Why Christmas in Bradford on Avon is so fabulous

The town itself is wonderful and there is so much to do in the surrounding area that will allow you to get your Christmas shopping done, while taking a break before the storm of festive activity.

When the carol singing gets going in the Shambles, it wafts up to Coppice Hill and is like something out of Charles Dickens.  In the unlikely event while in Bradford on Avon, your Christmas spirits flag, you can recharge them with the most delicious of mince pies from the Neston Farm shop at the bottom of the road.  These will set you up for hours of unstressful Christmas present gathering in the flea market, the Christmas market and the wonderful independent shops of this town.  All of this can easily be interspersed with re-fuelling in the cafes, while in the evening your festive spirit can be further fanned in one of the numerous candle-lit pubs, where you are sure to find mulled wine to sip in front of a blazing fire. 

If you need an injection of the hard stuff, you can always get your hit by Christmas shopping in Bath just down the road, just 15-20 minutes away by train.  It is especially exciting to do this while the world renowned, extensive Bath Christmas Market is on.

For those that prefer something a little more intimate, Bradford on Avon's Christmas Market is for you.    This year there will be the added fun of a skating rink outside the library.  And once you have been shopping and skating and partaken of much seasonal fare, you can head to one of the many beauty venues to pamper yourself (see 'useful stuff' for more on this and Christmas shopping options in Bradford on Avon).

In nearby Frome there are plans for a 'Christmas Spectacle' on 29th November, which usually includes a market.  Eight miles away is the Devizes Christmas Festival.

A real treat and a little escape from the shops, is Westonbirt Arboretum's 'enchanted Christmas', in which you can take a trail through trees that are brought to life by beautiful lighting.

Whatever, Bath's accommodation will be packed to brimming.  Staying in Bradford on Avon can fortify you sufficiently to face the crowds of the Bath Christmas Market, and provide the right environment for your recovery once you return from it!