Christmas comes but once a year, and so to it seems does the
Christmas Market on Cathedral Green, which is make it’s triumphal return after
the tremendous success of last year’s inaugural event. You may have been forgiven for thinking, if this
last week you had been walking through the medieval square that sits at the
heart of the city, that a peculiar shanty town appeared to be being
constructed; with rows of wooden huts snaking along the pathways. However, this
wasn’t the Occupy movement coming back to ruin the grass and fill the green
with noise and drunken people; no, this time there was a point to it all.
On a clear, crisp winter’s day, the outline of the gothic Cathedral
looms heavy against the bright blue sky. In its shadow; shoppers slowly make
their way down the crowded rows of stalls looking for gifts or on the lookout
for something that they might want during this season of good will. With its
combination of local traders and those from across Europe, and beyond, this year’s
expanded market gives you a wide variety of handmade goods, food, drink, plants
and gifts. Now, I’m going to be honest with you here; when it comes to knowing
a lot about knitwear, or what the latest fashions are when it comes to hats and
scarves, I wouldn’t be what you would call an expert. I know you can get woolly
hats with those ear flaps on but that about sums up my knowledge on the
subject. There does however appear to be a lot more variety than that on show
here with many stalls exhibiting a wide range of winter clothing made of
various animals ranging from sheep to alpaca. There is also a nice range in
leather goods, such as bags and belts (nothing kinky, I know where your mind
was going!) and a stall that offers you the chance to make your own snow.
If you’re looking for things for the home then you will find
some excellent wood carvers that sell everything form a cheese board or little
wooden animals, all the way to fully sized pieces of furniture; with their
rustic, natural charm (the furniture that is, not the guy selling it to you).
And what could be better to go with all that wooden furniture and decor you’ve
just bought than a reindeer skin rug to put on the floor of the living room. There are also a number of scented candles and
incense stalls, which struck me as being a little dangerous; having open flames
in a place made up entirely of wood, but the smell is nice.
For those with green fingers there is a great plant stall
selling seasonal plants and festive decorations and to tempt those who enjoy
spending the holiday season trying to fit as much food into their belly as
possible, you can explore a whole host of European delicacies. If you’re trying
to watch your weight then avoid going near the French patisserie stall at the
far end of market. Just looking at all the cakes and tarts and chocolate soaked
waffles can be enough to make your heart give up. But if you are weak willed,
like me, try one of the apricot tarts, you won’t be disappointed. There are also plenty of German sausages on
display (what did I just say about that dirty mind of yours?) local preserves, and
even a mead stall with a varied selection of the Scandinavian tipple. 
So when you’re done with your shopping you can find a bench
in one of the outdoor bars that are there and watch the hustle and bustle of
the market with a hot toddy in one hand and a freshly cooked bratwurst in the
other. Between Thursday and Saturday the
market stays open until 9pm. So if you’re willing to wrap up warm soak up the
atmosphere with an early evening drink.
These markets appear to be all the rage now; with every city
seeming to have at least one. Personally, I like this little bit of European
culture that we have recently adopted. We seem to have lost the art of shopping
in this country, favouring instead the simplicity and standardised monotony of
high street chains. Whereas in continental Europe they have kept hold of their
small local businesses and town centres that these types of markets give us
just a little bit of a taste of. It’s only here for a month or so, so get out
there and make the most of it and go along. Even if you don’t end up buying
anything it will at least get you in that Christmas spirit.
The market runs until the 19th December
Trading Times are:
Monday – Wednesday: 10:00 – 19:00
Thursday – Saturday: 10:00 – 21:00
Sunday: 11:00 – 18:00
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