Magical UK Christmas Markets

Disappointed you can’t visit one of Europe’s top Christmas Markets this year? If the credit crunch means you won’t be flying abroad for a taste of the festive season, do not worry – we’ve come up with the best Christmas Markets around the UK, which offer a continental theme and an authentic experience of the great markets of Europe.

Christmas Markets in the UK were very popular until Oliver Cromwell banned the celebration of Christmas. The markets died out instantly but during the Victorian era, there were traditional markets selling festive products and foodstuffs in the run-up to Christmas, they were just never known as Christmas Markets.

Lincoln in the east of England was the first UK Christmas Market to be revived and from small beginnings is now in its 27th year.

UK Christmas Markets often have continental themes bringing over French, German or Italian traders. As well as finding some unique presents, you'll be able to listen to carols, roast some chestnuts and sample some delicious mulled wine. Have a look of our pick of the best below.

Christmas Markets

Hestercombe Christmas Market, Taunton, Somerset
When: 22 November – 23 November

A sparkling affair awaits at the Hestercombe Christmas Marktet. Embrace the festive feeling and get ahead with your present buying amongst the glittering array of high quality stalls and unique hand-made products that will make unusual treats this Christmas.

Bath Christmas Market
When: 26 November - 6 December

Running since 2001, this Christmas market has festive wooden chalets next to the Abbey in the town centre. With the famous Bath Abbey and Roman Baths as a backdrop, you can't fail to get into the Christmas spirit.

The Original German Christmas in Broadmead & Quaker’s Friars, Bristol
When: 12 November - 20 December

The streets in Broadmead and Quaker's Friars will be lined with 30 beautifully decorated wooden chalets selling a range of products from handcrafted decorations and toys, to German bier and traditional Gluhwein.

Christmas Market at Cribbs Causeway, Bristol
When: 12 November ongoing

This outdoor Christmas market at Cribbs Causeway features 21 small wooden chalets outside The Mall. A range of traditional German handicrafts, as well as mulled wine and food is on offer.

Christmas Market at Goldbrick House, Bristol
When: 26 November ongoing

Twenty bespoke retailers will be showing their great gift ideas and services at Goldbrick House in the Champagne bar and Private top floor rooms. These will be open to the public and entrance to the market is totally free and guests will be greeted with a complimentary glass of mulled wine or Champagne.

Christmas Market at the Southville Centre, Bristol

Come along to the Christmas Market at the Southville Centre there will be all sorts of unique gifts available to buy from local stall holders. The Café will be open for coffees, snacks, mulled wine and Christmas treats. Buy your Christmas tree, enjoy some roasted chestnuts and carol singing and really get into the Christmas spirit!

Oxford Christmas Market at Oxford Castle, Oxford
When: 10 December - 20 December 

The Oxford Christmas Market is a German-style Christmas Market which will take place in the heart of the city at Oxford Castle and will include about 30 stalls selling handmade and fair-trade products, hot mulled wine, gingerbread and seasonal local food. School choirs and brass bands will perform Christmas carols throughout the 10 days, adding to the festive atmosphere, and a small Victorian carousel will delight the children.

Christmas Market at Winchester Castle, Winchester
When: 27 November - 20 December 

This market is located around the Cathedral and features 75-100 log chalet style stalls. The whole area is beautifully lit and the market will be accompanied by a programme of activities every evening outside and inside the Cathedral.

A Victorian Festival of Christmas, Portsmouth
When: 27 November - 29 November

The Christmas Market in Portsmouth is hosted at the Historic Dockyard. Known as A Victorian Festival of Christmas, this is a well established Portsmouth Christmas Market. Admission to this Portsmouth Xmas Market also permits visitors to visit HMS Victory, Mary Rose, etc

Bankside Frost Fair, Southbank, London
When: December 2009 

Every December the Bankside riverside between Southwark and Blackfriars Bridges will come alive as London’s largest free winter festival recreates the tradition of the medieval fairs held on the frozen river - with Husky dog sledding, a larger than ever winter market with over 70 stalls, a variety of music and entertainment, street theatre, adult and children’s participatory workshops, ice sculptures, a drinks marquee serving mulled wine and ale and festive food to keep you warm.

Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, London
When: 21 November - 3 January 2010

This Christmas Market in London will be known as Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland. With around 40 German-style wooden chalets this London Christmas Market will appeal to all who enjoy the atmosphere of a German Xmas Market.

