The 'peaceful' north-west Christmas market with no crowds named 'better than Manchester's'

It's one of the most magical activities to indulge in as the year draws to a close. Clutching a hot chocolate, mulled wine, roasting chestnuts or a sizzling German sausage while meandering through the charming wooden stalls of a Christmas market, snugly bundled against the cold, signals that the season for festivities, families and friendships has truly arrived.

The number of UK towns and cities hosting a Christmas market has surged over recent years, with over 200 chalets adorning Bath's historic streets, the nostalgic allure of York's 30-year-old St Nicholas Fair or the celebratory atmoshere of Edinburgh's Christmas market.

Yet the big question remains: which among them is the UK's finest, worthy of a visit even if there's already a Christmas market in your hometown or city? Which?, the consumer watchdog, says it has identified what it considers the cream of the crop when it comes to the UK's Christmas markets, selected from those that have received top marks in a survey involving more than 4,000 participants. They highlight that "each of the eight cities listed below offers excellent food and drink, outstanding cultural attractions, or both, achieving at least a four out of five rating in these categories".

Date: 15 November to 22 December 2024
Where: Chester Town Hall Square
Is it free? Yes

Chester Christmas Market is only an hour or so from Manchester. Though it was pipped to the post for the title of best "medium-sized city" by Bath, it scored higher for its ease of getting around, parking and lack of crowds.

With a modest 70 stalls around Chester’s Victorian Gothic town hall and medieval cathedral, visitors to Chester market will find scented candles, upcycled cutlery, artisan liqueurs and much more, all