German-inspired Christmas market named among UK's best by Conde Nast Traveller

As the winter chill sets in and days become shorter, many Londoners are looking for a delightful escape from the city's gloom. Thankfully, there's an array of charming villages, towns and cities around the UK that make for perfect weekend retreats.

And with the festive season fast approaching, what could be more appealing than a visit to a town renowned for its Christmas market? Winchester's Christmas market has been hailed as one of the best in the country by Conde Nast Traveller.

This glowing endorsement alone should be enough to entice even the most grinch-like individuals, especially considering The Times listed it among the top places to live in 2024. The market is set to open on November 22 and will continue until December 22, offering a full month of festive shopping and gastronomic delights.

Since its inception in 2006, the market has been held within the Cathedral grounds and has enjoyed great success over the years. The German-style market boasts over 100 wooden chalets selling food, stocking fillers, and other festive goodies. It operates from Sunday to Thursday, 10am to 6pm, and Friday and Saturday, 10am to 8pm, reports the Mirror.

While you're in the city, don't miss the opportunity to explore the Gothic Winchester Cathedral. It's filled with breathtaking architecture, medieval woodwork, stunning stained glass windows, and a wealth of ancient artefacts, including the meticulously preserved 12th-century Winchester Bible.

And let's not overlook the mouth-watering food on offer. Brasserie Blanc has garnered high praise for its sumptuous duck confit and steak bavette, delighting gourmands far and wide. A particularly content diner reported, "Came here on a Friday late lunch after enjoying a day in Winchester.

They offer some good 2 and 3 course deals, but we had our heart set on the chateaubriand steak. We ordered this and the baguette with dips to enjoy while waiting for the steak to be cooked. The place is very spacious and nicely laid out, with an open plan kitchen upstairs."

Those looking to visit can make the trip from London Waterloo to Winchester in just under one hour, with tickets readily available via Trainline. For those unable to venture to the south of England soon, there’s no need to worry. The UK boasts an array of other splendid sites hosting Christmas markets this year, and we’ve curated a list of some of the largest and finest on offer.