Two of Hampshire’s Christmas markets named in Big Seven Travel’s Top 25 UK Christmas markets list
Across the UK and the rest of Europe, the lead up to Christmas is annually marked in towns and city centres by beautiful traditional wooden huts, twinkling lights and the aroma of mulled wine and roasting chestnuts.
The Christmas market, also known as Christkindlmarkt, is a street market that originated in Germany to signify the four weeks of advent — and eventually spread throughout Europe and into the UK.
Now Big 7 Travel, an online media platform providing information about travel, food and hotels, has listed their top 25 UK Christmas markets this year — with Winchester and Southampton both within the top six.
Toby Wilkins, who visits both markets every year, said: “Well, I really like Christmas markets, it’s something to look forward to every year. I especially like certain stalls like the fudge stall and it’s a good symbol of when Christmas begins.”
The first German-format Christmas markets in the UK were in Lincoln in 1982 and Birmingham in 1997.
Traditionally held in the town square, the market offers seasonal items, international food and festive drinks. However, during 2020 all Christmas markets were forced to shut, with the Winchester Christmas market being held online. These were sorely missed due to their growing economic relevance and popularity and their ability to enhance the community spirit and mark the start of the Christmas season.
Gloria Tyler, who has run the Lord of the Bath stall at Winchester for the past three years, explained that her family’s business wasn’t affected too badly as she was able to sell online but noticed “people have been more cautious before they book” this year.
Councillor Martin Tod, Cabinet Member for Economic Recovery in Winchester, said: “The market brings thousands of extra visitors to the city and, this year, in particular, all those extra visitors have helped retail and hospitality businesses get back on their feet.”
Many cities rely on Christmas markets for their winter economy as they attract visitors and create temporary jobs whilst also increasing sales for local businesses. Both Winchester and Southampton celebrated their reopening this year with incredible opening nights.
Winchester, which has been dubbed ‘England’s Christmas capital’, has hosted a festive market since 2006, growing from 40 stalls to around 112. Winchester held a spectacular opening night performance and ranked 6th in the Big 7 Travel list.
Cllr Tod said: “Christmas is a very important time for the Winchester community. The Cathedral is at the heart of the city’s celebrations, both with its religious and carol services and with the Christmas Market.
“It doesn’t feel like Christmas is properly on the way until the market opens. Particularly near dusk and after sunset, the Close, Cathedral and all the lit stands look stunning,” added Cllr Tod.
Boasting 400,000 visitors a year, the market located by Winchester Cathedral can be accessed through Curle’s Passage from the 19th November till the 22nd December. The stalls take inspiration from the traditional German markets and although the ice skating rink is not available this year, there has been a widened food court put in place.
Cllr Tod explained that not having an ice-rink this year allows people to “spread out more in the food area and watch small concerts and performances”.
Southampton’s market runs from the 18th November till the 23rd of December and included a special light switch on event, pantos and live entertainment on its opening night.
Brooke Peters, who visited the market with friends, said: “It’s just a bit of a different experience that you wouldn’t be able to do during the rest of the year.”
Southampton managed to rank 2 places higher than Winchester in 4th place in the Big 7 Travel list, although it has only been running for six years.
Adam Olive, who visited with girlfriend Anna East, described the market as a “very romantic place” adding that he loved to “look at all the international food” and “the really cute gift ideas”.
Southampton Christmas Market hosts over 40 independent stalls offering a range of homemade toys, soaps and jewellery.
Debbie Coombes, who has run a sweet stall for 15 years, explained that she loves “the atmosphere” and “seeing different people coming up and getting different things”.
Arguably what Southampton Christmas market is most famous for is its German Beer Market, operated by internationally renowned WELA Märkte.
Josh Parsons, who visited the German Beer Market with his friends, said: “The pints were lovely, the music was amazing and the German sausage was next to none. Absolutely beautiful.”
After the difficult decision to remain shut during 2020 both Hampshire markets have had to make some adjustments to work this year.
Councillor Darren Paffey, Labour Councillor for Bargate, said: “We’re obviously still asking people to be safe and take precautions against Covid, but after another difficult year there’s no doubt they’re bringing a bit of much-needed Christmas warmth and cheer to people.”
Both Winchester and Southampton have decided to not host an ice skating rink this year to keep the public Covid safe.
Adam explained that he felt “gutted” about not having the ice-rink this year as he was excited to go, but understood that “with Covid you’ve got to take the sacrifices where you have to”.
Cllr Paffey said: “It’s a shame not to have the ice rink of course, but I respect the decision as we all have to make judgments in these difficult circumstances. I certainly hope that by next year we can be in a position to have the ice rink back again as it’s a lot of fun to skate beneath our fantastic medieval city walls!”
The nearest available ice-rink is in Portsmouth or Basingstoke.
