Is the constant wind and rain making you feel gloomy?
A trip to a Christmas market for some festive cheer could be the answer. But be careful – go to the wrong one and your mood might end up worsening.
Here to steer you towards some of England’s most delightful and cosy Christmas markets – and away from the worst – is travel blogger and YouTuber Christina Guan (@happytowander).
She reveals her top five English Christmas markets, from one with ‘beautiful Georgian backdrops’ to one with a ‘fun and buzzy’ atmosphere. And she names two ‘overcrowded and overpriced’ markets to avoid. And because she’s Canadian, she offers objective opinions, free from regional prejudice.
Christina, whose partner is from Dorset, tells MailOnline Travel: ‘I love seeing the different spins that destinations put on their festive decor so I try to do a holiday-themed trip every year.’
So, which market is top of the list?
She reveals: ‘Bath is probably my top pick. One thing I love about all the markets here is that all the vendors come from the local area, so the actual shopping experience is better than most other UK Christmas markets, plus the beautiful Georgian backdrops of Bath just can’t be beaten.’
Winchester also gets the thumbs up, with Christina describing its market as ‘lovely, although small’. She continues: ‘Its main market takes place in the cathedral courtyard, so the atmosphere is really nice, and they have a separate Makers’ Market with handmade decorations, gifts and clothing from local businesses, as well as lots of food vendors offering food from around the world.’
Christina, a travel blogger from Canada, has shared her favourite English Christmas markets and the ones to avoid with MailOnline Travel. She’s pictured above at London’s Winter Wonderland
Bath Christmas Market is Christina’s ‘top pick’ as it has local vendors and ‘beautiful Georgian backdrops’
Christina describes Winchester Christmas Market as ‘lovely’ with a ‘really nice atmosphere’
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If you’re looking for something a little more ‘unique’, Christina says that Stratford-upon-Avon is ‘very fun’ and should be on your list.
She reveals: ‘They only do their market a few days of the year, but there are hundreds of vendors and a Victorian theme – at least during my visit – all set against the beautiful half-timbered backdrops of Shakespeare’s birthplace.
‘I liked the variety of stalls here, along with the fun, buzzy atmosphere and entertainment programme. There are lots of stalls to get food and drink here as well.’
Blenheim Palace also gets the nod of approval from Christina, who explains: ‘I really enjoyed the experience at Blenheim Palace, not necessarily just for its Christmas market, which is rather small, but for the entire holiday experience going on there.
‘Each year they decorate the interior of the palace with a new theme and it’s always stunning.
‘They also do a free light show across the facade and have a light trail as well as dozens of Christmas market stalls, with some great local food vendors, including a great place doing divine Christmas dinner – complete with loaded chips, gravy and stuffing.’
If it’s authenticity you’re after, Birmingham is your best bet, according to Christina, because the market there is inspired by those found in the perceived home of Christmas markets – Germany.
Christina spent five years living in Munich and has visited plenty of markets in Germany, so knows a lookalike when she sees one.
She remarks: ‘Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market is aesthetically the closest match to a traditional German Christmas market I’ve seen, with lots of nice touches like proper Glühwein mugs and stall decor.
‘I had heard that it was the largest German-style market outside Central Europe, but didn’t expect them to actually do such a great job with the stall decor and overall vibe. Many of the stalls were remarkably similar to what you’d actually see in Germany, which was great.
‘And it has a nice atmosphere, especially in the evenings!
‘However, I found the nearby market at Cathedral Square to be better for food and drink, so I’d say to not miss that one either when you’re in town.’
London’s Winter Wonderland, pictured above, is ‘your best option’ for rides, games and activities, says Christina
LEFT: Christina describes Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas market as the most ‘authentic’ in England. RIGHT: Christina explains that the stalls at Birmingham’s Christmas Market are ‘remarkably similar to what you’d actually see in Germany’
Stratford upon Avon’s market has a ‘fun’ and ‘buzzy’ atmosphere, says Christina
Blenheim Palace hosts a light trail as well as ‘dozens of Christmas market stalls’, explains Christina
Christina recommends avoiding Trafalgar Square Christmas Market (above) as it’s ‘overpriced’
Any negative points overall?
Christina warns that the ‘actual shopping experience’ at Birmingham’s markets ‘leaves much to be desired’ with ‘a lack of unique gifts to buy and rather overpriced food’.
She also recalls the cold beer being a surprise.
Christina explains: ‘Christmas markets in mainland Europe tend to stick to hot beverages like mulled wine, so seeing branded Birmingham Christmas Market pints was kind of a shock.
‘As I said though, I love embracing unique aspects of each market, so I made sure to grab a cold one for my Christmas market browsing.’
Christina also gives an honorary mention in the recommended list to Rochester Castle market, which has a ‘great variety of activities, especially for kids’.
And while she doesn’t ‘consider it a proper ‘Christmas market’, Christina says: ‘I think it’s tough to beat the variety and spectacle of Winter Wonderland in London.
‘If you’re looking for a day out with rides, games, activities and lots to do, that really is the best option… though you can expect huge crowds and prices to match.’
THE ONES TO AVOID
So, where should you leave off the UK Christmas market bucket list?
Christina says: ‘I actually think the “Christmas markets” in London are some of the worst ones I’ve been to!
‘London has a lot of great festive things going for it – the light installations and holiday displays there are some of the most beautiful in the world- but the main Christmas markets in Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square are very overcrowded and overpriced, with all the stalls selling the same mass-produced stuff, which is a shame because I know many people travel to London specifically to see them.’
