We recently revealed 5 of the best things to do in Bath during the Christmas period. Of course the Bath Christmas Market featured alongside some of the city's other wonderful places of interest, including Prior Park Gardens and the Bath Thermae Spa.
We’re preparing our sister business Green Park Brasserie’s Christmas stall and thought we’d put together a handy guide to planning a visit to the Bath Christmas Market 2016 for residents, first timers, and seasoned market goers. So here's our tuppence worth for planning a trip to the Bath Christmas Market this year.
First of all, when is the Bath Christmas Market 2016?
The market runs from 24th November to 11th December this year. The market gets incredibly busy especially during the weekends, so where possible, try to avoid visiting on the 26/27 November, 3/4 December and 10/11 December weekends. Bath sees hundreds of thousands of extra visitors to the city during the market so if you can make a week-day visit, you’ll get a lot more out of your trip.
Why visit the Bath Christmas Market?
The Bath Christmas Market is probably the best Christmas market in the country. Yes, we’re slightly biased, but having visited Christmas markets across the UK in Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Southampton, Winchester and a whole load more, none match up to ours!
From the bustling atmosphere created by the lit up wooden chalets and volume of visitors to the presence of the Bath Abbey, architecture of the Roman Baths and cobbled streets and lanes which provide a stunning visual backdrop, this Bath Christmas Market is a cut above the rest. With so many local traders and unique gifts available to buy, the landscape and shopping experience isn’t matched anywhere else.
When does the Bath Christmas Market 2016 open?
The Bath Christmas Market will officially open at 10am on Thursday 24th November 2016. Christmas decorations and lighting is beginning to pop up around the city already though!
What time does the Bath Christmas Market 2016 close?
Different times throughout the week. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the market will close at 7pm. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the Bath Christmas Market will close at 8.30pm. On Sundays the market will shut at 6pm. The market will come to an end at 6pm on Sunday 11th December.
Who is trading at the Bath Christmas Market this year?
Bath’s Christmas Market is one of the UK’s few markets to boast such a high local trader percentage. In fact over 83% of the Bath Christmas Market traders are from Bath and the South West. For a full break down of who is trading and where, check out the themed stall holder break down on the official website.
Where to park for the Bath Christmas Market 2016
Finding parking in Bath throughout the Christmas period is something you might have to ask Santa for as an early gift. Car parks get very full very quickly, however, the city’s park and ride service is highly recommended by the market planning team as the most efficient way to get in and out of the city if you are visiting Bath by car.
Alternatively if you’re coming from afar by rail, the market is less than 5 minutes stroll from Bath Spa train station. Coach trips to the market are also a pretty good option as with dedicated drop off points you won’t have to worry about the parking problems.
Resources to plan your visit to the Bath Christmas Market
Be sure to check out Visit Bath’s dedicated Bath Christmas Market website. The Visit Bath team have provided a fantastic resource to help you plan your visit wherever you’re visiting Bath from.
Come and say hello
You’ll recognise some friendly faces from the Green Park Brasserie who will be trading this year at the Bath Christmas Market. We’ll be keeping them going with the occasional pizza and local ale from our pizza oven here at Green Park Station. The Braz stall will be on the main Abbey Churchyard site. They’ll be selling fantastic German Bratwurst sausages, mulled wine and christmas ciders.
