by Anna Hann
posted on 18 December 2024
This festive season, instead of hitting the famous Christmas markets like Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market, Manchester’s Christmas Markets, Edinburgh Christmas Market, or Chester Christmas Market, why not explore some off-the-beaten-track Christmas markets and events instead?
Here’s your guide to hidden Christmas markets in December 2024, including a few of the best Christmas markets you can drive to in Europe. These under-the-radar finds have plenty of Christmas cheer but are almost impossible to reach by public transport, making them ideal for a cosy winter road trip.
Avoid standing up on a crowded train, with delays inevitable, and the inconvenience of booking a taxi in small villages and towns. Instead, travel at your own pace this Christmas with Turo, take the stress out of your journey, and seize the opportunity to visit some lesser-known but incredible Christmas markets and Christmas events.
Bath and the Cotswolds
The well-known Bath Christmas Market is one of the best Christmas markets in the UK. Held in the city centre, it showcases high-quality artisan products, Christmas treats, and street food stalls beneath twinkling lights.
This region is also a favourite for those travelling from London to visit other big Christmas markets, like Cirencester Christmas Market and Cheltenham Christmas Market. But this festive season, avoid the crowded towns and big Christmas markets and explore more of this beautiful landscape and hidden Christmas markets and events by driving instead.
Blenheim Palace Christmas Market
Blenheim Palace is completely transformed in December 2024. This winter wonderland is a perfect one-stop Christmas destination with an illuminated light trail, a Christmas market in The Great Court, and an enchanting Neverland light show inspired by Peter Pan in support of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. There’s also a special Neverland afternoon tea with festive food and delicacies inspired by the characters.
The ice rink, the Great Skate, is new to Blenheim Palace for December 2024. Hot chocolate and festive food can be purchased at the rinkside, bringing all the festive cheer you need as you watch the skaters twirl on the ice rink — or give it a go yourself. The festivities at Blenheim Palace run until 1 January 2025, so if you’re looking for something to do between Christmas and New Year, this could be the perfect outing to extend the festive season.
Getting there
Blenheim Palace is eight miles northwest of Oxford, on the A44 Evesham Road, signposted from junction nine of the M40. Use postcode OX20 1UL for directions. Parking charges apply for the Christmas events.
Cotswold Farm Park
In the heart of the Cotswolds is Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park. In December 2024, you’ll find an Enchanted Light Trail. This winter wonderland is a fabulous experience for the whole family, and dogs are welcome, too! If you want to bring your pooch, use the filters on your Turo search to find a pet-friendly car.
The park opens daily from 4 pm until 9 pm, and sugar-coated doughnuts, sweet and savoury s’mores, mulled wine, and even boozy hot chocolate are available for the non-designated driver. There are gingerbread decorating and make-a-bear workshops for children, and you can pre-book a visit to Father Christmas in his magical grotto.
Getting there
Cotswolds Farm Park is west of Cheltenham. Pop GL54 5FL into your car’s sat nav system. You can also follow the brown tourism signs.
Longleat
Although there isn’t a traditional Christmas market here, Longleat House is transformed into a winter wonderland with twinkling lights adorning its famous light trail. Located in a rural area of Wiltshire, Longleat’s extensive grounds make it hard to access via public transport. However, by car, you can enjoy everything Longleat offers at Christmas — including the excellent drive-through safari, where you can spot monkeys, lions, tigers, and elephants on a route that takes around two hours to complete.
A trip to Longleat is a whole festive day out, with December 2024 marking the 10th anniversary of Longleat’s Lantern event. There’s also a light display cast onto Longleat House, a Santa train to visit Father Christmas, and house tours. And, of course, you can expect to find festive gifts and stocking fillers in the shop and Christmassy food and drink, too.
Getting there
If you want to visit Longleat, you’ll need to pre-book. Use BA12 7JS. In December 2024, the A36 Warminster Road will be fully closed between Limpley Stoke and Monkton Combe, with diversions in place, which may impact you if you travel from Bath city centre.
Take the reins with Turo
Mini Cooper
Hire a red Mini Cooper for that The Holiday Christmas feel, with enough room for two people in the back or your luggage.
Range Rover Velar
For a comfortable and smooth journey, a Range Rover Velar is the perfect car for a trip to Bath and the Cotswolds.
Suzuki Swift
A Suzuki Swift could be the perfect small car for a day trip, available to hire for a low daily rate.
York and Yorkshire
Have you ever thought of going to Yorkshire for a Christmas holiday? Not only is there more chance of snow here up North, but there are plenty of Christmas markets and other festive activities to find. You could visit York’s fabulous Christmas Market, the St Nicholas Fair, which features 75 alpine chalets selling handmade crafts, mulled wine, and street food, or find festive cheer a little further off the beaten path.
