Festive shopping: The best Christmas markets in the UK

Springing up around the city in the weeks leading up to Christmas Day, with more running into the new year, London’s Christmas markets are a joy to experience, offering visitors the opportunity to gorge on tasty treats while foraging for special gifts. The go-to destination for festive fun, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland is just one of the spectacular pop-up Christmas markets in the UK that’s sure to fill your heart with that Christmassy feeling.

And of course the capital’s landmark year-round ‘destination’ markets such as Covent Garden and Borough Market get a big festive facelift from November onwards and are brimming with stocking fillers, holiday decorations, and delicious street food.

Where to stay: Choose from three five-star abodes, including The Capital Hotel, Apartments & Townhouse in Knightsbridge, The Hari in Belgravia and the Athenaeum Hotel & Residences in Mayfair.

Shopping in Cheltenham is a delight at any time of the year thanks to the festival town’s flourishing independent boutiques and artisan stores but its festive retail events, hosted by Cotswold Markets, are not to be missed. This year, two wonderful markets will be popping up along Cheltenham’s pedestrianised Promenade and Long Gardens: the Christmas Gift Market (16-19 November) with a special selection of homewares, and the Arts & Crafts Christmas Market (14-23 December) which features locally made pottery, original art, glassware, and jewellery.

Where to stay: Adored by fashionistas, the award-winning Ellenborough Park Hotel & Spa is the perfect place to stay for a luxury weekend shopping break in Cheltenham.

When it comes to winter wonderlands in the West Country, the Dorset town of Bovington has a unique festive shopping experience this year.  The Tank Museum -— home to the world’s best collection of tanks —  is hosting a Dorset Christmas Fair. The highlights include live entertainment, the opportunity to buy unique Christmas gifts from local makers and sellers and festive food and drink to get you in the Christmas spirit. Plus children can see Father Christmas arrive in a tank, and explore the Christmas trail.

Where to stay: The Priory Hotel is a stunning Grade 11 listed country house hotel nestled on the banks of the River Frome in the nearby town of Wareham. Many of Dorset’s top attractions, as well the county’s many Christmas shopping events, are within easy reach for guests to explore the beautiful county.