Recently Elaine and Talia went on a special trip to the Christmas Markets in Manchester! It was great and to have a day out and see what was on offer at the stalls, and a chance to feel Christmassy!
The Manchester markets are award winning and return every year, with more than 300 stalls of international food,drinks and gifts for everyone. The stalls are spread throughout the city centre, including Cathedral Gardens, Market Street, Exchange Square, Corn Exchange, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, King Street, St Ann’s Square and St Albert Square. The stalls are still on till the 23rd December so there’s still time to visit!
Even the many scrooges of the world, (and we met a few on the day!) can’t help but enjoy the crazy number of things to see and do at the markets! After a long afternoon around Manchester, we found The Mill Exchange stall, helping carry on the tradition of the Christmas Market mugs, as you can have your drink and keep the mug. Many people collect them every year.
We do recommend the hot chocolate and ginger and honey mulled wine! After taking a selfie with our well-earned drinks, we ventured further into the stalls, which are scattered around the different streets, so you never know what you will find! This definitely happened to us, as randomly we came across Carl and The Name Factory!
The Name Factory is a personalisation embroidery business, selling cute little teddy bears and dolls with your name on, so of course this caught our eye! Carl will stitch any name you want on a bear, and just as he told us, even some crazy names, like Hashtag! It was wonderful and interesting to meet Carl, who has the same kind of business as us but runs it completely differently, as we work from one place and online, Carl travels around the country visiting markets and shopping centres embroidering on the spot!
Carl’s the Name Factory doesn’t have any social media or a website, but he’ll still be at the markets so go and check it out!
We found lots of traditional market stalls, the international food stalls, the gingerbread and sweets, and the traditional windmill attractions, which look so amazing lit up at night! Even if you don’t want to purchase anything, the markets are a great attraction to just have a look around, it’s the complete visual Austrian style market experience!
Elaine was then looking to find the perfect winter hat, and we luckily came across this stall, with Jenny, at The Closet Boutique. It’s a women’s clothing boutique and also specialises in winter warmers, the perfect product for this time of year! There was lots a stylish bobble hats and scarves, some with detachable bobbles! You can find the Closet Boutique still at the markets now!
Other stalls we came across and loved, included the Wooden Tie Company! We met Lindsay at the Wooden Tie Company stall, and she told us her business has been running for 16 years! She makes ties, bow ties and beard combs all out of wood! Go and check out her stall in the main Albert Square Christmas market.
We also found a stall how create everything ‘Manchester’, merchandise completely devoted to celebrating the city, with lots of Manchester bee hoodies, mugs and even car stickers.
Ultimately, we really do recommend the Manchester markets, they are the perfect place to experience a festive Austrian style market, but right on your doorstep, if you’re local! We feel so lucky that we have such amazing places to sight see locally, and you can find the most interesting people and products right where you wouldn’t imagine! {even wooden ties!)
