Christmas Leftovers Made Fun: Festive Afternoon Tea

Be it making too much or receiving loads of foody presents, you’re bound to have lots of leftovers and little bites in the days after Christmas.

It could be instead of the traditional Boxing Day cold buffet, or just as a replacement for weeks of turkey soup, but a Festive Afternoon Tea is a great way to get all those spare bits together and assemble them into something special.  We’ve got a handy guide below for ideas of what foods to include and the drinks that perfectly accompany them!

The Perfect Food for a Festive Afternoon Tea

First Course

First up, those festive finger sandwiches. Turkey and cranberry sauce are a must, but brie or camembert with cranberry would also be a lovely twist if you’re willing to include some toasted elements.  Smoked salmon, avocado and cream cheese is also a winner.

If you have any spare from the Christmas dinner (not likely as they’re many people’s favourite bit), then pigs in blankets are perfect bite sized foods for the savoury rung. The same goes for any mini sausage rolls, which is also great excuse to get any festive chutneys involved (spiced, cranberry, apple etc.)

A nice festive quiche with winter vegetables and thyme would make a great vegetarian option here, or a slice of the nut roast from Christmas Dinner if there’s leftovers.

Second Course

It’s not really an afternoon tea without scones, jam and cream occupying that middle rung, is it? For a festive twist, cranberry scones are delicious, especially with orange and cinnamon.

Chances are there will be a few preserves given as gifts, so it’s time to crack them open. If you didn’t get any, then any flavour will do, but focus on berries. Strawberry and champagne jam is perfect for the occasion. Keep the clotted cream simple.

Third Course

It goes without saying that there will probably be plenty of sweet treats to use up here.

Get those slices of leftover Christmas cake up on the top rung, and you have to include a few mince pies if they’re still going strong.

There’s no reason not to include traditional afternoon tea favourites like macarons, profiteroles, fruit tartes or Victoria sponges either.

We think some liquor chocolates are gorgeous peppered in and out of bigger sweet treats too, so it’s time to make a dent in those boxes if you haven’t already.

The Perfect Drinks for a Festive Afternoon Tea

Champagne

When Champagne is enjoyed alongside Afternoon Tea, it becomes a Royal Afternoon Tea, so I guess this would be a Royal Festive Afternoon Tea. Far from being just an extravagance, it is actually ideal for the bites above. A gorgeous Brut Champagne is a great all-rounder, because the gentle fizz and delicate fruitiness soothes throughout. Creamy, brioche and nutty notes pair well with the sweets as well as clotted cream and cheeses, and there’s enough acidity to cut through fatty oils in the pigs in blankets, sausage rolls and pastries. Every sip feels special too, which helps the festive celebrations along.

Moscato d’Asti

Moscato d’Asti isn’t the one if you’re looking for something to pair with every level of the Afternoon Tea, but it does absolutely shine with the sweeter bites. It’s so refreshing, with delicate bubbles, low alcohol and an ideal balance of acidity and sweetness. Cakes, sponges, and anything citrus – this is delightful.

Prosecco

Similar to Moscato d’Asti above, Prosecco is a companion that shines with the sweeter dishes. It’s light and fruity, and as long as you get one with a bit of intensity and complexity, it shouldn’t be overwhelmed by the flavours in the food. There’s enough fruity sweetness to avoid becoming horribly bitter and acidic, and the effervescence clears everything between bites nicely.

Riesling

Riesling has a fantastic food-friendly reputation, being armed to deal with all sorts of textures and flavours. Sharp acidity cuts through any fats and grease in meats, with residual sugar to deal with sweeter finishes. It’s fresh and lively to give a break from any overwhelming richness too.

Festive tea

We had to include tea of course. Why not fully embrace the season with a Christmas tea blend? There are lots out there, but you’ll usually find winter spices, citrus and orchard fruits – so expect cinnamon, clove, cardamom, orange and alike. It’ll throw up lots of complimentary flavours with other seasonal flavours in the food, and high heat is surprising in its ability to refresh the palate.

Sherry

A sure-fire way to put an Afternoon Tea through the Christmas transformation machine, we’re looking at sherry for those puddings. More precisely, Pedro Ximenez or Oloroso, with good sweetness and those delicious notes of dried fruits, nutsy and rich chocolates.

