There is nothing quite like visiting one of our UK Christmas markets to kick-start festive cheer.

Here are 10 of our favourites - some of the biggies and a few smaller markets too – all great for stocking up on unique gifts for your loved ones.

Why not give yourself something to look forward to during the coming months and book a stay at one of our fabulous boltholes near a Christmas Market?

November and December are the perfect months to take advantage of our wonderful winter short breaks, which offer great discounts on selected cottages when booked for a weekend or mid-week stay. So don’t forget to put us on your list too!

Exeter Christmas Market

When: 16 November - 19 December 2019
Where: The Cathedral Green, Exeter, Devon
Details: With the backdrop of the majestic cathedral, a visit to Exeter’s Christmas market is a must. If the hog roast isn’t enough to tempt you, the 50 plus stalls showcasing the best of local and continental Christmas crafts, gifts and tasty foodie treats will! This year local bands, carol singers and choirs will also be entertaining the crowds while you shop. Elsewhere in the city the Christmas buzz starts with the Christmas Shopping Fayre at Westpoint Exeter (29 Nov -1 Dec).
Find out more: exeter-cathedral.org.uk
Make a weekend of it: Our gorgeous East Devon holiday cottages are all within 30 minutes’ drive.

Whitefriars, Canterbury

Image courtesy of Impact PR & Design

When: 22 November – 24 December 2019
Where: Whitefriars Square & St George’s Street, Canterbury, Kent
Details: This traditional market offers over 70 colourful cabins selling festive produce, gifts and decorations, in addition to Canterbury’s 60+ top brand stores. Children will love the Santa’s grotto, open from November 30. Pop up entertainment features choirs, live bands, dancers and face painting. With the Marlowe Theatre putting on its world famous pantomime, Mother Goose, from November 28 – January 12, Magical Medieval Christmas and the Artisan Gift Fair at the Canterbury Tales attraction and the annual Saint Nicholas Parade on December 7, Christmas is Canterbury! The grand finale is the show-stopping Norman cathedral’s rousing carol services on December 23 and 24.
Find out more: www.whitefriars.co.uk
Make a weekend of it: Stay at one of our fabulous Kent cottages nearby.

Bath Christmas Market

Bath Christmas Market

When: 28 November - 15 December 2019
Where: Between Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths, Bath
Details: This award-winning market is one of the largest festive events in the UK and certainly the most beautiful, set against the backdrop of the magnificent floodlit Abbey and Pump Room. The elegant Georgian streets are transformed with over 180 traditional wooden chalets selling unique and often local artisan gifts. There are also delicious foodie stalls serving tempting mulled wine and cider, as well as pies, hog roast and waffles. There’s also a lively program of street entertainment. As evening approaches, head to nearby Royal Victoria Park for glow-in-the-dark crazy golf, watch a performance at the Theatre Royal or head to nearby Westonbirt for the Enchanted Christmas display.
Find out more: bathchristmasmarket.co.uk
Make a weekend of it: Stay at our North Somerset cottages nearby or our Cotswold Lake Lodges.

Ludlow Medieval Christmas Fayre

Image courtesy of Abi Dakin

When: 23 - 24 November 2019
Where: Ludlow Castle grounds, Ludlow, Shropshire
Details: Celebrating 20 medieval years, this Christmas event in the grounds of Ludlow castle is fantastic fun for all ages. From the traditional Christmas market stalls packed with local craft and festive foodie treats, to fighting knights, panto, puppets, carol-singing, archery and sword-fighting; this is one of our favourite UK Christmas markets. Ludlow itself is worth exploring too, a hidden treasure of a town, set in the rolling Shropshire hills, with charming local shops and eateries.
Find out more: www.ludlowmedievalchristmas.co.uk
Make a weekend of it: Check out our gorgeous Heart of England properties nearby, sleeping 4-10 guests.

