A PRETTY market town in the north of England has been named as one of the best places for a Christmas staycation.
Sitting next to one of the country’s largest lakes, Keswick is a very small town, with fewer than 5,000 residents.
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While it remains a popular summer holiday destination thanks to its proximity to Derwentwater, it’s also one of the best Christmas staycation spots, according to a group of experts.
A team of travel experts at Independent Cottages revealed the best Brit-loved destinations for a festive break.
The boss of Independent Cottages, Matthew Fox, reported a 32 per cent increase in Christmas bookings for rental properties over the last three years.
Keswick was ranked fourth in the research after the likes of Matlock in Derbyshire, Penrith in Cumbria and Dentdale in Yorkshire.
Read More on Christmas Travel
The experts at Independent Cottages named the Victorian Fayre at Keswick as a top festive attraction.
Taking place for just one day, the town’s Victorian Fayre will feature 30 charity stalls selling a selection of homemade crafts and festive food and drink.
This year, the Victorian Fayre will be held on December 1.
Santa Splash is also slated to make a return for 2024.
Here, spectators will be able to watch Christmas-themed teams battle to race each other across Derwentwater in Canadian canoes.
There are plenty of other attractions to explore, including the market, which has previously been named the best outdoor market in the country.
More than 60 stalls are set up every Thursday and Saturday (Feb – Dec) to sell snacks, clothes and goods.
The manager of Keswick market, Phil Byers, previously said: “There is always an amazing atmosphere at our market, we have a great range of traders who all offer something diverse and unique.”
Visitors can sample ales and ciders in cosy traditional pubs like the Bank Tavern, the Wainwright and the Dog and Gun.
For families, there’s Puzzling Place, a “fun attraction with illusion exhibits, a gallery of holograms and 3D images”.
Derwent Pencil Museum is also popular among visitors, receiving thousands of positive reviews online.
Derwentwater Lake and Lake Bassenthwaite, the third and fourth largest lakes in the Lake District, are also nearby.
Visitors can walk around the lakes, or experience them from the water with a Keswick lake cruise.
The boats sail around Derwentwater, showing off the surrounding scenery, including Skiddaw, England’s fourth highest mountain.
Four Other Victorian Christmas markets in the UK
HERE are four other Victorian Christmas markets to visit in the UK.
- Rochester Dickensian Christmas Festival – Held in Rochester, Kent, this festival celebrates Charles Dickens and his works. The market features Victorian street performers, costumed characters, and traditional stalls.
- York Christmas Market (St Nicholas Fair) – Located in York, this market transforms the city into a winter wonderland with Victorian-style chalets, festive decorations, and a vintage carousel.
- Stratford-upon-Avon Victorian Christmas Market – This market in the birthplace of Shakespeare offers a variety of stalls, street entertainment, and costumed vendors, all set against the historic backdrop of Stratford-upon-Avon.
- Gloucester Quays Victorian Christmas Market – Situated in the historic Gloucester Docks, this market features Victorian characters, traditional market stalls, and festive entertainment, including a vintage carousel and an ice rink.
Meanwhile, this travel writer thinks their hometown has the best Christmas attraction in the UK.
A city in Germany has been dubbed “Christmas city” because it has one of the world’s oldest and most famous Christmas markets.
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