As people are now beginning to get their Christmas shopping underway, those of us in Test Valley have got many chances to get all of that done right here in the borough.
Across Andover, Romsey and surrounding villages, it will be markets galore over the next month or so with many opportunities to buy presents local this year.
The Romsey Show will get us into the festive spirit as they host a Winter Fayre on Friday 18 November. The public can attend from 10-6pm at Crosfield Hall. 30 plus traders will be in attendance, organisers say last year’s event was extremely well attended. (www.romseyshow.co.uk)
On Saturday 19 November, Romsey Town Hall plays host to the Craft and Gift Market so local crafters can show off their talents and what they have to offer. The event also returns on the 17 December. (www.ukcraftfairs.com/craft-events/23205/romsey-craft-and-gift-market)
Romsey’s weekly ‘Makers Markets’ are continuing every Sunday in the run up to Christmas, with artisan makers, bakers, artists and crafters showcasing their products. That’s being held on the 20, 27 November and 4, 11, 18 December.
On Thursday 24 and Friday 25 November, you can fly into the Hawk Conservancy and take a look around their own Christmas market. From 4pm to 8:30pm they will be welcoming different shopping stalls as well as food and drink stands. Market goers can get into the festive spirit by enjoying a mulled wine or a hot chocolate for those wanting something a little sweeter. (www.hawk-conservancy.org/events/christmas-market)
Head to Andover town centre for a festive market amongst the Christmas celebrations on Friday 25 November from 3pm to 8pm.
Residents won’t have to wait too much longer for their next fix of local Christmas shopping. On Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 November Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm are holding their Annual Christmas Craft Fair. From 10am to 4pm there will be a selection of local businesses and suppliers for visitors to browse. (www.choldertonrarebreedsfarm.com/event/christmas-craft-fair)
Meanwhile, also on that Saturday, you can take flight to the Army Flying Museum in Middle Wallop for their Christmas Fayre. Jewellery, candles, original artwork and home furnishings are just some of the things that will be on sale. (www.armyflying.com/what-s-on/events)
Saturday 26 November seems to be a popular day for festive shopping experiences in Test Valley as the beautiful Romsey Abbey is also playing host to a Christmas Fair from 10am to 2pm.
Local independent businesses in Andover will be getting an opportunity to show off their crafts as another indoor pop-up market is being held at the beginning of December in the Chantry Centre. It’s open 9:30am until 4pm, with stalls dotted all around the centre. In the south of the borough there is the Lockerley and East Dean Christmas Fayre also on the 3 December from 10am to 2pm in the Memorial Hall.
Then, on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 December, Stockbridge Town Hall will be transformed into its own little market. The Makers Market is back for two days between 10am and 4pm.
Also on Sunday 11 December, Second Sundays is back in Andover’s High Street for the last time in 2022.
As some people will still be looking around for the perfect gifts to buy for their friends and family, there is a chance to do some last-minute shopping a week before the big day. On Sunday 18 December the Hampshire Farmers Market is back in Romsey from 10am to 1pm. It’s being held in Alma Road Car Park, opposite Waitrose. (www.hampshirefarmersmarkets.co.uk)
Market dates and locations:
Friday 18 November - Romsey Show Christmas Fayre
Saturday 19 November and 20 November - Artful Christmas weekend, Sir Harold Hilliers Garden
Saturday 19 November - Craft and Gift Market, Romsey Town Hall
Sunday 20 November - Artisan Market, Andover High Street
Sunday 20 and 27 November - Romsey Makers Market
Thursday 24 and Friday 25 November - Christmas Market, Hawk Conservancy
Friday 25 November - Andover Festive Market
Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 November - Annual Christmas Fair, Cholderton Rare Breeds Farm
Saturday 26 November - Christmas Fayre, Army Flying Museum
Saturday 3 December - Pop up market, The Chantry Centre, Andover
Saturday 3 December - Christmas Fayre, Lockerley and East Dean Memorial Hall
Saturday 10 December - Oaktrack Christmas Market, 3pm-7pm, Oaktrack Smallholding, Charlton Down, Andover, SP11 0JA
Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 December - Makers Market, Stockbridge Town Hall
Sunday 11 December - Second Sundays, Andover
Sunday 18 December - Artisan Market, Andover High Street
Sunday 18 December - Hampshire Farmers Market, Alma Road Car Park, Romsey
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