11/04/2002 Entry: "UK Christmas Markets"

UK Christmas Markets

More British cities are entering into the festive spirit this year by holding Christmas markets. These are not only good opportunities to buy unique gifts but also a chance to enjoy festivities and traditions in historic settings. Cathedrals, abbeys, castles - even famous battleships - are the backdrops, and many people dress in period costume.

One of the best-known events is in Lincoln, this year celebrating its 21st Christmas Market (December 5-8) which claims to be Europe's biggest. (Dec. 5 is evening only.) Held in a cobbled square overlooked by its floodlit 12th century cathedral, more than 200 stalls offer a variety of gifts and produce. http://www.lincoln-info.org.uk

Durham in north-east England, whose Norman castle and cathedral are a World Heritage Site, will hold its Christmas Festival from Nov. 30 - Dec. 1. The market and entertainment take place in a cobbled market place; there will also be a craft and gift marquee and roving musicians.

Also in the north, York has its St. Nicholas Fayre (Nov. 28 - Dec 1) which has a magical atmosphere including Victorian street stalls and is followed by the Brigantia Craft Fayre (Dec. 7-9). http://www.yuletideyork.com

In the elegant Georgian city of Bath, the Christmas Market has an increased number of stall-holders and runs for ten days from Nov. 28 - Dec. 8. More than 80 wooden chalet stalls are offering their wares and the market site, bordered by Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths, will be festooned with lights: carol singers and strolling players will add to the atmosphere. www.bathchristmasmarket.co.uk/

In the Scottish capital Edinburgh, Princes Street Gardens - with its magnificent castle backdrop - is setting for a German-style Christmas market, ice-rink, big wheel and carousel. It's part of an events programme called Edinburgh's Capital Christmas (Nov. 28 - Dec. 24) which also includes a Grand Fantastical Christmas Parade (Dec. 1) which attracted 120,000 spectators last year. http://www.edinburghscapitalchristmas.org

Selkirk, in the Scottish Borders, recalls the days when novelist Sir Walter Scott presided over its sheriff court. "Scott's Selkirk" (Nov. 30 - Dec 1) features craft stalls and varied small shops, with many people in Georgian costume.

One of the most atmospheric settings is on England's south coast. Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard - home of famous battleships such as HMS Victory, has its Festival of Christmas (Nov. 28 - Dec 1). It not only has a traditional shopping village but also a Victorian tavern, festive foods and two hundred performers, many of them in period costume. http://www.christmasfestival.co.uk