The Best Christmas Markets To Visit In The Cotswolds

by | Oct 2, 2023 | Blog, Christmas

November is ticking by and you definitely can’t ignore Christmas looming for too much longer! Whether you’re a Christmas Scrooge or you wholeheartedly embrace the festive season, you surely can’t help but love a Christmas market. Cotswold Christmas markets are some of the most traditional in the country and we’ve chosen our favorites below.

Gloucester Quays

Gloucester Quay holds fabulous enchanted Cotswold Christmas markets from 27th November to 24th December plus some Victorian markets running through November. Situated on the Quays it’s a really beautiful location. Expect loads of stalls to find interesting Christmas presents in, food and mulled wine aplenty, a Ferris wheel, and live choirs and brass bands. There is also an outdoor ice rink which you need to buy tickets for either on the day or you can also buy them online. This is one of the larger Cotswold Christmas markets attracting up to 250,000 shoppers a year and has everything you’d want to find.

Chipping Campden

If you fancy something more low key then head for Chipping Campden on Saturday 2nd December when they will be switching on their Christmas lights and having a small-scale Christmas fayre with some stalls, carol singers, and other local entertainment and the lighting of their tree. Chipping Campden is a stunningly beautiful Cotswold village that really feels so festive and quintessentially English at this time of year, All it needs is a flutter of snow and it’s a scene made for a Christmas card right there.

 

Forest of Dean 

During the first three weekends in December, Lydney hosts the Forest of Dean Cotswold Christmas markets. These markets are fantastic, with over 30 independent traders and many creative businesses coming together to showcase their beautiful Christmas products that can’t be purchased on the high street. The smell of freshly cut Christmas trees lingers in the air as locally grown trees can be bought here. It’s got a very festive feel and the whole family will have a lovely day. Also in the Forest of Dean, you can visit Puzzlewood which has an enchanted Christmas forest this year where little ones can dress up at Little Red Riding Hood or the Woodcutter and journey through the forest to Grandma’s house where they can meet Father Christmas.

 

Broadway 

Broadway hosts spectacular Cotswold Christmas markets that take place in the evening. Shops stay open especially late, Christmas stalls pop up and there’s live music, drinks, food, and merriment! There are even pony sleigh rides through the village. This is a magical event that attracts many people from the surrounding areas. Either come for a fun-filled family night out or make it a useful evening and get some Christmas shopping completed. Broadway is one of the biggest and most beautiful of the Cotswold villages and truly sets the Christmas scene during the Cotswold Christmas markets.

Montpelier Gardens, Cheltenham 

Although not strictly Cotswold Christmas markets I couldn’t leave Montpelier Gardens outdoor Christmas carol concert out. On Friday 15th December, wrap up and warm and come and enjoy traditional and contemporary carols in the pretty gardens and grab yourself a mulled wine to warm you up from their garden bar. This is sure to get your Christmas spirit flowing. There are a real variety of Cotswold Christmas markets to visit, you could spend your every free weekend at them in fact, from low-key village-style events to big, bold and bright bustling markets, take your pick and have a great time!

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