Pinot Noir

There’s no need for anything as heavy as a Barolo with light and varied bites like this, but a light Pinot Noir with tonnes of those soft red fruits is perfect. New Zealand Pinot is often the vibrant, fruity character we’re after, and they also happen to be rich and structured too, so can handle a little sweet spice. It’s absolutely delicious with cranberry sauce too. It’s a favourite for those Boxing Day cold spreads, so why not an Afternoon Tea twist?

If you’ve still got loads of Christmas Cake, Christmas Pudding and Mince Pies to chomp through, then we’ve got a detailed guide on drinks that marry them deliciously.

What Should I Drink With Christmas Dinner?

Christmas Dinner is usually most people’s biggest meal of the year, with a lot of flavours jostling for position, and if you’re hosting, lots of different tastes at the table. Food might be the main focus, but don’t let the drinks get lost under all those different dishes!

Everyone has different opinions and the perfect wine for all simply doesn’t exist, so alongside Christmas dinner, it’s best to seek out crowd-pleasers that will let the food shine. We know every Christmas dinner is different, so we’ll highlight particularly delicious pairings in bold so you can find the ideal wine for you. Let the feast commence.

WHITE WINE

Riesling

We’ve got a few food pairing guides now, and there is a good reason why we pretty much always return to Riesling. It can deal with so many flavours and textures and is a fantastic all-rounder. Bringing sharp acidity, it’s perfect for cutting through the fatty goodness of goose, duck, ham and roasties – pretty much anything with a bit of grease. Dry Riesling bring a touch of residual sugar and be less alcohol intensive, and therefore food-friendly with sweet glazes or honeyed meats.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £13

Chardonnay

Whites need to big and bold, particularly with the crispy skin of turkey, but also something to relieve the richness on the table, so we’re looking at lightly oaked Chardonnay. Make sure it still has fruity flavours, and it will be a versatile pairing for salty ham and gammon too, as well as the increasingly popular vegetarian or vegan nut roast, that needs its richness offset.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 9.8%
Find here: £8.99

SPARKLING WINE

Champagne

Bubbles are always great with heavy feasts like the Christmas dinner, and sparkling wine is of course, a food-friendly option. Rich, salty flavours will likely be present, so avoid sweet or rosé champagnes, and instead look to brut. Particularly after the meal, the gentle fizz and fragrant fruitiness is beautifully soothing. It also helps that is screams celebration. Also, if you’re on of the few people embracing seafood on the big day, then the saline mineral character of bubbly is a famous pairing. Of course, there’s no need to splash out (although there are great value Champagnes like this one), and affordable alternatives like Crémant and Cava would work just as well.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £48.50

RED WINE

Merlot

A serial crowd-pleaser, find a merlot in the smooth and velvety style, because some others can be heavily oaked. Chilean merlot is a great source of value in this area. Particularly with turkey, it’s more about sauce and stuffing than the meat, and as cranberry sauce is nailed on, we want bright, fruity wines to match. And if the turkey has ended up a bit dry, then the juicy feel doesn’t hurt either. Chilean bottles in particular bring that vibrance, as well as acidity to cut through any fats and refresh the palate. It’s a good option for Christmas ham too.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £11.60

Barolo

If you’re serving goose or even duck and red is a must, then an Italian number like Barolo could be the answer. The foods are very indulgent and fatty, so you need something like a well-structured Barolo to slice through. If you’ve scrapped the turkey and gone for any darker, more savoury meats like the above or beef, then big, punchy Barolo is the answer.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £24.99 (less with Mix Six)

Pinot Noir

Light-bodied and brimming with soft red fruits, Pinot Noir will sing with those cranberry sauce helpings alongside the turkey. Central Otago New Zealand Pinot tends to fit the bright and fruity profile we’re looking for, and they’re also some of the richest and structured, so work particularly well with any sweet glazes (usually ham), or spices. Make sure you don’t go for something too tannic, because it will seem harsh without the fat to soften the tannins. The great thing about leftover Christmas day Pinot is that it’s perfect for the Boxing Day leftovers, ideally light for cold meats.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £19.99

This is just a guide for the big meal itself, but we know as well as you do that Christmas grazing is an all day and all night affair. What should you drink with Christmas pudding or mince pies? Or perhaps you’re after some wine and cheese pairings in the evening? We’ve got recommended bottles for every occasion on the site, as well as tonnes of handy gift guides and recipes.

