Ferry for Christmas Market & Shopping

smallorfaraway

As someone not terribly keen on flying, is there anyone who could recommend somewhere in mainland Britain that is easily accessible from ferry ports with good shopping & maybe even a Christmas market? Just hoping to get a couple of days away at start of Dec. Thanks for any advice

Layinghen

Which ferry port in Ireland are you thinking of travelling out of?

smallorfaraway

Oh sorry i forgot that any of the Dublin or Belfast area ports. We are in Donegal.

Layinghen

If you do Dublin Holyhead about 1.5/2 hours drive away near Chester there is a big designer outlet mall called Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet. The town of Chester is beautiful as well very olde worlde ! Not sure about Christmas markets but wouldn't be surprised if Chester did something along those lines. Hope this info helps. Enjoy.

smallorfaraway

Oh sounds great, thank you - i will check that out. Great to get personal views on these things

hytrogen

the Christmas markets of Birmingham are parred with (if I remember correctly) Hamburg, I was there a few years ago & considering it's in the mid-lands it is quite a cool spot for shopping (as the misses proclaimed), sights, food & entertainment.
The main street is lined with cool wooden stalls with loads of stuff. We thought it got a bit pricey the second year we were there but that's typical when you go back again. a pound more for a cup of glu-wine. Last time we were there was in 2008.
The other hotspot to go would be Bicester, again according to her there's a great outlet place there that does like top end brands at a really discount price? especially for things like sailing gear

smallorfaraway

Thanks Hytrogen! Will check those out too. Much appreciated

H2G2

Birmingham market well worth it.
http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/frankfurtmarket

tatli_lokma

another +1 for Birmingham. Very atmospheric, and 'christmassy'. Only thing I would say against it is that I noticed several of the stalls all had the same stuff - so same decorations, lots of the same sweeties etc. But still all very nice, lots of crafty things and loads of nice food stalls. The general shopping in Birmingham is good too - the bullring is huge, with loads of shops to suit all budgets. And they have a krispy kreme!

smallorfaraway

Oh a Krispy Kreme! How did you know i plan all my trips around where i can eat?? Lol!

LordSutch

Chester is a nice place to shop, not too big and it has a nice vibe.

tatli_lokma

smallorfaraway wrote: »

Oh a Krispy Kreme! How did you know i plan all my trips around where i can eat?? Lol!

I think you and I could be great friends!!! Lol

Pablo Sanchez

Edinburgh has a lovely x mas market, you could take the ferry from Belfast to Stranrar, probably a 3 hr drive from there.

smallorfaraway

Oh I've been to Edinburgh at Christmas, truly magical wanted to try out somewhere new, with a little less driving. But really, anyone who hasn't been, highly highly recommended; and not just at Christmas. Edinburgh is just fantastic.

@Tatli always room for cake and foodie friends lol!