1 week Ago By [email protected] (Liv Clarke)
Manchester’s very own Christmas markets have now opened to the public, with dozens of stalls lining the city’s streets and squares, selling everything from Yorkshire pudding wraps to garden decorations. Thousands of visitors will descend upon the city in the coming weeks and many more across the UK will host their own. Yet nestled deep in the Peak District is a Christmas market which offers a rather unique experience, and is very much a world away from the bustling crowds you’ll find at city-based markets.
It’s found in Haddon Hall, a 900-year-old fortified manor house located two miles south of Bakewell. The hall provides a majestic setting for its annual Mercatum Christmas Artisan Markets, held over five long weekends in the run up to the big day, launching on Wednesday, November 13th. It brings together more than 245 artisans and makers, including ceramicists, artists, chocolatiers, candle makers and perfumers.
READ MORE: The best alternative Christmas markets to visit in Greater Manchester This year’s market promises to be “bigger, better and more captivating than ever”. Stalls will take over the hall’s magically-decorated courtyard, Tudor and Elizabeth rooms, as well as the stunning garden. The 900-year-old hall provides a magical setting for festive shopping (Image: Echo PR) Haddon Hall certainly delivers when it comes to fairytale surroundings for a Christmas market, with twinkling lights, luxurious decorations and beautiful Christmas trees grown on the Haddon Estate.
The hall’s lower courtyard will be transformed into an Alpine Village, featuring chalets selling all sorts of gifts, while live music will add to the festive atmosphere. New for this year, Haddon’s Stable Studio will offer daily craft demonstrations, including basket weaving, wreath making, card printing and Christmas table decoration making. The sessions are completely free to attend and visitors are invited to drop in throughout the day.
Another addition for 2024 is the food and drink hall, hosting producers selling a range of tasty goodies including from wine and gin to chutney and cheese. There’ll be seating here too where visitors can relax and tuck into their treats. Browse stalls from more than 250 artisans and makers (Image: Echo PR) Lady Edward Manners said: “Our Mercatum Christmas Artisan Market has grown in stature over the past few years, due to the quality of our wonderfully talented and carefully curated artisans and makers, and because this event gives visitors the chance to both shop and see the hall in all its festive glory.
There’s so much to experience and enjoy this year, and with more dates available, we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors from far and wide.” Tickets for the markets cost £11 for adults - including parking - (aged 16 and over) and £3.50 for children aged five to 15.
Infants aged four and under go free. Tickets are available for the morning from 9.15am to 1pm, and the afternoon from 1.
15pm to 5pm. This year Historic House members can visit the market free of charge, paying only for parking (£3.80) and there is also the option to purchase a Green ticket, with those travelling by public transport able to stay at the market all day, and pay £9 per person.
All tickets include admission to the hall itself. The markets will run: Wednesday 13 – Sunday 17 November Wednesday 20 – Sunday 24 November Wednesday 27 – Sunday 1 December Wednesday 4 – Sunday 8 December Wednesday 11 – Sunday 15 December Tickets can be bought on the Haddon Hall website in advance, or on the day. For more of the latest What's On news, click here.
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