What Should I Drink With Christmas Cake, Pudding and Mince Pies?

If you’re not gorging on at least one of these this December, then are you even doing Christmas? Of course, mince pies, Christmas cake, and Christmas pudding have their differences, but they’re all based around rich fruits, usually dried, or candied, as well as nuts and spices. Because of this, the same kind of drinks tend to work with them, and work they certainly do – these pairings are mouth-watering, and exactly what Christmas indulgence is about.

Sherry

Sweet, luxurious sherry is such a perfect match. Stick to Pedro Ximenez or Oloroso styles, and the dried fruits, nuts, and silky, rich chocolatey notes will pair up like a match made in taste heaven. It’s a traditional pairing too, so fully embraces the season. We’ve just uploaded our sherry guide for Christmas too, which details recommendations and information about all the styles.

Size: 375ml (half bottle)
ABV: 17%
Find here: £13.65

Port

Tawny Port in particular is a great way to go, brimming with red and black fruits, and if it’s got decent aging, nutty undertones too. The tawny is slightly less sweet than ruby ports, so the richer, nuttier, treacley flavours work well, especially if you’re using brandy butter. This Kopke Tawny is lovely and rich, with a velvety mouthfeel complimenting any cream.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 19.5%
Find here: £14.99

Madeira

Part of Madeira wine’s fundamental manufacturing is heat, giving tonnes of stewed fruits and burnt sugar notes, as well as delicious nutty flavours. I mean, the nose often smells of Christmas cake even! They also keep their acidity nicely, which helps to avoid everything becoming a bit weighed down and cloying. It isn’t as traditional as a glass of sherry but works just as well.  This Blandy’s number is full-on and fruity, but most decent sweet Maderia wines will do the job.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 19%
Find here: £12.99 (usually more!)

Muscat

Dessert wines with carrying hints of apricot or orange work nicely, playing into the festive fruits nicely. Spanish Moscatel de Valencia is a good option – it’s a honeyed wine that’s also fresh and fruity, with lofty florality. It also provides a bit of refreshment and tang if the richness is getting a bit much,

Size: 750ml
ABV: 15%
Find here: £7.99

These Christmas sweet treats are all similar in profile, but the same cannot be said for other desserts, where they may be sharp citrus, custard or other difficult to match flavours and textures. Luckily, we have a whole guide on what to drink with Classic British Puddings here!

8 Stunning Christmas Hampers from DukesHill

Without question, a magically presented hamper is a wonderful Christmas gift, but the festive feast within has to live up to expectations, and we’ve found some that do just that.

DukesHill have built a reputation for delivering artisan hampers that blow people away, putting provenance and quality at the heart of everything they do, from their best-in-class ham to their brandy steeped award-winning Christmas pudding. They’ve even got a Royal Warrant for their cured hams, so these hampers are literally fit for a king, as well as The Ritz, Harrods, and Fortnum & Mason to name a few.

We’re featuring eight of our favourite Christmas hampers here, but rest assured, they have an entire mouthwatering food hall on their site, as well as gift boxes and year-round hampers that are just as suitable for Christmas to be honest. Also, every single hamper comes with a wicker basket for that authentic quality feel, which we love.

Without further ado, let’s get stuck into some of their juiciest offerings and enter a festive feast paradise.

DukesHill Christmas Hampers to Gift

DukesHill Deck The Halls Christmas Hamper

7 premium items fill this 14” wicker basket, which is perfect for sampling and sharing, especially for those with a sweet tooth. Gran Moravia & pistachio sables are included with fig chutney, as well as the highly acclaimed Christmas pudding, classic panettone, authentic shortbread, and a ginger biscuit chocolate bar. Oh, and it’s all washed down with a bottle of Tanners Cava Brut. Fa la la la la, la la la la!

Find here: £60

DukesHill Wine & Cheese Hamper

One of the cheaper DukesHill Hampers but completely indulgent all the same, the charming wicker basket contains a big slab of Isle of Mull cheddar and potent Cote Hill Blue Cheese, ready to marry with the crackers, apple, and sultana chutney and, the star of the show, the Chateau Argadens Bordeaux – rich, oaky and deep. It’s a complete package of harmonious pairings for a festive wine and cheese experience.

