A beautiful UK city is the perfect spot for a festive day out, with one of the UK’s best Christmas markets, light trails, Santa Grottos, and more. Winchester is in Hampshire, lying at the western end of the South Downs National Park, on the River Itchen.
Every year, a Christmas market is held in the grounds of Winchester Cathedral. It has been named among the best in the UK by Which?, alongside others in York, Durham, and Bath. It also came in Good Housekeeping’s top three, with the magazine saying time “soaking up the festive atmosphere” in Winchester is “well spent”. The Independent called it “undeniably one of the UK’s most magical markets”, which is “a hit for shoppers seeking unique, authentically handcrafted and locally sourced gifts”. This year, the market is running from November 21 to December 22. The market was founded in 2006 and has operated every year since, with the exception of 2020. It hosts around 120 German-inspired chalets, selling a range of products including jewellery, knitwear, body care, pottery, art, decorations, alcohol, and local foods.
Access to the market is free of charge and booking is not required, but queues may develop at busy times. It is open all week – Monday to Wednesday (10am to 6pm), Thursday (10am to 7pm), Friday and Saturday (10am to 8pm), and Sunday (10am to 5pm).
Additionally, the cathedral hosts Christmas workshops to teach participants how to create items such as silver stacking rings, copper decorations, fused glass decorations, and napkin rings.
But the cathedral isn’t the only place holding Christmas events. Children can meet Father Christmas at Marwell Hall, the castle, the Science Centre, Brambridge Park, and on the steam train from Ropley to Medstead, the Watercress Line.
There are also light trails that can be enjoyed in the evenings at West Green House, Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Gilbert White’s House, the cathedral, the Watercress Line, and Marwell Hall.
Those looking to do Christmas shopping can also explore the thriving and pretty high street, with curated independent fashion boutiques, giftware, and local food and drink. There is even a bookstore that has been selling for almost 300 years.
Winchester Cathedral was originally built in 1079 and remains the longest Gothic cathedral in Europe. It was once an important pilgrimage centre, and the ancient Pilgrims’ Way to Canterbury begins at Winchester.
Winchester Castle was a royal residence founded in 1067 by William the Conqueror and served as a seat of royal power in the medieval period.
Much of the castle has since been lost, but two structures survive: the Great Hall, regarded as one of the finest surviving medieval halls in England, and the Westgate, once the castle’s principal defensive gateway. It is famous for King Arthur’s Round Table, which has been displayed in the Great Hall since at least 1463.
Those hoping to visit Winchester can get there via train from London, Weymouth, Portsmouth, Southampton, Manchester, Reading, and Birmingham.