Luxury and Romance in Bath

With its golden-stoned Georgian architecture, Roman Baths and Royal Crescent, Bath is one of the UK’s prettiest cities and the ideal setting for a weekend of relaxation and romance.

In the run-up to Christmas it becomes especially charming, lit up with twinkling lights, carol singers and brass bands adding to the festive magic. Bath Abbey provides a stunning backdrop to the Christmas Market, which sees more than 150 traditional wooden chalets fill the square and surrounding streets. There’s also an ice rink (until January 5) in Royal Victoria Park.

e Bath Christmas Market runs until December 15 (visitbath.co.uk)

Festive family fun in Salisbury

Smaller in scale but ideal for festive-themed family magic, this year Salisbury Christmas Market sees 71 delightfully-decorated wooden chalets fill Guildhall Square. A host of musical events will also take place, including performances by local school choirs. Pay a visit to Santa’s Grotto before marvelling at the arts and crafts on display and sampling some gourmet treats.

  • Salisbury Christmas Market runs until December 21 (visitwiltshire.co.uk)

Style and culture in London

Designer stores and high street heroes may line London’s West End streets, but it’s still possible to enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas shopping experience in the capital. Set beneath trees decorated with twinkling fairy lights, the Southbank Centre’s Christmas Market has borrowed some of the best ideas from its German counterparts and concentrated them into one easy-to-navigate riverside strip of traditional huts.

But while the smell of sizzling Bratwurst and spicy Gluhwein conjures up a distinctly German flavour, there’s a global feel to the colourful stalls, selling goods ranging from knitted finger puppets made in Peru, to sugar-coated churros from Spain.

  • Southbank Christmas Market runs until December 24 (southbankcentre. co.uk/winter-festival/markets)

Swansea Christmas market and waterfront winterland

Red and green wooden chalets bring a touch of festive alpine charm to the coastal South Wales city of Swansea, as the annual market sees the city centre abuzz with shoppers. While grown-ups enjoy a mulled wine, kids can say hello to Santa in his grotto. Visitors can even step inside a giant snow globe for a photo souvenir, and there’s something for everybody at the award-winning Waterfront Winterland, where funfair highlights include the penguin party ride for little’uns and the 62m-high Star Flyer, as well as two family-friendly ice rinks.

  • Swansea Street Market runs until December 22. Waterfront Winterland is open until January 5 (swanseachristmas.com)

Edinburgh christmas markets

Soulful and vibrant all year round, the streets of Edinburgh are an extra special treat when Christmas comes to town. There’s something for everyone, with a traditional European Market taking place around The Mound, a Scottish Market in St Andrew’s Square, as well as a new Children’s Market. Attractions and fairground rides are across the city, including the 60m-high Star Flyer and 36-pod Big Wheel, so you can take in the sights from the sky. Kids can explore the Christmas Tree Maze where – if they find the centre – elves will be waiting with gifts, before hopping onboard the Santa Train. What Christmas dreams are made of...

  • Edinburgh Christmas Markets run until January 5 (visitscotland.com)