Oh, ho, ho, it’s that time of year when the temperatures drop, leaves perform their annual dance to the ground, and woolly hats get dusted off and pulled on… Whether you’re off on a wintry stroll or a mooch around a Christmas market - and boy, does the UK have some crackers to tempt you into the chilly air.
Whether you’re lured by the sweet scents of orange, cinnamon, and clove, or you can’t resist browsing one more stall for that extra special gift, the UK’s beloved Christmas markets promise something for all this festive season.
We’ve made it our Christmas mission to scout the best markets across the country that offer something unique, from Dickensian festivities to garlic-infused fun, with cosy cottages nearby so you can warm your feet by the fire at the end of each day.
Ready to wrap up warm and head out? Here’s our list of the best Christmas markets in the UK to get you in the festive spirit.
Bath Christmas Market, Somerset
Thursday the 27th of November to Sunday the 14th of December
Bath Christmas Market has been delighting visitors for 25 years, often featuring amongst the best Christmas markets in Europe! Well, with a magical Christmas village hosting a dazzling winter market and one of the best ice rinks in the UK, it’s little surprise this seasonal Somerset festivity is so beloved.
Casting Bath’s beautiful city centre in twinkling light, the market promises cobbled streets lined with curious crafts and mulled wine vendors, inviting you to shop with wine in hand. Over 250 traders gather to ensure every shopping list is quickly ticked off, while street food galore promises full tums at every turn. The market is open until 8pm, Thursdays to Saturdays, so a spot of late-night shopping is always on the cards.
If ice skating is more your speed, the annual ice rink is a must. Located in Royal Victoria Park and open from the 14th of November to the 4th of January, this holiday favourite is the ultimate way to work up an appetite for mince pies. New for 2025, a Christmas Tree Maze invites you to work your way through the pine-scented puzzle before stopping by the new heated seating area for a mouth-watering wood-fired pizza.
Where to stay: A short drive from the hustle and bustle of Bath, Merryfields is the perfect place to retreat to after your Christmas shopping. Stylish interiors and quirky touches make this four-bedroom Victorian home a hit with family and friends, while sprawling countryside views invite you to snuggle down by the fire and watch the world go by.
Christmas at Blenheim Palace, the Cotswolds
Friday the 14th of November 2025 to Saturday the 3rd of January 2026
The Cotswolds is home to many fascinating castles and historic buildings, but few quite as grand as Blenheim Palace. This incredible work of 18th-century architecture is well worth a visit throughout the year, but Christmas sees the Baroque-style house bedecked in festive finery, while its sprawling gardens alight with sparkling decorations and a fabulous light trail.
Oh yes, Christmas at Blenheim Palace is an experience to remember. Children will love following the yellow brick road through The Palace of Oz, while shoppers can delight in browsing the wooden chalets that make up the famous Christmas market. Stalls offer everything from handcrafted stocking fillers to palatial gifts, while the East Courtyard promises an array of street food stalls to warm the belly and soul.
The spectacular Observation Wheel offers panoramic views across the market, palace, and gardens beyond, inviting you to soak up the estate’s festive spirit in true whimsical style. Meanwhile, the ice rink offers the chance to test your balance amidst twinkling lights.
Where to stay nearby: Fancy staying in a palace of your own? King John’s Palace is a dreamy Grade II* listed farmhouse a stone’s throw from the dazzling displays at Blenheim. Sleeping 12 (dogs welcome too) and boasting a sauna, wood burner, and grand living areas, this palatial home is the perfect place for a festive escape with the family.
Ulverston Dickensian Christmas Festival, Cumbria
Saturday the 29th to Sunday the 30th of November
The Lake District has long been synonymous with a sprinkle of whimsy, whether it's the charming World of Beatrix Potter attraction or the famous Grasmere Gingerbread shop with its Victorian storefront and costumed staff. For a true slice of nostalgia, though, head to Ulverston at the end of November for the annual Dickensian Christmas Festival.
Oh yes, this yuletide extravaganza is home to fabulous fancy dress, live performances, and oodles of stalls for some Christmas shopping. After all, nothing quite beats the merry magic of perusing Christmas gifts while sipping on a cup of mulled cider and listening to carol singers. Costumed parades will delight little ones, while fire eaters add a little oomph to the proceedings.
Where to stay: A rural retreat for two, Maple Cottage sits a stone’s throw from Ulverston and promises an enchanting spot for a Christmas escape. Fill your days with breathtaking walks across the Lake District, before cuddling up by the wood burner with a mug of hot chocolate in hand (and perhaps some slices of Grasmere Gingerbread for good measure).
Hay-on-Wye Christmas Fayre, Herefordshire
Saturday the 13th of December
Held on the second Saturday of December every year, the Hay-on-Wye Christmas Fayre has become a favourite on the festive calendar. Over 100 local traders fill the streets with hand-crafted gifts, while street food vendors ensure no one leaves hungry.
Choirs fill the air with melodic magic, while Father Christmas takes time out of his busy pre-Christmas schedule to meet the children. Of course, while visiting Hay-on-Wye - the home of one of the biggest literary festivals in the UK - it’s probably worth checking out a bookshop or two, there are over a dozen to choose from, after all!
