I visited an 'underdog' UK Christmas market - it has really upped its game

If you're looking for a caller Christmas marketplace this year, there's 1 that's a existent deed with foodies (Image: North News Pictures Ltd)

Each twelvemonth erstwhile the festive play rolls astir successful the UK, astir large cities unfastened up their Christmas markets - and wandering astir is the cleanable mode to walk an afternoon. 

Full of chalet-like stalls brimming with thoughtful gifts, delicious seasonal snacks and mulled wine, there's surely nary abbreviated of options to sojourn present successful the UK. 

But if you're keen to acquisition 1 that's a small spot unique, you'll privation to adhd 1 city to your list, arsenic its Christmas marketplace has been described arsenic a existent 'underdog' by the radical astatine Which?. 

Loved for its nutrient options arsenic good arsenic immoderate 'weird and fantastic twists', this metropolis is besides 1 of the cheapest places to walk a night, with hotel prices averaging £90. 

Chronicle Live writer Barbara Hodgson paid a sojourn to the Newcastle Christmas Market connected its opening time astatine the weekend, discovering that it has a 'whole caller vibe' for this twelvemonth - here's her thoughts connected wherefore you should visit. 

You tin publication these cosy igloos astatine the Newcastle Christmas marketplace (Image: Chronicle Live)

This year, the marketplace has expanded to see a caller Christmas Village successful Old Eldon Square and six 'North Pole' igloos that you tin book.

Decked retired successful fairylights and florals, with furry throws implicit woody seat seats, the igloos are lukewarm and inviting - their heating was peculiarly invited connected specified a acold time and it made them much cosy than Barbara expected.

She said: "From their elevated position, the igloos - which are disposable to pre-book - person large views and if you prime the close 1 you tin spot down Grey Street oregon other instrumentality successful the hustle and bustle of the market. And during my greeting lookaround, the surrounding country became progressively busy."

The marketplace boasts plentifulness of chalet-like stalls packed with gifts specified arsenic jewellery and knitwear. And not to notation the nutrient vendors, specified arsenic the Grill Tower which serves up delicious bratwurst for waiting customers.

Santa and his elves 'really look the part' this twelvemonth (Image: North News Pictures Ltd)

Most of the 35-plus traders this twelvemonth are section and they span a large range. The Moosenwirt alpine barroom is an yearly favourite and is backmost successful its accustomed spot wherever respective radical are already gathered astir occurrence pits with their drinks.

Barbara continued: "I marque my mode to Old Eldon Square and present I find a full caller experience. The Christmas Village, a marketplace first, puts the greenish connected an adjacent footing this twelvemonth with its family-focused attractions. The fairground carousel is the archetypal happening to drawback the oculus and past there's its elephantine Christmas histrion other a treble tipi wherever Santa volition beryllium hosting communicative sessions passim the season.

"I person a look wrong the tipi and it's wide however overmuch attraction to item has gone into this caller kids' experience. Santa and his elves truly look the portion and adjacent to them cushions and seating are laid retired successful readiness for the increasing queue of children waiting patiently outside."

There's an Elf School connected the greenish and an outdoor Rockin' Robin show signifier wherever families tin publication a premix of festive sessions.

There were soon tons of radical milling astir and they had a prime of nutrient and portion stalls present too. The Christmas Market tin beryllium costly of people - which city's isn't - and Barbara saw nutrient dishes advertised astatine £12 and mulled vino from £6 but determination are cheaper snacks to beryllium had and this is simply a play for treats aft all.

And gift-wise, you mightiness good find things present that you haven't seen anyplace other - and astir are locally made.

The market, which volition beryllium unfastened regular from 10am until 8pm and until 5pm connected Sundays, volition proceed to run until December 22.