I've spoken to a few people about Winterville, and the first thing that all of us say, when asked to describe it, is that it's quiet. And, to be honest, that's part of Winterville's appeal, despite it being a Christmas market/fun fair/village and all. I like that there are plenty of attractions, eclectic traders and different (good!) food stalls around and that there's plenty of space to just walk around and not be crowded like Winter Wonderland.
The Spiegeltent is a really cool idea, with alternative entertainment featuring on weekends. One weekend, it was Little Bugger from Bugged Out featuring Erol Alkan, but alas, I was busy and not able to attend. Other acts include Guilty Pleasures and Ultimate Power, both of which sound great for those who love dancing and cheese.
As you might expect is the norm for a Christmas market, drinks here are rather expensive. I bought a round of three drinks (two pints and a mulled wine) and paid close to £15 for that. Ouch! Still, I suppose with free admission and free entertainment (the live band in the Bizarre Bazaar), it's still not bad for a festive night out.
The strangest part of Winterville is probably the Southern Comfort tent which only serves Southern Comfort. Nothing else. It's good to be niche, I guess, but it's hard to get people in through the door if all you're selling is just the one brand. read more