The nine best Christmas markets in the UK have been named, with large stretches of the country totally missing out. As the nights draw in, the temperature drops, and the desire to wrap your hands around a steaming mug of hot chocolate reaches breaking point, there’s little more fun to be had than heading to a Christmas market.

Unfortunately, your access to a top-quality festive fair very much depends on where you live in the UK, if Which?’s annual ranking of the best Christmas market cities is to be believed. Those living in Wales, the West Midlands, the East Midlands, and London live in top-quality Christmas market deserts. While there is one of the top nine in Scotland, if you live in a large part of the country that isn’t in Edinburgh, then you’re out of luck.

Here are the nine best, according to Which?.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

Bath: More than 200 wooden chalets line the cobblestone streets of Bath during one of the UK’s biggest and most well-known Christmas markets, which celebrates its 25th anniversary. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Bath Abbey and the Roman Baths, stallholders offer items such as handmade wooden furniture, garden sculptures, Bristolian knitwear and indie fragrances. Local seasonal treats are also central to the market, including festive bakes from Flapjackery and the Pudding Wagon. Festivities can continue at nearby Royal Victoria Park for a glide around the ice rink or a wintry stroll along the city’s famous Royal Crescent.

Chester: This year, the city has expanded to include 80 stalls dotted around Chester’s Victorian Gothic town hall and medieval cathedral, offering handcrafted candles, upcycled cutlery, artisan liqueurs and more. Independent traders can also be found in the double-deck shopping arcades known as the Rows, which date back to the 13th century and are among the city’s most distinctive sights. Elsewhere, Roman ruins, ancient gatehouses, Tudor buildings and Georgian and Victorian architecture add to Chester’s captivating charm.

Durham: A quiet yet peaceful affair, Durham’s Christmas market includes around 30 stalls that spill out of the Market Hall and into the surrounding flagstone streets, with locally made hot sauce, reworked vintage clothing, sweet treats and handmade decorations. There is also a crafts and gifts marquee with more than 120 additional stalls to browse, which requires paid entry. You can walk off the festive treats by climbing Durham Cathedral’s 325 steps.

Winchester: Set on the grounds of the breathtaking Winchester Cathedral, the city’s Christmas market features charming wooden chalets filled with gift ideas including silk scarves, wooden toys, pet portraits and handmade homeware, all accompanied by performances from local choirs and musicians. Seasonal goodies such as artisan cheese, a classic hog roast and handmade scotch eggs add an extra touch of indulgence. You can also explore Winchester’s independent shops, and a visit to the cathedral is highly recommended.

Wells: You will need to be quick for this one, as it takes place on a single Saturday in mid-December. With more than 100 stalls set across Bishops Palace Green and Wells Market Place on Saturday 6 December, it is well worth the trip. There is plenty to see and do in this quaint medieval city for a weekend getaway, and it offers a variety of unique shops and eateries.

Liverpool: The city’s Christmas market is set against the dramatic backdrop of a fairy-lit St George’s Hall, with its stalls designed to look like gingerbread houses and grottos. Visitors note that it is not the most nostalgic market, with less choral music, artisan crafts and mince pies, and more 80s Christmas pop, fairground rides and down-to-earth food like roast ham baps and mac and cheese. Liverpool is a large and historic city, so there are many sights to explore beyond the market, including the museums at Albert Dock, the Walker Art Gallery and the city’s two cathedrals.

Edinburgh: As one of the most beautiful cities in the UK, its Christmas market only adds to the magic. Wooden chalets line East Princes Street, selling Yuletide gifts and cosy stocking fillers. There is also a mini funfair with a helter-skelter, a swing carousel that almost grazes the Gothic Scott Monument, and a big wheel offering views of Edinburgh’s medieval castle and the ancient hill Arthur’s Seat. Afterwards, you can wander through the winter gardens, go ice skating or explore the New Town for more shopping in the city famous for its New Year’s Eve Hogmanay celebrations.

York: Known as St Nicholas Fair, York’s Christmas Festival has been a festive favourite for more than 30 years and is an ideal destination for gift hunting. Dozens of alpine chalets adorned with twinkling lights fill Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square, where you can find art prints and Christmas decorations. Which? highlights the market’s strong focus on accessibility, noting initiatives for visitors with limited mobility and designated quiet shopping times from 10am to 12pm for those preferring a music-free experience. Beyond the festival, the city’s history offers much to explore, including the majestic York Minster and the Shambles, a medieval lane lined with half-timbered houses, independent shops and a market.

Belfast: Returning for its 21st year, the Christmas market is held in the grounds of Belfast’s City Hall and is set to be a hit with food lovers. Flavours from across the region and the world are available, including the famed ostrich, wild boar and crocodile burgers, along with classic sausages and beer and a wide selection of speciality cheeses. With more than 100 traders, there is plenty to discover, along with a funfair for children. Further food options await at St George’s Market for a taste of modern Belfast, which is bustling with local producers on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, or you can head to Cathedral Square for bars, restaurants and galleries.