Getting into the spirit of shopping

Mulled wine. Roast chestnuts. Carols on the town square. There's nothing gets me in the mood for Christmas more than a festive market. Add a range of good quality and ideally handcrafted things to buy and some twinkly lights and it's like Christmas Eve is already here.
The quaint small towns and charming villages of the Lakes lend themselves perfectly to a Christmas market, especially when streets can be closed and a whole community gets involved.
Here's my pick of the best...

Holker Winter Market
Saturday-Sunday, November 4-5, 10.30am-4pm
One of my favourites and the first market of the season, launching Holker’s busy Christmas events schedule. Set against the backdrop of the hall and estate, it gets you in the mood and can kickstart your Christmas shopping, especially if you like to give boozy gifts like Lake. Other crafty gifts and homewares, and lots of food, available too.
There are plenty of opportunities to carry on your shopping when Holker Celebrates Christmas  during weekends in December, including a Christmas art market on December 9and a Christmas food market on December 10. www.holker.co.uk

Hawkshead Christmas Fair & Beer Festival
Saturday, December 2, 10am-5pm and Sunday, December 3, 10am-4pm.
With its low beamed buildings, stone flagged squares and narrow streets, it's the perfect location for festive food and shopping. There's a lantern parade at 4pm on the Saturday followed by carol singing, as well as street entertainers, live music and 50 stalls both days. The local pubs serve food all day while the outdoor choices range from Indian to pancakes made while you wait. www.hawksheadchristmasfair.com

Yew Tree Barn at Christmas
Friday-Sunday, December 1-3, 10am-4.30pm
One of my must visits in the run-up to Christmas, Yew Tree Barn has everything festive under one roof and much more besides. Not only are there craft stalls, mulled wine, roast chestnuts and barbecue burgers in the courtyard, but there's also Harry's Bar for coffee and cake or lunch, the shop, numerous rooms of vintage finds, the outdoor reclamation yard for rummaging and a heated marquee packed with artists and craftspeople selling a range of unique gifts. You can even pick up your Christmas tree. www.yewtreebarn.co.uk

Ulverston Dickensian Christmas Festival
Saturday- Sunday, November 25-26, 10am-5pm
The people of Ulverston get right into the spirit of this festival, dressing for the occasion in Victorian costume and parading through the cobbled streets, past decorated shop windows, to officially launch Christmas. The period theme works perfectly in the ancient town with a Victorian helter skelter, horse-drawn carriages, music and dancing adding even more authenticity. This well- established event includes a busker zone, children's zone and entertainment stage. The Christmas lights switch-on is at 4pm on the Saturday. All we need is a light early snowfall...www.dickensianfestival.co.uk

Windermere Christmas Celebration
Saturday, December 9, 11am-8pm; Sunday, December 10, 10am-4pm
Still in its infancy but growing and with a new name, charity stalls mix with gifts, food and drink and a programme of entertainment including local talent all weekend. The organisers promise bigger and better this year, so definitely worth supporting. www.windermerechristmas.co.uk

Askham Hall Christmas Market
Sunday, December 3, 11am-5pm (stalls close at 4pm)
The new festive beer hall and courtyard are set to be big attractions this year, along with stalls selling gifts and Father Christmas in his grotto at this lovely country hall near Lowther Castle, whose shop is also worth a visit while you're in this neck of the woods. There are lovely paths around Askham too if you've time to walk off any over indulgence in the samples of food and mulled wine. www.askhamhall.co.uk

Taste Cumbria: Cockermouth Christmas Market
Saturday-Sunday, December 9-10, 10am-4pm
Food is the focus of this festival but Cockermouth's range of independent shops also offer plenty in the way of other gifts - the New Bookshop being a must-visit. Dozens of smallholders selling an excellent variety of local produce as well as cooking masterclasses and demonstrations, it's a great family day out. www.golakes.co.uk

Welcome to Lakeslux

Hi, I'm Sarah and in my blog I want to bring you a fresh and fashionable view of the Lake District. I hope you enjoy my selected picks from the Lakes' growing list of stylish places to eat, shop and visit, all within the UK's newest UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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