feeling festive at bath christmas markets
eat, drink and shop the weekend away
Christmas is all-around, an anticlimax here in the UK.
It hardly ever snows in December, especially here in the South West. Overconsumption is shown down our throats with over-romanticised marketing campaigns, pushing us to buy everything from chocolate to cruises.
The worst part? The panicked end-of-the-month shopping spent trying to decide if your dad would prefer socks or another aftershave.
We have a few silver tinsel linings - namely Christmas markets!
Some are shit (Ahem, Bristol, I’m looking at you) some are charming, like Exeter’s which sits in front of the dramatic Cathedral.
But so far, the best I’ve experienced is Bath’s - and it’s huge with over 200 stalls lining the cobbled streets, forming the core of the historic UNESCO-heritage city.
You’ll find the classic tat and overpriced hot dogs with canary yellow mustard. But, you can also enjoy steaming cups of hot cider, local Somerset creators' artwork, and foodie gifts from regional producers.
key info 🎄
location - Bath City Center
dates - Thursday 28th November until Sunday 15th December 2024
times - Monday to Wednesday: 10am to 7pm, Thursday to Saturday: 10am to 8pm, Sundays: 10am to 6pm
getting there 🚂
by train - Direct links from London Paddington to Bath Spa start from £24 and take only 1hr 20mins via GWR - The station is in the city centre, only a stone’s throw from where the markets begin
by car - There are three main park and ride options available for Bath which increase in frequency over the Christmas Market period.
things to do 🎄
browse the market stalls - Soaps, scarves, locally distilled spirits. If you want it, you’ll probably find it here. With stalls selling the best of the West Country’s produce, splash out on Christmas essentials. My dad is notoriously difficult to shop for, so I always pick up some interesting chutneys or hot sauces to bulk out his stocking. Artists sell their unique pieces, including handmade ceramics, Christmas cards and prints alongside cheese mongers, beer brewers and bakers. I recommend checking out Godminster Cheese, The Garlic Farm and Dough Bro’s Doughnuts
visit the roman baths - If you’ve never visited Bath before, you can’t leave before checking out some of the city’s ancient history. The 2,000 year old Roman Baths located in the heart of the city were once used by locals to worship the goddess Sulis Minerva and bathe in the natural thermal springs. Today, you can explore the site and the archaeological items to learn more about Roman Britain, and escape the crowds of Christmas shoppers on the streets!
grab a mulled cider (or apple juice) - After all that shopping and site seeing you’ll probably be in need of a hot beverage to warm your bones. Considering you’re in the West Country, the only respectable option is a warm mulled cider! There will almost certainly be wooden stalls selling them, but if you want to rest your legs in a cosy pub like the tiny Victorian Coeur De Lion or the The Old Green Tree.
unearth bath’s literary history - Beyond Bath’s markets and ancient history, the city is also known for its links to famous English literature. Head over to Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights and Topping & Company Booksellers of Bath for a spot of Christmas shopping for your bookish friends before visiting the Jane Austen Centre to learn about life in Regency times.
unwind with a session at the spa - Rest and relax like a Roman at Thermae Bath, Britain’s only spa heated by natural thermal waters. Splash out on a two-hour spa-session which provides access to the whirlpool Minerva Bath, ice chamber, aroma steam rooms and dramatic open-air rooftop pool with views across the city.
By becca mae x
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