Should you take pleasure in visiting Christmas markets, you then’re positive to take pleasure in Winchester Christmas Market. Set in a novel location subsequent to Winchester Cathedral, this festive market is likely one of the greatest within the UK. It’s full title is Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market.
Sometimes called England’s Christmas capital, Winchester is a really picturesque metropolis in Hampshire, England. We repeatedly take pleasure in days out right here, when driving all the way down to see household in close by Dorset. Learn on for one of the best insider recommendations on when to go to, the place to eat and how one can snap up some great items at Winchester Christmas Market this yr.
1. Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market Dates
Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market is held yearly and has develop into one of the fashionable Christmas markets in Nice Britain. These are the confirmed dates for Winchester Christmas Market 2023:
Friday 17 November to Thursday 21 December
2. About Winchester Christmas Market
This fashionable British Christmas Market was based in 2006 and has grown from 40 stalls to round 118 as we speak. Awarded one of many prime 8 Christmas Markets in Europe by The New York Submit, it has over 450,000 guests annually.
Winchester Cathedral’s Christmas Market takes inspiration from conventional German Christmas markets. The merchants come from all around the UK and are hand picked for the standard of their merchandise.
3. The place is Winchester Christmas Market?
The market is located within the Interior Shut of Winchester Cathedral. Keep in mind that once you arrive at Cathedral Shut, the Christmas market isn’t instantly seen.
There are just a few stalls in entrance of the cathedral itself, and when you don’t know Winchester city centre very nicely you may suppose that that is the extent of the festive market. An indication signifies to guests that they need to go proper however with the crowds it’s straightforward to overlook Winchester Cathedral’s Christmas Market.
Nonetheless, when you comply with these crowds by means of Curle’s Passage to the appropriate of the Cathedral, you’ll discover the Interior Shut and nearly all of the wood chalets. Named after Bishop Curle who commissioned the passage in 1632, this archway gave pedestrians a path to the Interior Shut.
Earlier than that, they needed to stroll by means of the cathedral to get there. The passageway is sort of slender and at peak occasions it may get congested so arm your self with endurance and loads of time.
Winchester Christmas Market handle: Winchester Cathedral, Interior Shut, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 9LS
4. Winchester Christmas Market Value
There isn’t any entry charge for Winchester Christmas Market and you’ll exit the market and reenter with no issue. There may be additionally no timed entry, so queuing could also be needed at busy occasions.
5. Meals and Drink at Winchester Christmas Market
You could have loads of selection for the place to eat at Winchester Christmas market. Most of the stalls serve festive meals and mulled wine.
Winchester Christmas Market Meals Court docket is a choice of meals stalls fairly than a meals courtroom, with choices together with German bratwurst sausages, British fish and chips, French raclette cheese, mulled wine and different delicacies.
That is essentially the most atmospheric method of consuming at Winchester Christmas Market. Benches can be found nonetheless there are not any coated areas so if it’s raining, then it’s greatest to move to The Refectory.
Also referred to as Winchester Cathedral Cafe, it’s positioned earlier than you undergo Curle’s Passage. This self service cafe has loads of area indoors and within the courtyard terrace backyard. It’s open from 10 am to 4.30 pm. The cafe has disabled entry and bathroom services.
If it’s actually busy, you may choose to eat at one of many cafes or eating places close by. Listed below are just a few of our favourites positioned close to to Winchester Christmas Markets:
- The Dispensary Kitchen – an off-the-cuff all day eatery positioned on The Sq..
- The Ivy Winchester Brasserie – in the midst of the Excessive Road, it’s fantastically adorned for the festive season.
- The Winchester Orangery – presumably essentially the most Instagrammable cafe in Winchester!
6. Purchasing at Winchester Christmas Market
Because the retailers are every chosen by the Winchester Cathedral crew, they’re all top quality exhibitors. You gained’t discover any cheesy items right here!
The stalls fluctuate annually and actually a few of them are solely exhibiting for half of the occasion. New stalls arrange on 7 December.
On the date of our go to at first of Winchester Christmas Market, there have been some nice exhibitors together with Pollyfields, who make handcrafted wreaths and desk decorations. Their merchandise odor wonderful they usually had been just lately awarded greatest stand on the separate Nation Houses & Interiors Journal Honest.
We additionally just like the vary of clothes stands, and we snapped up a few reversible shawls – one as a a present and one for ourselves! The Polish crockery stand is one other good one for presents.
7. Makers’ Market
One other good characteristic of the truthful is the Makers’ Market, previously referred to as the British Crafts Village. This part of the market options distinctive items by proficient craftspeople. It’s straightforward to seek out, as there’s an enormous crimson sign up entrance of the cloisters the place the Maker’s Chalet studios are positioned.
Among the many small impartial retailers there are glass makers and textile artists, along with stalls promoting handmade Christmas tree decorations, wood animal sculptures and jewelry.
8. Winchester Nativity Scene
On the finish of the British Crafts Village there’s an enthralling nativity scene, reminding all the message of Christmas. It was designed by native schoolchildren and is a well-liked photograph spot.
9. Winchester Christmas Market Opening Instances
Winchester Christmas Market is open from 10.00am – 6.00pm Sunday – Thurday and 10.00am – 8.00pm Friday – Saturday.
We advocate that you just go to Winchester Christmas Market in the course of the week if in any respect doable. It will get very busy at weekends, so if you must come then, attempt to go to within the morning.
10. Are Canines Allowed at Winchester Christmas Market?
While you’re allowed to convey canines to the Christmas Market, they should be saved on a leash or carried. It’s strongly really helpful to not convey canines on the weekend because it’s normally so busy.
