Best Xmas Markets UK
We are spoilt for choice when it comes to Christmas Markets in the UK! Whether it’s a small market town or a big city spectacle, there is a festive treat for everyone to enjoy.
There is no better way of getting into the Christmas spirit than sipping on a warm mulled wine whilst meandering around market stalls with the streets aglow in twinkling festive lights.
It is a great opportunity to get together with family and friends, or even a romantic weekend away with your partner to fully indulge yourself with seasonal tasty treats, sampling local produce and buying bespoke, handmade gifts. We have picked out just a few of the Best Xmas Markets in the UK for you to add to your visit list!
Bath Christmas Market 2024
Photo credit: Unknown
From November 28th until December 15th, Bath will be holding their annual Christmas Market. With over 200 stallholders, Bath is certainly a firm favourite to visit this winter. The beautiful golden stoned city may only have a short Christmas Market however, with the streets lined with twinkling lights, a warming hot chocolate in hand, it is a beautiful destination to head towards to get those last Christmas presents in! There is still plenty to do throughout the month of December with National Trust properties nearby, such as Dyrham Park will be holding wreath making workshops and wonderful festive activities for all the family to enjoy.
Where to stay:
The Orchard at Fenny Castle | Somerset | Sleeps 2 | Feature Bath | Romantic Escape
Head to The Orchard at Fenny Castle for a romantic escape whilst planning your Christmas market visit to Bath. Just 45 minutes from the city, you can enjoy the ultimate Christmas break here where you and your better half will be staying in complete and utter luxury. Outside, sink into the grand bathtub out on the deck, complete with a sumptuous air spa system or use the sauna, perfect for those cooler wintery months!
Book The Orchard at Fenny Castle here >>>
Blenheim Palace
Photo credit: photo by Simon Godfrey on Unsplash
Christmas at Blenheim Palace is upon us, starting from 15th November which continues until 1st January. With a new illuminated trail for 2023, Blenheim Palace has really raised the bar for an unmissable Christmas Market experience. The Christmas Market itself is now in full swing and will continue until December 17th where you can stock up with beautiful handcrafted gifts and enjoy tasting some delicious treats from local producers. Explore Blenheim Palace to reveal the glorious fairytale of Sleeping Beauty within each room tells a chapter of the wonderful tale. Fully immerse yourself in the beauty of Blenheim Palace this Christmas!
Where to stay:
Abbey Farm Shepherds Hut | Oxfordshire | Sleeps 2 | Hot Tub | Romantic | Rural Retreat
What better way to contrast a busy day on your feet than resting at Abbey Farm Shepherds Hut. A perfect bolthole to lay your head and soak those achy limbs within the wood fired hot tub! Located within Oxfordshire, what a treat it would be to cosy down for the night within the Shepherds Hut just a little over half an hour away from Blenheim Palace to really mark your memorable Christmas trip!
Book Abbey Farm Shepherds Hut >>>
Edinburgh Christmas Market
Photo credit: Photo by Ross Sneddon on Unsplash
A very iconic Christmas Market in Scotland’s capital. Scotland is a beautiful place to visit any time of year however, we feel it is extra special during the festive period. Proceeding for several weeks, Edinburgh’s Christmas Market is certainly one of the best Xmas markets in the UK and is an exceptionally popular choice for all ages. So what can you expect? West Princes Street Gardens will be a free to enter family-friendly zone this year, complete with funfair rides and attractions, as well as festive food and drink stalls. You can also enjoy the Ross Bandstand which boasts a festive programme of family-friendly live events, including live choirs, ceilidhs, silent discos, the list goes on!
Where to stay:
Rock & Castle | East Lothian | Sleeps 2 | By the Coast | Romantic | Quirky & Unusual
Located approximately 45 minutes West of the City, is Rock & Castle. Have the best of both worlds whilst you are on your break with the hustle and bustle of the city by day and a wonderfully relaxed place to retreat to by night. Rock & Castle is located on the East Lothian coastline so you can get some sea air to freshen your senses after a busy time exploring the Christmas Market!
Show me more from Rock & Castle >>>
Cardiff Christmas Market
Photo credit: Photo by Callum Blacoe on Unsplash
From the 14th November until 23rd December you will find a vast range of makers and producers lining St John’s Street in Cardiff. Open seven days a week you can organise a pre-planned visit or a last minute decision to incorporate the Cardiff Christmas Market into your festive plans. Why not incorporate a visit to Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland to extend your festive fun. With ice skating, entertainment for all ages and an Ice Bar, there is something for everyone!
