Britain’s best Christmas markets

If you haven't yet been down to the Christmas market, then get your skates on. Chris Carter looks at three of the most festive fairs.

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Edinburgh's European Christmas Market: 20 years old and still going strong

Edinburgh

Last-minute shoppers after good gifts for Christmas can find something unusual from the arts and crafts stalls. "Traditional Christmas cuisines" are there for the taking and there is also a Children's Christmas Market. More festive stalls can be found in the Scottish Market in St Andrew Square.

East Prince's Street Gardens, until4 January

London

And don't forget to "look out for all the handmade bits and bobs, too a good chance to pick up something memorable". Then get your skates on for a brisk turn round the ice at Eyeskate in front of the London Eye, located a stone's throw away.

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Southbank Centre, until 24 December

Birmingham

It serves hot food, beer and mulled wine, and the stalls sell gifts including "beautiful crystals turned into lamps and candle-holders". It's worth strolling through after dark whenthe market is lit up with Christmas lights and you can really soak up the festive atmosphere.

Victoria Square, until 22 December

Chris Carter

Chris Carter spent three glorious years reading English literature on the beautiful Welsh coast at Aberystwyth University. Graduating in 2005, he left for the University of York to specialise in Renaissance literature for his MA, before returning to his native Twickenham, in southwest London. He joined a Richmond-based recruitment company, where he worked with several clients, including the Queen’s bank, Coutts, as well as the super luxury, Dorchester-owned Coworth Park country house hotel, near Ascot in Berkshire.

Then, in 2011, Chris joined MoneyWeek. Initially working as part of the website production team, Chris soon rose to the lofty heights of wealth editor, overseeing MoneyWeek’s Spending It lifestyle section. Chris travels the globe in pursuit of his work, soaking up the local culture and sampling the very finest in cuisine, hotels and resorts for the magazine’s discerning readership. He also enjoys writing his fortnightly page on collectables, delving into the fascinating world of auctions and art, classic cars, coins, watches, wine and whisky investing.

You can follow Chris on Instagram.