Head to a fab festive fair to fill loved ones’ stockings and foodie goodies for you too!
Open Now Christmas at Blackthorpe Barn
The magic of Blackthorpe’s festive wonderland begins as you make your way up the tree-lined approach to the rustic medieval barn, which sits nestled in atmospheric woodland just outside Bury St Edmunds. The Country Christmas Shop brims over with beautiful festive decorations and handmade gifts, showcasing the work of the country’s finest craft makers, whilst outside you can buy Christmas trees grown on the estate.
The shop is open now, right up until 22 December, and is offering more gifts than ever before, from gorgeous scented candles to decorative lights. There’s also a section dedicated to Make and Bake, which provides everything you need to create your own beautifully unique gifts, decorations and treats. Each weekend from 12 November to 11 December, half of the barn is given over to craft-makers, showcasing an ever changing array of jewellery, textiles, knitwear, ceramics and artworks to peruse and purchase.
When you need to refuel, pop along to the barn’s café, which serves up freshly made cakes and snacks, hot chocolate and mulled wine. Kids, meanwhile, will adore Santa’s grotto, with its twinkling lights, elves, deer and plenty more surprises.
“We love Christmas at Blackthorpe Barn, it is a lot of hard work but just seeing the look on visitors’ faces and particularly the children’s faces, makes it all worthwhile,” says George Agnew, owner of Blackthorpe Barn and Rougham Estate. “This year we have searched the country to find some new amazing gift makers and we found some totally inspiring people.
“So we have enhanced our gift ranges to include delightfully packaged personal grooming and pamper kits, and wintry themed gifts such as wonderfully soft lambs wool blankets and genuinely tried-and-tested Arctic survival kits consisting of some fabulous ointments that really do work. We are looking forward to welcoming returning and new visitors to Christmas at Blackthorpe Barn this year.”
10 December Mitcham’s and Merrier Christmas Market
Raring to don your Christmas hat – with or without lights – for another dose of mulled wine, mince pies, delicious street food, fun, crafts and more, Yule be heading down to Mitcham’s Corner for the latest Mitcham’s and Merrier Christmas Market, which this year has turned into a mini festival.
It’s a packed day starting at noon with the Christmas Market in The Boathouse car park until 5pm, with Dutch pancakes, street food vans, interactive workshops for kids, including upcycled Christmas decorations, while Stem and Glory bring their Buddha Bowl and home-brewed fruit vodka.
There’s a Winter Fair at Hawthorn Way from 3-8pm, with Stir, Art of Float and Satyam Yoga to the fore. Bespoke poems, puzzles and food by Guerilla Kitchen among others will keep you going while looking at the stalls, picking out a perfect pressie (possibly for yourself!).
Carol singing begins at 5.30pm and the festive lights switch-on takes place at 6pm, providing the Winter Fair’s colourful highlight.
To round it all off, there’s a night of laughs at the Fort St George pub, with the Mitcham’s Corner Comedy Free Fringe at 8.30pm. Cambridge comic David Trent headlines, with Jason Stampe, Steve Mclean, Justin Panks and Zahara Barri also on the bill.
Brimming with festive fun and community spirit, the event looks set to grow further and become north Cambridge’s festive highlight every year. Don’t miss it!
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10, 11 December Wood Green Festive Fair
Wood Green, The Animals Charity, will host a festive fair at their Godmanchester centre on 10 and 11 December, 10am to 4pm. Organised by Oakleigh Fairs, the event will take place in a huge indoor arena, offering traders selling everything from arts, crafts and gifts to food and drink. Admission is £2.50 on the gate, or free for children under 16 years.
10 December Linton Christmas Market
A feast for your eyes, ears and belly are in store at Linton Christmas Market. Gifts galore, street food, stalls of all kinds, cakes and carols will keep you entertained from 10am to 3pm at Linton Market Square, next to The Linton Kitchen.
The team behind the Kitchen have helped organise the event, and have confirmed a tasty lineup to savour. Food and drink vendors at the market include Steak & Honour, The Cambridge Chilli Sauce Company, Chou’s Nuts, Pinkster Gin, Jigsaw Bakery, OliveOlive, Pata Negra Spanish Food and English Spirit Distillery.
Naomi Davies Art will be among the stalls where you’ll be able to find something perfect to put under your tree, while carols will be sung by Linton Infants and Linton Heights Junior pupils, plus the Ding Dong Belles from noon onwards. Yule be a fool to miss it!
14, 21 December Burwash Manor: Welcome to Winter
There’s a wide range of special offers and discounts to open the late-night shopping season at Burwash Manor, with a special Welcome to Winter evening.
On 30 November shops will stay open until 8pm, and continue to do so every Wednesday in the run-up to Christmas. Festive live music, culinary delights from some of your favourite street food vans, samplings and tasters galore will be available from 5 to 8pm.
The shops at Burwash Manor are all small, independently owned businesses that offer a range of goods and produce, many exclusive to the site. You’ll find clothes for adults and children, vintage and modern furniture, children’s toys, paints and home decor, fine wines, a butchers and deli, gifts and jewellery, fresh flowers, Persian carpets, garden furniture and much more.
There’s free parking provided and free entry to the event.