Set among honey-hued Georgian buildings and cobbled streets, the Bath Christmas Market is one of the most magical in the UK. From late November, the city transforms into a glowing festive wonderland filled with artisan chalets, a sparkling ice rink and the scent of roasted chestnuts drifting through the air. Wander between over 150 stalls selling hand-thrown ceramics, local gin, and handcrafted gifts before warming up with a mulled wine beneath Bath Abbey’s stained glass windows.

Where to stay: Perched at the top of Solsbury Hill, just outside the city, The Straw Bale Lodge is a romantic hideaway with panoramic views over Bath. After a day exploring the markets, slip into your private hot tub under the stars or unwind by the wood burner as the lights of Bath sparkle below. Enjoy the canopied bed and cosy kitchen stocked with your market day finds, then wake to sunrise over one of England’s most beautiful cities.

Step into a Dickensian dream at York Christmas Market, where the historic streets glow with fairy lights and the scent of cinnamon fills the frosty air. St Nicholas Fair is one of the best Christmas markets in the UK, featuring alpine chalets along Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square, brimming with handmade decorations, Yorkshire cheeses, and artisanal gifts. Wander the Shambles under twinkling garlands and climb Clifford’s Tower for panoramic views of the city dressed for Christmas.

Where to stay: Make your base at Lark, a sleek Scandinavian-style cabin nestled on the edge of the North York Moors. After a day of festive shopping, retreat to the outdoor bathing deck, where two brass tubs overlook the pond and night sky. Toast with something local, curl up by the fire and enjoy the stillness.

Against the dramatic backdrop of Exeter Cathedral, this beloved Christmas market fills the city with festive cheer for a whole month. Wander among more than a hundred twinkling chalets selling West Country produce, crafts, and festive gifts, and warm up with global street food or a local cider beneath the neon star installation by artist Peter Walker.

Where to stay: Just a short drive from the city, Holly Water Cabin is a beautifully designed escape for two. Cook up your market finds in the sleek kitchen, complete with a Smeg oven, then curl up by the wood burner and watch deer hop across the hedgerows as you slip into festive hibernation.

The Cotswolds and Christmas go together like roast turkey and cranberry sauce, and Cirencester Christmas Market captures that charm perfectly. The town’s historic streets sparkle with twinkling lights, carol singing, and even a sprinkling of snow during the Advent Market in late November. Between mulled wine and merry chatter, browse local crafts, decorations, and festive treats that make ideal gifts.

Where to stay: Follow the fairy lights through the trees to find Buzzard's Reach cabin in a private clearing, complete with wood burner, outdoor seating areas and a Japanese plunge bath perfect for warming up after a day in Cirencester’s festive streets. Stock up on produce at the market, then retreat here to cook, soak, and unwind beneath the stars.

Throughout December, Hereford hosts a series of festive markets in the heart of the cathedral city, with stalls selling handmade crafts, artisanal food and unique stocking fillers. Between sips of mulled cider and bites of mince pies, take a moment to visit the magnificent Hereford Cathedral to see Mappa Mundi, the world’s largest medieval map. It makes for an awe-inspiring winter sight.

Where to stay: Cosy up nearby at the appropriately named Holly Cabin, a curvaceous wooden pod with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking frosty fields on the Welsh border. After a day of shopping, soak in the hot tub under dark-sky stars. For a day trip, the literary town of Hay-on-Wye is only three miles away, hosting its own charming Christmas Fayre in early December.