Christmas discovery and New Year recovery

Anyone who comes through the festive season without putting on a few pounds clearly hasn’t been enjoying themselves enough. So our first prescription for your visit to Yorkshire South is a trip to one of a number of Christmas markets visiting the region.

Christkindlmarkt

The Christmas Fine Food & Gift Fair, in Doncaster from 24th to 25th November, features an array of exhibitors showcasing some delightful specialist products. It’ll include cheeky cheeses, perfect preserves, fabulous fudges, and much more besides. And it’s also the perfect spot to pick up unusual and eyecatching gifts.

Sheffield Christmas Market, which runs from 11th December to 14th December, features more than 50 traders who display and selling a large range of crafts and gifts, including hand-made products such as jewellery, artwork and clothing. In addition to the market stalls, there will also be food vendors selling a range of specialist take-away foods, including roast turkey/pork, specialist coffees, pancakes and German sausage.

There’ll be more than a hint of Germany at Barnsley’s Christkindlmarkt (30th November to 2nd December). This type of festive street market originated in Germany and Austria, but is now a hit in all different parts of the world, thanks to the enticing combination of hearty food stalls, craft shops, rides and hot mulled wine.

And for a Christmas market in a truly majestic setting, head along to Renishaw Hall near Sheffield, who kick off their Christmas season with a Victorian Christmas Market with Carols in the Courtyard, on the weekend of 29th and 30th November.

Men dressed as women

One of the most atmospheric events of the festival season will be taking place at the Sheffield Botanical Gardens. Titled ‘A Real Magical Christmas’, it will feature an array of events including Santa's workshop, festive Illuminations, a craft market, Santa's sled and reindeer, carols in the gardens, food and refreshments and free children's rides.

Would Christmas be Christmas without panto? Oh, no it wouldn’t. And for your fix of men dressed as women and women dressed as boys, pick from Aladdin at the Lyceum Sheffield, Sleeping Beauty at the Civic Theatre, The Wizard of Oz at Rotherham Civic Theatre and Jack and the Beanstalk at Barnsley Lamproom Theatre.

In full voice

Or for seasonal entertainment that doesn’t involve cross dressing and audience participation there are the more refined options of St Petersburg Ballet Theatre’s performance of The Nutcracker & The Sleeping Beauty (13th-17th January, Lyceum Sheffield), a Christmas Concert by Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus (13th December 2008, Sheffield City Hall).

And in a region famous for its choirs, this is the perfect time of year to see one of them in full voice. The Karla Ladies Choir, the Sheffield Oratorio Chorus, Anston Male Voice Choir, Dore Male Voice Choir and Escafeld Chorale Sheffield will all be performing across the region over the Christmas period, bringing back some traditional festive spirit. Or pop along to Brodsworth Hall and Gardens who are hosting Christmas choirs every Saturday and Sunday in December.

Grotto

Chatsworth House will be taking a suitably refined approach to the Yuletide, with breathtaking decorations themed around the First Noel. This timeless Christmas story will be magically told with life-sized silhouettes by Jan Pienkowski. And Chatsworth will also be one of the venues participating in Galvanize (14th November to 14th December), an annual festival of metalwork that showcases the latest developments in metal design, making and technology.

Kids are well catered for at Wentworth Castle, who are hosting Christmas at the Castle weekends starting on 15th November and running throughout December. Activities include a Children's Rudolph Trail, Santa Express, and a Santa’s grotto.

Idyllic hideaway

Crossing into New Year, and after the festivities we all need a little quiet time. Why not retreat to one of Yorkshire South’s chic and quirky hotels?

The Crown Hotel in the hidden gem of Bawtry is an idyllic hideaway for a new year escape. With rooms that combine cosy comfort with modern style and packages designed for everyone from love birds to punters attending Doncaster Racecourse, it’s a jewel of a hotel that lives up to its name.

Aston Hall was built in 1772 and, having recently undergone a remodel that involved the addition of an extra wing. And though the luxurious quality of the rooms might tempt you to stay in them all day, the proximity to the Peak District means you’re much more likely to want to go out and sample the beautiful countryside nearby. Or if you prefer a more central location, try the Leopold Hotel in Sheffield. Not only is it a stylish boutique hotel that brings together historic architecture and contemporary design, it’s located right in the centre of Sheffield, amongst the city’s shops, bars, restaurants, galleries and theatres.

Reach for the spas

Right next door to the Leopold is Spa & Hair 1877, which is housed in the original ‘Glossop Road Baths’, which date back to 1836. Elegantly combining original Victorian architecture with modern technology, this beautiful sanctuary is ideal to unwind and experience the latest in hair and beauty treatments.

Alternatively, a number of historic hotels in the region have their own spa facilities, so you can make sure you’re immaculate without even leaving your sanctuary. Try Tankersley Manor in Barnsley, Hellaby Hall in Rotherham or Mount Pleasant in Doncaster.

For further information about Yorkshire South, log on to Yorkshiresouth.com.