Just before Christmas I crammed my diary with festive treats, including markets, shows, and of course, shopping! I visited Birmingham’s Christmas market along New Street which is Britain’s largest German market, and has been around now for two decades. See what delights were on offer!
There were a lot of stalls selling Christmas decorations, from brightly coloured baubles to traditional wooden soldiers. They make the perfect Christmas market souvenir.
Stalls aplenty, you can buy hot German food items such as hot dogs, chips, schnitzel and potato cakes, and quench your thirst with mulled wines, ciders and numerous beers. And when you’re done with those there are lots of stalls selling waffles, chocolates and stollen. It’s a great place to fill yourself up, and everything is a £1 cheaper than London – ace!
When you’re done eating you can get started on your Christmas shopping. From soaps to scarves, candles to wooden figures, you’re bound to find a heap of presents for friends and family.
And when you’re finished fighting the crowds and the stalls begin to close, you can look up and admire the blue and white Christmas lights.
We really enjoyed our visit, although being so close to Christmas the market and the shops were exceptionally busy. They quietened down a lot in the evening, so if you go I’d advise waiting until later to soak up the atmosphere. However it’s worth noting that many areas of Birmingham are alcohol free zones, so finish your drinks before going into these. Secondly, many mulled wine and beer stands require a £4-5 deposit for the glass/mugs. You can keep them instead of getting your refund back, and they do make lovely mementos.
