Britain’s best Christmas market revealed

IT’S official – Britain’s best Christmas markets are at Chatsworth Estate in the Peak District.

According to a new survey, the annual event near Bakewell in Derbyshire got the best score for that ‘all-round’ festive feeling.

Image: Chatsworth House Trust

Edinburgh, St Nicholas Fair in York and London’s Hyde Park Winter Wonderland achieved gold status but were all pipped to the post in the poll.

But Chatsworth was hailed best overall for its top quality food and drink, closely followed by the Whitefriars Christmas Market in Canterbury.

However, the market at Leeds Castle in Kent was deemed best for entertaining kids, according to a poll of 2,000 adults who have attended a Christmas market in the last five years.

And the study, by Premier Inn, found the magical ‘Christmas by the River’ in London is the best Christmas market to attend if you want to impress a date.

Researchers found 70 per cent of people visit Christmas markets because they make them feel festive, and 42 per cent do it for gift inspiration.

Brits are likely to spend £41 per visit to a Christmas market, with nearly two-thirds picking up presents at one.

Those polled said they were happy to travel 30 minutes to get to their Christmas market of choice, and a quarter have taken a mini-break in the UK to coincide with a festive fair.

A further three in 10 believe they need to de-stress after Christmas shopping, and 34 per cent like to spend more quiet time with their family.

John Annoh from Premier Inn said: “Over the years, Premier Inn has seen Christmas markets become increasingly popular so we wanted to reveal the ones which Brits rate the best.

“It’s great to see the public exploring what the UK has to offer at this time of year by travelling far and wide to shop for presents and get into the festive spirit.

“With over 750 locations across the country, Premier Inn is perfectly located near all of the nation’s favourite Christmas markets and is a great place to start your festive trip.”

‘Gold’ Christmas markets