Find here: £65

DukesHill Whisky Cask Cider Savoury Hamper

This hearty hamper gets the ball rolling with the flavoursome Isle of Mull cheddar, perfectly paired with the finest charcuterie – lomo, bresaola, porchetta and pastrami. Complimenting this is their signature fig chutney and crackers, before the shining star – a litre of whisky cask cider. It’s matured for half a year in single malt Scotch casks, and delivers refreshing smoothness alongside warm, oaky vanilla.

Find here: £69

DukesHill Jingle Bells Christmas Hamper

A best-seller, this 14” wicker basket contains savoury and sweet treats for all tastes. It mostly focuses on the classics, so that’s rich honey honey-baked ham, delicate smoked salmon, black waxed cheddar, and apple & sultana chutney. The Jingle Bells sweet section is just as pleasing, with the compulsory Christmas pudding, panettone, and a dreamy premium biscuit bundle. So much quality for the price.

Find here: £75

DukesHill Bah Humbug! Christmas Hamper

This is one to get even the most anti-Christmas person into the festive spirit, with 12 delicious items representing their most popular treats. Honey baked honey ham is cured by DukeHill’s own experts, joining sliced oak smoked salmon and pork rillettes, which are an exclusive creation using peppers and spices. Beyond this, fig chutney is waiting to be paired with the black waxed cheddar, and delving into dessert, there’s handmade Loch Lomond shortbread, award-winning Christmas Pudding, Panettone and a selection of gorgeous biscuits and chocolates. Splendid.

Find here: £95

DukesHill Chocolatier's Collection Chocolate Christmas Hamper

An absolute dream for the chocoholics, this exceptional collection contains a handy hot chocolate shaker for velvety smooth hot choccy all year round, and bags of milk chocolate drops, dark chocolate orange flakes and blonde chocolate flakes to start making them with. 16 hand decorated artisan Christmas truffles are also included, alongside two luxury chocolate bars – pistachio & cranberry, and marmalade dark chocolate. Willy Wonka would be proud.

Find here: £95

DukesHill It’s A Wonderful Life Hamper

This is a top-notch all-rounder, bursting with 14 quality items. For the savoury treasures, there’s the signature Wiltshire ham (1.2kg min.), oak-smoked salmon (perfect for blinis), pork rillettes which are joined by the deliciously creamy Cote Hill blue cheese and Isle of Mull Cheddar. A fresh fruit cake, chocolate honeycomb, premium mince pies and Scottish shortbread satisfy the sweet tooth, and Tanners Cava Brut washes everything down. Dig into the basket and you’ll keep finding more… chutney, sables, oatcakes, Christmas Pudding… all generously portioned and of quintessential British quality. Christmas is well and truly sorted with this.

Find here: £195

DukesHill Truly Magnificent Christmas Hamper

We couldn’t resist including this, because if you can afford it, it’s very, very special indeed. ‘Truly Magnificent’ is the pièce de resistance of DukesHill, featuring two 20” baskets bulging with 39 festive treasures. Carefully curated, it includes a panoramic range of the best food and drink. A 4.5kg St. George’s Boneless Ham, 1k of Sliced Oak Smoked Salmon Side, a host of iconic cheeses and chutneys, award-winning Christmas pudding, brandy butter, fine chocolates… there is just too much to list. There are even five of their finest bottles, including Champagne, port and wine. ‘Truly Magnificent’ says it all really.

Find here: £895

Your Perfect Wine and Cheese Pairing Guide

Cheese and wine are an iconic match for good reason, so if you’ve never got round to pairing them or just want some mouth-watering combinations to try, then what better time than Christmas time?

From fizz to reds to whites and sweeter wines, we’ve paired your favourites with delicious cheeses that bring the best out of both of them and serve as great ambassadors for what the fuss is all about. Let’s get stuck in.

SPARKLING WINES

Champagne

For a luxurious pairing, try pairing Champagne with Truffle Brie. Brie is deliciously fatty, which coats the mouth and the super-fine bubbles of the Champagne slice through and cleanse with their sharpness, setting you up for another bite of brie, and so the heavenly cycle continues. Flavour wise, the earthy, creamy richness of the truffle brie compliments the toasty, brioche notes of Champagne. Aged Comté would go deliciously too, playing up to Champagne’s buttery and nutty notes. Any good, biscuity Champagne with mature, lively acidity would work, like the one below.

