EVERY year, Manchester’s renowned Christmas markets draw attendees from across the north west for a Bratwurst and a mulled wine.

But if you were to head westbound down the M62 rather than eastbound, what festive fun does Liverpool have to offer?

The Warrington Guardian paid a visit to Merseyside to find out.

There’s a wintery chill in the air on this Thursday evening, alongside the scents of sausages grilling on an open fire and piping hot spiced gluhwein.

It’s beginning to look a lot like a Christmas market.

To be honest, it has been a few years for me.

Covid obviously put paid to a 2020 trip, but I had also given them a miss for a couple of Christmases prior to that.

That’s largely because I have increasingly found the Manchester markets to be way too overcrowded to be enjoyable on evenings and weekends.

And, given annual leave is usually at a premium come this time of year, I’m not about to hold a day off for this specific purpose.

It comes as a nice surprise then that there is space to breath at Liverpool’s markets in St John’s Gardens.

Warrington Guardian:

Busy enough to spark that festive spirit yes, but not completely crammed to the point where you’re just being swept along by the flow of the crowds or lucky to get a seat to enjoy your festive food and drink.

It’s a beverage from the giant German-style Christmas carousel first up, and a mulled cider rather than the usual mulled wine for me.

And it is a welcome warmer for a walk around the range of stalls, whether they're selling unique gifts or inviting you with an open fire where you can toast marshmallows.

The latter is something I’ve not seen before, although maybe it’s nothing new to most given my absence over the past few years.

As a vegetarian, it’s also brilliant to see a vegan version of the traditional bratwurst.

And I can’t help but indulge with crispy fried onions as a perfect accompaniment.

Warrington Guardian:

Heading in the direction of Liverpool One, via a look at the Christmas trees on Williamson Square and Church Street, the next destination is Bar Hutte.

The après ski-themed watering hole is really something to behold, boasting an unrivalled menu of Christmassy drinks as well as ‘carol-oke’ in your own shack – each well attended to by a designated host.

Finally, it’s teatime (we will count the sausage as a starter…).

Just as Liverpool’s Christmas market is lesser known when compared to Manchester’s, the city’s famed Baltic Market has a rival every bit as well-equipped over in the Met Quarter.

And GPO is something of a hidden gem.

Warrington Guardian:

It is genuinely a dilemma to select from the 11 independent eateries on offer in this food hall, with more than 400 dishes to try between them.

In the end we adopt something of a scattergun, tapas-type approach with the help of the site’s own app.

Konjo’s mushroom bao buns are a delight, and Hee Kee comes through with its mock meat salt and pepper chicken.

Warrington Guardian:

The standout however is Chit ‘n’ Chat’s exquisite samosa chaat.

And GPO’s own bar is well stocked for craft beer, Cloudwater’s pale ale going down rather too well on this occasion.

I’m certainly keen to return for a brew at Monkeyboard Coffee, a bite of brie at Carousel Cheese and something for my sweet tooth at Ice.

But by this point I’m just about fit to burst.

Merry Christmas... I think I won’t miss this one next year.