Hay-on-Wye also plays host to the wonderful Hay Festival Winter Weekend between the 26th and 30th of November. Taking over Hay Castle’s square with bustling stalls and a vintage market, it ensures the lead up to Christmas always has something special going on.
Where to stay: What could be better than holing up in an off-grid cottage for four with a haul of books and local mince pies from a Christmas market? If that sounds like your kind of vibe, Mrs Higgs is just the place. Nestled in a woodland with a hot tub and wood burner, every moment is magical at this quirky cottage for four.
York’s St Nicholas Fair, Yorkshire
Thursday the 13th of November to Sunday the 21st of December
One of Yorkshire’s most beloved Christmas events, York’s St Nicholas Fair is a merry mix of stalls, street food, and seasonal entertainment. Traditional decorations and lights turn the historic city into a winter wonderland, while chalets add a sprinkle of Alpine awe to your shopping experience.
Whether you want to browse artisanal goodies or tasty treats, local traders ensure your experience is woven with homegrown goodness. Explore the city’s cobblestone streets, some of which have played host to some rather magical films, perusing the charming local shops as you go.
Where to stay: Sleeping six with beautiful original features and a serene rural setting, Bricknell Farm near York invites you to enjoy the merriest of Christmas escapes with the family. The little ones will love the games room, while the spacious living room is perfect for a round or two of charades.
Truro Christmas Market, Cornwall
Friday the 21st of November to Tuesday the 24th of December
Truro’s annual Christmas market has long been a favourite amongst locals, but recent years have seen the festivities bloom into the BIG Christmas Market we know and love today. This year is looking to be bigger and better than ever, with even more stalls and traders adding their wares to the festive fray.
Local craftspeople offer myriad trinkets and take-homes to browse, ensuring every person on your Christmas list gets something special, while mulled cider stands and mouth-watering street food stalls promise something toothsome at every turn. Kiddies will love the giant snowglobe that makes for a truly special holiday photo op, while the 30-foot-tall Christmas tree ensures everyone’s Christmas spirits are high as you wander around the winter wonderland.
Where to stay: Nestled in the serene village of St Clement, Condurro House enjoys the best of both worlds, with glorious waterside views and the hustle and bustle of Truro only a short drive away.
Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market, Devon
Thursday the 20th of November to Friday the 19th of December
One of the most iconic Christmas markets in the South West, the Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market invites you to tick off your Christmas list beneath the magnificent visage of one of Devon’s most beautiful landmarks. Wooden chalets host a variety of stalls selling everything from Christmas decorations to the cosiest woolly socks around.
Alongside gifts and goodies, you’ll find a mouth-watering selection of street food stalls offering up sugary doughnuts, soul-warming mulled wine, and big ol’ burgers you simply can’t resist.
Where to stay: A dreamy retreat for two, Shepherd’s Oak invites you to get back to nature during your Christmas break. Nestled beneath a giant oak tree and boasting sprawling views across Devon’s rolling countryside, it’s the perfect place to curl up with the dog at your feet as you sink into a rural reverie, cup of gluhwein in hand.
Milntown Christmas Market, Isle of Man
Saturday the 8th to Sunday the 9th of November
Set in the only historic estate on the Isle of Man, Milntown Christmas Market is an unmissable celebration of seasonal delights. Fill your stockings with glittering jewellery and ornaments, pick up some treats for the pooch, or try on some toasty scarves to keep the winter winds at bay - all made by the island’s wonderful creatives.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a festive celebration without some button-popping foodie stalls and boy, does Milntown deliver! The famous Milntown Kitchen will be serving up its legendary festive baps right in the heart of the market, while those with a sweet tooth will adore the crumble bar, which has become a fan favourite over the years.
Where to stay: A gorgeous refurbished cottage in the Sulby Valley on the Isle of Man, Struan Thie Barn is a stargazing haven you won’t want to leave. A cosy retreat for two, you’ll find oodles of adventures on your doorstep, or you can simply curl up by the wood burner with a good book and a mug of something delicious.
I Love Wight Christmas Market, Isle of Wight
Saturday the 6th to Sunday the 7th of December
Where else can you pick up garlic-infused butter, mayo, and beer (yes, beer!) than the Isle of Wight’s fabulous Garlic Farm? Although worth a visit throughout the year, the annual Christmas market is always a magical affair, with decorations and lights turning the space into a true celebration of the season.
Browse stalls full to the brim with artisanal delights, pause and listen to the music that gently drifts through the market, and book a table at the onsite restaurant for some hearty food to warm the belly and fuel your advent adventures. The farm is also home to a lovely circular walk if you feel like stretching your legs during your visit.
Where to stay: Keepers Cottage is a charming Christmas escape for seven near Wootton on the Isle of Wight. Not only are you a short drive from the Garlic Farm, but the famous Briddlesford Farm Shop is just around the corner and boasts a plethora of homegrown goodies.
Ready to tour the UK’s top Christmas markets? Explore our cosy holiday cottages and start planning a festive escape like no other.
