Fresh Air and Festive Frolics
Words/ Lou Andrews
The best places to fill up on festive feels this season
There has never been a better time to get outdoors than Christmas. There’s something so comforting about wrapping up warm and heading out to one of the open-air markets or light shows at this time of year. The smell of roasting chestnuts, hog roasts and mulled wine create a magical reminder of the true sentiment of Christmas, and it doesn’t need to cost the earth either. There are plenty of things you can do for a reasonable price to soak up the outdoor scents and festive cheer. We have listed some of the best ones below at varying costs to suit all your needs. You can grab some unique gifts while you’re there!
Christmas Markets
Leeds Christmas Market
This year the city centre is going all out! For the first time ever, streets and space across the city centre will be filled with traditional timber market stalls and epic lighting. It’s free to visit if you just want to go and experience the stalls. There are also added extras you can pay for, such as the ice cube skating rink and various Christmas shows and pantos. There will be two themed outdoor bar areas and free outdoor entertainment from the likes of rock choirs, brass bands and carol singers. Head to the website for the full low down!
Where: Leeds city centre
When: 24 November – 22 December 2023
Manchester Christmas Markets
Again, this is free just to visit and experience the sights. There are 225 stalls across nine sites to shop til you drop! Piccadilly gardens will be transformed into the Winter Gardens with scandi-style Tipis, log fires and entertainment. Cathedral Gardens will host the covered ice rink and ‘Festive Sundays’ will fill the city streets with family inspired entertainment! Check out the website for more info.
Where: Manchester city centre
When: 10 November – 21 December 2023
Bath Christmas Market
I love Bath anyway, but mix bath with Christmas markets and you have a winner! There’s a vast array of stalls from Christmas Dreams snow globes, Devil’s Bridge spiced rum, Dougie’s dog treats, chocolate stalls, fresh preserves...there’s even a peanut butter stall! For a unique gift this Xmas, this sounds like the place to be!
Where: Bath city centre
When: 23 November – 10 December 2023
Experiences
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Its not a cheap one, but I must say it is magical. I’ve been a few years in a row, and it never fails to get me in that festive mood! The general entry is reasonable at £7.50 (£5 off peak), so if you just want to go for the feels and a festive drink it’s good value. However, I will warn you if you are going with kids there is A LOT to do, and those added extras all come at a cost. This year, they have the magical ice kingdom, ice rink, real ice slide, Cirque Berserk circus and Justin’s sing-a-long featuring the firm kids favourite, Justin Fletcher. There are many other events you can book too, all at an add-on cost, so check out the website for more info.
Where: Hyde Park, London
When: 17 November – 1 January
Padstow Christmas Festival
If you have never been to Padstow, I would definitely recommend a visit. It’s a beautiful quaint and quirky place. It does seem more of an adult based event though, focussing around the best locally produced food the West Country has to offer. Cheeses, bread, cakes, pickles and preserves all fit the bill with many more stalls. It’s free to enter, but there are events you can book at an extra cost such as Sharps Chefs Theatre and the Sharps Solar Wave Silent Bistro (which I have to say sounds like food and alcohol infused heaven!).
Where: Padstow, Cornwall
When: 7 – 10 December 2023
Tulleys Christmas Experience
Tulleys farm is well known for its Halloween Shocktober Fest, but I have to say the Christmas experience is just as good! It’s very child focused and not as big as the likes of Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, but it’s packed with all you need for a great family experience. Last year we went on Christmas Eve, and we are doing the same this year. The standard (and most common booked ticket) is the Santa experience which is £44.95 – £65.95 for kids and £24.95 – £35.95 for adults. It sounds like a lot, but that includes a multitude of activities for the kids to do once you are in there – a tractor sleigh ride to Santa, the Santa visit and they get to make their own stuffed toy to take away with them.
Where: Tulleys Farm, Turners Hill, West Sussex
When: 25 November – 24 December
Light Trails
As well as the markets, there are a number of Christmas light trails that you can do. We went to one last year and the kids loved it. Bedgebury Pinetum in Kent is one I want to check out this year, which is £19 for adults and £13 for kids. Light trails are a great way to experience the outdoors and fresh air, while soaking up some Christmas spirit at the same time. Here are a few to get you started, but there are many up and down the country so get searching!
Glow Wild | Wakehurst, West Sussex | 23 November – 1 January | £19 adults and £12 kids
Christmas at Blenheim Palace | 17 November – 1 January | £26.50 adults and £19.50 kids
Northern Lights in Leazes Park Newcastle | 23 November – 1 January | £19 adults and £13.50 kids
Christmas at the Botanics, Edinburgh | 16 November – 30 December | £19 adults and £13.50 kids
RHS Glow | Bridgewater, Manchester | 15 November – 30 December | £14.95 adults and 7.95 kids
Lanterns and Lights, Chester Zoo | 17 November – 31 December | £18 adults and £12 children