Spirit of Christmas Fair, Olympia, London
When: 4 November - 8 November

Indulge in the perfect Christmas shopping experience at Olympia this year. Treat your friends and family (or even yourself) and enjoy an eclectic mix of exquisite and desirable products ideal for Christmas gifts.

Bury St Edmunds Christmas Fayre
When: 27 November - 29 November  

With lots of colourful stalls from all over the UK, dozens of traders from mainland Europe, a varied collection of fairground attractions, some great on-stage entertainment and Bury's cosmopolitan town centre, it's a great day out. Extending from the historic Angel Hill and Athenaeum up to the town centre and into the Abbey Gardens, the Fayre also takes places in the Corn Exchange.

Christmas Festive Fayre, Norwich
When: 2 December -13 December  

Norwich’s new festive fayre takes to the streets in front of City Hall and in and around The Forum with more than 80 stalls offering the perfect gifts for Christmas. Discover a wide selection of high quality Norfolk crafts from handmade jewellery, soaps and stained glass to Christmas decorations, textiles, cards and unusual household items. Sample the delights of French, Italian, Polish and German food, wine and delicious home-made sweets. Explore Norwich market under a sea of multi-coloured roofs where products range from exotic spices to useful house wares on more than 160 stalls.

Frankfurt Christmas Market, Birmingham
When: 12 November - 23 December

Operating from mid-November to late December, over 75 stalls fill Victoria Square and the upper part of New Street. The Frankfurt Christmas Market in Birmingham is the largest outside of Germany or Austria.

Annual Worcester Christmas Fayre 2009, Worcester
When: 26 November - 29 November

Worcester Christmas Fayre is the leading themed street market in the West Midlands. Over 130 stalls fill the atmospheric streets of Worcester's historic heart with the colours, sounds and smells of Christmas.

Lincoln Christmas Market
When: 3 December - 6 December

This market is located in a cobbled square overlooking a floodlit 12th Century cathedral. Bringing Lincoln to life, the smell of chestnuts roasting, mince pies and hot mulled wine prevails.

Chester Continental Christmas Market
When: 5 December - 20 December

Continental flavours come to Chester - enjoy a myriad of coutured stalls and wooden chalets, retailing all manner of continental merchandise, produce, fine German foods, wines and beers, as well as handmade traditional wooden toys.

Keswick Traditional Christmas Fayre
When: 6 December

With lots of decorated charity stalls and a host of street entertainment the Fayre will mark the start of the Festive season in Keswick.

Manchester Christmas Markets
When: December 2009 

The Manchester Christmas Markets incorporate a traditional German Market, a European Market and an Arts and Crafts Market. Located in St Ann's Square, Albert Square and Exchange Street, the stalls sell a variety of crafts and traditional Christmas gifts. Not to be missed are the hot chestnuts, marzipan stollen and Gluwein stall.

York Christmas Market
When: 26 November - 29 November 

St Nicholas Fayre is York's biggest and most popular Christmas market. The market sells a mixture of arts and crafts, gifts and locally produced food and drink. York will also bring its first German Christmas Market to the city this year, selling traditional arts and crafts, along with seasonal food and drink.

Sheffield Christmas Market, Fargate, Sheffield
When: 10 December - 13 December

Find some Christmas presents from a range of products, gifts and food from around Europe.

Durham City Christmas Festival
When: 5 December - 6 December

In its 16th year, the Durham City Christmas Festival shows off our beautiful City to its best - cobbled streets, with the sound of entertainers plenty, reindeer in the Market Place, childrens lantern procession, carols for all in the Cathedral, fire juggling as twilight sets over the Market Place, as well as over 150 quality craft, gift and gourmet food stalls in a huge marquee on Palace Green offering that extra special something as a Christmas gift.

North Shields Victorian Christmas Market
When: 12 December - 13 December

Over 100 stalls will sell a wide range of foodstuffs, crafts and gifts, along with a full programme of seasonal entertainment to add to the fun.

Christmas Market, Newcastle/ Gateshead
When: 9 December - 13 December

With the famous city centre backdrop there are over 50 stalls showcasing many local traders with a wide variety of original hand crafted gifts, and tasty treats. Traders sell everything from alpaca hats and gloves to boozy Christmas cake, cheeses, delicious jams, beautiful glassware and gorgeous jewellery.