We’ve all been there - searching for a last-minute Christmas gift as you battle the crowds and scour the shop shelves for the right present. But there are quieter alternatives which aren’t too far away for those who want to do a spot of festive shopping while avoiding throngs of people.
Located right on the edge of the Peak District is the market town of Glossop, around an hour from Greater Manchester. It’s surrounded by the wild and rugged moorland of the Dark Peak, with some of the most stunning scenery our region has to offer right on its doorstep.
Glossop is also the perfect place for Christmas shopping, with independent shops and national retailers lining the high street. The town features charming sandstone buildings and former cotton mills which look particularly beautiful when dusted with snow.
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On the edge of the town you’ll find Christmas-card worthy scenes in Old Glossop, a dedicated conservation area which dates back to the 12th century. It’s also where you’ll find one of Glossop’s oldest pubs, The Bulls Head.
This year the town is hosting a festive window trail, which guides visitors through Glossop’s unique businesses. Called the Local Winter Story Trail, it features the work of 24 local writers who have each created a 150-word winter tale, inspired by the business they have paired up with.
The trail will run until January 6 and it’s dedicated to Wolf Hall author Dame Hilary Mantel, who died earlier this year, as she used to live in the area as a young woman. It was created by Glossop Creates, a local creative and cultural collective.
Some of the shops featured on the route are Dark Peak Books, an independent bookstore where you’ll find a selection of gifts; The Bottle Store which specialises in craft spirits and cocktails; and The Artful Pigeon Gallery, which sells handmade items and artwork.
Included in the trail are some of the town’s cafes and restaurants, so you can stop for a bite to eat along the way. Enjoy a plant-based meal at the Pepino Deli or grab a drink and some food at the Cask & Kitchen.
It’s the ideal way to enjoy some festive tales while doing a spot of Christmas shopping. Visitors can pick up a map to guide you along the trail, and if you visit all of the windows you’ll be able to fill out a specially-commissioned 24 word poem using words from each of the displays. The short stories will also be made into a beautiful printed book, for the ultimate Christmas keepsake.
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