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The best UK Christmas markets for a wassail of a time
We round up the best UK Christmas markets to visit, from London's Hyde Park Winter Wonderland to Edinburgh's Princes Street Gardens
Few cities put on a Christmas and New Year show as spectacular as Edinburgh’s. The hub of the festivities is in East Princes Street Gardens, where you can get a bird’s-eye view from the LNER Big Wheel of the stalls selling festive treats. For a more dizzying view, you could take a ride on the World Starflyer fairground ride or the helter-skelter.
In West Princes Street Gardens, you will find more rides, live music and food and drink to enjoy against the enchanting backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. Meanwhile, the wee bairns can call in on Santa before he sets off on his errands. On George Street, there is an ice rink and an ice bar. But if you find you can no longer feel your fingers, head over to the Winter Warmers Zone for mulled wine and hot chocolate.
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Hyde Park Winter Wonderland has returned to the capital, and this year it is better than ever. This Christmas-market-meets-theme-park has over 150 rides and attractions for visitors of all ages. You can hop aboard a big bauble to be taken around a colossal Christmas tree, or slope off to the Après-Ski Party Funhouse.
Be sure to visit the Magical Ice Kingdom, where the sculptures, including giant trolls and a fiery phoenix, have been carved out of 500 tonnes of snow and ice. You can also skate on the ice rink, stroll down Candy Cane Lane and stop for a stein of beer, bratwurst and live music at the Bavarian Village.
Entry is free, except for busier times when entry costs up to £7.50. Tickets also have to be bought for some attractions. Various packages are available. Until 1 January, visit hydeparkwinterwonderland.com for details.
Bath: Christmas Market
(Image credit: Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
There is still just enough time to nip down to Bath Christmas Market. The festive fair, now in its 25th year, has already proved popular, but that was to be expected given the Georgian city’s status as a Unesco World Heritage Site and its reputation for putting on a Christmas market that would have delighted Jane Austen, its most famous former resident, whose 250th birthday is on 16 December.
So, join the revellers in the glow of the Christmas lights from 250 chalets, selling all manner of local goods, food and drinks. The spectacular “Bath on Ice” ice rink is open until 4 January and the No 1. Royal Crescent museum is putting on a number of themed events in the run-up to Christmas.
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