Winchester Christmas Market, which has been running since 2006, has established itself as one of the best in Europe. Inspired by traditional German markets, all the stalls are in delightful wooden chalets in the grounds of the city’s majestic Cathedral. If you live or are staying in London, it is just an hour on the train from Waterloo Station.
Winchester is a lovely historic city with a magnificent cathedral. It was once the capital of England and worth visiting any time of year but especially at Christmas.
Winchester Cathedral’s Christmas Market and Ice Rink
The ice rink was very popular and looked great fun but we didn’t fancy joining the queue. The rink will be here until the end of the month.
There were lots of great food stalls but I opted for krakauer (smoked German/Polish pork sausage) with sauerkraut (fermented cabbage) and a cup of hot gluhwein (German mulled wine). The perfect thing to chase away the cold.
After sunset the market became even more magical!
Winchester Cathedral
One thing you should not miss is looking around the cathedral. It is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. It literally made my gasp as I walked in. I’ll share some more photographs and tell you more about it another time.
The entrance fee includes a guided tour which is well worth going on as there are some amazing things you might otherwise miss including the library which holds some truly stunning, ancient, hand-illustrated books. You are not allowed to take photographs in the library but you can everywhere else so don’t forget your camera. When we were there we were lucky enough to catch the rehearsal for a concert that evening. The singing was as beautiful as the setting.
All the details about visiting the market, the ice rink and the cathedral can be found on Winchester’s Cathedral‘s website. It really is one of the best Christmas markets in Europe. The market ends next weekend!
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Dear Kathryn
Hope you had a great Christmas?
My company are responsible for the ice rink at Winchester!
Please to hear you enjoyed your visit!
Regards
Alan
Hi Alan, Thanks for popping by. I had a lovely Christmas thank you and yes, I loved the ice rink as well as the market at Winchester. Happy New Year to you.
Winchester Cathedral is one of my favourites, along with Salisbury. The markets look absolutely amazing. With 40 degree temperatures forecast for Christmas day in Perth I’m looking on with envy at the snow and ice 🙂 Merry Christmas Kathryn.
I just can’t imagine Christmas in 40 degrees! Hope you manage to keep cool and have a brilliant Christmas. Kathryn x
Looks lovely Kat – hope the singing went well yesterday…
Yes, thanks. Although my strap breaking near the beginning was a little disconcerting. Luckily my dress did not fall down!!
The Christmas market at Winchester is truly magical with the backdrop of the cathedral all lit up from sunset onwards. I plan on heading there again this year as it is not far from where I live.
I hope you do go as I’m sure you’ll take some lovely photographs. Do share them with us if you do..
Christmas markets are just not the same in Australia…I think it needs to be cold.
I think you are right there Debra and I’m not sure a cup of hot gluhwein would be as enjoyable in the Australian summer sunshine!
It sounds like a perfect place to go for a Christmas market and a visit to the cathedral. Thank you for mentioning the train station from London too. Beautiful pictures!
Hi Meg,
Yes, it’s a really easy and very wonderful day trip from London!