Winchester Shopping Farmers Markets Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market

Winchester Shopping

Winchester's historic centre that once had Romans marching through it is now the pedestrian-friendly home to a huge choice of independent shops. Boutiques, specialist shops, pubs and restaurants line the streets giving you plenty of browsing choices once you're done with the sight seeing.

The Square and Great Minster Street near Winchester Cathedral was once the site of the cattle market - it's only resemblance now are the crowds of shoppers jostling for space! Here you can find independent specialist shops in historic buildings including Cadogan & James delicatessen, part owned by TV chef, James Martin. Other boutique shops offer a range of clothing, gifts, stationery, homeware and interiors. Nearby the Brooks Shopping Centre is where you'll find the regular choice of high street names.

If antiques and crafts are more your thing, try King's Walk specialist arcade where you'll find Winchester's antique and craft centre. It's a browser's paradise with antiques, collectables and jewellery of all ages and styles.

The route around Jewry Street, Parchment Street and St George's Street is excellent for boutique, specialist shops and art galleries offering unusual art, antiques and interiors, and don't miss the regular antique fairs at Winchester Guildhall on Broadway.

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Winchester Farmers Markets

Markets are a regular feature of Winchester's event calendar. There's a twice-monthly Farmers Market on the second and last Sunday of the month. It attracts over 90 stall holders making it one of the largest in the country. Middle Brook Street and car park is the hub of the action with a huge array of locally produced food on offer from seafood from the Solent coast to free range locally reared and produced meats, dairy products as well as fresh and organic fruit and veg.

Winchester also hosts a busy weekly city market on Middle Brook Street. Everything from fruit and veg to crafts and clothing is on offer with the market running from every Wednesday through to Saturday.

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Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market

A highlight of the winter season is the Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market. Set against the cathedral as a stunning backdrop the Christmas market consists of cosy log cabins and an outdoor ice rink below the cathedral gives it that real Christmassy feel.

There's a whole range of gift ideas from gourmet food to arts and crafts as well as a Food Court with speciality food chalets offering continental and British festive treats. Carol singing and Christmas music all add to the festive feel.

The market usually runs from end of November to mid December while the Ice-Rink is open from end of November to January from 10am-7.30pm (8.30pm on Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays).

Check out the link right for more information of this year's Christmas market.

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