by Ben Wilby
By December most caravanners will have put their tourers away for the year. With summer long gone and the October half-term a thing of the past it may seem that there are few opportunities to get out in the caravan.
For those who can’t stand the hustle and bustle of town centres, Christmas markets in rural areas are a great way of getting into the Christmas spirit – without getting stressed out.
A caravan can be an invaluable tool for this, offering a perfect way to visit new areas of the country and see many of the wonderful craft events taking place across the country cheaply.
The list below features five of the best of these markets. It is by no means a complete list, but these five have excellent reputations and are near a variety of convenient caravan sites.
1. Deepdale Christmas Market – 1 and 2 December
The Deepdale Christmas Market is an excellent market mixing ease of access with a great location. Situated in North Norfolk, it offers the chance to see this beautiful part of the country and get ready for Christmas all in one.
With its large open plains, Norfolk offers the perfect location for caravans and visiting in winter is a unique experience that is perfect for getting away from the rush.
Offering three large marquees, with over 60 stalls worth of craft items, activities to take part in and live entertainment – the market is large enough to easily fill a day.
A visit from Father Christmas is the icing on the cake and will ensure that the kids enjoy the day as much as their parents.
Nearby caravan parks: Whitehall Farm, and Sunnydene
2. Knaresborough Christmas Market – 1 and 2 December
Situated within the historic market town of Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, this Christmas market offers those in or travelling to the North of England a fantastic day out.
The town has an eclectic mix of events taking place over the weekend, from traditional Morris Dancing to Disco Dancing, ensuring the event will appeal to the entire family.
It’s not just demonstrations and shows however, with a large array of craft stalls also available for those eager to browse and buy Christmas presents.
Food also plays a large part in the festivities, with the large variety of cheeses a particularly popular feature of this market.
Make sure you stay until 4:30pm on the Sunday as the event finishes with a fireworks display inside the local castle.
Nearby caravan parks: Rudding Holiday Park, Lido Leisure Park, and Knaresborough Caravan Club Site
3. Caerphilly’s Medieval Christmas Fayre – 8 and 9 December
Caerphilly is a relatively small Welsh Town with an excellent Christmas market. Due to its proximity to both Cardiff and Newport it also represents a perfect way to get all your shopping done in a single weekend.
Filling both the town centre and the Castle, this Christmas market offers something for everyone as the town is transformed into a medieval village.
As a result this Medieval Fayre offers many events and demonstrations for all the history buffs out there, with a parade through the streets of the town taking place on both Saturday and Sunday.
It offers a large variety of local, seasonal produce, including award winning pies and local ale, should shopping get too much.
As well as this it features over 120 stalls selling a variety of craft products for young and old alike, from toy swords to sculptures.
Nearby caravan parks: Cwmcarn Forest, Pen y fan Caravan & Leisure Park
4. Padstow Christmas Market 7 – 9 December
Located near Newquay, Padstow is a well known area for caravanners and this fishing port offers a variety of delicious food for eager customers throughout the year.
At Christmas this area is turned into a large and lively Christmas market that serves up some of the region’s best dishes as well as demonstrations from some of the area’s greatest chefs.
The market is not just about food however, offering up a selection of jewellery, clothes, wooden toys and more that should help you find something for those in your life who are difficult to buy for.
Nearby caravan parks: Padstow Touring Park, Carnewas Farm Holidays, and Mother Ivey’s Bay Holiday Park
5. Mount Stuart Christmas Fair 9 December
The beautiful Mount Stuart, located on the isle of Bute, Scotland, is a stunning location for a trip. Described as ‘Scotland’s best-kept secret’ Mount Stuart features a large house and gardens.
Its location and remoteness make this a tricky place to get to, however there is a caravan site on the island itself and the house more than makes up for the trouble getting there.
The Christmas Fair takes place in a great location, the Marble Hall. Built using rare Italian and Sicilian marble and alabaster, it is an impressive sight and provides an amazing backdrop to the day’s festivities.
The market itself is a Christmas and food market and features many local products – perfect for those who enjoy giving unique gifts. The market will also feature Santa’s grotto, ensuring little ones are kept happy.
Nearby caravan parks: Roseland Lodge Park, and Carry Farm
To share your stories and experiences of visiting Christmas markets in your tourer please leave a comment underneath or visit our forum.
