Christmas Markets: which do you rate?

twohooter_2

I went to the Birmingham markets in 2014 and was very disappointed. Yes, there may be lots of stalls but most were repetitions of overpriced tat that could be found anywhere. There were several identical stalls selling German stollen, sweets etc - most of which could be purchased in Lidl for a fraction of the price. I had just purchased some spiced biscuits from my local Lidl for 99p and the absolute identical ones (same packaging etc) were being sold for £4.99...

The atmosphere was pleasant enough but they are not a patch on the markets in Cologne.

Tigsteroonie

I've only done the Manchester markets. They're busy. But any good market is going to be busy, I'm not sure I'd want to go to one that is quiet as there would be a reason for that ...

katie2805

We were at the Christmas Market at St Enochs in Glasgow yesterday. It was good. A second Christmas market will be at George square in Glasgow in December.

mumps

twohooter wrote: »

I went to the Birmingham markets in 2014 and was very disappointed. Yes, there may be lots of stalls but most were repetitions of overpriced tat that could be found anywhere. There were several identical stalls selling German stollen, sweets etc - most of which could be purchased in Lidl for a fraction of the price. I had just purchased some spiced biscuits from my local Lidl for 99p and the absolute identical ones (same packaging etc) were being sold for £4.99...

The atmosphere was pleasant enough but they are not a patch on the markets in Cologne.

All the Christmas markets I have been to in the UK have been the same to be honest. Nice atmosphere, nice food but I've never actually bought very much.

Floozie

Edinburgh!!!

Salome_2

Me, my hubby and two boys went to Brugge for an overnight stay last Christmas (around the 22nd of December, I think) and it was a magical experience. We live in Norfolk; the journey to the tunnel port took about 3 hours, half an hour under, then about two hours to Brugge. Although the actual Christmas market was fairly small, the 'experience' of the old town at Christmas was magical, chocolate shops by the plenty, wonderful little cafes selling hot chocolate and waffles, horse driven carriages and a real festive atmosphere.
As I said, the market itself was small, but they did have an amazing stall selling hand painted glass decorations, an ice skating rink and lots of the usual wooden toys. And en route home we called into a huge supermarket on the edge of town and picked up festive beer and some very toothsome pate for a fraction of the price it would have cost over here.
(photos including my hubby drinking the largest cup of hot chocolate EVER!

RockersWAG

The Birmingham German Christmas Market is great if you can get there on a weekday when it's not as busy.
We actually have one coming to Shropshire this year, with one being held in Telford by the council. It's obviously going to be much smaller than the likes of Birmingham and Manchester but we're quite looking forward to it.
They've got a Facebook page here but as I'm apparently still a 'newby' on here despite joining over a year ago, it won't let me post the link. Telford European Christmas Market is what I searched for to find it though.
Not sure if it would be worth a long travel to visit but could be nice for people in the West Midlands. :-)

1Sandra2

Birmingham is big but very repetitive, all of the stalls selling the same things, - and all expensive! The atmosphere is lovely if you don't mind being pushed and shoved, and be very careful of the pickpockets! I was there yesterday morning as it was en-route to a conference and people were buying alcohol �� at 9.15 a.m. !!!

dontone

I like the Manchester one and also when we have visited London Village, we like to visit the Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park.
TBH, we haven't been to the Manchester one for a couple of years, but are planning to go in a couple of weeks. We always go during the week, as it's impossible to get a look in at the weekend, far too crowded.
Same goes for the Hyde Park one as well. They are best avoided at the weekend if you can help it.
Leeds do a nice one in their Millennium Square. It's only a small market, but there are quite a few nice stalls, especially the one that does the beeswax candles & honey, we always buy a bit of something from there. Nice people that run it as well.

pixo

Worcester's Victorian Christmas Market is really lovely.... It's on next weekend (the last weekend of November).