Käthe Wohlfahrt on Stonegate which resides in a “grand half-timbered shop” built in 1434, was also praised by The Times for its “kaleidoscopic range of baubles”.
Commenting on its festive guide, the publisher said: “Whether you need new hand-painted baubles or novelty trimmings (a cheese-shaped glass ornament, maybe?) the UK’s finest year-round Christmas shops have the lot.
“The seven featured below (open seven days a week, unless otherwise specified) are in some of the country’s most popular tourist haunts, so you can turn your shopping trip into a full-blown festive weekender with seasonal nibbles, entertainment and a cosy hotel too.”
@kaethewohlfahrt Dieser Baum steht im Eingangsbereich vom #Weihnachtsdorf in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Überall wo wir sind, erlebt ihr Weihnachts-Magie! 🌟🤩👍 🎄❓️Wo kannst du uns besuchen, um besondere Schätze zu entdecken?❓️🎄 Unsere liebevoll gestalteten Fachgeschäfte findest du in: Rothenburg ob der Tauber, #Berlin , #Nürnberg ♬ White memory (Christmas song) – SOUND BANK
You can see all seven of the best Christmas shops the UK has to offer here.
What did The Times say about York’s Käthe Wohlfahrt?
The publisher shared: “For good old German craftsmanship, you can hardly do better than the UK’s only location of the Teutonic Christmas company Käthe Wohlfahrt, in a grand half-timbered shop built in 1434.
“Check out the timeless wooden nutcrackers, cuckoo clocks, delicate glass figurines and a kaleidoscopic range of baubles.”
The Times added: “You’re then just steps from towering York Minster — home to some epic carol concerts, plus a month-long tree festival featuring 70 decorated evergreens (prices vary; December 5-January 5; yorkminster.org).
“The opulent interior displays alone are worth a look before you check into historic Grays Court, an antique-stuffed hotel that was once home to the treasurers of the Minster.”
Unique British Christmas Traditions
On its website, Käthe Wohlfahrt reveals: “In August 2016, the first year-round Käthe Wohlfahrt Christmas shop in England opened in picturesque York. York is easy to reach from London, Manchester or Leeds.
“In the middle of the old town and only 200m from the impressive York Minster, ‘Mulberry Hall’, one of the oldest and most beautiful houses in York, has been home to a unique Christmas world over two floors.
“The listed half-timbered building from 1434 alone, with its Tudor-style facade and priest hole on the upper floor, is worth a visit.
“In the historic facades, all visitors can immerse themselves in a magical Christmas world.
“Experience a world that leaves nothing to be desired and presents modern styles alongside the familiar and traditional. The friendly shop staff look forward to your visit!”
On Tripadvisor, Käthe Wohlfahrt has a 4.5/5 rating from 100 reviews.
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One customer wrote: “This was such a cool, quaint little shop. I’m not a big Christmas guy, but I went in twice during my trip to York. It’s just so cute and the theming is amazing. It really got me excited for Christmas and it’s extra special that this shop is in a 500-year old building.
“If you’re tall like me, be prepared to crouched throughout the top floor. There’s just so much attention to detail in the displays and the ornaments and baubles themselves. Don’t get me STARTED on the cuckoo clock room.
“This is probably one of the best themed shops in England, I can’t really think of any others apart from a few other shops in the shambles and probably Hamleys in London. this cute and quirky German shop looks at home in Stonegate.”
