Being hailed as one of the premier Christmas Markets, especially when you’re in close proximity to Liverpool and Manchester, is no small achievement – and Chester’s festive market managed to do just that last year. So this November (2025), I was determined to experience it – and I set off on the 40-minute train ride from Liverpool Central. 

The train journey was followed by an additional 15-minute walk into the heart of the market to see what all the fuss was about. My previous visit to Chester’s market was more than four years ago, so my memories were somewhat vague, and I wasn’t sure what to anticipate. Upon arrival, the festive atmosphere was unmistakable, a live musician entertained us with melodies, and fairy lights sparkled above the stalls.

This year’s annual market consists of 80 varied traders, each offering something distinctive. The assortment of items on offer includes handmade crafts, jewellery, accessories, stocking fillers, festive food and a variety of drinks, reports the Liverpool Echo.

I browsed through all the craft and artisan stalls, tried on some £20 silver bangles – which sadly didn’t fit – and checked if any of the candles could take the place of my reliable Yankee Christmas Magic jar.

However, as the day wore on, my rumbling stomach could no longer be ignored. It was time to delve into the culinary delights on offer.

Regrettably, a power cut had thrown a spanner in the works, affecting my food choices. The majority of the hot food stalls were unable to open until later than scheduled, forcing many to revert to the traditional method of cash-only transactions.

These issues were resolved around 2pm, but by then I was already aboard the train back to Liverpool, frantically trying to thaw my frostbitten fingers.

Yet, every cloud has a silver lining, and this mishap led me to stumble upon Mrs B’s Bakehouse. Tucked away amongst the stalls closest to the cathedral, the gentleman manning the stall guided me through the array of products available, all while adjusting the bauble hat that kept slipping over his eyes.

Importantly, this stall was one of the few that accepted both cash and card payments. They boasted a wide variety of pies and rolls to choose from, including vegan options.

The oval pies were priced at £5.50 each or three for £12, while the rolls were slightly cheaper, at £4.50 each or any three for £10.

After some deliberation, I chose the festive roll, in line with the Christmas theme. It set me back £4.50 and was packed with pork, stuffing, bacon, and cranberry.

The pastry was delightfully flaky, but it was the filling that truly stole the show. The bacon and cranberry perfectly complemented the pork without overpowering the flavour.

The taste was exactly what I had anticipated: a superior sausage roll with a unique twist. I sampled it cold initially, but the flavour seemed to amplify with each moment in the microwave.

It left me pleasantly satiated, yet I still had enough space to try a few sweet delights and indulge in a hot chocolate – no Christmas market visit is complete without one.

There was no need to inquire about marshmallows or cream; that’s a given. For the full experience, it cost me an additional £6.

It’s slightly more than you’d prefer to spend on a single beverage, but it’s par for the course at these types of events.

Out of journalistic obligation, rather than gluttony, I assure you, I also purchased a £7 chilli con carne jacket potato from the North Pole stall. The meal had potential, but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

Being one of the stall’s first customers, I’m attributing this to initial teething problems and would be willing to give it another go.

Fortunately, the markets are open until Monday, 22 December, providing ample opportunity to revisit Chester when things are, hopefully, running more smoothly.