The
last few years I have decided to escape my Birthday by being abroad
but as we went away earlier this year, I missed out on our normal
Christmas market crawl. To make up for it I have spent the last two
weekends touring nearby UK markets and alongside Leeds Christmas
market I have taken in Knaresborough, Manchester and Skipton.
I
love the festive season and everything that comes with it (except
traditional foods) but rarely purchase anything other than snacks and
mulled wine when shuffling around markets. Each year my family send
individual Christmas lists to each other and there's seldom anything
on there I'm likely to find in any of the markets I visit.
This
year's lists include an array of toiletries I'll have to raid
Wilkinsons for and some exceedingly specific items like “jigsaw
puzzles with no sky and lots of interest” and “silk ties with
little animals on them”. For the first time I can remember, I
actually bought a few gifts from Knaresborough market and have
decided it's definitely my favourite. I'm not knocking markets
imitating traditional German ones but it was a refreshing change to
find wholly unpredictable items for sale. Being a smaller market with
only a two day lifespan, it also had a really festive vibe with lots
of friendly and enthusiastic stall holders.
Lincoln
market is the only other market I'd previously been to that despite
having German roots, felt pretty British. Although I enjoyed
Lincoln's sprawling stalls, its one-way system and tannoy announcing
the market's imminent closure made it feel far less friendly than
Knaresborough. Skipton's market also felt more low-key and had an
array of festive local entertainment but many of the stalls were
clearly regulars to the town's weekly market. Manchester is another
biggie with many repeat stalls so this year's winner is Knaresborough
hands down. Although, Manchester did bring the number of random
cheeses I have purchased up to a whopping ten. Looking forward to
tasting the madras curry cheese, Norwegian Gjetost, chilli & lime
cheddar... But that's another entry...
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