It's one of the most magical locations for a Christmas market in the UK - and the festive spectacular is now open at the historic Chatsworth House in Derbyshire. Every year the mansion hosts a range of festive events, including the Chatsworth Christmas Market, which officially launched this weekend.
Visitors can expect a wide range of Christmas market gift and food stalls in the courtyard setting, with the stunning Chatsworth mansion house as the backdrop. There are over 100 stalls this year ranging from unusual festive gifts to food and drink including the classic sausage baps and gluhwein.
The markets are now open every day from now up to and including November 23. Opening hours are 10am to 5.30pm Monday to Thursday, and from 10am to 6pm Friday to Sunday.
Read more : Map and guide to Manchester Christmas Markets 2022 - which open this week
The Chatsworth House Christmas Market is free to enter - but parking fees apply. And according to the website, pre-booking parking is essential to avoid disappointment at the Peak District attraction.
Traders on the market are listed on the Chatsworth website - with a different mix of retailers for the periods of 5-14 November, and then from 15-23 November. Visitors can expect a mix of stalls including gourmet cheeses, jewellery, Viking drinking horns, gin and whisky gifts and of course the famous Bakewell puddings and tarts.
The return of the markets was heralded by Chatsworth House, which said on its official website: "With over 100 market stalls offering a wide range of Christmas gifts and decorations plus live music, it's a lovely opportunity to welcome in the festive season.
"You can also explore our own exclusive ranges in the Stables Shop with a wide range of home and fashion gifts, and lots of lovely stocking fillers.
"Take a break from shopping and enjoy a mulled wine or a German beer at one of our outdoor bars, or sample some delicious food, with gourmet burgers and sausages, hot pork rolls, pancakes, churros and more."
Admission to the market is also included if you have booked tickets to the other Christmas events taking place at the mansion house this year. They are Christmas at Chatsworth, inside the mansion, and Christmas in the Garden which includes spectacular light trails in the sprawling grounds.
The mansion itself is now fully bedecked with Christmas decorations for its open-house event, which features an eye-popping series of Christmas trees, Christmas lights and festive displays.
This year the theme is "Deep Midwinter: A Nordic Christmas" inspired by the folklore and traditions of the Arctic and Nordic regions.
Guests will be able to step into scenes straight from the pages of famous Nordic fairy tales like The White Bear, The Little Fir Tree and The Snowdrop and The Teapot. The Norse God Loki is set to make a "special guest appearance" providing stories, music and magic tricks.
Visitors will be able to makes a Christmas wish to hang on the special Wish Tree. There are also photo opportunities with a giant snowball or epic 24-feet Christmas trees.
In the gardens, is the festive illuminate trail, boasting themed displays. Visitors are invited to embark on "an exciting passage of discovery; experience our ‘northern lights’ over the Canal Pond and let magical colour guide you along the Broad Walk into a glade of glowing lights."
For the first time, the historic Maze will also be illuminated this year. It will be lit with wands of light and filled with festive music.
Opening times and ticket information
The Chatsworth Christmas Market is now open daily from November 5 to November 23 inclusive. Entry to the Chatsworth Christmas Market is free, but if you are planning to park in the grounds, pre-booking a ticket is essential.
The costs are weekdays - £15 per car before 3pm / £10 per car after 3pm. On weekends - £25 per car before 3pm / £15 per car after 3pm,
All car park tickets during the Christmas market will be scanned at point of entry and each ticket will allow one entry for one car/motorbike and a maximum of five occupants.
Tickets for Christmas at Chatsworth, for entry to the mansion and gardens (which includes parking) are £29.50 for adults and £18 for children aged 3-16, with age 2 and under going free.
Tickets just for Christmas in the Garden are priced £16 for adults and £9 for children. Parking is included in this price.
All tickets can be booked on the Chatsworth House website here.
How to get there
Chatsworth is around 38 miles from Manchester, via the A6 and A623, use sat nav DE45 1PP.
The nearest major train station is Chesterfield, with local bus connecting to Chatsworth.
There are also daily National Express coaches from Manchester that pass through Bakewell, and a local bus service from here into Chatsworth.
Read next:
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- Festive karaoke huts will return to Manchester for 2022 at Bar Hutte
- Light trails taking place across Greater Manchester for Christmas 2022
- When Manchester's Christmas Lights go on and where to find Big Santa
- Inside Manchester's most festive bar
