Festive fun at the Plymouth Christmas Market

Towns and cities across the Southwest have Christmas markets in the run up and over the Christmas period and this year we went to the Christmas Market in Plymouth.

Plymouth is not the regional capital but it is the largest city in Devon and it is arguably the most famous because of its importance in American history. Plymouth is a sailing city even to this day and is home to one of the country’s largest ship yards and naval bases.

During the 16th century locally produced wool was the major export commodity. Plymouth was the home port for successful maritime traders, among them Sir John Hawkins, and Sir Francis Drake, Mayor of Plymouth in 1581 and 1593. According to legend, Drake insisted on completing his game of bowls on the Hoe before engaging the Spanish Armada in 1588. In 1620 the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for the New World from Plymouth, establishing Plymouth Colony – the second English colony in what is now the United States of America.

The Christmas market in Plymouth was amazing with the entire city center alight with beautiful lights and the main Christmas tree was stunning. The Market and an amazing selection of foods from all over the world including Italian Biscuits, French pastries and German sausages as well as British classics like mince pies. Plymouth has a great selection of shops so we all managed to treat ourselves but the market was a great place to buy presents to take home and for each other.

The trip was a little later so many of us met up and had dinner together and afterwards we had a go on the ice skating rink which was hilarious especially because so many of us couldn’t stand up for more than five minutes. We still had a little time so we went for a walk along the Hoe which overlooks the sea and has the famous lighthouse looking out to sea.