Many towns now have their own version of the traditional German Christmas Market featuring anything from cheap imported tat to high quality local produce. Winchester Christmas market is at the best end of the scale and is becoming a family favourite with us and many others judging by the crowds attending last year! However, if you time your visit carefully, it is well worth a visit to get you into a festive frame of mind.
We visited on December 1st and arrived early enough for a coffee before the opening time of 10am which meant that not only was traffic light to get to Winchester but we were able to see all the stalls without the crowds. Parking at one of the park and ride sites is the best option for out of towners at £3 per day for a car and up to 6 passengers.
The setting of the Christmas market in the Cathedral Close is atmospheric, especially at dusk with the ice skating rink at the heart of the market, and is near enough to the main shopping areas for cafes and high street stores to be on hand too. As a day trip the market could always be combined with a visit to the Cathedral and museums too.
The market stalls are the usual wooden chalet style and sellers are chosen for the quality of the produce with some stalls rotating to new sellers during December. Stalls cover a variety of wares including knitwear, Christmas decorations, cards, hand crafted products, jewellery, food and drink with free samples of cheese and gin being popular with us!
Although the organisers have tried hard to make the site accessible there are parts of it which are on uneven ground and some stalls with a high kerb in front of them and visitors in a wheelchair would be well advised to avoid the main crowds at weekends towards the end of December. Toilets are available at the Cathedral gift shop close to the main stalls.
