I visited one of UK’s best places to live with magical Xmas market
Located 45 minutes’ drive from the border of Surrey is a beautiful city called Winchester. Oozing charm and history, the stunning neighbourhood is full of boutique stores and coffee shops, a hospital, a university and a train station.
Situated just off the M3,[1] it is easy to get to by both road and rail, making it a popular destination for tourists looking to visit its main attraction – Winchester Cathedral, which sees more than 300,000 people go there every year. Placing worship at the centre of its life, the iconic Gothic building is also a venue for music and the arts, with a diverse programme of concerts, exhibitions, educational talks and family activities.
Every winter, the pretty Hampshire town, surrounded by quaint villages and rolling countryside, really comes alive. Positioned next to the cathedral, Winchester Christmas Market[2] runs daily from November 17 to December 21 and is a spectacular place to get into the festive spirit.
I visited the city in between Basingstoke and Southampton, with my mum and fell in love with it as soon as we arrived. We parked 15 minutes walk away in Worthy Lane car park so we could explore the little avenues in the town centre.
The high street was bustling with shoppers, and the clean pedestrianised strip was loaded with independent shops and cafes. I was particularly drawn to The Winchester Bakery, a beautifully restored 17th-century building next to the Buttercross Monument abundant with artisan breads, delicious sweet treats, pastries and savoury items.
Winchester is a beautiful city (Image: Laura Nightingale)
There were also some familiar chains such as Café Nero (buzzing with customers tapping away on laptops), WH Smith, Phase Eight, Waterstones, Zizzi and The Ivy Winchester Brasserie which was wonderfully decorated for the festive season and had a giant polar bear sitting standing outside its main entrance.
It was a lovely place to mooch around and had we more time, we would have visited a rare surviving example of an urban corn mill. Looked after by the National Trust, Winchester City Mill has stood at the heart of the historic city since at least Saxon times.
With a history spanning more than 1,000 years, it is one of the oldest watermills in the UK, and it is free to enter. Saving the mill for our next escapade, we visited the town’s famous Christmas market dubbed as one of the best in the country, according to Big 7 Travel guide.[5]
With its traditional fairy-lit wooden chalets, it was like a little German market, and we saw all the festive food and drink you would expect at such an event, from mulled wine and hot chocolate, to bratwurst and roasted chestnuts.
Winchester Christmas Market specialises in locally made items and is popular with locals and tourists (Image: Laura Nightingale)
We soaked up the wintry atmosphere, tucked into some Christmas delights and purchased a few gifts for our family from numerous stalls. Situated at the western end of the South Downs National Park and along the River Itchen, Winchester has to be one of the prettiest places I have ever visited.
According to Muddy Stilettos which recently named the city as one of the best places to live in the UK: “Winchester is always a popular option for Londoners longing for a little rural idyll (a fact that’s reflected in the house prices). With its lush, leafy surrounds, foodie hot spots and historic attractions at every turn, you can see why this is the perfect stepping stone for city mice.
“The nightlife may leave something to be desired but the luxe mix of boutiques, eateries and top-rated schools make a desirable prospect for families of all ages.”
According to Rightmove, properties in Winchester had an overall average price of £627,888 over the last year. This is very similar to the average price for homes in Surrey – £625,357.[6][7]
The majority of sales in Winchester during the last year were terraced properties, selling for an average price of £604,129. Detached properties sold for an average of £998,396, with flats fetching £327,106.
Overall, sold prices in Winchester over the last year were 1% down on the previous year and 2% up on the 2020 peak of £613,647.
Winchester Christmas Market is free to enter (Image: Laura Nightingale)
How to visit Winchester Christmas Market
- Opening dates: Daily from November 17 to December 21.
- Opening times: Sunday to Thursday 10am to 6pm and Friday to Saturday 10am to 8pm.
- Entry price: Free.
- Address: Winchester Cathedral, The Close, Winchester, SO23 9LS.
- Parking: Various car parks in the city centre.
References
- ^ M3, (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
- ^ Winchester Christmas Market (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
- ^ I went to Surrey garden centre hundreds of customers book for £23.95 Christmas lunch (www.getsurrey.co.uk)
- ^ Magical Surrey restaurant overlooking illuminated castle with giant polar bear outside (Magical%20Surrey%20restaurant%20overlooking%20illuminated%20castle%20with%20giant%20polar%20bear%20outside)
- ^ Big 7 Travel guide. (go.skimresources.com)
- ^ According to Rightmove, (www.rightmove.co.uk)
- ^ average price for homes in Surrey – £625,357. (www.rightmove.co.uk)