Christmas Market at Winchester Cathedral
We had told Tin Box Tot that we were going to see Christmas in Winchester, which she interpreted as ‘we are going to see Father Christmas’. Cue lots of explaining that Father Christmas was very busy at this time of year as we were pretty certain there wasn’t going to be a grotto at the Cathedral.
Luckily we saw some ‘reindeer’ outside a shop on our way from the train station to the market so that went some way towards keeping her happy.
Billed as one of the best Christmas markets in Europe and now in its 10th year, you really can’t fault its location. The market is set in the grounds of Winchester Cathedral where a place of worship has stood since the seventh century. The Cathedral on the site today was built by the Normans with gothic features added in the centuries that followed.
More than 100 businesses take up residence in decorated wooden chalets between mid-November and Christmas week. You can buy cashmere scarves, festive decorations, leather bags and crafts by British artists. There’s also food stalls selling mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and hot chocolate.
Unsurprisingly my eye was caught by a company called Globee selling all sorts of funky travel accessories including these quirky luggage straps. Their illustrated map products are great fun. TBT has a spin of one of the delicate looking globes and we moved on.
At the market’s centre is an open air, real ice rink. TBT wanted to stop a few times to watch the skaters as they whizzed and stumbled around the ice. She’s still too young to have a go herself (you have to be at least four) but I can see her edging out on to the rink in a couple of years.
We visited the Christmas Market at Winchester on a Sunday afternoon in November and it was already very busy. I can imagine it’s going to be heaving with people in the next few weeks.
If you decide to visit with young children it’s worth bearing in mind that there’s not a lot for them to do unless they are able to ice skate. There are fun skating aids for children to hold on to and push around the ice if they are less confident.
Something I thought was missing from the market was a bit of festive atmosphere. It turns out we visited during the Sunday services so the usual music provided by Classic FM and Heart was switched off. Worth bearing in mind if you like your carols! I would also recommend visiting at night if you can as everything looks a lot more Christmassy when it is lit up.
The Christmas Market is on at Winchester Cathedral until 22 December 2015.
Are you planning on visiting a Christmas market this year?
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We went last year and it was fantastic! Love the atmosphere in Winchester at Christmas time. My mummy got me Ice Skating at LaplandUK over the weekend and I'm only a toddler!! She was a nervous wreak though! 😉 I had one of those children's aids to help me. Shame about the lack of festive music x #Whatevertheweather looks like you guys had fun!
I went two years ago, combined with the cathedral, and it was really fun. I remember spotting Globee's products then too! My daughter was little enough that she was happy to sit in the buggy for most of it, including the cathedral (apart from one point where she realised what a great echo effect there was… uhoh). I love Christmas markets so really do need to find somewhere to visit soon! #whatevertheweather
This looks like a wonderful experience Claire. The Globee products look great fun, I will check out the website. We are going to some xmas markets with carol singers this weekend, cannot wait to feel all festive again! #whatevertheweather
I love Christmas markets, browsing the stalls (although not so easy with little ones), ice skating and going on rides (there are quite a few rides for kids at our closest one in Edinburgh). It's a great atmosphere and there's usually some nice food stalls as well. The cathedral looks pretty amazing too.
Thanks so much for linking up to #Whatevertheweather 🙂 x
We went there today, in the rain! They had the music playing away. I agree there isn't much for the little ones to do (apart from splash in the puddles), mine are still too young for the skating as well. #whatevertheweather
I haven't been to Winchester for such a long time, but can imagine the Christmas Market is incredible there. Looks like a fantastic day out, even though Tin Box wasn't able to ice-skate yet 🙂 #whatevertheweather
wow fab pictures! thanks for sharing, i've never been to Winchester but we are fans of christmas markets! #KCACOLS
Off to the Birmingham one on Monday. I'm not feeling very festive at the moment…November always seems too early. Hopefully Monday will get thee baa humbug out of me!
Oh that sounds magical, we've not been to any this year as it's just not the same in the heat! Last year we went to Winter Wonderland which was magical! #kcacols
This looks like a fantastic outing and I love the fact that there is a great big ice rink too. We haven't been to a Christmas market before, but hopefully that will change this year.xx #KCACOLS
What a gorgeous location for a Christmas market! We might go to the one in Cardiff, but I'm not sure yet x #KCACOLS
Mmmmm I love the smell of chestnuts!!! I love those reindeer too, so cute. I can't wait for Evie to know who Father Christmas is and get all excited. That Cathedral is so beautiful. I am so jealous of your ice skating. We don't have one that close by to us.Thank you so, so much for linking up to #whatevertheweather xx
This looks lovely. Ever since we moved to Hampshire everyone keeps telling us we need to visit WInchester and what better reason to go! It looks lovely, I think Leo would love watching the ice skaters. Looks like you had a lovely day xx #KCACOLS
I've been contemplating a Christmas market and cannot make a decision between Bath and Winchester. Winchester is straight down the A34 for us but i think Bath's market is bigger and with more local craft stalls. Good to read your review, but still cannot make my mind up! #mondayescapes
I was thinking of paying a visit we went to bath last year and it was so busy it wasn't much fun – maybe I will save this for when j get some me time instead of taking monkey! Thank you #whatevertheweather xx
This looks like a great market, I haven't managed to get to one yet and my daughter really wants me to take her ice skating too! #KCACOLS
We haven't gone to any Christmas Market this year yet!! We should definitely go to one soon. I would like to go again to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park . We have gone there for the past 3 years. I love lit!! I haven't gone to Winchester before but after reading this I think it should definitely worth it paying a visit! Your photos are lovely, especially the one of Tin Box Tot with the reindeer!! She looks so cute!! And I love her outfit! Great shoes!! Thanks for sharing this at #KCACOLS. I always love haging you here!! 🙂 xx
I sounds like you had a great time at Lapland UK – I loved reading your post and you were very brave to do the ice skating x
I don't think I've ever been in the Cathedral – shocking! I've seen a lot of pictures and it does look amazing. I bet TBT would be impressed by the echoing as well! 🙂
I hope you had a great time at your Christmas markets – I love this festive feeling!
Oh no, what a shame about the rain. My parents went and got wet too.
You're welcome. I think a few rides for the kids would really add something at Winchester X
It's definitely worth a look if you have older kids and enjoy the stalls. I love Winchester too so we enjoyed a bit of a look around the city too.
Thanks 🙂
I hope you had a great time in Birmingham and have discovered a bit of the festive cheer…or at least a mulled wine 😉
Ha, yes! It's a bit too warm for roasting chestnuts and mulled wine where you are 🙂 x
Winchester is fab – definitely visit! I hope you get to enjoy the Christmas market here x
This is the first year Tin Box Tot has had any idea what it's all about – it's so exciting! X
It is a stunning location. I can imagine Cardiff's Christmas Market is fab too x
Do it! It's a great way to kick start the festive season 🙂 x
I expect Bath's market is amazing – another city I love!
Oh yes, go for some me time! X
This could be the answer! 🙂
Winchester is beautiful and quite easy to get to from London by train. We wakes to the market from the station. I've heard a lot about he Winter Wonderland but have never been. Something for another year! X
I only very recently found out that Winchester had a Christmas market – I might see if I can visit next year as its only an hour away from us. #KCACOLS
I've been to Winchester Cathedral on a normal weekend and remember it being busy then too, so can imagine how packed it must feel now. Although the ice skating looks wonderful with it in the backdrop. Thanks for linking up with #MondayEscapes