Champagne Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve - £55

Cava

For Cava, look to hard sheep milk cheeses like Manchego, or Berks well. You get the nutty characteristics from the aging, with a slightly granular texture, caramel notes, and a tang to the finish. Similarly, to Cava, the toasty, nutty and caramel flavours develop with age, so the two converge somewhat. The gentle sweetness in the cheese is a natural partner for sparkling wine. An aged Cava like below brings gorgeous pastry and pear flavours, with refined fizz and fresh acidity.

Bodegas Sumarroca Brut Reserva 2019/20 - £13.95

WHITE WINES

Chardonnay

For Chardonnay, look to alpine-style cheeses. However, be aware that unoaked Chardonnay is crisp, and lean, whereas oaked chardonnays are more associated with toasted or vanilla notes. Provenance matters too, as the grape is malleable. From cool-climate citrus and minerality, to hotter California ripeness and full-bodied fruit – this affects the pairings. Think Beaufort for unoaked/mildly oaked cool-climate Chardonnay, with smooth, creamy texture and distinct, earthy aromas. For warmer-climate, oaked Chardonnay, go big and bold. Think buttery, creamy alpine-style cheeses like Comté Vieux with full, nutty richness and fruits or Aged Gouda for its intense, nutty flavour and crumbly texture. The oaked Coonawarra Chardonnay below from Australia has great buttery complexity.

Hollick Bond Road Coonawarra Chardonnay - £16.99

Sauvignon Blanc

Alongside a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, look to goat’s cheeses with rich. Sauvignon, with its acidic, citrussy mineral-driven chisel, slices through the rich and gamey cheese perfectly. Their acidity match, creating a refreshing and invigorating feeling. You can look to the Loire Valley, famous for both Sauvignon Blanc and ash-coated aged Chévre, for a regional pairing of mineral, grassy notes, and for Selles sur Cher, a succulent and velvety cheese with nuts, citrus, salt, and a hint of sweetness – the Sauvignon will make those bright lemony flavours sing. Check out the fresh, well-balanced number below.

Cabriz Dao Sauvignon Blanc 2021 - £12.24

RED WINES

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir notes are full of light, fruity notes that make it a versatile dance partner for delicately flavoured cheeses. The lighter the Pinot, the creamier and softer the cheese – so, Brie and Camembert for a dreamy red fruit punch that won’t overpower the subtlety of the cheese. Elegant, light and fruity, the Walat Pinot below is perfect. For Pinots with a bit more body, really good Premium Cheddar is fantastic, where the body is full of warm toasted nuts.

Walt Pinot Noir Pfalz - £11.99

Tempranillo

Like the Loire Valley with Sauvignon Blanc and goat’s cheese, Tempranillo and Idiazabal adhere to the old saying, ‘if it grows together, it goes together’. The full-bodied Tempranillo works a treat with the harder, grainy texture of the cheese, the high tannins contrast with the buttery flavour, and both are Spanish with savoury flavours and wafts of smoke.

ROSÉ

Pale French Rosé

Pungent cheeses can easily overpower a Rosé, but there is still enough tartness to cleanse the palate of flavoursome cheeses, and Rosé is actually a flexible pairing, particularly if the Rosé has acidity, dryness, and bubbles. Fresh, young cheeses like Feta, Mozzarella and Baby Swiss all nuzzle up to the berry notes nicely, and the wine can cut through and reset the palate. We recommend a pure, smooth Havarti though, because the flavours are mellow and delicate, and the steely minerality of Provence Rosé counters the soft cheesy texture wonderfully. Check out the zippy bittersweet fruits of the bottle below, which also brings a cool saline tang.

Barbebelle Rose Fleuri Coteaux d'Aix en Provence Rose 2022 - £8.95

SWEET WINE

Port

Port and Stilton is a bonified classic pairing, and for good reason. Port brings full body, sweetness, and rich boldness – so you need a cheese stinky enough to stand up to it. A salty Blue Stilton brings pungent complexity to pair with the sweetness. A Christmas classic. The sweet but complex Tawny below is perfect.

