These are the best Christmas Markets in the UK
Britain’s best ‘all-round’ Christmas market is found at the Chatsworth Estate in the Peak District, a study has revealed.
A poll of 2,000 Brits found the festive event in Derbyshire secured the highest overall score, with Edinburgh, St. Nicholas Fair in York and London’s Hyde Park Winter Wonderland all achieving ‘gold’ level status.
Chatsworth Estate also took top marks for the quality of its food and drink, followed by the Whitefriars Christmas Market in Canterbury.
However, the market at Leeds Castle in Kent was deemed the best in terms of entertainment for kids, according to the survey of adults who have attended a Christmas market in the last five years.
And the study, by hotel chain Premier Inn, found the magical ‘Christmas by the River’ in London is the best Christmas market to attend if you want to impress a date.
Consumer expert Alice Beer said: “Visiting Christmas markets is a tradition for millions of Brits.
“While many of them have their roots in traditional German markets, there’s nothing more British than wrapping up warm and attending one of the many found across the country.
“More than a third of our respondents visit a Christmas market every year without fail, showing how big a part of the festive season they have become.”
Researchers found seven in 10 people go to Christmas markets because they make them feel festive, and 42 per cent say they get great inspiration for gifts.
Brits are also likely to shell out a whopping £41 per visit to a Christmas market, with nearly two-thirds picking up some Christmas shopping at one.
Respondents are also willing to travel for nearly an hour-and-a-half to get to their Christmas market of choice, and a quarter have taken a mini-break in the UK to coincide with a festive fair.
It also emerged that in order to charge up their batteries for the Christmas season, 37 per cent of those polled, via OnePoll.com, say they need a holiday before the period gets into full swing.
A further three in 10 believe they need to de-stress after Christmas shopping, and 34 per cent like to spend more quiet time with their family.
However, almost one in five are simply using up holiday days before the end of the year.
John Annoh from Premier Inn said: “Over the years, Premier Inn has seen Christmas markets become increasingly popular so we wanted to reveal the ones which Brits rate the best.
“It’s great to see the public exploring what the UK has to offer at this time of year by travelling far and wide to shop for presents and get into the festive spirit.
“With over 750 locations across the country, Premier Inn is perfectly located near all of the nation’s favourite Christmas markets and is a great place to start your festive trip.”
‘Gold’ Christmas markets
• Chatsworth Estate Christmas Market
• Edinburgh Christmas Market
• St Nicholas Christmas Fair – York
• Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market
• Christmas Market at Greenwich
• Norwich Christmas Market
• Manchester Christmas Market
• Bath Christmas Market
• Kingston Christmas Market
• Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
‘Silver’ Christmas markets
• Lincoln Christmas Market
• Christmas By The River, London
• Chester Christmas Market
• Southbank Centre Winter Market, London
• Newcastle Christmas Market
• Glasgow Christmas Market
• Durham Christmas Festival
• Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market
• Christkindelmarkt, Leeds
• Blackpool Christmas Market