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Mirror reporter Cyann Fielding travelled to Newcastle to check out this year’s Christmas Market — she enjoyed festive delights and displays, with wholesome winter food and tipples
Exploring Newcastle Christmas Market
I love a Christmas market, but many in the UK tend to feel repetitive. To experience something truly unique, you often need to seek out themed markets, like the Satanic Christmas market in London, or head to Europe for a fresh take.
However, Newcastle’s Christmas market stood out with a distinctive charm and offerings that surprised me in a very good way.
Travelling via train from London, it takes around three-and-a-half hours to get to Newcastle — which for how close the city is to Scotland didn’t seem much like me. Typically, my train experiences tend to lean towards chaotic, however the all-electric LUMO train was comfortable and provided great customer service.
For a very southern girl from the darkest depths of Devon, I haven’t explored the north of Britain much, having only visited Scotland for the first time this year. So stepping out of Newcastle station to the lively hum of Geordie accents and biting fresh air, I was reminded of my Edinburgh trip back in March.
Newcastle, first and foremost, is a beautiful city. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but the architectural scenes of the place amazed me as I wandered out of the sandstone station. Just outside of the station’s steps, Christmas spirit was evident. Beige tepee tents stood inviting visitors to cozy up, away from the cold. Though tempting, I headed to my hotel to settle in first.
Grey Street Hotel sits at the corner of a junction, in the centre of the city. Other than being decorated for the festive period, it gives no grand first impression from the outside. But inside, the hotel exudes warmth and style — a welcome encounter from the brisk weather outside.
I stayed in the Thomas Bewick suite, named after the Newcastle-based natural history author of the same name. The centrepiece of the room was a grand bed, with a towering grey velvet headboard and intricate wallpaper behind.
Two plush, marble-fabric chairs sat invitingly in the corner. The highlight, however, was the luxurious bathroom: a standalone bathtub, dual sinks, a walk-in shower, and colour-changing LED lights that created a spa-like ambiance. Thoughtful touches like complimentary toothbrushes, The White Company toiletries, and a variety of teas elevated the experience.
The bed was among the comfiest I’ve ever slept in, and waking up refreshed, I enjoyed an excellent breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant. From continental options to made-to-order dishes, my eggs royale and coffee were the perfect start to the day.
Centered around Grey’s Monument, the market stalls offer a range of different food offerings and gifts. Unlike the stereotypical items you find at Christmas markets, Newcastle’s market boasted products such as ethically made body products and locally crafted alcohol. My favourite was a stool selling dried fruit arrangements, which radiated aromas of warm cinnamon and fresh fir.
At the edge of the chalets, you will find the Moosenwirt Bar where prices were surprisingly not bad. A fully loaded hot chocolate would set you back £4.50 (or £8 if boozy), and mulled wine and cider were £6.50 each. Two steins were just £12. The alpine-inspired setting, complete with a fire and snowboard seats, paired perfectly with the friendly staff to create a cosy retreat.
For food, I couldn’t resist trying the Yorkshire Pudding Wraps stall — a viral sensation I’d seen on TikTok. For £12, I got a hearty bowl filled with roast dinner staples, comparable to a pub carvery. For an extra £2, you could have everything served in a giant Yorkshire pudding, though I felt this should’ve been included in the price. Despite this, I was not left disappointed. What seems like a simple idea was a big winner and made this market stand out in my many experiences of festive fares.
I sounds silly to say I would go back just for this meal, but it was the ultimate cold weather comfort food and something about having it in a festive setting made it all the more tasty. Littered elsewhere across the market, were sweet treat stalls. One stall offered marshmallow kisses for £2 a pop — they were generously sized and came in a range of tasty flavours including Baileys, After Eight and Vanilla Cherry.
The prettiest attraction of the market was undoubtedly the Grill Tower — a helter-skelter shaped tower glistening with lights, which bought a unique touch to a traditional hot dog stand. The market stretches beyond just the chalets themselves, with Fenwick’s original store also taking part in the festive fun. The department store makes itself into one of the city’s Christmas attraction with its jubilant window displays. This year the store showcases a modern twist on the 12 Days of Christmas.
Compared to other markets I have visited, Newcastle’s leans on the more affordable side. For reference, I spent a total of £22.50 at the market itself, which got me dinner, a dessert and an alcoholic beverage. You’d stretch just getting a meal and soft drink for that price at Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland.
Alongside the affordable prices, I also really appreciated the celebration of local businesses that were selling at the market. It made it feel even cosier, and an extremely wholesome demonstration of the talented creators in Newcastle.
Newcastle’s Christmas market in itself may not warrant a visit as I would say it is not the biggest market around, and a very similar size to your average market. However, the combination of the market and other festive events the city offer and the affordable prices of the market, definitely make it worth the trip.