Christmas in Olde England
Our Travel Writer Jim Murphy looks at some of the best Christmas Markets that olde England has to offer visitors this year.
England, with its multitude of historic landmarks and its unique sense of pomp and tradition, provides the perfect setting for Christmas. During the festive season, many English towns and cities host their own Christmas Markets where you can enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes of yuletide tradition and make for a wonderful Christmas shopping vacation.
Mention the words shopping, vacation and Britain in the same sentence and the word London won’t be too far away. With Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges, London is home to some of the world’s most famous and exclusive department stores and some of the biggest names in fashion. At Christmas time London’s shops feature spectacular window displays and extend their opening hours until 8pm and many until 10pm, the city is festooned with festive lights and the Christmas Markets bring a little extra seasonal cheer.
In years gone by London would hold ‘Frost Fairs’ on the River Thames itself. During cold winters the Thames would freeze over between London Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge and Londoners would celebrate Christmas on the ice with a range of seasonal activities. There would be stalls selling souvenirs ‘bought on the Thames’, Tavern Booths with drink, entertainments and even sports and theatre on the ice. Frost Fairs were held on the Thames as far back as the 16th century and would attract royalty, with King Charles II and Queen Elizabeth I recorded as attending these carnivals on ice. The last of the traditional Frost Fairs was in 1816. Following the dismantling of London Bridge and the draining of the river side marshes, the Thames froze no more.
But thankfully the Bankside Winter Festival provides visitors with a modern day Frost Fair and winter market. Situated outside the Tate Modern, the Bankside Winter Festival runs from 12th - 21st December and features stalls for those looking for Christmas stocking fillers with jewellery, fine ceramics, traditional wooden toys, hand crafted accessories as well as festive food and mulled wine. The winter market opens with a traditional Frost Fair themed lantern parade at 4.30pm on 12th December with local children carrying their home made lanterns. This procession ends at Tate Modern where a Frost Fair Lantern scene will be displayed throughout the festival.
During the festivities, visitors can enjoy a selection of guided walks outlining the area’s rich maritime and theatrical heritage hailing from the days of the original Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. These walks take place on 13th, 14th and 20th December and younger visitors can enjoy magical sled rides with Siberian Huskies on the 12th, 14th, 19th and 21st December.
England’s biggest Christmas Market is held in one of its oldest cities, the medieval Cathedral City of Lincoln , situated in the Heart of England . The Lincoln Christmas Market runs from 4th - 7th December is one of the largest of its kind in Europe. The markets attract nearly a million visitors over the 3 days and are spread throughout the stunning Cathedral quarter of Lincoln, within the courtyard of the 12th Century castle and along the medieval cobbled streets of the city. Lincoln’s Christmas Markets feature brightly coloured stalls selling a range of Christmas gifts with craft stalls, book stalls, farmers markets selling locally produced cheeses, meats and festive foods as well as a Christmas Fair and traditional fairground entertainments.
Adding to the atmosphere, Lincoln Cathedral features a special Christmas programme of Carol services, Evensong and bell ringing set within one of England’s most prominent and beautiful church buildings. Lincoln is a city rich in history, once a Roman garrison called Lindum Colonia, it is home to one of only three original copies of the Magna Carter. This founding document of modern democracy is held in Lincoln Castle and the city boasts a number of historic timber fronted Tudor buildings.
Similarly, York is another medieval Cathedral City whose historic backdrop helps create a special ambiance for its Christmas Markets. Once a Viking city, York in the North of England , has maintained its ancient plan of narrow cobbled streets and is dominated by its 11th Century York Minster , second only to Canterbury Cathedral in grandeur and ecumenical importance. Opening the festive season in York is St Nicholas’ Fayre from November 27th - 30th providing an early Christmas shopping experience which attracts thousands of visitors. But this is just the beginning and York sees a range of seasonal events along the cobbled streets of this old city.
On December 13th and 14th The Festival of Angels will see the streets of York graced by an alternative form of Christmas, with ice sculptures, ‘snow showers’ and street entertainers keeping visitors enthralled. On the 14th the festival sees the Parade of Angels wind its way through the streets accompanied by Father Christmas and his elves.
Yuletide York brings a host of market stalls to Parliament Street in the centre of the city; from 4th -14th December the Made in Yorkshire Christmas Market features handicrafts and food stuffs produced right here in ‘God’s Own County’, whilst the International Christmas Fayre from 3rd - 17th December provides festive tastes and traditional Christmas gifts from around the world.
In the South West of England , Bath is one of England’s most beautiful cities and it’s Christmas Markets provide a little added seasonal splendor to this UNESCO World Heritage City. Set beside elegant Bath Abbey and the ancient Roman Baths , the Christmas Market runs from November 27th - December 7th and features over 100 stalls selling handmade jewellery, Christmas decorations and food from this famously agricultural corner of the country. Alongside the traditional Christmas Market, at Milsom Place on 6th December the annual Chocolate Festival features expert chocolatiers and tasty festive treats for chocoholics.
Jane Austen fans who flock to the city of Bath, in which Austen based ‘Sense and Sensibility’, can enjoy a traditional Regency Christmas at the Jane Austen Centre. Here visitors this Christmas can try their hand at some traditional Christmas parlour games like snapdragon, bullet pudding and spillikins and sample traditional Christmas dishes in the Regency Tea Rooms.
Wherever you go in England this Christmas you’ll find the markets bustling with excitement, the shops offering a huge range of stocking fillers and the locals friendlier than ever – there’s no better place for raising your Christmas spirits.
