The pretty UK cathedral city that has the UK's 'cheapest' Christmas market

For travellers keen to enjoy the festive season without stretching their budgets, Canterbury has emerged as the UK's most affordable Christmas market destination. Known for its stunning cathedral and charming medieval streets, the city offers the perfect backdrop for a budget-friendly festive weekend.

A new study by Sweepstakes Table analysed UK Christmas markets based on the cost of food, drink, accommodation and rail travel to create a Christmas Market Affordability Score. Canterbury topped the rankings with a score of 88, making it the best value for visitors looking to soak up festive cheer without overspending.

Food and drink at the market costs just £11 per person, allowing visitors to enjoy mulled wine, bratwurst and other seasonal treats at prices well below those found at many larger city markets. Accommodation averages £110 per night for a 3 or 4-star hotel, keeping the overall cost of a weekend break reasonable and accessible.

The city's historic streets, twinkling lights and the iconic Canterbury Cathedral create a magical atmosphere that rivals bigger, more expensive markets.

Visitors can stroll along cobbled lanes, browse stalls filled with artisan gifts and festive decorations and enjoy live entertainment, all without the high prices often found in larger urban destinations.

Canterbury combines affordability with charm, proving that festive magic does not have to come at a premium.

Other markets in the top five include Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market, Cardiff Christmas Market, Bath Christmas Market and Holkham Hall in Norfolk.

Birmingham offers a large-scale German-style market at £12 for food and drink with accommodation at £116 per night, while Cardiff matches Canterbury's £11 food and drink cost but sees slightly higher accommodation at £127.

Bath, despite having the cheapest food and drink at £10, averages £216 per night for hotels, and Holkham Hall provides a quieter, stately-home setting with food and drink at £11 and accommodation averaging £200 per night.

The research also highlights how smaller historic cities such as Canterbury, York, and Sheffield tend to offer better value for money than major urban markets.

In these locations, festive experiences can be enjoyed for under £15 per person on food and drink, making them ideal for families or visitors looking to combine sightseeing with seasonal celebrations.