8 Best Christmas markets within a two hour drive of London

Christmas market season is upon us, and London in particular is filled with markets, fayres, and wonderlands—but if you fancy searching for Christmas magic a little further afield, there are plenty of places to visit not too far away.

Unsurprisingly, Google searches for “Christmas market near me” have risen by 3,333 per cent in the last month, so motoring experts Vantage Leasing reveal 8 of best free Christmas markets within two hours drive of London—so you can have a perfect festive day without feeling like you’ve driven all the way to the North Pole.

The Canterbury Christmas market is one of the most popular in the UK, with over seventy stalls of gifts, food, and drink, amidst the medieval streets. There are activities for everyone, from Santa’s grotto and breakfast with Father Christmas himself—and they even include pets, with a Santa Paws experience for your dog to meet Santa and have a treat! The market itself is free to visit, and is running until Christmas Eve.

Winchester’s Christmas market is set against the backdrop of the stunning Winchester Cathedral, and is known as one of the best in Europe. It features over a hundred wooden chalet-style stalls, inspired by German Christmas markets, with a wide range of unique gifts and festive treats.

Listen to live carol singers while sipping a mulled wine, and watch as the cathedral is illuminated when the sun goes down. The Winchester Cathedral Christmas market is open daily until the 21st of December, and admission is free.

In the historic city of Oxford is one of the oldest Christmas markets in the UK. The market has an enchanting traditional feel, with over a hundred wooden chalets filled with gifts, decorations, food, and drink. Glide (or stumble!) across the ice rink and complete your magical day out with a trip to Santa’s grotto. The Oxford Christmas market is free to enter, and is running until the 23rd of December.

Running all the way until the 31st of December (closed on Christmas Day) is the Kingston Christmas market, in the Ancient Market Place.

The European-style market promises to be magical, with twinkling lights, mulled wine, and delicious food – and you can even try your hand at curling! 

The Colchester Christmas market takes over the high street with live music, mulled wine, street food, street performers, and funfair rides - as well as market stalls full of gifts from over eighty local businesses and makers. The market is free to attend, and will be on Sunday 10th of December.

The grand and opulent Shuttleworth House will be home of a Christmas market on Saturday 9th – Sunday 10th of December, where you can enjoy the grandeur of the house while shopping from a range of food, craft, and gift stalls - there’s also mulled wine and a hog roast available. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

In the gardens of the spectacular Rochester Castle, the Rochester Christmas market is held over three weekends, as it is the perfect place to search for a special gift or stocking filler, and even buy your Christmas tree.

The market also features funfair rides and their brand ‘Children’s Christmas Village’, which includes Christmas stories, decoration crafting in the Elves’ workshop and making sweet treats. The market is free to enter, and is on until the 10th of December.

Meadow Croft Garden Centre transforms into a traditional German market from the 15th of September to the 23rd of December, and is one of the biggest German Christmas markets in Essex. With thirty stalls of festive crafts, gifts, and food, including traditional Gluhwein and bratwurst. The market is free to enter, and there’s also the rest of the garden centre to find even more decorations and gifts.

Banner credit: (Mateusz Dach)