If you’re planning a vacation to Britain contact one of our guides for the latest deals on accommodation and travel.
England, with its multitude of historic landmarks and its unique sense of pomp and tradition, provides the perfect setting for Christmas. During the festive season, many English towns and cities host their own Christmas Markets where you can enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes of yuletide tradition and make for a wonderful Christmas shopping vacation.
Mention the words shopping, vacation and Britain in the same sentence and the word London won’t be too far away. With Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges, London is home to some of the world’s most famous and exclusive department stores and some of the biggest names in fashion. At Christmas time London’s shops feature spectacular window displays and extend their opening hours until 8pm and many until 10pm, the city is festooned with festive lights and the Christmas Markets bring a little extra seasonal cheer.
In years gone by London would hold ‘Frost Fairs’ on the River Thames itself. During cold winters the Thames would freeze over between London Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge and Londoners would celebrate Christmas on the ice with a range of seasonal activities. There would be stalls selling souvenirs ‘bought on the Thames’, Tavern Booths with drink, entertainments and even sports and theatre on the ice. Frost Fairs were held on the Thames as far back as the 16th century and would attract royalty, with King Charles II and Queen Elizabeth I recorded as attending these carnivals on ice. The last of the traditional Frost Fairs was in 1816. Following the dismantling of London Bridge and the draining of the river side marshes, the Thames froze no more.
But thankfully the Bankside Winter Festival provides visitors with a modern day Frost Fair and winter market. Situated outside the Tate Modern, the Bankside Winter Festival runs from 12th - 21st December and features stalls for those looking for Christmas stocking fillers with jewellery, fine ceramics, traditional wooden toys, hand crafted accessories as well as festive food and mulled wine. The winter market opens with a traditional Frost Fair themed lantern parade at 4.30pm on 12th December with local children carrying their home made lanterns. This procession ends at Tate Modern where a Frost Fair Lantern scene will be displayed throughout the festival.
During the festivities, visitors can enjoy a selection of guided walks outlining the area’s rich maritime and theatrical heritage hailing from the days of the original Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. These walks take place on 13th, 14th and 20th December and younger visitors can enjoy magical sled rides with Siberian Huskies on the 12th, 14th, 19th and 21st December.
England’s biggest Christmas Market is held in one of its oldest cities, the medieval Cathedral City of Lincoln , situated in the Heart of England . The Lincoln Christmas Market runs from 4th - 7th December is one of the largest of its kind in Europe. The markets attract nearly a million visitors over the 3 days and are spread throughout the stunning Cathedral quarter of Lincoln, within the courtyard of the 12th Century castle and along the medieval cobbled streets of the city. Lincoln’s Christmas Markets feature brightly coloured stalls selling a range of Christmas gifts with craft stalls, book stalls, farmers markets selling locally produced cheeses, meats and festive foods as well as a Christmas Fair and traditional fairground entertainments.
Adding to the atmosphere, Lincoln Cathedral features a special Christmas programme of Carol services, Evensong and bell ringing set within one of England’s most prominent and beautiful church buildings. Lincoln is a city rich in history, once a Roman garrison called Lindum Colonia, it is home to one of only three original copies of the Magna Carter. This founding document of modern democracy is held in Lincoln Castle and the city boasts a number of historic timber fronted Tudor buildings.
Similarly, York is another medieval Cathedral City whose historic backdrop helps create a special ambiance for its Christmas Markets. Once a Viking city, York in the North of England , has maintained its ancient plan of narrow cobbled streets and is dominated by its 11th Century York Minster , second only to Canterbury Cathedral in grandeur and ecumenical importance. Opening the festive season in York is St Nicholas’ Fayre from November 27th - 30th providing an early Christmas shopping experience which attracts thousands of visitors. But this is just the beginning and York sees a range of seasonal events along the cobbled streets of this old city.
On December 13th and 14th The Festival of Angels will see the streets of York graced by an alternative form of Christmas, with ice sculptures, ‘snow showers’ and street entertainers keeping visitors enthralled. On the 14th the festival sees the Parade of Angels wind its way through the streets accompanied by Father Christmas and his elves.
Yuletide York brings a host of market stalls to Parliament Street in the centre of the city; from 4th -14th December the Made in Yorkshire Christmas Market features handicrafts and food stuffs produced right here in ‘God’s Own County’, whilst the International Christmas Fayre from 3rd - 17th December provides festive tastes and traditional Christmas gifts from around the world.
In the South West of England , Bath is one of England’s most beautiful cities and it’s Christmas Markets provide a little added seasonal splendor to this UNESCO World Heritage City. Set beside elegant Bath Abbey and the ancient Roman Baths , the Christmas Market runs from November 27th - December 7th and features over 100 stalls selling handmade jewellery, Christmas decorations and food from this famously agricultural corner of the country. Alongside the traditional Christmas Market, at Milsom Place on 6th December the annual Chocolate Festival features expert chocolatiers and tasty festive treats for chocoholics.
Jane Austen fans who flock to the city of Bath, in which Austen based ‘Sense and Sensibility’, can enjoy a traditional Regency Christmas at the Jane Austen Centre. Here visitors this Christmas can try their hand at some traditional Christmas parlour games like snapdragon, bullet pudding and spillikins and sample traditional Christmas dishes in the Regency Tea Rooms.
Wherever you go in England this Christmas you’ll find the markets bustling with excitement, the shops offering a huge range of stocking fillers and the locals friendlier than ever – there’s no better place for raising your Christmas spirits.
If you’re planning a vacation to Britain contact one of our guides for the latest deals on accommodation and travel.
