Christmas Markets have been in full swing for several weeks now, and journalist Liv Clarke confesses she’s “certainly no Grinch” when it comes to their arrival, admitting she “relishes” the festive atmosphere. The Manchester-based writer recently hopped on a train to visit a festive destination – and found herself charmed by this “different” kind of Christmas market.

Liv revealed her passion for discovering “uncover something new each year” at Christmas markets led her to go “whizzing over to Yorkshire on the train on a frosty November morning”, eager to experience how they mark the festive season across the county border. Her destination was Halifax, home to an annual Christmas Market held in the magnificent Piece Hall, and as a “proud Yorkshire lass” herself, Liv was delighted to make the journey to the West Yorkshire town. She noted that “getting to these markets couldn’t be simpler” thanks to a picturesque train journey – and Liv was captivated by the “stunning Grade-I Georgian building” of the Piece Hall, which “boasts a massive 66,000sq ft open-courtyard”, describing it as genuinely unforgettable.

Liv said: “I hopped on the train from Manchester Victoria to Halifax, which takes around 40 minutes, and the Piece Hall is roughly a five-minute stroll from the train station – and my ticket set me back £12.59 for an open return, which I booked on Trainline the day before, including Railcard discount.”

This amounts to just over £6 each way, she noted, having secured her tickets in advance, which can often result in finding bargain one-way fares, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Liv said: “The train journey itself was picturesque, especially with a heavy frost adding a sparkle to the rugged landscape of the South Pennines. I passed through Rochdale, Todmorden and Hebden Bridge along the way, admiring the canals and mills which looked particularly striking in the bright sunshine.

“Upon my arrival in Halifax, it was a mere short stroll to the Piece Hall, tucked away from the main thoroughfare. Entry is through one of four gates situated on each side of the square, and there’s something rather grand about stepping through the archway.

“The gate I chose boasted an exquisitely ornate design, adding to the enchantment of the experience. It was still early when I arrived, with many stallholders preparing for the day ahead, but I was already taken with the layout; compared to Manchester, it was refreshing to see the markets here confined to one area, providing a respite from the hustle and bustle of the main high street.”

While the stalls were being readied, Liv seized the chance to wander around the Piece Hall, noting “dozens of shops” positioned along each of the square’s four sides.

She added: “Given its location on a slight incline, there are varying levels depending on which side you’re on, yet each open-air walkway affords stunning views of the square below.

“On the ground floor, you’ll discover a plethora of cafes and restaurants, many of which stay open late into the evening. I treated myself to a hot chocolate from The Bakery (£3.95), which ranks among the best I’ve ever tasted: rich, chocolatey and perfectly sweetened.”

The Piece Hall boasts shops offering an extensive range of goods, from bespoke presents to vintage treasures – and whilst these independent retailers trade throughout the year, “the markets provide a significant boost, with many market traders even supplying the permanent shops”, Liv noted.

Shelly Foster, proprietor of The Handmade Gift Shop, revealed her top tip for when to drop by, explaining to Liv: “The markets are always full of joy, the best time is around 4.30pm, just before sunset when everything is glowing.

“The markets are open until 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays but the bars and restaurants stay open much later, often with live music creating a lovely atmosphere.”

Lou Harkness-Hudson, owner of Hudson Belle, a boutique stocking gifts and homeware, remarked: “It’s just the most unique, unusual place to come, it’s a fantastic building, an excellent community. The markets are a crucial time for us and really boost footfall, it doesn’t get any busier than this. They bring people here to shop and have a nice day out.”

Liv ventured onwards, observing: “Back at ground level, the markets were open and shoppers started to wander around as the morning sun began to thaw us all out. There was a fantastic selection of stalls, with many naturally selling products from Yorkshire.

“From rum to cheese to chilli oil – if you can name it, they sell it. Then there were stalls selling hats, gloves and scarves, which I imagine were in high demand during my chilly visit, along with several traders offering the most beautiful decorations and trinkets you could imagine.

“Adding to the enchantment was a merry-go-round and a large Ferris wheel, although it was spinning a bit too quickly for my taste. Given that it was a swinging-seat style wheel, I opted to sit this one out. Nonetheless, it was pleasant to observe.”

In one section of the square, an imposing Christmas tree rose dramatically, while a huge ‘Christmas’ sign adorned the Piece Hall’s second-floor balustrades behind it, forming a picture-perfect backdrop, Liv noted.

She continued: “It’s the setting of the Piece Hall that makes this place special – it genuinely feels like you’re in a European city, rather than in the north of England.

“Naturally, there are far fewer food stalls here than in Manchester, which I found quite appealing. No overwhelming choices here; instead, I easily settled on my early lunch: a Yorkshire Bratwurst from The Sausage Box.

“This culinary creation featured a locally sourced pork Bratwurst from ‘Lishman’s of Ilkley’, nestled in a brioche bun alongside sauerkraut, pickles, crispy onions, ketchup and mustard, all for £9. It was a visual feast that appeared almost too impressive to be real.”

After her first mouthful, Liv declared it “lived up to its looks”. She praised the sausage as “succulent with a hint of smokiness, the toppings combined to create a flavour explosion, and it was surprisingly easy to eat – no stringy bits of meat or tough bread causing a mess”.

Liv said tasting the food treat “felt much more thrilling than the Bratwurst stalls we have in Manchester”.

She added: “Naturally, there’s a stall selling Yorkshire pudding wraps if that tickles your fancy. As a proud Yorkshire lass myself, I wouldn’t dare to sample a pudding made by anyone other than my own mum while in God’s Own County, so I gave that one a miss.

“Other vendors were dishing out Indian street food and Paella, whilst the nearby establishments included an Italian restaurant and a wine bar that appeared rather enticing. Following my Bratwurst, I craved something sweet, so I headed straight for the churros stand.

“I must confess, it took three attempts to get my hands on some churros, as twice I was informed that the machine was, quite literally, frozen. But as they say, third time’s the charm, and I finally secured my paper cup of golden churros, dusted with crunchy cinnamon sugar and sitting in a pool of chocolate sauce.”

The churros were priced at £8, with an additional £1 for the sauce, a cost that Liv deemed “seemed reasonable given the generous portion size” which she “couldn’t even finish”.

She further commented: “While I’m not usually one for sweets, even I found these delightful, with the texture being spot-on and just the right amount of chewiness. The sauce was scrumptious and tasted like genuine chocolate rather than a synthetic substitute.”

Reflecting on her festive outing, Liv enthused that “everything about the markets was a joy: the location, the people, and the food” – and hinted that should she return, she might muster up the courage to take a whirl on the Ferris wheel, though she’s “making no promises”.