Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market, Hampshire Dog-Friendly Rules: Dogs are welcome in the market but are not allowed inside the cathedral itself. Unique Features: This market is renowned for its high-quality exhibitors and bustling atmosphere, complete with an open-air ice rink.
Can you bring dogs to Winchester Christmas Market?
Nice Christmas market set in the stunning cathedral grounds so a very picturesque backdrop. We visited mid week so it wasn't too busy and no queuing. Dogs are allowed within the market.
Do you have to pay to go to Winchester Christmas Market?
The wooden chalets are inspired by traditional German Christmas Markets and the atmosphere is perfect to get you in the Christmas spirit. It is free to enter and has over 100 hand-picked quality exhibitors, selling clothing, crafts, homewares, toys and more.
Winchester and its surrounding area is the perfect place to visit with your dog, with lots of city centre trails and countryside to explore. With numerous dog-friendly businesses and attractions, you and your canine companion will feel right at home. Dogs are now welcome at Winchester Cathedral!
The seven second rule. Put the back of your hand on the pavement. If you cannot hold it for seven seconds, it is too hot to walk for your dogs. This rule also applies to dogs riding in the bed of a pickup truck.
Pet Lovers Centre, for instance, has multiple outlets in shopping complexes like VivoCity and NEX Mall, offering everything from food and toys to grooming essentials. By blending retail therapy with pet care, these malls are shaping an environment where pets are more than welcome—they're part of the experience.
This is a lovely traditional Christmas market, with the beautiful backdrop of the Winchester Cathedral giving it a breath of magic which I think any other market, at least locally, would struggle to compete with.
How much are the tickets for the Winchester Christmas Market 2025?
In 2025, Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market ran from 21 November to 22 December. Prices: Admission to the Christmas Market is free, no pre-booking required, unless you are a coach organiser.
The Christmas Market will run for 32 days from Friday 21st November to Monday 22nd December 2025 inclusive. As you will note, the two halves of the market are not quite equal.
Some shops will tolerate dogs but won't necessarily go out of their way to make your dog feel welcome. Others are truly dog-friendly, offering water bowls, treats, and plenty of fuss. Due to food hygiene regulations, supermarkets aren't dog-friendly. Most places that serve food also don't allow dogs indoors.
1. Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. Crowned the UK's most dog-friendly town in 2024 at the National DogFriendly Awards, Bury St Edmunds is home to over 100 businesses – including shops, eateries, and accommodation – that welcome dogs.
But don't panic too much - most well-socialised dogs will enjoy the sights and smells of a Christmas market, especially if you go at a quieter time. Lots of crowds and noise will trigger even the most socialised dogs, though.
Guide dogs and assistance dogs are welcome at the castle site, but pets are not permitted. Visitors will enjoy the recreated medieval garden, which horticulturists have seeded with herbs and plants that would typically form the heart of a medieval garden.
#DidYouKnow that dogs are welcome at the Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market🐶 The cathedral is dog friendly too*. So do make sure you visit whilst you're here!
Just a two-hour drive from Manchester, Bowness-on-Windermere takes the crown as the UK's most Christmassy town. With average December snowfall reaching 84mm and temperatures hovering around 4°C, it's one of the few places in the country where you might actually wake up to a white Christmas.
Is the Winchester Christmas market Cancelled for 2025?
The 2025 Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market has now closed 🎅 Thank you to everyone who visited, traded, supported, or in some way participated in Winchester Cathedral's Christmas Market this year 👏
There are also many actors, actresses, presenters, authors, Kings and TV personalities who have descended from Winchester and the surrounding area, were schooled in Winchester or that call Winchester home including Colin Firth, Amanda Holden, James Martin, Jack Dee, Phillipa Forester, Alexa Chung, King Alfred, Jane ...
Contrary to belief, there is no law that prevents dogs from entering shops, banks or local businesses; so it very much depends on whether the shop owner or branch manager is happy to allow dogs. Why not ask? You may be pleasantly surprised.
