) it’s very different to the more customary offer.

In what way, Siope? I agree that they can be a bit 'samey', so would be interested in something different.

Nottingham and there is the tram to get into the city. Lots of food/drink and Christmas decorations and gifts.

I've been to Winchester and that was lovely.

Avoid Keswick. beautiful surroundings but jam-packed with Coach tours They fill the empty hotels with Winter Coach tours. The hotels are often quite a hike from the town centre. No good eating places except pubs.
Lots of tat and not much local produce or products, just the same old as everywhere else.
In laws go to Chatsworth each year and stay at Fischers of Basslow or the Derwent. Excellent food and set in lovely surroundings.
York a beautiful city with plenty of good places to eat Again jampacked when the tourist trips roll in.

Doodledog it’s much more like a local market, but biggish (120+ stalls) with Christmas gifts and decorations and lots of local goods. There are usually a few overseas traders, and they are quite specialised.

There are actually four markets but all central, and it’s a compact town centre. It’s only on for one day (10th December this year), and is daytime only.

It starts with a parade with Father Christmas in his sleigh, reindeer, musicians, and Bernese mountain dogs (the best bit!). Santa stays in one of the market areas for a time, and there is family friendly entertainment in all the markets and wandering the local streets.

It’s a nice wee town, with a couple of self-guided tours that highlight different aspects of its history, some great buildings/and architecture and the Minster (which is amazing) has a Christmas Tree festival, which starts earlier in December and finishes on Christmas market day, so there’s enough to do for a weekend/three days easily.

Thanks, Siope. My son doesn't live far from there, and it would be good to try to organise a family outing.

More details: www.beverleyfestivalofchristmas.co.uk/beverley-festival-of-christmas/bfoc-whats-on/

Edinburgh is good ,situated under the castle in Princes Street Gardens

Like this one? www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3Df6m9tvs3PhU&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjCqMX1w-eBAxWLU0EAHQaBCo8QwqsBegQIDxAF&usg=AOvVaw002I12SWqcOc-ST_IKAPQf

Joseann

Down south I'd recommend Bath or Winchester. Both are set against the backdrop of the Abbey or Cathedral.

The Winchester one is lovely, I’ve been several times. I haven’t been to the Bath market, although as Bath is lovely, it will be extra special with the market on.

We have done the Bath one a couple of times, never again, you can’t move, you can’t see any of the stalls, it’s just a crush of bodies.
Bath is our go to city for shopping, but we never go while the markets are on any more.

Exeter Christmas market, set just by the Cathedral, is lovely. 100 stalls. Starts 17th November and runs for a month I think. Google can tell you more.

Maw, that did nake me smile!

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

We went to the York one, never again. It was heaving and you couldn’t get near the stalls. Bury St Edmunds was smaller and quite nice although I didn’t buy a thing but the weather was very mild and it was a nice day out.

Have been a few times to Ely cathedral for their festive craft and food fayre. That’s quite nice.

Burnham Deepdale has a very well attended xmas fayre but again very crowded.

I agree that some of the bigger markets can be heaving, but as Daisydaisydaisy has at least 4 days there, she has the option to return at different times of day and evening. The markets are always quieter in the morning just after they set up, and its a good time to browse and stop for a coffee. In the afternoons and early evenings you get more visitors.
Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park is to be avoided at all costs. It started like a pleasant German Market with wooden huts and stalls, but it is now a huge funfair with rides and beer tents. But it's what people of a certain age seem to enjoy, so fair enough.