It’s not just the wooden chalets that are back this year
Emma is the parents editor for the Manchester Evening News. She covers news and events for families across Greater Manchester.
The Winter Food Market dining globes at Bents(Image: Manchester Family / MEN)
Manchester’s Christmas Markets might still be a few weeks away, but there’s one place that’s already getting in the festive spirit.
Anyone visiting Bents will know that Christmas has well and truly arrived, with the place transformed into a winter wonderland.
But there’s much more to the garden centre than trees and decorations as its popular Winter Food Market is back and bigger than ever.
As well as your typical festive food of Bratwurst sausages and giant Yorkshires, there’s a separate Festive Terrace where you’ll find two Airstream trailers selling traditional fish and chips and pizzas.
We arrived on a Saturday afternoon – the first weekend after the retailer’s official festive opening – and it was packed out with customers keen to be first to catch a glimpse of this year’s displays at the centre, which is off the East Lancs Road in Glazebury, near Wigan.
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That was one of the reasons we were relieved to have booked one of its dining pods in advance.
The Winter Food Market is back at Bents (Image: Manchester Family / MEN)
Based just outside the Open Skies Glasshouse which hosts the market, six of the pods are lined up neatly in a quiet space running alongside the building and across from all the outdoor plants.
And that’s the idea of them – to give diners an intimate space away from the crowds which kind of come with the territory in a place as popular as this.
Each one includes heating and lighting as well as a bluetooth speaker and throws to give some added comfort. In the centre of each table is a mini bauble Christmas tree.
We didn’t need the heat on what turned out to be quite a warm October afternoon and ended up with the plastic zip-up door being open for a while to give us some air.
Each pod one includes heating and lighting as well as a bluetooth speaker and throws to give some added comfort(Image: Manchester Family / MEN)
The pods are dog friendly too so it was a good space to keep our Labrador away from the hustle and bustle, which tends to get him a bit anxious, and without that privacy we probably wouldn’t have taken him at all.
You do have to head out for your own food though and while waiter service would be a nice idea, that would stop you having a mooch around the various stalls to see what takes your fancy.
There’s plenty to go at and we each chose something different – with a mixture of loaded fries (from £8.99), garlic bread and pizza (from £9.99) and, of course, one of the giant Yorkies filled with pulled turkey, vegetables, roast potatoes, stuffing and gravy.
Loaded fries are on the menu(Image: Manchester Family / MEN)
It may seem a little hefty at £10.49, but the Yorkshire was huge and they’re not shy with the filling. It wasn’t far off what I’d typically have on a full roast dinner, minus those little pigs in blankets.
There’s no shortage of sweet stuff either. A variety of mince pies were lined up at the drinks stall – with flavours including cherry & almond and chocolate orange Viennese – and there are crepes (from £5.49) and Build Your Own Crumble (£7.49) on a separate stall.
We went for the spiced apple and cinnamon base with honey oat crumble, custard and a drizzle of Biscoff. If you think only mulled wine will give you the warming festive feels of Christmas then think again. This does exactly that by the spoonful – and there’s plenty of it.
There’s a stall selling Build Your Own Crumble(Image: Manchester Family / MEN)
If you like being in the thick of it then these pods might not be for you. But if you find yourself wandering around in search of a seat and wondering where you can put your drink and enjoy your food while it’s still warm, you’ll probably agree it’s worth splashing out £20 for.
The Winter Food Market is open 11am to 9pm Monday to Saturday and 11am to 4pm on Sunday with last food orders taken 30 minutes before closing.
The pods are dog friendly (Image: Manchester Family / MEN)
Globes can be booked on the website here. They fit up to six people and you get them for 90 minutes.
A new stretched teepee is also opening in the outdoor plant area offering a selection of drinks and entertainment at certain times. It should be in place by the beginning of November.
Dining and Cooking