Posted: 06.10.26
There's a particular kind of theatre to Bath when winter arrives. Long before dusk settles over the River Avon, the city’s honeyed Georgian stone begins to hum with quiet festive anticipation. Fairy lights awaken in the boughs of ancient plane trees, casting an amber glow across sweeping crescents, classical porticos, and narrow steets. Bath Christmas Market has always possessed the intimate charm of an illustrated vintage tale, but this season, the centre of the city feels alive with handcrafted wonder and creative vitality.
Bath Christmas Market is open daily from Thursday 26th November to Sunday 13th December with the opening hours below:-
Monday to Wednesday: 10am to 7pm
Thursday to Saturday: 10am to 8pm
Sunday: 10am to 6pm
Wandering among the timber chalets, you'll discover none of the predictable, mass-produced novelties that clutter ordinary seasonal fairs. Instead, the Bath Christmas market remains passionately devoted to regional craft, quiet artistry, and independent makers who pour imagination into their trade. Curious collectors and thoughtful shoppers uncover hand-thrown ceramics from Somerset potteries, small-batch perfumes steeped in West Country botanicals, tactile woollen blankets, and bespoke jewellery glinting beneath canvas awnings. Each chalet feels like an intimate open studio, offering meaningful keepsakes steeped in provenance, narrative, and lasting care.
What makes Bath so intoxicating during market season is how effortlessly the festive energy ripples into the wider city. Beyond the chalet clusters spread acorss the streets, independent bookshops, vintage emporiums, and candlelit tearooms glow with welcoming warmth along Milsom Street, Walcot Street, and Margaret’s Buildings whilst over in Royal Victoria Park, skaters carve graceful arcs across the illuminated open-air rink beneath a canopy of twinkling trees.
Image credits: Bath Christmas Market and Jessie Myers (Soul Media)
Even the simple act of gift hunting feels elevated here. You'll find yourself lingering in quiet conversation with passionate makers, discovering the personal narratives behind hand-carved wooden tableware, mouth-blown glassware, or fragrant beeswax candles dipped in rural workshops across the Mendips. There is something delightfully grounding about choosing presents directly from the people whose hands shaped them, turning every purchase into a shared moment rather than a transactional task.
The entire city conspires in creating a slower, kinder rhythm, gently nudging you away from chaotic online baskets and back toward tactile discovery. Rather than enduring a stressful high-street scramble, you find yourself happily unhurried, pausing to admire grand Georgian cornices dusted with crisp morning frost, sipping mulled cider or wine, and thoroughly savouring the nostalgic pleasures of seeking out that perfect gift. Whether you seek unique artistic treasures or simply wish to soak up luminous ambiance, it remains an utterly spellbinding, quintessential seasonal tradition.
If you'd like to find out more about the stallholders at this year's market take a look here.
Why Stay at No. 15 Bath?
When your shopping totes are delightfully laden and a brisk winter chill begins nipping at your cheeks, slipping away to No. 15 Bath is pure serendipity. A short 10 minute stroll from the market and nestled along the grand Georgian sweep of Great Pulteney Street, our characterful townhouse offers the dreamiest refuge from bustling festive crowds. Swap frosty cobbles for sink-into velvet armchairs, spin vintage vinyl beside a crackling hearth, and wander downstairs to our subterranean spa for slow, restorative rituals.
With generous help-yourself pantry treats included as part of your stay, whimsical design details, and deeply restful rooms, No. 15 transforms an inspiring market day into an unforgettable, delightfully indulgent winter escape.
Top tip - if you're arriving by train pre book our complimentary luggage pick up service. We'll meet you from the train and whisk your bags back to the hotel in our cargo bike, leaving you to explore Bath Christmas Market and the rest of the city, hands free and safe in the knowledge that your luggage will be safely waiting for you when you return to the hotel.
Image credits: Bath Christmas Market and Jessie Myers (Soul Media)
Wake up to the tide. Unwind with the horizon 🌊
Just steps away from the beach…
Help yourself pantry…take your pick!
Slow sunset evenings
Golden hour magic in your room ✨
A cocktail at the bar. And another…
Views from your bed 🌊
A good seat, a perfectly shaken drink, and nowhere else you need to be.
Settle into the evening with us in Bath, York, Brighton, or Margate 🍸✨
If you’ve been telling yourself you’ll book a spa day ‘once things calm down’ — you’re the exact person The Spa at No. 1 York was designed for...
