York, a city known for its Christmas spirit, offers a festive market experience without breaking the bank. However, my personal view was that the prices were not justified. Despite the initial shock of seeing a pricey “ethically sourced” tree decoration, we explored the city center.
If you tend to be a bit of a Scrooge during the holiday season, this market may not be your cup of tea. The high cost of items like a fancy hot chocolate for £7.50 left me feeling frustrated, but it’s clear that these popular festive attractions have their appeal.
The Christmas market lacked the expected aroma of sugared nuts, replaced instead by a mix of impatience and tension in the air. The highlight of the market, the Chocolate Circus, was not as groundbreaking as the long queues suggested, offering a simple hot chocolate with a cookie on top.
For those willing to endure the queues and splurge on pricey treats, such as Tommy Banks’ £9.90 pies or a £12.50 Irish spice bag, the market may be a hit. However, for someone like me who prefers a quieter experience, a nearby cafe named Heppni offers a more understated selection of Christmas delights.
York’s Christmas market caters to those eager to dive into the festive season early and are willing to spend generously to do so.