Festive fun is back with a vengeance!
Winter Wonderland is simply magical, says QUEUES WIND AROUND SQUARE IN ‘WONDERLAND’
NOTTINGHAM’S Winter Wonderland is intense, and heaving with people, but it is still a magical experience.
Following the cancellation of the Christmas Market after just one day last year because of Covid fears, expectations were high this time around.
And queues snaked across Old Market Square as people tried out what the market had to offer.
I started off my evening with a cup of mulled wine from the Apres Ski Bar, which immediately put me in a Christmas mood.
At £5.50 the wine was lovely and warm, and the atmosphere of the bar was lively and joyful – just what you want.
Others enjoyed their experience, too.
Martin Micallef, 58, and Diane Micallef, 52, said their favourite part was the wine.
They said: “It’s marvellous. The mulled wine is so good. “We might get a bit of food. “It’s all outdoor so we feel fine about everything.
“It feels like everything is back to normality.
“We might go on the wheel but the problem is the queues. “Everyone wants to get out again.” The market opened a week ago – and I wanted to try out the big wheel.
But sadly the queue said otherwise, so I decided against it.
Instead, I treated myself to the incredible concept of a Yorkshire pudding-style wrap.
I had the pig in a warm blanket, which included delicious sausages and onion gravy, for £7.50.
All wraps came with stuffing, potatoes and added Brussel sprouts if you want them.
The wrap was incredibly filling and kept my hands warm as I walked around the market.
The owner of the Deck The Halls shop was incredibly excited to be back in the square.
She said: “It’s been really good and busy.
“It is so nice to be back after closing last year.
“It’s nice to see everyone again – we get regulars coming back. “This’ll be our tenth year.” Revellers had a lot to choose from – ranging from Lebanese wraps to Swedish horns.
But Alan Chapman, 34, who was visiting the market for the first time, was a little disappointed with the queues.
He said: “It is quite crowded and I’ve never had to queue like this before.
“I doubt we will go on the wheel as the queue is insane.
“We’re waiting to go to the bar. We will probably spend our night there.”
■ The Christmas fair runs until December 31.