As I sit here writing in my lovely warm study, I'm watching my neighbour shovelling snow from his drive. This isn't the weather that makes me want to leap into the car and indulge my passion for visiting historic places.
But with Christmas just around the corner now, I thought instead I'd have a look online for beautiful historic places that will be having a special Christmas Market in the next couple of weeks. Combining Christmas shopping with a tour of a historic town, castle or cathedral is a lovely way of getting into a relaxed, Christmas spirit, and it beats the depressing crush of shopping in a mall hands-down.
Lots of towns around the country hold Christmas Markets, but here to whet your appetite are just a few that have that magical mix of sparkle, history and theatre that makes for enjoyable seasonal shopping.
If Dickens and a Victorian Christmas appeals, Rochester is staging a Christmas Market in the grounds of the truly imposing Rochester Castle, Kent. The event runs from the 3rd of December to the 19th. Have a look at the official website here for full details.
If castles are your thing - they're certainly mine! - then Caerphilly in South Wales, has a wonderful event on the 11th and 12th December at it's magnificent ruined castle. There's a Christmas market inside the castle walls, where they'll be recreating medieval preparations for celebrating Christmas. This is the official website for further details.
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| Bath Abbey |
If Georgian elegance is more to your liking, take a trip to Bath, Somerset, where the area around Bath Abbey, right in the centre of the city, is host to Bath's Christmas Market from November 25th until December 12th 2010. You'll have no trouble finding all sorts of unusual gifts and if you feel tired, there are plenty of lovely cafes and pubs where you can refresh yourself. You're just steps away from a variety of historic attractions too, including the Roman Baths.
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| The Roman Baths, Bath. |
Years ago, I lived in Yorkshire and one of my favourite towns to visit was Skipton, North Yorkshire. Not only is it a really thriving traditional town with masses of character, it also has one of the most intact and impressive castles, which is open to visitors all year (not Christmas Day). This year, Skipton's Yuletide Festival & Christmas Market will be held in the High Street from the 5th December until the 12th December. See here for more details.
Skipton Castle is wonderful, so leave yourself time to fit it all in.
Not surprisingly, Cathedrals have a very special atmosphere at Christmas time, so if you're near Winchester, Hampshire, take yourself off to the Winchester Christmas Market, which is running from the 25th of November until the 19th of December. Oh and if you're brave, take your ice-skates too, they'll be having an ice-rink. Full details here.
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| Worcester Cathedral at Christmas |
And I have to mention Worcester, my home city, because that's the place where I feel most Christmassy of all. The Worcester Christmas Fayre runs from the 2nd to the 5th of December, with over 100 stalls around the heart of the city. I know I'm horribly biased, but Worcester Cathedral is also my favourite, so if you're going to the Fayre, pop inside the Cathedral too and say hello to King John (he's buried there). Oh and a little tip - go to the cafe in the Guildhall for lunch or afternoon tea. It's the most amazing building.