The Virginia Creeper has been signalling Autumn in York...🍁
If you want to make the most of your weekday getaway to this city there`s The `Ber month break offer
Stay 1 night = 15% off, 2 nights = 20% off, 3 nights = 35% off - book 3 weeks ahead
For stays Sunday-Thursday, room only until 11th November
Check-in series #12
No. 124 Brighton - Guest Room
Looking over the spa and city, these rooms make for the perfect cosy getaway for two or a very lovely solo staycation. All the usual GuestHouse goodies, walk-in shower and king-size bed. Found on the first, second, third and fourth floors
The best beach getaways don’t follow a season 🌊
Every Lookout Suite comes with its own @spikeball set— because a little friendly competition is always in style
Autumn in Brighton looks like this...
What’s on in October?
The Story Trail - until 8th November. More than 30 beautiful hand-painted BookBench sculptures by a local artist are dotted across Brighton’s streets, parks and seafront inspired by the stories that shape our city
@brighton_dome Comedy Festival - 16th - 25th October. Stand-up, podcasts, family shows and more
Photoworks / Brighton Photo Biennial - 2nd October - 1st November. Photography exhibitions, installations and talks
Brighton Food Story - 2nd - 4th October. Explore how to build a food culture that is good for the city, for its people and the planet in a day of talks and a network of supper clubs over the weekend
Mutations Festival - multi-venue alternative music festival on 23 & 24 October
Concerts including Westlife and Soul II Soul at the Brighton Centre, plus shows at Brighton Dome, Concorde 2, CHALK and smaller venues.
Professor Brian Cox will also be performing his new tour Emergence at The Brighton Centre on 21 & 22 October, just five minutes from us
Photo credits - Emma Bailey and Brighton Dome
Charlotte and Matt turning heads at York 💍
📸 @ellieniamhphotos
Whisky & Vinyl Nights at Margate 🥃 🎶
Each month, we will explore one bourbon, one Scotch and one world whisky, all while spinning a mix of new and classic vinyl
13th October | 7 - 9pm
17th November | 7 - 9pm
15th December | 7 - 9pm
Tickets are £20 per person, secure your place now at @pearlycowmargate
10 days, 3 drinks, 1 bar not to be missed
@brightoncocktailfestival is back with ten days of the city’s best bars shaking, stirring and showing off their skills, 18th-27th September
Tickets are £20 which gives you access to £6 cocktails and £4 mocktails at No. 124 and over 50 other bars across the city.
Find us at the bar for a sip of Don’t Beet Around The Bush, Notorious F.I.G and Citrus Got Real (non-alc)🍸🍹 🥃
Get your ticket
The longer you stay, the more you save
With the `Ber month break, save 15% on one night stays, 20% on 2 night stays and 35% on 3 night stays.
Book at least three weeks ahead and stay Sunday-Thursday from 27th September to enjoy our happiest rates
Last of the summer escapes in Bath...
Ready to step into Autumn?
Deep sigh relaxation post summer madness
From releasing the tension in your back to getting your glow back on with a tailored facial, find what you`re looking for in The Spa at Bath, York, Margate and Brighton
Soaking up the last of the summer sun in Brighton ☀️🌊
What a summer we’ve had! Thank you to all who joined us
GUESTS WHO...
dine alfresco
host fabulous events
enjoy a quiet moment after exploring
say cheers to cocktails with a view
Which guest are you?
Every September Bath turns Regency for ten days of dances, talks and costumed promenades!
Jane Austen Festival 2026 - Friday 11th - Sunday 20th September
The world`s largest, longest-running Austen festival, don`t miss The Grand Regency Costumed Promenade. Setting off at 11am on 12th September from the Royal Crescent, via George Street, and finishing on Great Pulteney Street - home to our hotspot, No. 15, everyone is welcome
Read all about it in the Guest Insider on our website!
Promenade photos by @visitbathuk
National Dog Day! Celebrating some of our four legged friends and their visits
@beccapearsonstyle at York
@life_with_haz - at Brighton
@travisnuneshair - at Margate
@moosethecockapoo_ - at Bath
@m.mdogwalking74 - at York
@joy_hung_ - at Margate
Darla - at Brighton
@albert_thecavapoo - at Margate
Bring your team together your away days and corporate meeting
Enquire through our website about spaces at Bath, York, Margate and Brighton
