5 best UK Christmas markets for 2015 (plus map)

BATH

Another great market for those who like to shop with their eyes as much as their wallets, this one, in the Georgian city of Bath, is arguably the prettiest in England. Dominated by the city’s floodlit Abbey the 175 stalls setting up here between 26 November and 13 December will be housed within a village of nativity scene-like wooden cabins. Over 70% of foods and crafts on sale here are made by producers from the South West; this year’s crop hasn’t been announced yet but our best buys from last year included Tea People’s single estate teas, Somerset Pomona, Bath Gin and pungent Wyfe of Bath cheese from the Bath Soft Cheese Company.

PADSTOW

For gourmet gifts a little more exciting than a bottom-of-the-stocking satsuma, Padstow is a safe bet. Alongside a wider Christmas festival that ranges from demos by Nathan Outlaw and Rick Stein to fireworks and carols the small Cornish town plays host to a festive food market from 3 to 6 December. Art and craft are also represented but this is essentially one for foodies: graze on everything from steak and Cornish Blue pasties to Cornish honey marshmallows, local dukkah mixes and artisan breads and pastries.

WINCHESTER

More intimate than the larger Christmas markets, with around 100 stalls based in fairylit cabins clustered around the city's Norman cathedral, this Hampshire fair focuses on products from small, independent British and European companies. Running from 19 November to 22 December, this year is the market’s 10th anniversary. Stallholders have yet to be confirmed but last year’s best buys included gooey Cotswolds honey and beautiful hand-thrown pottery serving dishes.

CARDIFF

Among a throng of seasonal ‘German’ markets that now have more to do with factories in Dongguan than Dortmund, Cardiff’s Christmas Market stands out for its range of locally produced, handcrafted gifts (over 90% of exhibitors last year were independent businesses, 75% of them from Wales). Taking place from 12 November to 23 December, this year’s event is set to continue that focus. Stallholders haven’t been announced yet but chocolate is usually a big seller here, from Sarah Bunton’s handmade florentines to Coco Caravan’s beautifully packaged raw chocolate.