There’s nothing like a Christmas market, mulled wine and mince pie to make it feel like Christmas is just around the corner. Not all the usual markets are opening this year, so My Favourite Cottages has used Google data to reveal the UK’s top Christmas markets to visit in 2021 and the good news is Bristol makes it into the top 10 at a respectable number five!
We’d usually also give a shout out to our neighbour Bath, but that one isn’t running this year along with other popular festive regulars like Leeds and Newcastle. However, whether you’re looking to stay local in Brizzle or venture further afield – there’s somewhere for everyone on this list.
I love an excuse to venture up north (I’m from Burnley originally) so it’s really nice to see Manchester’s Christmas market, taking the star turn this festive season. It has 300 stalls, runs for six weeks and was given an overall score of 8.39 out of 10. If you’ve never been, it’s worth the trip just to savour the northernly friendliness and you might bag a bargain too.
Birmingham’s Christmas Market takes second place with an overall market score of 8 out of 10. If you’re looking for a white Christmas experience, Birmingham has the most likely chance of getting snow, with a 3.04 percent chance of flurries, closely followed by Chester Christmas market.
York’s Christmas Market has nabbed third place with an overall market score of 6.68 out of 10. It’s one of the longest running markets, open for over five weeks so, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to get your Christmas wares, unusual international foods and gift ideas.
Glasgow’s Christmas Market would have been the longest running for almost eight weeks (55 days), but the market can only use one of its two usual locations and has been reduced to 33 days. Despite this, the market still ranks fourth overall with an overall market score of 6.57.
If you’re looking to stay local, then Bristol Christmas Market completes the top five best markets with an overall market score of 6.47 out of ten where there are more than 50 traders selling a wide range of gifts. I love wandering down as it always feels really buzzy with street entertainers and an array of food stalls – this year you can book an Igloo to enjoy food and drink with friends from just £10 during the week and £20 at weekends. Being biased we think it’s the best of course, what do you think?
