Pretty UK town that transforms with a magical Christmas market in a charming setting
- UK Hidden Gems
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
A much loved Christmas market and late night shopping event is taking place in one of the UK’s most visited counties.
This December you will be spoilt for choice as Christmas comes to a beautiful setting the whole family can enjoy.
Devon and Cornwall are hugely popular in summer, but autumn and winter bring a calmer feel to the region.
Instead of heading to the beach, visitors can soak up the magic of Christmas markets in the South West.
One Devon town sees its streets “filled with crowds” who come to enjoy an “old fashioned traditional Christmas experience”.
In Tavistock, a moorland town, the annual Dickensian Evening is described as a “magical late night shopping event that transports you back in time”, with local shopkeepers “embracing the spirit and dressing in traditional clothing”.
Tavistock’s Pannier Market becomes a lively hub of festive scents and lovely gifts, all sold by independent traders and perfect for Christmas inspiration.
This historic market dates back to the year 1105, and the stallholders are friendly and happy to chat about the items they sell.
The town is also full of independent shops, and they all stay open late on Friday, December 5, 2025, for the Tavistock Dickensian Evening.
The Caesar was a navy ship used to find and recruit sailors, but it was caught in stormy seas and crashed into the headland at Pwll Du.
Some officers survived, but about 90 men who were locked below deck didn’t make it.
There are three paths that lead to the beach – two along the coastal route from the east and west, and another through Bishopston Valley.
The coastal trails offer amazing views of the Gower’s cliffs and sea, while the valley path is like a magical woodland walk, winding through trees beside a river that flows all the way to the beach.
Remember - LeaveNoTrace!
As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!
Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.
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