The best Christmas markets in the UK Pre-book tickets for the palace’s Great Court market showcasing artisan homewares, fashion, jewellery and toys. There’s an ice rink this year too, while the 18th-century baroque stately home’s rooms host a Peter Pan-themed trail along with Neverland Afternoon Teas, complemented by glorious garden illuminations. Stock up on British cheeses and award-winning meats, or indulge your sweet tooth with posh , marzipan or traditional such as chocolate kisses.
There’s street food too. Toast the season with local , Hebridean gin from the island of Colonsay and flavoured rums. Just a bracing winter stroll from the Palace, offers five cosy rooms (doubles from £112 room only)) and a picture-perfect old-school village pub vibe, with quirky touches such as wallpaper inspired by Blenheim-born Winston Churchill.
Framed by water meadows that inspired Keats’ ode To Autumn (Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness...
), the Cathedral green of England’s early Saxon capital provides a fine backdrop for the market. Regional food champion sources from over 400 producers, including ( , pâté and gravadlax), myriad cheeses and more. Bag wines from excellent , complemented by Hampshire brews and cockle-warming local apple liqueur from .
Check into the original (doubles from £154 room only) or do time at the cosy vintage-styled (doubles from £95 bed and breakfast), whose bedrooms feature doors sourced from an old prison. York’s atmospheric medieval .
