Winchester Christmas Market – Everything You Need To Know!

Winchester Christmas market is set in the heart of England’s ancient capital and beneath the towering presence of Winchester Cathedral. The beautiful setting combined with the festive lights and pretty wooden chalets create a wonderful atmosphere befitting the season.

I made a day trip to the Winchester Christmas market from London and was not disappointed!

In this post, I’ll share all you need to know – how to get to the market and what to expect when you’re there – and answer some frequently asked questions. I’ll also offer some Christmas themed suggestions for other things you can do in Winchester and share some tips to help you get the most out of your visit to the Winchester Christmas market.

Is the Winchester Christmas Market Worth It?

Yes! If a large Christmas market with plenty of stalls along with a wide array of food and drink options set in the middle of an historic city is your thing, then Winchester should be your destination!

Getting to Winchester from London

Winchester is located in the English county of Hampshire at the western end of the South Downs National Park on the River Itchen. It is a little under 100 kilometres (about 60 miles) south west of London.

To get to Winchester you have the following options:

1. Train

The quickest way to get to Winchester from London is by train. South Western Railways operate a regular service from London Waterloo with a journey time of around 1 hour.

I would recommend visiting Winchester by train. Leaving early/mid-morning and returning home on a late afternoon/early evening train will give you a good amount of time to explore the Christmas markets and Winchester itself.

You can research available trains and book here:

2. Bus

Bus services from London to Winchester are also available. Although cheaper than the train, the bus will take longer and therefore eat into your time in Winchester. This may not be an issue if you plan to stay overnight in the city, but if, like me, you intend to visit for the day, then time is of the essence!

You can check all available bus options and book via Omio. Please note however that the bus stops at St Catherine’s Park and Ride and you will therefore need to travel from there into the city centre. I have provided more information below regarding the Park and Ride scheme in so far as it relate to car parking.

3. Car

If you prefer to travel to Winchester by car, then do check the AA Route Planner for directions and road conditions. There is not a huge amount of available parking space in the city, however the City Council does operate a Park and Ride scheme. Check the official Winchester City Council website for up to date information.

4. Organised Tour

If you prefer the thought of someone else making all the travel arrangements, then an organised group tour such as this Salisbury and Winchester Christmas Markets Tour from London may be a good option. If this appeals to you then review availability and book here:

Where to Stay in Winchester

I visited Winchester just for the day, however if you are considering staying overnight, then there are various hotels and bed & breakfast options available. The Christmas markets themselves are sponsored by the Winchester Royal Hotel.

You can search for suitable accommodation and book here:

Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market

What could be a better reason for visiting such an historic city as Winchester than the wish to experience one of the best Christmas markets in the United Kingdom. In fact, Winchester’s Christmas market is regarded as one of Europe’s best Christmas markets!

Here then is my guide to visiting the Christmas market in Winchester:

1. What date is the Winchester Christmas market 2026?

The market opens on Friday 20th November 2026 and runs until (and including) Tuesday 22nd December 2026. The opening times are:

• Friday and Saturday: 10am to 8pm
• Sunday to Thursday: 10am to 6pm

I visited on a Thursday and it was quite busy with both locals and bus tours. I would imagine that it will be even busier on a weekend so do factor in that you will likely need to contend with crowds.

2. Where is the Winchester Christmas market held?

The market is located in the grounds of Winchester Cathedral, specifically at 9 The Close, Winchester SO23 9LS.

3. How much does it cost to go to the Winchester Christmas market?

Nothing! The market is free to enter. How much you spend at the stalls however….well that’s over to you!

4. How far is Winchester Christmas market from the train station?

It took me about 10 minutes to walk from Winchester station to the Cathedral. The footpaths are flat and the route will take you past The Great Hall and through Westgate.

Alternatively, I believe you can catch the number 5 bus from bus stop Qc, getting off at Westgate. The Cathedral is about a 5 minute walk from there.

5. Is there car parking in Winchester?

As I mentioned above, I travelled by train to Winchester so did not have to worry about car parking. There didn’t seem to be a lot of available parking space in the city, however the City Council does operate a Park and Ride scheme. Check the official Winchester City Council website for up to date information.

6. Do I need to take cash?

I took a mix of both cards and cash and used both. Most stall holders accepted cards, however some cash is always advisable.

