The arrival of Victoria Baths’ Festive Winter Fair on Saturday 13 November and Sunday 14 November is the sign that it’s time to start the Christmas shopping in earnest. Stalls will be bursting with creative ideas for family and friends, but this festive experience is also about so much more; there are mince pies and mulled wine to enjoy in the Tea Room and the secrets of one of Manchester’s most iconic heritage gems to discover. And something brand new…Victoria Baths Gin.

Server-1:2021:Clients:Victoria Baths:Press releases:VB 147 Festive Fair:Winding River distillery – the still in action, distillate coming out of the ‘parrot’ section of the still.jpgManchester’s water palace is about to become Manchester’s gin palace thanks to a collaboration with Cheshire based Winding River distillery, which will see the launch of Victoria Baths Gin. The bespoke bottles (priced at £40) will go on sale for the first time at the Festive Winter Fair. Bountiful in botanicals Winding River have crafted a gin that infuses natural flavours such as kaffir lime leaves, liquorice root and coriander seeds.

Matthew Fox, co-founder of Winding River, says, “We are so excited to be working with Victoria Baths on their first ever Gin; we’ve been part of their Festive Winter Fair for many years and love this building and the community behind it.”

Victoria Baths Gin isn’t the only thing to make the perfect Christmas gift, with an array of stalls laden with products from independent makers and creators located in two of the pool halls; foodie gifts, ceramics, pet products, jewellery, prints, decorations and things for the home are all part of a inspiring mix.

The colourful creations of Lydia Meiying, a freelance pattern designer and illustrator, are certain to draw the eye. Stylishly contemporary Lydia’s designs pick up on trends like foliage and nature and translate across a range of gifts and homeware.

Elizabeth Emmaus-Wilson works in sustainable and reclaimed materials to handcraft ceramics, jewellery, gifts, cards and decorations. She’ll be bringing along a range of her embroidered baubles, etched glass hanging decorations (which are made from recycled lenses) and lots of other one-off creations.

Accessories are always a popular gift and there are some great choices. Urban Bear features a range of bobble hats; a winner for their style and their wooly warmth and with little bears also catered for. Bracken and Moss Design will be showcasing a selection of hand knitted products, all inspired by the Pennines. As well as things to wear there are things to dress the Christmas tree including knitted gingerbread, hedgehogs and toadstools.

Arriving straight from their workshop in Lancashire is the candle collection of Old Man and Magpie. Very much a family affair (Magpie is 6 year old Esme), this business lovingly creates hand poured candles in a range of scents that evoke different seasons and different moods. The only question is which to choose!

When it’s time for a sit down the evocative smell of mulled wine and mince pies will lead you to the Tea Room, which is full of winter warmers and lots of home made treats. And if you want to explore more of the building there will be Guided Tours taking place throughout the weekend.