11. Group Bookings for Winchester Christmas Market
Coach events are requested to e-book prematurely. Winchester Cathedral supplies a meet and greet service for teams and can help in reserving excursions of the Cathedral.
Winchester Vacationer Info Centre also can help with itineraries or suggesting locations to remain. Contact Winchester Cathedral Customer Crew on +44 1962 857 225 or by e mail visits@winchester-cathedral.org.uk and Winchester Vacationer Info Centre on 01962 840 500.
12. Parking For Winchester Christmas Market
It’s advisable to return by public transport or to make use of a Park and Experience bus. There are automotive parks within the centre of Winchester however they are typically very busy when the market is open.
13. The place Are The Bathrooms at Winchester Christmas Market?
There aren’t any bathrooms contained in the Interior Shut, nonetheless when you’re a consumer of the Cathedral Refectory, there are public conveniences positioned there. You too can discover bathrooms with disabled entry and child altering services within the Cathedral Guests’ Centre, for which there’s a cost.
14. Is Winchester Christmas Market Accessible for Wheelchairs?
The primary sections of Winchester Honest within the Interior and Outer Shut are accessible for wheelchair customers. Nonetheless, the British Craft Village is positioned throughout the historic cloisters up a flight of stairs.
15. Winchester Christmas Market Occasions
There are many different fascinating occasions in Winchester at Christmastime. This yr, a Group Stage will spotlight jazz teams, native choirs, metropolis buskers and group bands.
No surprise the city is named England’s Christmas capital! The next listing of Winchester Christmas occasions will not be exhaustive:
- Opening Ceremony of the Christmas Market – 17 November at 5.50 pm
- The Salvation Military Festive Efficiency – 17 November at 6 pm
- Lantern Parade – 24 November from 5 pm
- Winchester Group Choir – 28 November at 5 pm
- Introduction Procession – 2 December at 6.30 pm
- An Introduction Journey – 3 December at 3.30 pm
- Introduction Evensong – 4-9 December at 5.30 pm
- Market Carols – 10 & 17 December at 3.30 pm
- A Winchester Christmas – 11, 12 & 16 December at 4 pm; 13, 20 & 22 December at 5.30 pm
- Christmas Household Craft Workshops – ticketed occasions from 18-21 December.
- Christmas Household Excursions – ticketed occasions from 18-21 December (youngsters go free).
- Carol Companies – 19 & 21 December at 6.30 pm
- The Huge Nativity – 23 December at 11 am and three pm
- Carols with the Blessing of the Crib – 24 December at 5.30 pm
- Midnight Mass – 24 December at 11 pm
- Christmas Day Companies – 25 December from 8 am
16. Winchester Christmas Market Motels
We advocate staying in Winchester for no less than one night time to get essentially the most out of your go to. Listed below are one of the best centrally positioned residences and motels close to Winchester Christmas Market.
- Resort du Vin – simply 6 minutes stroll from Winchester Cathedral, with a beautiful outside terrace.
- The Outdated Vine – this mid vary choice has an award-winning oak beamed bar and a restaurant.
- The Winchester Resort and Spa – has an award profitable restaurant and an incredible spa.
- Wykeham Arms – gorgeous bedrooms in a historic pub with log fires.
Should you’re coming by automotive, Lainston Home is a superb selection. This magnificent Georgian nation home is about in 63 acres of parkland and is a 30 minute drive to Winchester centre.
17. Tips on how to Get to Winchester Christmas Market
It’s straightforward to get to Winchester – listed here are a few of the greatest choices:
By automotive – take the M3 or A34 and think about using a Park and Experience automotive park because it will get very busy within the centre of Winchester.
By prepare – from London Waterloo to Winchester through South Western Rail.
Personal Tour to Winchester – see Jane Austen’s Home Museum And Historic Winchester on a Personal Tour From London.
Small Group Tour to Winchester – take a Small-Group Day Journey to Stonehenge, Glastonbury, and Winchester from London.
Different Issues to Do in Winchester
Winchester is the county city of Hampshire and an actual foodie and purchasing hub. At Christmastime, Winchester Excessive Road has a big illuminated tree and the outlets are fantastically adorned.
The primary king of England, Egbert, was topped in Winchester. Town was the capital of England till 1066 when it was transferred to Westminster.
Guests can’t assist however be impressed by the wealth of historic points of interest right here, together with:
- Literary Strolling Tour – uncover the hyperlinks between well-known authors resembling Jane Austen and John Keats with Winchester.
- The Nice Corridor – based in 1067, it homes the Spherical Desk of King Arthur, which truly dates from the thirteenth century.
- The Hospital of St Cross – the oldest almshouse nonetheless in use within the UK, it dates from 1132.
- Conventional Pubs Strolling Tour – go to one of the best pubs in Winchester and find out about their historical past throughout this 2.5 hour small group guided tour.
- Winchester Cathedral – this medieval citadel is the resting place of Jane Austen, Saxon kings and in addition comprises the twelfth century Winchester Bible.
- Winchester School – this boarding faculty is regarded as the oldest regularly operating faculty within the UK.
- Winchester Army Museums – together with The Gurkha Museum in Peninsula Barracks.
- Wolvesey Fort – the ruins of the Outdated Bishop’s Palace are positioned subsequent to Winchester Cathedral.
Ultimate Ideas on Winchester Christmas Market
We hope that you just’ve discovered this information to the Christmas markets in Winchester useful. It actually is a superb time of yr to go to town and Winchester Christmas Market is doubtless among the best UK festive markets.
So is Winchester Christmas Market value it? We undoubtedly suppose so! It’s an incredible place to seek out charming items and decors. With its festive environment, the market undoubtedly will get you into the vacation spirit.
For extra concepts of locations to go to within the UK, you should definitely take a look at our different articles.
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