Christmas market season always adds a sparkle to the West Country, and this year I get to experience it in the most magical way. I’m one of the five winners of the GWR Christmas Market Challenge, which means I’ve been handed the ultimate golden ticket: two whole weeks of free rail travel to explore as many Christmas markets on the GWR network as I can. As a huge fan of Christmas markets, this is basically my dream itinerary.
I knew GWR connected a lot of brilliant destinations, but I genuinely hadn’t realised just how many Christmas markets sit along the network until I started planning my festive days out. From London to Truro, Bristol to Cheltenham, the line weaves through some of the South West’s most festive cities. And the best part? No traffic, no parking nightmares and no hunting for loose change for a metre. Just a cosy seat, wintery countryside rolling past the window, and an easy arrival right in the heart of the action.
So if you’re planning your own Christmas market adventure, here’s every destination on my GWR festive route — along with tips, first-hand snippets and exactly what you can expect when you step off the train.
London Paddington: Hyde Park Winter Wonderland & Southbank Centre Winter Festival
London is a Christmas classic, and arriving into Paddington makes it incredibly accessible.
Winter Wonderland – 14 November 2025 – 1 January 2026
Winter Wonderland is the full festive spectacle: ice rink, ice slide, huge Christmas market, circus, big attractions, towering lights and food roasting at every corner.
Admission Prices: 5.00/7.50 – book online and in advance.
Best Tube stations:
Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly line)
Marble Arch (Central line)
From Paddington:
Circle line to South Kensington, then Piccadilly line to Hyde Park Corner
Or Central line from nearby Lancaster Gate to Marble Arch
Southbank
Meanwhile, Southbank’s winter market is a bit more relaxed, with Scandinavian-style wooden cabins, riverside strolls and some delicious street food.
Best Tube stations:
Waterloo (Northern, Jubilee, Bakerloo lines)
Embankment (District, Circle, Northern lines)
From Paddington:
Bakerloo line direct to Waterloo
The Southbank market is slightly calmer and cosier, stretching along the Thames with wooden chalets, seasonal street food and river views. It pairs perfectly with an evening walk and a warm drink in hand.
Top Tip: Check out Leake Street Arches while you’re on the Southbank. Located beneath Waterloo Station and famous for its ever-changing graffiti tunnel (Leake Street).
If you’re planning to see the Christmas lights in Regent Street, you can walk from the Southbank. Cross the river via Golden Jubilee Footbridge towards Trafalgar Square, then up Regent Street towards Piccadilly Circus.
Both Christmas markets are easy to reach from Paddington by Tube, and both feel completely different.
Bristol Temple Meads: Bristol Christmas Market
Bristol Christmas Market sits right beside the Broadmead shopping quarter and Cabot’s Circus, so you can wander from independent stalls to high-street shops with ease. Think handmade gifts, Bavarian-style food, warming drinks and a steady hum of festive music.
Bristol’s creative spirit always shines through. Even its Christmas market has that colourful, bohemian edge the city is known for.
The city centre is also home to the Bristol Christmas Village at Castle Green, which has quickly become one of the highlights of the festive season.
Set within the green space just a short walk from the city centre, Bristol Christmas Village has an outdoor roller rink run by Rollerhub, curling lanes, classic fairground rides, and even a Christmas-themed escape room.
Don’t miss St Nicholas market which runs for 6 weeks from 14th November, centred around Corn Street in Bristol’s Old City.
Bath Spa: Bath Christmas Market
Bath Christmas Market was my first stop on the challenge, and still one of my favourites. The city of Bath at Christmas is pure magic. The Georgian streets are lit up, every shop window twinkles, and the scent of mulled wine and street food lingers in the air. The market winds through the centre of the city, wrapped around the Abbey.
Bath Spa is just a few minutes’ walk from the heart of the market.
Useful tips:
- The market runs daily until 14 December.
- Weekdays are quieter.
