12th November - Birmingham Christmas Market



I love a Christmas market. They've become common place in the U.K over the past decade or so. Luckily, my own introduction to Christmas markets began all the way back in 2010, when the Winchester Xmas market rolled into town. It was one of the first of its kind, in the United Kingdom, deriving from the traditional versions we'd previously seen in Germany. As the years rolled on, just about every City in the country started cottoning onto the trend, notably London's 'Winter Wonderland' in Hyde Park, which gets all the plaudits/publicity but is honestly one of the most soulless and horribly tourist-filled and overpriced traps in the country.




Instead, why not venture to cute variations in places like Edinburgh, Blenheim Palace, or even Birmingham. The downside of the Brum version is that you have to put up with that awful accent from the locals, but it is well worth a trip and yesterday, was my second visit in as many years. Like all Christmas markets, there's your typical array of mulled wine and bratwurst (my own sausage was measuring 20 inches yesterday, steadddyy!). But unlike the typical 'square' format of stalls lining the edges of an area, the Birmingham variation is lined down one long strip. Imagine Magaluf, but full of mince pies, rather than paint-stripper/vodka induced goldfish bowls.




I'm aware my blogs have been a bit boring, recently, by the way. Unfortunately the quality of the diary has paid the price of my busy life and trying to get everything locked in and nailed down before my next trip. But you'll be in for a treat with the content which is set to come over the course of the next fortnight on this site. Until then, don your best Christmas jumper, throw a Santa hat on, and indulge in the festive spirit...



... Of the Birmingham Christmas market. 


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