Our Market Towns

Make Christmas easy by shopping in your local market town. Buckinghamshire has many to choose from and they all have a mixture of independent local retailers and big brands with many holding Christmas markets, lights switch-ons and various entertainment, so why not support your local economy? It's a greener option too!

Christmas Markets

Going to a Christmas market is an essential part of the run up to the big day. Waddesdon is hosting its traditional wooden chalet market in front of the manor for you to stock up on presents and enjoy some festive nibbles and drinks as you shop with the dedicated Food Village. They'll be over 70 stalls with many handmade gifts and you can enjoy the lights and soak up the Christmas vibes at the same time. The market is on until Dec 18th but the Winter Light show is continuing until 22nd January, with over 2.5km of illuminations, their longest trail yet. The online shop at Waddesdon is also a great place to find lovely gifts and souvenirs of the Manor and Estate. Aylesbury Christmas Craft & Gift Fair will be taking place on Sun 4th December with plenty of stalls in the Market Square, surrounded by festive decorations and entertainment to get you in the holiday mood. The Hearing Dogs for Deaf People Centre is holding a Christmas market on 26th and 27th November with Santa's Grotto, music from a choir and brass band, food and drinks and of course plenty of stalls from which to buy unqiue gifts. There's a small Christmas market on 3rd and 4th December at Chiltern Open Air Museum where you can see how Christmas was celebrated in bygone days and admire the traditional decorations in the historic buildings. Also on 3rd December, Danesfield House Hotel's Christmas Fair in its Great Hall will have mulled wine, lovely gifts and a visit from Santa himself. Santa will also be popping up on 4th December at Missenden Abbey's Christmas Charity Market and he's bringing his reindeer. Plus they'll be rides, food and drinks, as well as lots of craft and gift stalls. 

Experiences

Know someone who is a bit of a thrill seeker? Buy them a voucher to swing from the treetops with Go Ape. You can find Go Ape in either Wendover Woods or Black Park Country Park, a brilliant gift for someone who is a bit of an adrenalin junkie! Or if know someone who would want to soar even higher, look no further than Finest Hour Experiences. Choose from a flying lesson where you will fly over the stunning Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire countyside, or just enjoy being a passenger and taking a tour along the majestic Thames. Got a piggy lover? Well a trip to Kew Little Pigs is the gift for them! Enjoy time cuddling, tickling and brushing micropigs as well as learning about how Kew Little Pig’s look after them and how some are even film stars! If you have a creative in your midst, why not buy them a silver jewellery making workshop as a gift from Corzo & Wood? They share a passion for designing and creating unique, contemporary silver jewellery. Using a blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern techniques, you'll design and create a unique piece to take home or give to a loved one. Or if pottery is their thing, a voucher for pottery classes at Keeeps in Marlow, could be just the ticket.

Spa Treatments

If you know someone who deserves a break, then how about gifting a spa treatments? Sitting on the outskirts of Marlow is the delightful Danesfield House Hotel & Spa. Find the right treatment for your loved this Christmas with a selection of relaxing options from Danesfield’s Illumanti Spa. Cliveden House which is just outside Maidenhead also has a luxury spa to unwind in. Behind their walled garden you can find both an inside and outside pool, along with hot tubs and relaxations rooms. Spoil them with a selection of treatments from one offs, overnight stays and day retreats!  

Christmas Food & Drink

Orchard View Farm is the perfect spot to find wonderful gifts for foodies. The farm shop is packed with Christmas goodies, many locally produced, as well as an award-winning butchery so you can stock up for yourself whilst you're there. Why not stop by for a delicious homemade lunch, including Christmas menu, and browse for gifts at the same time? Or choose from one of Buckinghamshire's many breweries, vineyards or distilleries. You can choose from a variety of brilliant boozy gifts including Daws Hill's award-winning fizz and Puddingstone Distillery’s Campfire Gin and Pud Pud Christmas gin, available in special gift sets. If beer is more their thing, then you can buy a variety of ales or special hampers from Malt The Brewery, a selection of beers from Buckinghamshire’s zero waste brewery, Bucks Star or try something from the Chilterns oldest independent brewery, The Chiltern Brewery.