The festive town near Greater Manchester hosting a magical trail this Christmas

Christmas shopping doesn’t have to be stressful, in fact you can combine it with a festive day out. This festive season the picturesque market town of Glossop is inviting shoppers to follow a magical story trail as they browse the town’s independent retailers.

Only a half hour train ride from Manchester, the town is surrounded by the dramatic scenery of the Dark Peak, providing an atmospheric setting for a wintry day out. Glossop is full of gorgeous sandstone buildings, charming cottages and old mill buildings, and when there’s a dusting of snow it offers scenes worthy of any Christmas card.

The town is once again hosting the Winter Story Trail, which is dedicated to the town’s future storytellers. The trail showcases the talents of 24 local writers, who have each crafted a short winter tale inspired by the shop of business’ location that they are paired with.

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The trail is masterminded by the town’s creative and cultural collective, Glossop Creates. The campaign is backed by former Coronation Street star Julie Hesmondhalgh, and actress Isobel Middleton who starred in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

Shoppers can keep their eyes peeled for the stories, which are displayed in the windows of 24 local businesses, including Dark Peak Books, Jean’s Beans Coffee, About Thyme, The Bureau, Harvey Leonard’s Wine & Ale Tasters and Hyssop and the Hare. There’s also a map you can collect from various venues to help you find all of the stories.

The trail also includes a family-friendly activity whereby a word from each story creates a 24-word