Visiting Bath Christmas Market in 2023

Every year, the Bath Christmas Market takes place right in the heart of Bath, and is easily one of the best markets in the South West of England. The market is held near various historic landmarks in the city, including Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths.

There’s over 200 stores selling a variety of handmade gifts, decorations, and food the market is a great place to go gift shopping. From unique jewelry to locally made cheeses, you are sure to find the perfect gift for your loved ones (or yourself!). I also recommend trying the delicious hot chocolate or mulled wine to keep you warm while you shop.

There’s also the Bath on Ice outdoor ice rink at Royal Victoria Park, that I highly recommend visiting.

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When is the 2023 bath Christmas Market?

The 2023 Christmas market, will be held from Thusday 23rd November until Saturday 10th December. Bath on Ice 2023 is held from Friday 17th November until Wednesday 3rd Janaury 2024.

Where is the bath Christmas Market Located?

The market is spread up around various parts of the city, usually next to one of the cities main historical landmarks. Due to congestion, the markets locations were remapped in 2022 so if you’ve previously visited the market you’ll spot some changes to the layout.

Here’s a list of the 2023 locations:

• Bath Street, from the Pump Rooms to Saint Michael’s Place
• York Street, alongside the Roman Baths
• Kingston Parade outside Bath Abbey
• Orange Grove near the Guild Hall and Bath Abbey
• Abbey Chambers, next to Bath Abbey
• Abbey Green, which is a square near Abbey Street
• Abbey Gate Street, right next to Abbey Green
• Union Street, which is one of Bath’s main shopping streets
• Milson Street, the longest stretch of the market is held here running all the way from George Street down to New Bond Street.

Getting To The Market

Getting to Bath Christmas Market is easy and convenient. Whether you’re traveling by car, train, or public transport, there are plenty of options to choose from.

By Car

If you’re driving, there are several car parks close to the market as well as a Park and Ride service.

Car parking in Bath can be expensive, especially as many of the car parks now charge based on your vehicles emissions. Free parking for blue badge holders (disabled drivers) is limited, and most of the council car parks charge. Some of the car parks do have electric vehicle charging available but this isn’t free.

Some of the car parks that’ll still be accessible during the market are:

• Avon Street
• Bath Cricket Club
• Bath Sports and Lesiure Centre (Max 4 hours parking)
• Charlotte Street
• Cattle Market (Max 4 hours parking)
• Manvers Street
• Podium Shopping Centre
• SouthGate Car Park

The Park and Ride service is where you park and take a bus into the city. Bath will be really busy during the market, so you might have to queue ages for a parking spot. So I really do recommed avoiding the hassle and just using the Park and Ride. The service runs from three locations around Bath: Newbridge, Lansdown, and Odd Down. Find out more here.

By Train

If you’re coming from further afield, Bath is well-connected by train. Bath Spa station is located in the city center and is just a short walk from the start of the christmas market. Trains run regularly from London, Bristol, and other major cities.

By Bus/Coach

Bath is easily accessible by coach and the bus station is located within walking distance of the market.

National Express runs a direct route from London Victoria Coach Station to Bath Bus Station which takes 3-4 hours. They also have direct buses running from most major cities including Cardiff, Birmingham, and Cheltenham. You’ll also find non-direct routes, where you can connect to the routes that pass through these cities.

You could also book onto a coach trip. There’s different companies running coach trips to Bath Chrismas Market from all over the UK. Here’s some of the options available:

• From Somerset (near Taunton, Wellington or Bridgwater) – Berry’s is running two trips on 24th November and 9th Decemer
• From Wales (Pick up points near Merthyr, Mountain Ash, PontyPridd, Newport + more) – Brent Thomas is running two trips on 26th November and 6th December.
• From Swindon – Barnes Coaches is running two trips on the 30th November and 10th December.

Plus there’s loads more – way too many to list here. If you search “coach trips to Bath christmas market from [your nearest town or city name]” you’ll be sure to find something.

Bristol to Bath Christmas Market

If you’re staying in Bristol, it’s easy to get to Bath by train or bus. The journey takes around 15-20 minutes by train and around 1 hour by bus.

If you’re traveling by train, you’d board the GWR train at Bristol Temple Meads, to Bath Spa. Trains are wheelchair accessible and both stations have a decent level of accessibility with lift access.

If you’d prefer to use the bus, you can board the number 39. This bus travels between Bristol Bus Station and Bath Bus Station. It stops off at Bristol Temple Meads as well so if you’re arriving to Bristol by train you can easily get on the bus there.

Christmas Market Holidays

Another way to visit the market is to book a Christmas market holiday. This way you’ll get a more laid back experience, where everything is taken care of.

