Well hello to you my reader chums! The festive season has arrived with classic carols, Christmas décor at every turn and of course, the excitement the Christmas markets bring. One of my favourite things about Christmas time are their markets; I love the heart-warming atmosphere, quirky stalls and most importantly, the street food!
The weekend just gone, I visited Leeds Castle Christmas markets in Maidstone and the famous Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park, London. Here's a look at what I got up to...
I have annual passes to Leeds Castle in Maidstone as it's one of the biggest landmarks near us and I'm able to visit it often. This comes in handy when events like this are on if we'd like a nice stroll or even a picnic in the summertime. From the last weekend of November to the weekend before Christmas, Leeds Castle put on their Christmas markets. As I'm a sucker for all things festive markets, I couldn't wait to see what was in store.
Leeds Castle Christmas Market, Maidstone Kent
I went to Cologne, Germany last year for their markets and Leeds Castle was like a mini version of that with all the festive cheer. With lit up stalls featuring trinkets to handbags, delicious street food, rides and blaring Christmas tunes, you couldn't help but feel festive. There was also an area to meet the reindeers and even a few owls - something I didn't expect.
Leeds Castle thought of everything; its Christmas tree glistened in the night sky with children's laughter and festive songs filling the air as you strolled by.
My favourite part was the stalls; when it comes to markets, you always find little unique items, that aren't usually sold in typical high street shops. From wooden tree decorations, personalised key rings to handmade accessories, it's a fab place to pick up some quirky stocking fillers. The Ferris wheel and spinning swing ride were also my highlights - we had such a laugh.
Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park, London
I ventured down to Winter Wonderland with a few of my best pals. We're all big London fans but I hadn't actually been to Winter Wonderland before that day and wasn't too sure what to expect. After a bit of lunch, we made our way down to Hyde Park for a lot of Christmas fun.
Winter Wonderland was huge and ever so magical! Packed with sparkling Christmas stalls, jaw-dropping rides, live music and food places, there was plenty to feast your eyes on.
We spent a while mooching about and soaking in the Christmas atmosphere. As it was a Monday, the place wasn't that crowded which was a bonus because we were able to explore without getting pushed around.
The food scene was my favourite part - I love walking past stalls and taking in the scents of all different street foods. The best option had to be Nutella Dutch pancakes, probably the most delicious yet sickly choice. If you head to Winter Wonderland - put these at the top of your list!
The stalls were very similar to Leeds Castle with quirky Christmas ornaments, leather bags, candles and all small stocking style gifts but there were a lot more on offer. Hyde Park is massive and the stalls definitely filled up a good chunk of it.
The decorations had to be a highlight - I just love anything super festive! With ropes of glitzy lights, flashing lights and Christmas trees, it makes for a candid Christmas card shot.
We had a fab time altogether, playing games, drinking hot chocolate and chatting as we mooched about the stalls; a day that got us all in the Christmas spirit!
Tips before heading to Winter Wonderland, London
- Book activities like ice skating in advance to avoid disappointment on the day
- Rides can be very expensive so I'd recommend picking a few of your favourites, otherwise, they can add up quickly
- Most things will require cash so bring that with you, otherwise, you'll have to pay to use their cash machines on site
- Go on a weekday if you can to avoid large crowds
I hope you enjoyed this festive post! Which Christmas markets have you visited this year?
Thank you for reading <3
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Alongside Paris and Dubai, I believe this is one of the best destinations for any festive. Thank God for you generosity and sharing of this blog now I know of Leeds.
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