The best Christmas markets across the UK

If you’re looking for some unique Christmas presents, then don't miss the Christmas markets that are happening up and down the UK in the lead up to the festive season. Whether it’s arts and crafts you’re after or delicious gourmet foods, there’s something for everyone.

York Christmas Market
York has a number of Christmas fairs over the festive period; two of the best include the Children's Christmas Fayre and the Christmas Decorative Gift Fayre.
The Children's Christmas Fayre
When: 21 - 23 Nov 2008 Children's Christmas Fayre
What is it: The Children's Christmas Fayre launches York's festive period this year. With an array of toys, sweets and games, there will be something to please every child and it's also a great opportunity for you to find some stocking fillers.
The Christmas Decorative Gift Fayre
When: 28 - 30 Nov 2008 St Nicholas Fayre - The Christmas Decorative Gift Fayre 
What is it: The Christmas Decorative Gift Fair will be taking place in the elegant Courtyard at Harewood. It is the perfect opportunity to find some wonderful and unique christmas presents. White fairy lights decorate the stairwells, event spaces and the central square of the courtyard. And don't worry about the cold - all stall areas are fully heated and tented to keep out the November chill.
More information: www.yuletideyork.com

Bath Christmas Market
When: 27 Nov – 7 Dec
What is it: Each year, the beautiful area between the stunning Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths, is transformed into a Christmas shopper's haven. The Bath Christmas market consists of 123 traditional wooden chalets; each one offering unique, handmade and unusual gifts, decorations and food items. It's the perfect opportunity to get in to the Christmas spirit.
More information: www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk

Winchester Christmas Market
When: 27 Nov – 14 Dec
What is it: This year for the first time, the Winchester Christmas Market will have a ‘British Contemporary Crafts Village’ where professional designers and makers of contemporary crafts will be selling their work. These small businesses have an assortment of affordable crafts for those looking for that more imaginative and original gift. The market has 82 wooden chalets, all beautifully decorated with swags and pea lights, where visitors can find inspiring, unusual and tasteful gifts and foods carefully selected from across Britain and Europe.
More information: www.winchesterchristmasmarket.co.uk

Padstow Christmas Market
When: 4-7 Dec
What is it: Padstow Lifeboat Fundraising Guild are hosting a Christmas Fair. There will be a plethora of stalls selling festive gifts, homemade cards and even clothes. Plus there will be the chance to enter a raffle to have the opportunity to win a day at Rick Stein's Seafood School.
More information: www.padstowlive.com

London’s Borough market gets festive
When: 6 Dec
What is it: BBC radio 3 are descending upon the market with the Choir of Year who will be singing a selection of festive carols. They will be there between 1pm-2pm and 3pm-4pm,
More information: www.boroughmarket.org.uk

Bedford Christmas Market:
When is it: 12 – 14 Dec
What is it: This is a slightly more unusual Christmas market because it has a Victorian theme. This will be the sixteenth annual fair that allows you to experience the sights, sounds and smells of a traditional Victorian Christmas Market. So, whether you’re stuck for ideas for that special gift or you crave an array of seasonal treats the fair promises an amusing and nostalgic affair to weaken even the most resolute of Scrooges. You can also take a break from the winter’s chill and visit the Victorian Tea Room in the Harpur Suite, home to more stalls, crafts and exciting Christmas goodies.
More information: http://www.bedford.gov.uk/

London Christmas Market – Bankside’s Frost Fair
When is it: 12- 21 Dec
What is it: The winter market will be made up of 40-50 quality arts and crafts stalls, selling last minute stocking fillers including handmade jewellery, fine ceramics, wooden Christmas crafts,  leather goods and other beautiful handcrafted accessories.  There will also be several outlets selling festive food to keep you warm and a main bar serving mulled wine and ale. In celebration of the history of the area and the fairs that took place on a frozen Thames hundred of years ago, referred to as the Frost Fairs, the winter market opens with a Frost Fair-themed lantern parade on Friday 12th December at 4:30pm.  With approximately 270 local school children taking part, the parade will bring to life aspects of the Frost Fair with lanterns the shape of ice-skaters, dancing bears and roasted chestnut sellers and much more.  The lantern parade will end outside Tate Modern, where a Frost Fair lantern scene will be assembled and will remain on display for the entirety of the festival.
More information: www.visitsouthwark.com