I wish I had picked up more of the festive item
The Chester Christmas Market stalls
Being recognised as one of the top Christmas Markets is no mean feat, particularly when you’re within easy reach of Liverpool and Manchester. Yet, last year, Chester achieved just that.
I hadn’t made it to the historic city’s festive market last year, so I knew it was a must-see this time around. I embarked on the 40-minute train journey from Liverpool Central, followed by a further 15-minute stroll into the heart of the market to see what all the hype was about.
My last visit to Chester’s market was over four years ago, so my recollections were somewhat hazy, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. When I arrived, the festive spirit was palpable. A live musician serenaded us with tunes, and strings of fairy lights twinkled above the stalls.
The annual market, this year around, is made up of 80 diverse traders, each offering something unique. The range of items available spans handmade crafts, jewellery, accessories, stocking fillers, festive food and an array of beverages.
Chester Christmas Market is now running up until a few days before Christmas Day
I looked through all the craft and artisan stalls, trying on some £20 silver bangles – which unfortunately didn’t fit – and checked to see if any of the candles could replace my trusty Yankee Christmas Magic jar.
However, as time passed, I couldn’t ignore my hungry stomach. It was time to explore the food offerings. Unfortunately, there was a power outage which impacted my food choices. The majority of the hot food stalls couldn’t open until later than planned, forcing many to revert to the old-fashioned way of cash-only transactions.
These problems were sorted out around 2pm, but by then I was already on the train back to Liverpool, desperately trying to warm up my frostbitten fingers.
Inside the Chester Christmas Market bar
However, every cloud has a silver lining, and this led me to discover Mrs B’s Bakehouse. Nestled among the stalls nearest to the Cathedral, the gentleman running the stall guided me through the selection of products on offer while adjusting the bauble hat that kept falling onto his face.
Crucially, this stall was one of the few that accepted both cash and card payments. They had a wide variety of pies and rolls to choose from, including vegan options. The oval pies were priced at £5.50 each or 3 for £12, while the rolls were slightly cheaper, at £4.50 each or any 3 for £10.
After some thought, I opted for the festive roll, in keeping with the Christmas spirit. It cost me £4.50 and was filled with pork, stuffing, bacon, and cranberry.
£7 Chilli Con Carne jacket potato from the Chester Christmas Market
The pastry was pleasantly flaky, but it was the filling that truly stood out. The bacon and cranberry complemented the pork nicely without overwhelming the taste.
It tasted exactly as I had hoped: a superior sausage roll with a twist. I had a few bites of it cold, but it seemed that with every moment it spent in the microwave, the flavour just kept intensifying.
It left me satisfyingly full, but I still had enough room to sample a few sweet treats and indulged in a hot chocolate because no visit to any Christmas market is complete without one.
The festive bake in question
There’s no need to ask if I could have marshmallows or cream; that’s a given. For the full works, it set me back a further £6. It’s a bit more than you’d like to spend on a single drink, but it’s nothing new when it comes to these types of events.
Out of journalistic duty, rather than greed, I assure you, I also picked up a £7 chilli con carne jacket potato from the North Pole stall. I could see the potential in the meal, but it fell short for me. I was one of the first customers for the stall, so I’m putting it down to initial hiccups and would give it another try.
Thankfully, the markets are running right up until Monday, December 22, meaning there is plenty more time to return to Chester when things are, hopefully, smoother sailing.