Noval 10 Year Old Tawny Port - £25.95

For more cheese and wine pairings and tips on how to get the most out of tasting them together, explore our in-depth tasting guide here.

The Best Christmas Markets Near You in 2023

Chalets are being put up all over the UK right now, as once again, the beautiful, glittering Christmas Markets appear. It’s time to wrap up warm, cup a mulled wine, and savour a German hotdog whilst exploring the eclectic stalls.

If there’s a city you’ve been meaning to visit, then what better time to do just that than the most magical time of the year? We’ve listed some of the best Christmas Markets from across the UK below!

Hyde Park, Winter Wonderland, London

For the scale alone, we have to include Winter Wonderland. The Bavarian-style Christmas market is only part of the Wonderland, and makes up one of four gates (the Green), the other being for Cirque Berserk, the famous Ice Rink, and Santaland. Ice sculpture, ice slides, rides, a huge Disney wheel, a grotto, live music… you do need to pay an entrance fee (£5-£7.50) just to enter the market, this is London after all – but if you want loads to do, this is the place. The festive lights of Regent and Oxford Street are nearby too, as well as the best window displays in the city.

Dates: November 17, 2023 - January 1, 2024
Nearest station: Victoria and Paddington
Nearest tube: Hyde Park Corner and Marble Arch
Nearest car park: Q-Park
Website

South Bank, London

The South Bank Winter Festival, right by the London Eye, offers something a little different. There are tonnes of international dishes on offer at the stalls, the Rekorderlig Cider Lodge, and of course, that beautiful twinkling river view. Also though, there is an eclectic programme of festive shows and events in and around the area you can time your visit with.

Dates: November 17, 2023 - January 1, 2024
Nearest station: Waterloo and Southwark
Nearest tube: Waterloo, Southwark and Embankment
Nearest car park: APCOA South Bank
Website

Edinburgh Christmas Market, Edinburgh

The city of festivals hosts an iconic Christmas market, which this year has expanded from Princes Street Gardens to The Mound and a few Royal Mile spots also. With the beautiful architecture and Castle as a backdrop, this market had a huge head start already. 60,000 lights mesmerise visitors of The Street of Light, lights and laser trails decorate the Royal Botanic Gardens, lose yourself in Santa Land’s Christmas Tree maze, glide (or just remain upright) across the ice rink, and overlooking it all, the glorious big wheel. Hot Toddies await.

Dates: November 24, 2023 - January 3, 2024
Nearest station: Edinburgh Waverley
Nearest car park: Castle Terrace
Website

Winter Wonderland, Nottingham

The enchanting Christmas market, aglow with twinkling lights, stands beneath a towering Christmas tree and stunning decorations, just one facet of the grand Winter Wonderland in Old Market Square. 70 Bavarian-style market stalls offer traditional handcrafted gifts, decorations, and delectable treats, so it's the perfect place for some last-minute Christmas shopping. It’s the biggest East Midlands market, so expect a grotto, an ice rink, observation wheel, festive fairground rides, live music, and the Ice Bar. Cosy cafes and old pubs are all around the market too, so there’s no lacking in choices of where to go.

Dates: November 7, 2023 – December 31, 2023
Nearest station: Nottingham
Nearest car park: Lace Market, Trinity Square and Broad Marsh
Website

Manchester Christmas Market, Manchester

Created in 1999, Manchester has one of the most varied markets in the UK, with over 300 stalls aligning across the walkable city centre. You could start in the grand Albert Square, moving across to King Street, the Exchange Square stalls, and Cathedral Gardens before the Winter Garden at Piccadilly Gardens. In fact, there are 9 festive zones in total! Everything you can imagine is on sale, from alpaca wool slippers to Tibetan bowls. One tip, many stalls are cash only and the ATM queues get long so get cash out before!

Dates: November 11, 2023 – December 22, 2023
Nearest station: Victoria, Piccadilly, or Oxford Road Station
Nearest car park: King Street West and China Town (parking in Ancoats is quieter and cheaper, and still within walking distance)
Website

Bath Christmas Market, Bath

One thing you can’t accuse Bath Christmas Market of is being just another template market, because the 160 chalets sit between the charming Georgian streets that look like nowhere else. In the shade of the magnificent Abbey, 70% of stallholders are local, and 60% of goods are handmade in the UK, and the calibre of stalls is renowned. The whole city is a World Heritage site, so take a step back in time and explore.

