The best Christmas markets around

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Over the past decade, Christmas markets have become increasingly popular in the UK, and with events popping up all over the place, there is something for everyone.

Whether you are looking for handmade gifts, fine wines, exquisite foods or just the chance to feel festive and get together with family and friends before the full blown celebrations start, we think we have something that will be right for you.

Exeter
Set to the back drop of the city’s beautiful cathedral, the Exeter Christmas market takes place between 15th November and 16th December and isn’t to be missed. Wooden chalets are occupied by local and national businesses selling everything from original art work and handmade leather bags, to delicious gins and seasonal cakes, and with a buzzing atmosphere, a visit won’t disappoint. Make a weekend of it and you can also visit the seaside town of Teignmouth or go wild on Dartmoor – with so much to do, see and buy, you won’t want to go home.

Bath
Between 22 November and 9 December, nearly 200 stalls selling a wide range of products that you won’t find on the High Street, will line the pretty streets of Bath. Beautiful ceramics and glass wear, bespoke clothes, toys and sweets are all on offer, together with foodies selling crepes, hog roasts and mulled wine too. Why not stay at one of the city’s boutique hotels, visit the Roman Baths and by the time you get home you will be feeling relaxed and ready for the festivities ahead of you.

Edinburgh
Edinburgh, isn’t just for New Year, you know. Between 17 November and 5 January this beautiful Scottish city is alive with Christmas activities that attract thousands of visitors every year. From the markets at the East Princes Street Gardens, to the popular Johnnie Walker Bothy Bar, the bumper cars and Christmas tree maze, Edinburgh is an experience you don’t want to miss!

Belfast
From 17 November to December 22, the streets of Belfast are transformed into a totally magical Christmas affair. The very best Belgian chocolates and German sausages, arts and crafts, decorations and clothes, are all on sale from stalls scattered between the helter skelter and vintage carousel, and with Santa’s Grotto to visit it too, we suggest you book a flight, and soon.

Winchester
When it comes to Christmas markets, Winchester really does lead the way. Between 17 November and 20 December, this medieval city becomes even more special as wooden chalets line Cathedral Close and offer Christmas cheer. Businesses come together to sell a whole host of beautiful products which will make treasured gifts, and with an open-air ice rink, pretty nativity and delicious food court selling goodies such as mince pies, pasties and stollen, you will want to go back year after year.

If you have somewhere special you love to visit, let us know so we can try it out too.

Team Pure Beauty

The Smart Guide to University Health

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anti-depressants, antibiotics, antiseptic cream, be careful, big day, booze, cans of baked beans, chips, coffee, contraception, daunting, diabetes, epilepsy, exciting, Exeter, February half term, first aid, free and single, Fresher’s Flu, Fresher’s Week, fun, germs, halls, hangovers, health, Ibuprofen, ice, immune system, inhaler, laptop, life changing journey, long-term relationship, measles, meningitis, mum, mumps, new people, next of kin, NHS Website, NOK, Paracetamol, parties, pizza, plasters, plasters and antiseptic, pregnancies, red book, regular medication, research, safe, say cheese, shared house, St. Andrews, STIs, Student Union, taking out insurance, teeth, tetanus, UCL, University Medical Centre, Vaccinations, vitamin supplement, wash your hands, yoga mat, young

Whether it’s UCL, St. Andrews or Exeter, leaving home to go to university and making it on your own can be exciting and daunting in equal measures.

As well as taking out insurance, packing your laptop, cans of baked beans and yoga mat, we think it’s just as important to take a look at your health before you get in the car and start this life changing journey.

Life in halls or a shared house can be fun, but with mum not there to tell you to wash your hands (we know she still does) or your best mate to remind you to ‘be careful’ when you go on a date, things can soon slide, but we are here to make sure they don’t.

Vaccinations
Your red book will probably be safe in the loft, but before the big days arrives, do some research and just check that your tetanus, measles, mumps and meningitis jabs are all up to date. While you’re at it, the NHS website gives some pretty good advice on what to look for when it comes to symptoms for these illness, so grab a coffee and have a read, just to be on the safe side.

First Aid
Yes, we know this is boring, but packing a mini first aid kit might be a good idea. Paracetamol, ibuprofen, plasters and antiseptic can all be added to the family shop before you go away and you can store them in a biscuit tin and use when the need occurs.

Let’s Talk About Sex
Whether you are in a long-term relationship or are young, free and single, it is worth having a chat with your practise nurse about contraception for when you are away. There will lots of parties, and booze, when you hit Fresher’s Week and while hangovers go away STIs and pregnancies will last for longer, so be safe.

Regular Medication
If you take any other regular medication, maybe anti-depressants or you have an inhaler, make sure you get a supply of these before you leave and then find out who your local GP is or sign up with the University Medical Centre and store their numbers in your phone. Now, if you do have a long-term condition, such as diabetes or epilepsy, you don’t need to broadcast it to the world, but it might be worth giving your flatmates the low down and letting them know where any vital medicines are kept.

Say Cheese
Your teeth are important so have a check up and get any treatment done before you go to uni. You can also use this as a chance to book your next appointment for February half term and if you don’t think you’ll be back, ask your Student Union about local dentists and register, fast, and do the say with the local GP or

Get the Digits Down
Keep a number for next of kin in your mobile phone under NOK or ICE (‘next of kin’ or ‘in case of emergency’) and find out where the local A&E and drop-in health centres are and make a note of the numbers because you never know when you might need them.

Fresher’s Flu
You’ve probably heard the rumours about this one but many freshers go down with a cold type virus in the first half term simply because they are coming into contact with lots of new people and their germs. Try to eat a good diet (not just pizza and chips at midnight), drink plenty of water, take a vitamin supplement and if you can, do get some sleep as all of this will help keep your immune system strong. If you fall ill with a virus, antibiotics won’t help, so wrap up, get some rest and head to that first aid box you thought we were making a fuss about.

Whatever else you do, have fun and enjoy!

Team Pure-Beauty