Visitors to the Bath Christmas Market have taken to social media to express their disappointment, with one labelling it the 'worst Christmas market I've ever been to' and another describing it as a 'hellscape'. The market, which runs until 14 December in the historic city centre, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
Despite being named the UK's best Christmas market by Which? magazine, some TikTok users have criticised the lack of festive atmosphere, high prices, and overcrowding. One visitor, posting under @escaping2paradise, said: 'It doesn't actually feel like a Christmas market. It's just a market that happens to be at Christmas with a few Christmas decorations scattered about. There's no Christmas music, no Christmas atmosphere.'
Another user, Anni Bronning (@anniraddy), shared footage of herself squeezed among crowds, captioning it 'Bath Christmas Market is a hellscape' and complaining that pubs had no tables. Local residents also voiced frustrations, with one commenting: 'It used to be so normal. Wtf happened. I have to fight through this just to get to work.'
However, not all feedback was negative. User @lifewithkourt insisted 'none of it was true' after her enjoyable visit, noting she arrived early and found the market manageable. She added: 'I had a lush day just wandering around, looking at the stalls, smelling the mulled wine, listening to the music and of course, eating loads and loads of street food.'
Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for Communications and Community, defended the event, stating: 'I don't recognise these mean-spirited and rage-bait social media comments. I appreciate not everyone loves Christmas markets, but ours is one of the most successful in Europe. It is well-managed, supports hundreds of jobs and local businesses.'
