Christmas markets
Christmas fayres and markets are festive places to do your Christmas shopping and get into the spirit of the season. Check out our pick of Christmas markets in England and enjoy listening to carols, eating roast chestnuts and drinking mulled wine. If you know of any really great Christmas markets not mentioned here please do visit our forum (/forum/) and share them with us.
Bath
Bath Christmas Market (www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk/)
Running since 2001, this Christmas market has festive wooden chalets next to the Abbey in the town centre. With the famous Bath Abbey and Roman Baths as a backdrop, you can't fail to get into the Christmas spirit.
Bristol
Bristol Christmas Market (visitbristol.co.uk/winter/shopping/christmas_markets)
This outdoor Christmas market at Cribbs Causeway features 21 small wooden chalets outside The Mall. A range of traditional German handicrafts, as well as mulled wine and food is on offer.
Christmas Market at the Southville Centre
Come along to the Christmas Market at the Southville Centre, open from 11am to 4pm on Saturday 15th December; there will be all sorts of unique gifts available to buy from local stall holders. The Café will be open for coffees, snacks, mulled wine and Christmas treats. Buy your Christmas tree, enjoy some roasted chestnuts and carol singing and really get into the Christmas spirit!
Bury St Edmunds
Bury St Edmunds Christmas Fayre
With lots of colourful stalls from all over the UK, dozens of traders from mainland Europe, a varied collection of fairground attractions, some great on-stage entertainment and Bury's cosmopolitan town centre, it's a great day out. Extending from the historic Angel Hill and Athenaeum up to the town centre and into the Abbey Gardens, the Fayre also takes places in the Corn Exchange and is open until 7pm on November 30th, December 1st and 2nd!
Chester
Christmas markets
There will be a number of Christmas markets taking place in Chester in December, selling an impressive range of food, crafts and gifts.
Keswick
Keswick Traditional Christmas Fayre
With lots of decorated charity stalls and a host of street entertainment the Fayre will mark the start of the Festive season in Keswick.
Lincoln
Lincoln Christmas Market
This market is located in a cobbled square overlooking a floodlit 12th Century cathedral. Bringing Lincoln to life, the smell of chestnuts roasting, mince pies and hot mulled wine prevails.
London
Bankside Frost Fair
From Friday 14th to Sunday 16th December 2007, the Bankside riverside between Southwark and Blackfriars Bridges will come alive as London’s largest free winter festival recreates the tradition of the medieval fairs held on the frozen river - with Husky dog sledding, a larger than ever winter market with over 70 stalls, a variety of music and entertainment, street theatre, adult and children’s participatory workshops, ice sculptures, a drinks marquee serving mulled wine and ale and festive food to keep you warm.
Manchester
Manchester Christmas Markets (www.manchester.gov.uk/markets/specialist/christmas.htm)
The Manchester Christmas Markets incorporate a traditional German Market, a European Market and an Arts and Crafts Market. Located in St Ann's Square, Albert Square and Exchange Street, the stalls sell a variety of crafts and traditional Christmas gifts. Not to be missed are the hot chestnuts, marzipan stollen and Gluwein stall!
North Shields
North Shields Victorian Christmas Market
Taking place on the weekend of 8-9 December, over 100 stalls will sell a wide range of foodstuffs, crafts and gifts. There will also be a full programme of seasonal entertainment to add to the fun.
Norwich
Christmas Festive Fayre
Norwich’s new festive fayre takes to the streets in front of City Hall and in and around The Forum with more than 80 stalls offering the perfect gifts for Christmas. Discover a wide selection of high quality Norfolk crafts from handmade jewellery, soaps and stained glass to Christmas decorations, textiles, cards and unusual household items. Sample the delights of French, Italian, Polish and German food, wine and delicious home-made sweets. Explore Norwich market under a sea of multi-coloured roofs where products range from exotic spices to useful house wares on more than 160 stalls.
South Shields
Christmas Fayre
Want a unique or special gift for someone this Christmas? Look no further than South Shields Museum and Art Gallery's special Christmas Fayre. Exciting goods will be on sale ranging from hand-made jewellery to tasty chocolate treats.
Winchester
Winchester Christmas Market
This market is located around the Cathedral and features 75-100 log chalet style stalls. The whole area is beautifully lit and the market will be accompanied by a programme of activities every evening outside and inside the Cathedral.