But St Nicholas Fair and the alpine chalets that line St Sampson’s Square and Parliament Street is just the tip of the festive iceberg in Yorkshire. Hire a car, and it’s easy to explore other Christmas markets dotted around the county.
Yorkshire Christmas Adventure at Stockeld Park
What started as a humble Christmas tree shop has grown into a festive wonderland. At the Yorkshire Christmas Adventure at Stockeld Park, you’ll find a woodland illuminated light show, a snowflake maze, an ice rink, a jolly festive play, a land train through an enchanted forest, and a cosy Christmas market selling Christmas trees.
Getting there
Stockeld Park is more accessible by car, and parking is available, allowing you to explore without worrying about bus schedules. You’ll find Stockeld Park near Harrogate, Leeds, and York on the A661 between Wetherby and Spofforth. Use postcode LS22 4AN for in-car directions.
Christmas at Castle Howard
A little off the beaten path, Castle Howard’s seasonal Christmas market is magical, with lights and decorations that transform the grounds into a Christmas wonderland. In December 2024, the theme is Alice’s Christmas Wonderland, and if you pre-book, there’s a special Mad Hatter’s afternoon tea. There’s a small Christmas market in the Stable Courtyard selling festive treats and hot chocolates, and inside the Christmas marquee, you can pick up Christmas decorations and gifts.
Getting there
Limited public transport options make it best to drive for a seamless trip to Castle Howard. It’s just 15 miles from York and easily accessible from the A64, which connects Leeds, York, and the Yorkshire Coast. If you hire an EV, it’s handy to know that electric vehicles can be charged in the car park. Use postcode YO60 7DA.
Take the reins with Turo
Fiat 500
Looking for a fun and reliable option? Try a Fiat 500. Choose one in a festive colour – after all, these cute little runarounds are available in a rainbow of colours – then hit the road to your favourite Christmas market.
BMW 5 Series
Try something more luxurious and travel in a BMW 5 Series M Sport. These sleek vehicles are a joy to drive, and if you get stuck in traffic in a city centre on Christmas Eve, you won’t mind so much with these luxe interiors.
Volkswagen Golf
Hire a Volkswagen Golf – this one is equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can listen to all the Christmas tunes on your road trip to the best Christmas markets in the UK.
Devon and Cornwall
Have a Nadelik Lowen in Cornwall this year! Known for its gorgeous coastal scenes, spend Christmas in Cornwall this year for an adventure you’ll remember. It’s the ideal holiday to rent a car, as once you’re here, it’s easier to get around.
One of the best Christmas markets in the UK is the Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market, showcasing more than a hundred festive fairy-lit chalets selling food and drink, stocking fillers, and unique Christmas gifts. But away from the towns and cities, there are other Christmas markets to find, including in the region’s National Trust properties and some of the main tourist attractions, like the Lost Gardens of Heligan and the Eden Project.
Christmas at the Eden Project
The Eden Project is usually a gorgeous tropical spot, with rainforest biodomes growing tropical plants, but these domes turn into a Christmas haven at Christmas with Christmas events galore. New for December 2024 is an immersive Christmas lights experience, free with an Eden Project entry ticket, but you’ll need to pre-book. You can also check to see whether any slots are left for little ones to meet Father Christmas in his magical grotto–it includes a ride on the beautiful vintage carousel.
For an extra dose of festive fun, there’s an ice rink. There’s also a Christmas market, but it’s only on in November, so it’s one to remember for next year when you can make the most of the festive atmosphere as you shop for gifts for all the family and listen to Christmas carols as you sip the Eden Project’s delicious mulled wine.
Getting there
You can make the most of your Cornwall trip with a car, as public transport is limited. The Eden Project has free parking and places to charge electric cars. The postcode for the sat nav is PL24 2SG, although some sat navs direct traffic along narrow roads to get to Eden. For example, westbound traffic from the A390 is sometimes taken from St Blazey via Cornhill Road to the Eden Project. It is better to continue to the A391 and follow the signs to Eden. However, Eden is well signposted from the A30 from Exeter and the A391/390 from Plymouth.
Lost Gardens of Heligan
Kickstart your festive spirit at the Lost Gardens of Heligan, where you can see a magical Christmassy display of lanterns and installations. The Heligan Night Garden is a lantern experience available on selected dates, where you follow a magical garden trip after dark through tunnels of light and jewel-lit trees.
Throughout the trail, there’s hot food available, including winter warmers, firecracker cranberry and mustard sausages, and rich hot chocolate. You can gather around fire pits to toast marshmallows, and sip mulled wine to get in the Christmas spirit.
Getting there
A sat nav tends to take you down a network of single-track Cornish lanes. Travelling via St Austell and following the brown tourist signs is best.
