CHRISTMAS MARKETS closer to home
The origins of these festive fayres lie in continental Europe, but you don’t have to venture abroad to experience a traditional market. Here are some of the best in the UK
BIRMINGHAM 16 November-24 December Taking inspiration from its twin city, Frankfurt, Birmingham’s Christmas Market is the largest German-style market outside Germany (germanchristmasmarketbirmingham.com).
MANCHESTER 10 November-20 December Manchester’s markets offer a huge selection of goods, from jewellery to bonsai trees, Dutch bulbs to French soaps, and food spanning hog roasts to Hungarian goulash (manchester.gov.uk).
YORK 16 November-22 December Arguably the most Christmassy city in the UK, York’s St Nicholas Fayre, with more than 100 traditional chalets, is a small part of the city-wide Christmas festival (visityork.org).
WINCHESTER 20 November-22 December Located with the Inner and Outer Cathedral Close at its heart, Winchester’s market showcases British crafts (winchester-cathedral.org.uk)