7. How many stalls are at the Winchester Christmas market?

I lost count but suffice to say there are quite a few of the small wooden chalets reminiscent of the traditional German Christmas markets spread throughout the Winchester Christmas markets. I have heard that the number of stalls is around 100…in other words, those who love Christmas shopping will be happy!

The market is divided into the main market stalls area and a food court. There are also quite a few stalls in the city centre so there are plenty of shopping opportunities.

8. What can you buy?

There is a seriously impressive variety of products for sale! Whether you’re looking for Christmas decorations, skincare, sustainable products, games, toys, jewellery, candles, clothing, cheese, honey, sweet treats, coffee, alcohol.…you’ll find something there.

In addition to the food and drink that will make great Christmas gifts (for you or someone else!) there are plenty of market traders selling food ready to eat. From slow roasted pork to grilled halloumi, traditional Pakistani cuisine to macaroni and cheese….you will not go hungry! And you get to wash it all down with mulled wine, cider, hot chocolate, tea and coffee.

I indulged with a bowl of fried potatoes and smoked sausage topped with melted Raclette cheese! Later in the afternoon I had to have (so did!) a hot chocolate with marshmallows and cream….well it is Christmas!

As you can imagine, prices are a little on the high side. I would estimate the average food price to be £8 -10 (I paid £9.50 for my meal) and £4+ for drinks (my hot chocolate was £4.50).

It was great however to see so many British and products local to the area on sale.

Tips for Visitors

As you plan your visit to the Winchester Christmas market, here are a few extra tips to keep in mind:

• try to visit both during the day and in the evening. You will get the full effect of the Christmas lights after dark!
• the Winchester xmas market is dog friendly (making it one for all the family!)
• signage around the market indicates the presence of toilets nearby
• I didn’t see any activities for children at the markets (although there is plenty of chocolate and sugar on sale to keep them happy!). Previous markets have included an ice rink however
• there is a charity chalet at the markets, however it changes most days in order to allow many charities the opportunity to promote their cause – you can check which charity will be hosted each day by checking the official Winchester Cathedral website
• pace yourself! There’s a lot of stalls to get to as well as some interesting shops in the city centre

Don’t Forget to Visit Winchester Cathedral!

When you’re visiting the Christmas market, be sure to also visit Winchester Cathedral itself. The market is taking place in the Cathedral grounds so it would be a shame to miss seeing inside this magnificent building. Various events are taking place at the Cathedral throughout the Christmas period including Christmas services, Christmas carol concerts, workshops and of course, guided tours of the Cathedral.

Tickets can be booked in advance (for a £1 saving) or in person. Check the official Winchester Cathedral website for up to date visitor information including as to ticket pricing and to make bookings.

The Kings and Scribes: Birth of a Nation exhibition tells the story of the history of the Cathedral and is included in the ticket price. There are a number of things not to miss in the Cathedral, including the final resting place of novelist Jane Austen.

For more information about the Cathedral and what not to miss inside it, do read my post How to Make an Excellent Day Trip to Winchester.

There’s More to Winchester than the Christmas Market!

Winchester’s long history means there are plenty of things to see and places to visit in the city. Do make sure you read my post How to Make an Excellent Day Trip to Winchester for a list of 10 of the best things you can do in Winchester!

In addition, here are a few Christmas themed suggestions:

1. For those of you who love walking tours, then a Guided Alfred the Great Haunted Ghost Tour may be just what you’re looking for! Day trippers should keep in mind that this tour starts after dark….don’t miss your train or bus home!

2. Enjoy some of the other Christmas events happening in Winchester, such as visiting Santa’s Grotto at The Great Hall or riding the illuminated Watercress Line steam train to name a couple.

3. If all that walking and shopping is tiring you out, then enjoy a festive afternoon tea at one of Winchester’s hotels or stop by a local pub for lunch or a café for coffee and cake!

Final Thoughts

Winchester Christmas market is definitely worth adding to your festive destinations list. The setting alone is amazing whilst the large number of markets and array of products make your visit very worthwhile. Add to that the shopping opportunities offered by the local shops and the historic sites to visit whilst in Winchester and you have the makings of a great day out.

If you need further help in planning your day trip to the Winchester Christmas market, or any other trip for that matter, do check my Resources page.

If you’re looking for further UK day trip ideas either at Christmas or at any time during the year, then do consider the beautiful cities of Bath, Windsor, Cambridge or Canterbury.

Disclaimer – Information correct at the time of writing but do check before visiting.