On 13-14 November, 150 exhibitors will be cocooned inside Ely Cathedral for a magnificent display of crafts, flowers, music and festive cheer. Meet the reindeer and take a ride on a vintage carousel, then hear the Cathedral choristers fill the space with soaring carols. Takes place 9.30am-4.30pm (with an additional evening opening on Friday, 6.30-9pm). Entry is £3, under 16s are free.
The very best of British crafts will descend on the beautiful Blackthorpe Barn in Rougham, near Bury St Edmunds, each weekend from 14 November in the run up to Christmas. Find ceramics, textiles, sculptures, traditional wooden gifts, decorations, edible treats and more, in a picturesque setting.
Says George Agnew, owner of Blackthorpe Barn and Rougham Estate: “We have been creating a full Christmas experience, focusing on unique British crafts, at Blackthorpe Barn for 25 years – it just goes to show that time flies when you are having fun. Each year we make an extra effort to make the Christmas event even better and this, being our 25th year, is no exception.”
Wimpole Hall Christmas Craft Fair
This classy Christmas craft and produce market takes place in the grounds of Wimpole Hall over the weekend of 14-15 November, offering unique, high-quality gifts from over 60 stalls. Feel fully festive as you browse locally-made edible treats and decorations, mince pie in hand. It’s housed in a marquee, so bring your best winter woollies and footwear fit for the outdoors. Don’t miss the estate’s lovely stable-block shops on your way out. Takes place 10.30am-5pm, entry £4, under 14s free.
Wood Green Christmas craft fair
The animal charity, which has its HQ in Godmanchester, is hosting an all-day Christmas craft fair on 21 and 22 November, running 10am-5pm. As well as charming handmade gifts, perfect for a traditional homemade Christmas, there’ll be food, drink and a visit from a very special guest… Tickets are £4 (£2 children).
Bury St Edmunds Christmas Fayre
Christmas Fayre One of the largest Christmas market in the area, this four-day whopper of an event takes over the whole town to offer every gift idea, foodie treat and Christmas decoration you can imagine. Includes over 300 stalls, street entertainment, a fun fair and more, running 27-30 November.
Who does crafts better than the WI? On 28 November, mosey on down to St Andrew’s Baptist Church for the Cambridge Blue Belles WI Christmas Craft Fair to browse a collection of lovely handmade gifts and crafts. There’ll be lashings of tea and cake, and entry is free. Takes place 10.30am-4pm.
Treat yourself to a glass of mulled wine and discover the lovely handmade jewellery, homeware, gifts and cards on show at Manor Farm in Bourn in the rustic, 800-year-old tithe barn. You can also pick up your Christmas tree, fresh from the fields of this family-run farm, while you’re there. The event takes place on 28 November and is open 11am-4pm. Entry is free.
Grantchester Christmas craft fair
In case you needed further excuse to visit the charming village of Grantchester over Christmas, there’s a Christmas Crafts & Arts Show taking place 28-29 November at the village hall. Fourteen local artists and crafters will be exhibiting a range of handmade jewellery, paintings, prints, cards, bags, chocolates, and biscuits, from 10am-5pm. Come and grab a gift or be inspired to make something of your own.
Saffron Walden Christmas Market
The beautiful Essex town of Saffron Walden could hardly be more perfect for a Christmas market if it tried. On 4 December, the winding Dickensian streets will come alive with market traders selling everything from handmade wreaths to mulled wine and hot food, while the Town Hall will house a host of local crafters selling their wares. Most shops stay open until 9pm so there are plenty of opportunities to pick up that perfect gift.
You don’t need to jet off to Germany to browse round a traditional German Christmas market, thanks to the Duxford Advent Trust, which will be setting up a wonderful craft and food fair at the village’s medieval church. The venue will be splendidly bedecked and there’ll be glühwein, delicious food, handmade crafts and entertainment, plus a visit from Santa, who’ll be taking orders from his grotto. Takes place 5 December.
If you’ve not yet happened upon the pretty Suffolk village of Lavenham, now’s your chance. On 4, 5 and 6 December, do your Christmas shopping along its winding Dickensian streets, find delicious food from local suppliers and let the kids loose on the mini fairground rides. There will be music too from the Lavenham Contemporary Choir. The event begins on Friday 4th when the village is momentarily plunged into darkness and then magically lit up by thousands of twinkling lights.