- Extra trains run on Saturdays during the festive rush.
- Layers and comfy shoes are essential.
- Most stalls take card, but having small cash is helpful.
- Check out Sally Lunn’s and try the famous Sally Lunn Bath Bun – a Bath institution and one of the oldest houses in the city.
Exeter St Davids / Exeter Central: Exeter Christmas Market
Exeter was my second trip on the GWR Market Hop and with two stations to choose from, it’s one of the easiest markets to reach on the network. From Somerset, I was there in just over an hour.
A short walk from Exeter Central Station and you’re straight onto Exeter’s High Street where familiar brands sit alongside independent boutiques and department stores. There are a few wooden chalets set along the pedestrian streets.
The main Christmas market stalls are set against the cathedral, Exeter’s Christmas Market feels like a winter fairytale. The 100 (or so) wooden chalets are arranged in a circle around the green, with the cathedral towering above. It’s relaxed, atmospheric and incredibly photogenic and even the drizzle didn’t dampen the mood.
Cheltenham Spa: Christmas Gift Market
My third stop on the Christmas Market Hop was Cheltenham. From Cheltenham Spa railway station, I caught a bus from just outside the station entrance into the town centre (£5.20 return).
The Cheltenham Christmas Arts and Craft Gift Market is set along the Promenade and focuses on artisan stalls selling handmade gifts, festive decorations, jewellery and seasonal treats. The Regency buildings create an elegant backdrop, especially once the Christmas lights are switched on.
You’ll find a great range of High Street shops surrounding the market with big stores like John Lewis and M&S, so it’s easy to spend a whole day here.
Other Christmas markets along the GWR network
Cardiff Central: Cardiff Christmas Market
Cardiff Christmas Market is all about craftsmanship. Expect unique ceramics, metalwork, art, textiles and independent gifts from Welsh makers. The market spills into the centre and blends perfectly with the city’s shopping and food scene. The train brings you right into the action, and it’s easy to stroll between the castle, arcades and festive stalls for a full day out.
Plymouth: Plymouth Christmas Market
Plymouth’s market brings a blend of traditional crafts and local producers, with the city centre lit up in classic seaside-meets-festive style. It’s a great choice for a more spacious, family-friendly Christmas market with plenty of food and laid-back browsing.
Truro: Truro Christmas Market
Cornwall’s cathedral city goes all-out for Christmas. Truro is known for supporting local makers, and the festive market is full of Cornish food, arts, crafts and seasonal treats. It’s a perfect option if you want something slightly less commercial and more regionally distinctive and the train drops you right near the centre.
Reading: Reading Broad Street Christmas Market
Reading’s market is small, cheerful and perfectly placed for a festive shopping day. Broad Street transforms with chalet stalls, hot drinks and sweet treats. Being such a major station on the network, it’s one of the simplest festive day trips you can make.
Salisbury: Salisbury Christmas Market (Sundays)
Salisbury feels like stepping into a Christmas card. The Sunday Christmas Market makes the most of the cathedral city’s charming streets, with festive stalls, local produce and craft makers. If you enjoy exploring historic cities at a slower pace, this is a wonderful Sunday trip by train.
Totnes: Totnes Christmas Market (Tuesdays)
Atmospheric, quirky and very Totnes. The Tuesday Christmas Market is a lively mix of artisan makers, street food, buskers and local sellers. The town’s independent spirit comes alive with festive colour, creating a vibrant mid-week Christmas experience that feels different from any other market on the list.
Travelling to Christmas markets by GWR train has made festive exploring easy and enjoyable. From city favourites like Bath, Bristol and Exeter to elegant Cheltenham, each stop offers something different and easy to reach by rail.
Travelling by train keeps the focus on lights, stalls and seasonal atmosphere rather than traffic and parking. It’s one of the easiest ways to experience the best Christmas markets across the South West, South Wales and London.
Now I’m looking forward to going again next year! Who’s joining me?