Dates: November 23, 2023 – December 10, 2023
Nearest station: Bath Spa (it’s also not far from London)
Nearest car park: Manvers Street, Avon Street and Kingsmead Square
Website

Cardiff Christmas Market, Cardiff

The Times’ Number One market in the UK, it’s been running for nearly 30 years so they’re well in the swing of things by now. The focus here is on handmade craftmanship, produced mostly by local businesses – be that jewellery, exquisite glass work or ceramics. Also, artists and crafters can sell for 5- or 10-day stints, so expect new faces and gems each week. Hayes, Trinity Street, St John and Working Street – these pedestrianised areas will all be blessed with the wafts of seasonal cooking and the glint of handmade treasures.

Dates: November 9, 2023 – December 23, 2023
Nearest station: Cardiff Central and Queen Street
Nearest car park: NCP Westgate Street, NCP Cardiff Rappots
Website

Winchester Cathedral, Winchester

Winchester Cathedral’s glimmering setup is one of few UK markets to make a dent into European Top Ten lists and was also voted the 2nd best Christmas market in the UK in 2018. 100 carefully selected chalets bring this ancient Cathedral to life, offering mouth-watering food and one-of-a-kind gifts. The Cathedral Choir add to the enchantment no end too!

Dates: November 17, 2023 – December 21, 2023
Nearest station: Winchester (near Southampton, and 1hr from London)
Nearest car park: Barfied P&R and St. Catherines P&R
Website

St Nicholas Fair, York

Steeped in history and stunning buildings everywhere you look, it’s no wonder York has aced its Christmas Market. As you stroll along, you'll encounter alpine-style chalets brimming with locally made crafts, art, and delightful treats. The grand Christmas tree is one of the best, buskers fill the air, and shimmering illuminations really create a mood. York isn’t that big, so you can explore the historic centre on foot, venturing into The Shambles Market for more medieval charm. Award-winning for a reason.

Dates: November 16, 2023 – December 23, 2023
Nearest station: York
Nearest car park: Coppergate or Q-Park, but York Park & Ride is free, with £3.60 buses every 12mins.
Website

Of course, there are more Christmas markets and let’s face it, there’s rarely a bad one, but we think these stand out. Enjoy!

What Should I Drink With Classic British Puddings?

The perfect tipple with your favourite dessert – is there anything that hits the spot more? There are plenty of differing textures, flavours and of course, a lot of sweetness at play with British puddings and desserts, so a sip of the wrong drink can easily clash.

Of course, the right drink and every part of the experience can be enhanced. We’ve listed some of the drinks that work best with classic British puddings below, and as a general rule, you want your drink to be sweeter than the other dishes – especially when it comes to wine.

There are lots of other factors at play though, so scan for your favourite dessert in bold below and see what takes it to that next level.

White Wine

Riesling

We’re looking for two things – sweetness, and acidity, so that the wine doesn’t taste bitter, and so that there’s no overbearing cloying sweetness. Riesling is the most versatile food-friendly wine, and for any plain cheesecakes, it’s spot on. Also, lemon drizzle is a tough one to match with the central flavour being so bold, but a sweet Riesling works well. Lastly, if it’s a dryer Riesling with lots of citrus and green apple notes, then it will be able to slice into the sweetness of an apple crumble without clashing. This Dr. Loosen Riesling is from the Mosel Valley, which produce sweeter expressions. It also has pronounced fruits so it’s ideal.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 8.5%
Find here: £8.20

DESSERT WINE

Muscat

Muscats provided a lovely golden sweetness, slight florality and spice, as well as a lot of fruits. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, then you get sip on Muscat with chocolate cake and other sweet chocolate puddings. The same goes for Bakewell tart and bread and butter pudding, which, if you’re a fan of the sweetness, you can pair with Muscat – though this might be a little too much for some. This Italian sweety is a good place to start.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £10

Fortified Wine

Madeira

During its production process, Maderia wine is heated so there’s plenty of stewed fruits and burnt sugar notes, as well as nutty flavours. In fact, the nose often smells of fruit cake, so they make a heavenly couple. It’s also usually highly acidic. Madeira generally works well with chocolate cheesecake, and particularly if there are any nuts involved too. It’ll also take on the intense rich sweetness of sticky toffee pudding for a dreamy marriage of indulgence. This one from Blandy’s is full-on and fruity.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 19%
Find here: £14.99

