The UK Christmas Markets That Are Worth Travelling To

Winter Wonderland, London

• Location: Hyde Park, London
• Dates: 21st November 2024 to 5th January 2025, 10am to 10pm
• Highlights: Featuring a Christmas market in traditional wooden chalets as well as ice skating, fair ground rides, circus, even an ice sculpting workshop. There is something for everyone at Winter Wonderland. Unlike most of the markets in this list you have to pay for entry, but there is a great atmosphere and so much to do.
  Entrance costs up to £7.50 per person dependent on age and peak/off peak dates, but entrance is included in some prebookable events. Worth noting that most attractions are charged once you are in there so be prepared for the cost can add up quickly. You can read our tips for visiting with children here.
• How to get there: If travelling from Essex the train and Underground are the easiest options. The closest stations are Bond Street, Victoria, Knightsbridge and Paddington, but check which entrance you need first. 
• Website

Holkham Hall, North Norfolk

• Location: Holkham Hall, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, NR23 1AB
• Dates: Friday 13th December to Sunday 15th December 2024
• Highlights: A few hours drive from Essex, this beautiful estate on the Norfolk coastline is the perfect setting to get in the Christmas spirit. Entry is free and expect more than 60 stalls, mostly food and drink plus some gifting stands. Street food vendors and hot chocolate stall available too plus live music to add to the festive atmosphere. Dog friendly in outside stalls only.
  As it's close to the beach make sure to bring wellies and warm clothes to combine with a winter beach walk.
• How to get there: Driving is the easiest option from Essex.
• Website

Winchester Cathedral

• Location: The Close, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 9LS
• Dates: 22nd November to 22nd December 2024
• Highlights: Only a few of hours drive from Essex you can enjoy the wonderful festive market of Winchester, one of my personal favourites. With traditional German inspired wooden chalets surrounding Winchester Cathedral, it is recognised as one of the best in Europe. The delicious smell of roasted chestnuts and cinnamon churros in the air is enough to get anyone in the festive spirit but on top of that they have over 100 stalls to help you tick off your Christmas gift shopping in one day.
• How to get there: Due to the popularity of this market it may be best to use the Park and Ride car parks which are located around the outskirts of the city. South Western Railway trains also travel direct to Winchester from Waterloo Station in London in just over an hour.
• Website

Maybe make a weekend of it and stay in a family friendly hotel near Paultons Park (home of Peppa Pig World) so you can go on the way home? 

Manchester Christmas Markets

• Location: Piccadilly Gardens,  Manchester,  M1 1AF
• Dates: 8th November to 22nd December 2024
• Highlights: Spread across 9 locations in Manchester city centre with all the stalls you would expect, there is also an ice skating rink and a festive light trail. The Christmas markets are free to visit.
• How to get there: Just over 3 hours on the train via Euston, Ryanair also fly from Stansted to Manchester or you could drive in around 4 hours.
• Website

Cambridge Christmas Market

• Location: Parker’s Piece , Cambridge, CB1 1NA
• Dates: November 14th to Christmas Eve. 
• Highlights: As well as market stalls in wooden chalets Cambridge Christmas events include a roaming Santa, ice skating rink, heated domes, food traders, Christmas tree maze and a 118ft big wheel. Entry is free but there are charges for activities.
• How to get there: Via train you can get to Cambridge from London Liverpool Street in an hour and a half or from Kings Cross in around an hour. If driving you can get there from Essex in around an hour, find Park and Ride details here.
• Website

Oxford Christmas Market

• Location: Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BS
• Dates: November 23rd 2024 to January 5th 2025, Stalls open 10am to 6pm (or 8pm Thursday to Saturday)
• Highlights: Free admission, market stalls, live music, fairground rides all in the beautiful historic setting of Oxford. Dogs are permitted if on a lead. 
• How to get there: You can get a fast train from London Paddington to Oxford in an hour. Driving will take around 2 hrs from Essex and they have park and ride locations
• Website

Blenheim Palace Christmas Market, Oxfordshire

• Location: Victoria Square and along New Street in Birmingham City Centre.
• Dates: 1st November to 24th December, opening hours vary but roughly 11am to 9pm
• Highlights: Claiming to be the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany or Austria. With a range of traditional goods, food and drink.
• How to get there: You can drive to Birmingham from Essex in about 3 hours, or get a fast trail from London Euston in about 1 hour 20 minutes which takes you right to the market.
• Website

• Location: Bath City Centre, you can download a map from the website to find the numerous locations. 
• Dates: 28th November to 15th December, 10am to 6pm (Sundays), 7pm (Monday to Wednesday) or 8pm (Thursday to Saturday). 
• Highlights: Over 170 chalets with homeware, handmade jewellery, personalised presents and more located around Bath City Centre.
• How to get there: Trains from London Paddinton take about 1 hour 15 minutes to get to Bath, but it will take around 3 hours to drive from Essex (plus extra if you want to use the Park and Ride service. 
• Website