Christmas at Blenheim Palace

Image © Blenheim Palace

When: Christmas Market, 22 November - 15 December 2019; Lights Trail, 22 November - 1 January 2020; Alice in the Palace experience, 22 November - 5 January 2020
Where: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire
Details: The Blenheim Palace Winter Trail is a magical time for children and adults alike, as the spectacular grounds are illuminated with lasers, projections, and thousands of lights. But this year the palace adds a Christmas market to its festive atmosphere, with wooden chalets filled with a variety of hand-picked irresistible gifts - from ceramics and textiles, to accessories, toys and tempting foodie treats. Explore the State Rooms, seasonally decorated and lavishly themed into the magical fairy tale fantasy world of Alice in Wonderland too…
Find out more: www.blenheimpalace.com
Make a weekend of it: Check out our Cotswold holiday cottages nearby.

Leeds Castle Christmas Market

Image © Leeds Castle

When: 23, 24, 30 November, 1, 7, 8, 14, 15 December 2019
Where: Cedar Lawn, Leeds Castle, Maidstone, Kent
Details: Kent's 11th-Century Leeds Castle makes a majestic setting to truly get into the seasonal spirit. Held on the Cedar Lawn overlooking the Castle, the annual Christmas Market is a must see. With a nostalgic fairground that includes a Victorian carousel, a chance to meet their reindeer and birds of prey, and live music performances from the band stand each day, you can keep everyone entertained while you check out the seasonal gifts, toys and decorations. Leeds Castle’s Once upon a time at Christmas event features a number of well-known stories told through illustration throughout the castle, including Paddington Bear.
Find out more: www.leeds-castle.com
Make a weekend of it: Stay at one of our fabulous Kent cottages nearby.

Faversham Christmas Market

When: 8, 15 & 22 December 2019
Where: Faversham, Kent
Details: Faversham’s historic Market Place with its beautiful Guildhall is renowned for being the oldest in Kent. Well worth a visit over the festive period, Faversham is renowned for the quality and variety of its food and drink products and an ever-growing industry of local arts and crafts. With a plethora of stalls selling festive goodies, brass bands, music, carol singing and donkeys, there is something for everyone.
Find out more: favershammarket.org
Make a weekend of it: Stay at one of our fabulous Kent cottages nearby.

Fowey Christmas Market

Fowey Christmas Market

When: 6 - 8 December 2019
Where: Town Quay, Fowey, Cornwall
Details: Fowey Christmas Market is one of Cornwall’s largest and most popular festive events, attracting over 10,000 visitors over the weekend. Come along to this stunning seaside location and soak up the atmosphere. There’s festive entertainment, Santa Claus, live music and plenty of yummy produce and unique Christmas gifts to boot – everything handmade and Cornish!
Find out more: foweychristmasmarket.co.uk
Make a weekend of it: Book a stay at one of our South Cornwall holiday cottages nearby. Coming from the Looe and Polperro direction, you can bring your car across on the Bodinnick Ferry and park at Caffa Mill, just a short walk from the town centre.

Much Wenlock Christmas Fayre

When: 7 December 2019
Where: Much Wenlock, Shropshire
Details: : Independent shops blend with over 100 eclectic stalls to transform the quintessential market town of Much Wenlock in this atmospheric Christmas Fayre. The narrow streets and church green come alive with bustling stalls, brass bands, choirs and roving entertainers. Check out the donkey rides, children’s entertainment and even a Santa’s grotto, bound to keep the kids captivated. The day ends with a magical candlelit procession and carols in the square together with the switching on of the Christmas lights.
Find out more: www.wenlockchristmasfayre.org.uk
Make a weekend of it: Check out our holiday cottages near Bridgnorth nearby.

Cirencester Christmas Market

When: 2 - 8 December 2019
Where: Market Place, Cirencester, Gloucestershire
Details: : Cirencester is one of those towns that just does Christmas so well. The historic town is full of Christmas activities and events, kick starting the celebrations with the Sparkles Advent Festival and Market on December 1, when the festive lights are switched on. With its festively decorated wooden chalets, Cirencester will put on a series of arts & craft, gift and farmers' markets, set to the backdrop of the town's huge Christmas tree, festive lights live music and carols.
Find out more: cirencester.gov.uk
Make a weekend of it: The quaint town is 10 minutes drive from our Cotswold Lake Lodges.