Birmingham’s Christmas Markets are well-known for their popularity on social media. When planning a meet-up with my university friend, we opted for Birmingham due to its central location between Manchester and Cardiff. Despite Manchester’s reputation for being busy and rainy, Birmingham surprisingly surpassed it in both rain and crowds.
The train journey itself was a hint of what was to come, with passengers crammed in the aisles. The continuous rain made browsing the market stalls challenging, and the city was bustling to an extent I had never witnessed before, except in London.
The streets were packed around the market stalls, and accessing the Bull Ring shopping center was nearly impossible. Despite expectations of a relatively calm daytime visit, the reality was quite the opposite.
Although the market stalls were beautiful and festive, finding respite from the rain proved difficult as the covered bars were equally crowded. Trying a Bratwurst for the first time left me unimpressed, and the struggle to find a place for lunch due to the overwhelming crowds was a common theme throughout the day.
The inclement weather caused my appearance to suffer, with my hair frizzing uncontrollably. Walking through puddles led to my Uggs staining my socks, adding to the unpleasant experience of the day.
While the weather is beyond anyone’s control, the unexpectedly high volume of visitors was a significant frustration. A cancelled train forced my friend to drive from Cardiff, resulting in a two-hour journey.
After waiting for our respective transportations, delays were par for the course. Despite the inconvenience, the day was brightened by the enjoyable company of a university friend and the refreshing hot shower upon returning home.
Reflecting on the chaotic day, it may be wise to plan future visits to Birmingham when the Christmas markets are no longer in full swing.