Where to stay:
Celtic Manor Hunter Lodges | Gwent | Sleeps 8 | Hot Tub | Group Accommodation | Room With a View
Just a short drive out of the City Centre, gather your family and friends to stay at Celtic Manor’s Hunter Lodges. Sleeping 8, it is an ideal place to host a gathering. With large spacious rooms, wood burning stove and a hot tub you really can get into the festive spirit with your friends and family here!
Take me to Celtic Manor Hunter Lodges >>>
Durham Christmas Festival
Photo credit Jeffrey Zhang on Unsplash
From the 6th – 8th December, Durham Christmas Festival returns for another weekend full of festive treats. With unique and beautiful crafts, and tasty food and drink stands, there is no better way to kickstart the festive season. Alongside the festival, there will be Christmas entertainment, to include the Children’s Lantern Parade on the afternoon of Saturday 7th December.
Where to stay:
Hewn Yorkshire | North Yorkshire | Sleeps 2 | Dog Friendly | Hot tub | Sauna
Albeit roughly an hour from Durham, Hewn Yorkshire is a fabulous choice to stay whilst visiting North Yorkshire. From wonderful wintery walks on your door step, to the toasty warm hot tub and sauna to relax after a long day on your feet. Hewn Yorkshire is also dog friendly which, if you like travelling with your four legged friend is a perfect spot with a secure field on site to roam freely.
York Christmas Festival
Back for 2024, York Christmas Festival will be running from 14th November to 22nd December. Enjoy wonderful Christmas spirit in on of England’s picturesque cities. With 75 alpine chalets full with local produce, crafts and gifts you will soon be in the festive spirit! With 80% of the stall holders being from Yorkshire, it is a brilliant way to shop local and support local this year.
Where to stay:
West Acre | North Yorkshire | Sleeps 16 | Perfect for large groups | Hot tub | Games room
Gather your friends and family, and head to West Acre for a pre-Christmas get together where you can all stay comfortably. West Acre is a beautifully furnished property sleeping up to 16, you’ll be wishing you booked to stay for Christmas too! Located just half an hour from York itself, it is located perfectly to soak up local festivities. Head up to the terrace and enjoy the hot tub after a long day (or 2) exploring the markets or enjoy some downtime playing a game of pool in the games room.
Ludlow Winter Festival
Photo credit: Colin Watts on Unsplash
Famed for its Food Festival earlier in the year, Ludlow also hold an annual Winter Festival during 22nd – 24th November. Having a more wholesome appeal, Ludlow Winter Festival festivities include late night shopping at their independent shops on, a spectacular tractor run, craft stalls, local produce stalls, a meet and greet with the big man himself and the much anticipated Christmas lights switch on.
Where to stay:
Stars and Vines Luxury Lodges | Herefordshire | Sleeps 2 | Romantic getaway | Dog friendly | Hot tub
We recommend heading to Stars and Vines Luxury Lodges, just 30 minutes from Ludlow provides a luxury place to rest for two! Conveniently located on a vineyard, it is ideal to pick up some delicious local wine for friends and family just in time for Christmas. The lodges are also dog friendly and each with a private hot tub – with glorious views over the vineyard itself.
Take me to Stars and Vines Luxury Lodges >>>
Chattsworth at Christmas
Photo credit: Graham Durham on Unsplash
From 9th November to 5th January, transport yourself this Christmas to another world. Chattsworth House always deliver when it comes telling a story during the festive season. The Christmas stalls are open until the 1st December and great chance to support locals in buying local food produce and gifts. Not only do Chattsworth decorate the house, but the gardens are also illuminated by night. Great for all ages to come and visit.
Where to stay:
The Hut Eyam | Derbyshire | Sleeps 2 | Romantic getaway | Great for walks
For a wonderfully romantic retreat, head to The Hut Eyam! Sleeping 2, this gorgeous Shepherd’s Hut is perfectly placed in the Peak District to visit local quaint towns and villages as well as popular walks just on your door step. Having a bed and breakfast style set up, you can relax on your break knowing that is covered and you can spend your afternoons sampling local eateries.
Take me to The Hut Eyam here >>>
Looking for further inspiration of places to visit and stay this Winter? Why not take a look at our blog:- Winter Glamping UK