Festive crowds will be making their mark at a number of Christmas markets scattered throughout the UK.
For many, one of the most cherished traditions involves visiting a Christmas market where you can purchase unique gifts, feast on seasonal treats and be awe-struck at the twinkling decorations and lights.
These popular markets are known to draw in huge crowds but for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle, opting instead for a Christmas market that’s more on the peaceful side while still being equally enchanting, then fear not.
The team at Solopress, the printing experts, has analysed Trip Advisor ratings, the proximity of the market to the local train station both walking and driving and the duration of the market to reveal the best lesser-known “hidden” Christmas markets in the UK.
They compared over 60 Christmas markets to reveal the most scenic options across the UK in 2024.
Greenwich Christmas Market in London took the top spot for hidden Christmas markets with a 4.5 TripAdvisor rating.
The market promises magic featuring stunning views of iconic sights like the Royal Observatory with a number of stalls to explore artisanal gifts and festive treats.
Greenwich Christmas Market is also only a 7 minute walk from the station or a 3 minute drive and is open for 34 days.
The best hidden Christmas market is open daily from November 20 between 10am to 5pm with spiced apple ciders, Christmas-inspired treats from around the world and a festive mood like no other all on offer.
One TripAdvisor review for Greenwich Christmas Market said: “All the food is amazing, great and very clean and tasty with reasonable prices with great quality for all customers and they are served with love and prepared with love to all customers on a daily basis.”
Another added: “Good atmosphere, large selection of food stalls and other stalls selling various items.”
Second place winners, Southbank Centre Winter Market, earns its spot and is found along the Thames under twinkling lights offering indulgent drinks and scrumptious food from their traditional alpine-style chalets and opens November 1 till December 26.
The third spot went to Levenshulme Christmas Market in Manchester and is described as an ideal place to escape from the crowds and opens but unfortunately it is closed for the winter and won’t be open for Christmas.
According to the list, the top 10 best hidden Christmas markets to visit include:
- Greenwich Christmas Market in London 4.5 rating, 7 minute, 3 minute drive open for 34 days
- Southbank Centre Winter Market in London – 4 rating, 4 minute walk, 7 minute drive open for 55 days
- Levenshulme Christmas Market in Manchester – 4.5 rating, 2 minute walk, 1 minute drive open for 8 days
- Altrincham Christmas Market in Altrincham – 4 rating, 5 minute walk, 3 minute drive open for 32 days
- Stroud Christmas Market in Stroud – 4.5 rating, 3 minute walk, 2 minute drive open for 3 days
- Knaresborough Christmas Market in Knaresborough – 4.5 rating, 4 minute walk, 3 minute drive open for 2 days
- Canterbury Christmas Market in Kent – 4 rating, 14 minute walk, 9 minute drive open for 39 days
- Faversham Christmas Market in Faversham – 4.5 rating, 7 minute walk, 3 minute drive open for 2 days
- Frome Christmas Market in Frome – 4.5 rating, 15 minute walk, 3 minute drive open for 1 day
- Scarborough Sparkle in Scarborough – 4.5 rating, 28 minute walk, 5 minute drive open for 3 days