Shearing’s offer a selection of christmas market holidays such as:

• Weston-super-Mare and Bath Christmas Market Weekend: A long weekend visiting the seaside town of Weston-super-mare in Somerset, and Bath Christmas Market. Includes 3 nights in a hotel in Weston-Super-Mare.
• Weston-super-Mare, Bath and Bristol Christmas Market: A 4 day trip where you’ll stay 3 nights in Weston-Super-Mare and visit the Bath Christmas market, plus Bristol Christmas Market.

Both trips include accomodation at The Grand Atlantic Hotel and you’ll have time to see some of the best things to do in Weston-Super-Mare such as The Grand Pier.

Market Highlights

The Bath Christmas Market is a festive wonderland that offers a wide variety of activities, food, and shopping opportunities. Here are some of the highlights of this delightful market:

Stalls and Shopping

The 2023 christmas market has over 200 chalets! You’ll find a wide range of handmade gifts, christmas ornaments, food, drink and tons more.

Here’s just a few of the independant creators, stores and charities that’ll be at the market this year:

• Alpen Glow Candles – Soy wax and essential oil candle makers. They’ll be located on Milson Street.
• Bath Cats and Dogs Home – A local charity that helps rescue cats and dogs and helps to find them new homes. They’ll be located at the Guildhall
• Bath Chocolate Company – Locally made hand crafted chocolate, you’ll find them on Union Street.
• Colebrooke Clay – ceramic bowls, mugs and sculptures plus pottery and stone carvings from two independant artists. You’ll find along Green Street.
• Flapjackery – handmade and artisan flapjacks from Devon. They’ll be on Milson Street.
• ILO – They make sustainable gender-neutral clothing for kids age 0 to 5 years old. You’ll find them at Orange Grove.
• St Mungo’s: St Mungos is a charity that helps homeless people, with the aim of ending homelessness. They’ll be located on Milson Street.
• Zoe Rose Art – A local artist that uses sustainable methods to create prints, greeting cards and more.

Plus hundreds of more, way too many to list here. The above list is just a selection that was picked at random and isn’t in any particular order.

Festive Food and Drink

The market is a foodie’s paradise, with a variety of street food, mulled wine, and mince pies available to satisfy your cravings. Whether you’re looking for a sit-down meal at one of the many restaurants or a quick snack from one of the market stalls, you’ll definitely find some great food at the market.

Entertainment and Activities

The Bath Christmas Market offers a variety of entertainment and activities to keep you and your family entertained. I highly recommeding going skating at the Bath on Ice outdoor ice rink or try your luck at mini-golf. Both of which are located in Royal Victoria Park.

You could also enjoy listening to carols at Bath Abbey or attend one of its other Christmas events. Check their site for more information.

Where to stay in Bath

If you’re travelling from out of town, it’s a good idea to book your accommodation in advance. Bath has a variety of hotels, B&Bs, and guesthouses to choose from. Due to how popular the market is, most will sell out quite far in advance and the prices are likely to be higher.

Here’s some of the hotels you could consider booking:

• Dukes Bath, 5 Star hotel: located in the centre of Bath near to many of its sights including Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths. This makes it the perfect spot for visiting the market. All rooms inclue breakfast.
• The Lark, Four bedroom house: Located by the Roman Baths. Only 200 meters from Bath Abbey, putting it in the ideal location to visit the market. The house sleeps up to 10 people making it ideal for a family vacation.
• St Christopher’s Inn, budget hostel: that offers either mixed or female only dorms. The hostel has a bar, and cafe on site with the option to add breakfast onto your stay. The hostel is located on Green Street so you’ll be right by part of the market and within walking distance of the other sections.
• The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, 5 star hotel: If you’re looking for something special this Christmas you could stay at the Royal Crescent in this 5 star hotel. You’ll be able to enjoy their spa, indoor swimming pool and dine at their restaurant. The hotel overlooks Royal Victoria Park so you’ll have easy access to Bath on Ice. You’ll be about a 10 minute walk from the main area of the christmas market.

If you’re happy to stay outside of Bath you could look at accomodation in Bristol, which is only 15-20 minutes away by train. You could also consider staying at one of the nearby towns such as Corsham, or Trowbridge.

Beyond the Market

While the Bath Christmas Market is the highlight of the festive season in Bath, there’s much more to explore beyond the twinkling chalets. Here are a few suggestions for things to do in Bath during the holiday season.

Exploring Bath

Bath is a beautiful city with stunning architecture and fascinating history. Take a stroll through the city center and admire the Georgian buildings and landmarks such as the Royal Crescent and the Circus. You can also visit one of the many museums in Bath, such as the Roman Baths, the Jane Austen Centre, or the Fashion Museum.

Relax at the Thermae Spa

After a busy day of exploring the market, why not unwind at the Thermae Bath Spa? This award-winning spa offers a range of treatments and facilities, including rooftop thermal pools with stunning views of the city. You can also indulge in a spa package that includes a massage, facial, and use of the spa facilities.

Just make sure to book in advance, as the spa can sell out and on the day entry is limited.