Port

Tawny Port in particular is a great way to go, full to the brim with red and black fruits and like Maderia, those nutty flavours. It’s not as acidic as Madeira, but there’s still enough to cut through. Tawny Port provides a somewhat drier option for luxurious dark chocolate desserts, toffee/caramel cheesecakes, and sticky toffee pudding. Tawny Ports over 20 years old are also known to be complimentary with coffee cake, when the nutty nuances have really developed. This Kopke Tawny is lovely and rich, with velvety smoothness enriching any creaminess.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 19.5%
Find here: £14.99

SPARKLING WINE

Moscato d’Asti

Sparkling Moscato tend to be low in alcohol and higher in sweeter than Prosecco, so pair well with a few desserts. Most trifles in the classic format will go nicely, with the bubbles breaking up any heavy custard and cream. Moscato d’Asti is also a good choice for lighter, spongier cakes without loads of intense flavours – so almond cakes, pound cakes and Victoria sponge.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £8.99

Cocktails

Kir Royale

A nice strawberry or raspberry liqueur topped up with Champagne works a treat for berry and meringue desserts – think Eton mess and pavlova. The cassis is an obvious dream pairing for the berries, complementing the flavour and sweetness, and the Champagne provides a pleasant acidic crunch, with those bubbles refreshing the palate.

Beer & Cider

Fruit Flavoured Beers like Belgian Fruli, Kriek, and Frambozen

Raspberry or cherry beers are plentiful in the Belgian style, and pair nicely with any berry cheesecakes. Also, if you’re enjoying a chocolate pudding on the lighter side, these kinds of beers go surprisingly well, particularly if those fruits are in it of course. You could also look to these beers for Bakewell tart and cherry trifles because they have a refreshing tartness that both matches and offsets the sweetness simultaneously.

Size: 250ml
ABV: 3.5%
Find here: £2.05

Apple Cider

You can probably tell where this is going. Part of the cider resurgence has been down to their sweetness, which makes them perfect for apple desserts – especially traditional apple pies and apple crumbles. Make sure it’s a bubbly cider, and the fizz and crispness marry the warm richness of the crumble deliciously.

Size: 500ml
ABV: 6.8%
Find here: £2.50

We’ve got a few pairings guides up on the site now, so for more sweet options specific to pancakes go here!

Galvin at Windows: The New Autumnal Barolo & Truffle Menu

After the sun-kissed panoramic views of summer, the 28th floor of the London Hilton on Park Lane ushers in autumn in style, with Head Chef Marc Hardiman and the team at Galvin at Windows putting on a spectacular five-course Barolo & Truffle tasting menu.

This autumnal dining escapade features a lineup of opulent dishes, each paired with thoughtfully selected Pio Cesare wines. The Italian Vineyard, celebrating 140 years master winemaking, offers wines that perfectly complement Chef Hardiman's innovative culinary creations. From the rich and deeply flavoured Barolo Ornato 2016 to the Barolo Mosconi 2018, each sip takes the dining experience to sky high heights… beyond even the 28th floor!

They’ll be poured out in accompaniment of dishes like slow-cooked beef cheek ravioli with 5-year-aged Parmesan cream and white Alba truffle, as well as the Pheasant Farci au Gratin, finished with celeriac, blackberry and, yes you guessed it, more truffle. And if that's not enough to tantalize your palate, there's the Scottish Highlands venison Wellington with glazed chestnut, red cabbage ketchup, and sauce Périgueux, a symphony of flavours that promises to transport you to culinary heaven.

The Barolo & Truffle menu at Galvin at Windows is available for £299 per person, and with limited availability, you'll want to secure your reservation early. To sweeten the deal, the first 70 bookings will receive a complimentary glass of Louis Roederer champagne, adding an extra touch of elegance to your evening.

This special menu is available for just five weeks, from Friday, October 13th, to Saturday, November 18th, so mark your calendars because it's a limited-time opportunity to experience the ultimate in autumnal decadence.

For more information or to book, click here.
22 Park Ln, London W1K 1BE