Bath’s Christmas market has been named among the best in the UK for 2025 by travel website Locals Insider, who ranked among some of the country’s biggest cities’ markets.
The heritage site and popular spot for travellers from Wiltshire and further afield will open to the public from Thursday, November 27 to Sunday, December 14.
The city ranked sixth overall in a nationwide Christmas Market Index with a total score of 66.4 out of 100, following closely behind Glasgow (69.5) and Birmingham (76.3).
The analysis assessed 18 markets across seven weighted categories – annual visitors, number of stalls, duration, online reviews, accessibility, setting and cost – to uncover which UK cities offer the best festive experience.
Bath’s market was particularly commended for its picturesque setting (12.6/18) and visitor reviews (9.3/15), highlighting its reputation as one of the country’s most charming and atmospheric festive markets. Its accessibility score (10/10) was likewise among the best in the UK, reflecting its ease of access from major routes and public transport.
The market’s smaller duration (3.6/12) and moderate cost score (10.5/15) brought down its overall total slightly, with Bath hosting a shorter but more concentrated event compared with long-running markets in cities like Birmingham and Edinburgh.
Elsewhere in the rankings, Edinburgh (79.7) and London (79.0) took the top two positions, with Manchester (78.8) in third. Belfast (63.5) and York (61.8) both secured mid-table finishes, while Leeds (47.8) and Chester (50.7) ranked among the lowest performers.
Spokesperson for Locals Insider, Martin Danemaq, said: “Bath continues to be one of the UK’s best Christmas market destinations, and it’s easy to see why. Its charming Georgian streets, festive lights and focus on high-quality local traders make it a standout in our 2025 rankings.
“Although Bath’s market doesn’t run for as long as some of the UK’s biggest events, the experience it offers remains exceptional – combining tradition, atmosphere and accessibility. For those in the South of England, it’s arguably the go-to festive market experience outside of London’s Winter Wonderland.”