Christmas at Trelissick
Although there’s a Christmas market held at Trelissick, it’s only on selected dates. If you miss it, don’t worry – there’s plenty more festive fun to enjoy here. This National Trust estate with gorgeous maritime views is another lovely Cornwall spot to add to your road trip. The main house is splendidly decorated for Christmas, there’s live music courtesy of local choirs, and look out for visits from Father Christmas at weekends and in the build-up to Christmas.
Children can follow a Christmas trail, and then you can find last-minute Christmas gifts in the shop and the food and drink in the barn café and house tearoom.
Getting there
Use postcode TR3 6QL for sat nav directions. You’ll follow the A39 from Falmouth or Truro, then onto the B3289 at Playing Place and follow brown signposts or signs to the King Harry Ferry. The entrance to Trelissick will be on your right.
Take the reins with Turo
Land Rover Discovery Sport
Hire a Land Rover, perfect for those bumpy one-way tracks down the coast. With enough room for three people in the back and plenty of room to pile in bags, it’s ideal if you’re travelling with family or if you’re planning a bit of Christmas shopping and need a decent-sized boot!
Audi A1
Hire an Audi A1 for a decent amount of space when you prefer not to drive an SUV or a big car.
Fiat Punto
Why not try a Fiat Punto? It’s small yet mighty, perfect for those small lanes and tight parking spots.
Europe
If you fancy travelling further to find the most festive Christmas markets, take a road trip with Turo to some European festive favourites this Christmas. Some unique European Christmas markets are off the main train routes and city centre locations, making them perfect for a scenic Christmas drive.
To get to Europe, you can take Le Shuttle from Dover or car ferries from various ports on the UK coast. You’ll just permission from Turo and your host to take the car to the continent.
Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany
While the Frankfurt Christmas Market is famous, there are other wonderfully traditional German Christmas markets. Known for its mediaeval charm and cobbled streets, Rothenburg’s Christmas Market is one of Germany’s oldest. Located along the Romantic Road, it’s best accessed by car, and you can experience Bavarian landscapes on your journey there.
Thronging with Christmas shoppers, Rothenburg Christmas Market is a winter wonderland perfect for a festive evening to get you in the Christmas spirit. Expect plenty of schnitzel and delicious glühwein, a traditional hot drink enjoyed at German Christmas markets.
If you like the sound of a traditional German Christmas market but can’t get to Germany this Christmas, it’s worth knowing that Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market is the largest German-style Christmas market outside of Germany and Austria.
Getting there
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is 581 miles from London, and the journey by car takes approximately 11 and a half hours.
Kaysersberg, France
Nestled in the Alsace region, the Kaysersberg Christmas Market is in a picturesque fairytale town of half-timbered houses. It’s a drive from Strasbourg, making it an excellent choice for exploring the Alsace Wine Route’s smaller, beautiful Christmas markets, considered some of Europe’s best.
The Kaysersberg Christmas Market is wonderfully authentic, adding to the charm of an already festive town. Residents decorate their windows with Christmas garlands, and after nightfall, the city is illuminated with Christmas lights. You’ll smell cinnamon and mulled wine, creating a festive atmosphere.
Peruse the festive stalls lining the streets and try the regional specialities, including bredeles, Christmas biscuits with almonds, nuts, anise, chocolate or vanilla, or kougelhopfs, a ring cake made with brioche with a mug of hot chocolate or glass of mulled wine.
Getting there
Kaysersberg is around 480 miles from London, and you should allow at least ten hours for the journey.
Vipiteno, Italy
This Italian town in South Tyrol has one of the most beautiful Christmas markets, full of Alpine character. The Christmas market is held every day in December 2024, including Christmas Eve, in the old mining area of the old town. There’s a festive atmosphere here, filled with light, colour, and Christmas scents. The imposing Torre delle Dodici overlooks the main square, where handmade figures in the Nativity scene are displayed and hosted.
While finishing up some Christmas shopping at the Christmas market, you can enjoy plenty of local food and drink, including speck, mulled wine, and warm apple juice.
Getting there
Vipiteno is best accessed by car, allowing you to drive through the breathtaking Dolomites and adding a sense of adventure to your holiday experience. It’s around 800 miles from London, and you’ll need to allow about 16 hours for the road trip.
Take the reins with Turo
Mercedes A Class
Experience comfort and luxury travel with this Mercedes A Class, equipped with a panoramic glass roof, to check out those fantastic road trip views.
Vauxhall Agila
Compact and versatile, this Vauxhall is a budget-friendly travel option with plenty of room for luggage and Christmas presents if you decide to make a last-minute dash to the continent for Christmas!
Range Rover Sport
If you’re looking for extra room for the family, try out a Range Rover Sport with seven seats so everyone can travel in comfort and style.
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