A fantastic way to reward your students for working hard across the year, school trips to the brilliant Christmas markets here in the UK are great fun for pupils. Although there are plenty of enchanting Christmas markets further afield, the Christmas markets here in the UK certainly hold their own. In fact, coupled with their easy accessibility, reduced travel time and great value for money, not to mention being easy to arrange in a short space of time, they could be the perfect school trip option for your class.
To spark a few ideas as to where you could whisk your students off to this season, here are four magical Christmas markets in the UK.
London boasts a number of fantastic Christmas markets across the city, all offering a range of delicious festive foods, hand crafted goods and seasonal treats for students to enjoy. A brilliant enrichment trip, exploring the markets can not only help students grow their confidence and gain more independence, but it’s also a great opportunity for them to bond with their classmates.
So, with London home to numerous Christmas markets, how do you choose which ones to explore? Although it’s fair to say most of them are brilliant, our favourite has to be the Angels Christmas Market in Hyde Park, part of the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. With over 200 traditional Bavarian-style wooden chalets to discover, not to mention a Helter Skelter and an ice rink, there’s certainly a lot to keep your students entertained.
One of the biggest Christmas markets in the UK, the award-winning Manchester Christmas markets attract visitors from all over the North West. An exciting combination of festive food and drink stalls combined with crafts, jewellery and decorations, students are sure to find a few Christmas presents amongst this treasure trove.
We recommend following the festive trail across the city which will take you past everything Manchester’s traditional markets have to offer, however if you’re short on time, make sure your students don’t miss out on exploring Albert’s Square. Home to some of the best food stalls and the city’s iconic sparkling Santa, students can soak up the festive atmosphere at the heart of Manchester’s festivities.
The largest German Christmas market outside Germany and Austria, Birmingham’s Frankfurt Christmas Market was set up after a partnership agreement between the two cities. Birmingham’s Victoria Square and New Street come alive each year with an abundance of traditional goods and gifts, along with a glorious selection of tempting German treats.
As you make your way around the markets, we’d also recommend sampling a classic German Bratwurst and an indulgent hot chocolate – something your students aren’t likely to forget!
If there’s one city that knows how to throw a good festival, it’s Edinburgh. With their European Christmas market held at East Princes St Gardens, the market’s eclectic mix of bespoke and traditional Christmas gifts, crafts, art and range of delicious gastronomic delights are sure to please your students!
If that wasn’t enough, Edinburgh also plays host to their own Scottish Christmas market over on West George Street, which is one of the best places to enjoy a Bratwurst or two! If students choose to explore the picturesque city even further, they could also stumble across the fantastic oval ice rink in St. Andrew Square, or they could even go for a spin on the Big Wheel and admire the magical city in all its glory from the skies.