Getting a taste of all on offer at Chatsworth’s Christmas market
FOR the past few years, one of the go-to places around Derbyshire during the festive period has been Chatsworth’s Christmas market, but does it live up to all the hype?
Located at the side of the stunning stately home, in front of the stables, the Christmas market is packed with stalls of all kinds, housed in individual “sheds”, or wooden chalets, with the odd food van dotted around.
At first glance, it has everything you’d want from a market, burgers, hot dogs, hot chocolate, mulled wine, hot roasted chestnuts and a variety of stalls selling gifts.
However, this year’s market is much more than that. Along with every type of food you can think of, including a Greek stand and a stall selling curry to warm the cockles on another rainy day in Derbyshire, it also has stalls selling woollen items including socks and even one where you can buy a sheepskin rug.
While those stands were very interesting to look at and the range impressive, we, as a family, were drawn to the food stands, as you would expect, but what is on offer to satisfy the appetite?
Chatsworth House has a number of stalls serving up a menu which ranges from bacon butties (yours for £5) to burgers of all types made with Chatsworth Farm Shop meat (which range from £7.50 to £9).
There are also stands selling “Loaded Donuts” (four in a box for £20), baklava (£2.50 per piece), scones (£2.50 each). You can also buy Cornish pasties, sausage rolls and churros (£6 for four sticks, including a dip of your choice).
All that food can be washed down with a variety of beverages. We sampled the Mulled Wine (£4) and the
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Baileys hot chocolate (£3.50 without liquor, £5 with), my little boy had a bottle of water as well (£2.50).
Other drinks were available, including tea and coffee, and hot cider.
Those are just a few examples of the food and drink on offer and, as you can tell, they come with the inflated price you would normally expect from a Christmas market.
Overall the atmosphere in the mar
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ket, despite the poor weather and grey skies which stuck around during our visit, was very festive. Entertainment was provided by a an old-fashioned barrel organ, a couple playing the banjo and washboard and even a Christmas trio walking around the market entertaining those who had paid at least £10 to park their cars and get access to the market.
In our opinion, it is a great place to visit and you do leave with some ideas for gifts for friends and family this Christmas, however, be warned, if you fancy a bite to eat, a drink or to buy a gift of two make sure you have deep pockets.