Get a taste of what a 19th Century Yuletide was like at Worcester's fantastic Victorian Christmas Fayre. By Zeena Lemon

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose... why do Christmas days of old appear to have been far more festive than the modern day season of goodwill? The answer to that becomes apparent when you visit the Worcester Victorian Fayre, which will be held this year from Thursday, November 24, until Sunday November 25, 2005.

Over 100 stalls selling unique presents plus roasting chestnuts, bubbling Gluhwein and steaming hot chocolate with a nip of Baileys, choirs, stilt walkers, jugglers, minstrels and street entertainers all line the mediaeval streets of our historic city.

Concentrated in the areas around Friar Street, Mealcheapen Street and New Street, the Fayre attracts over 100,000 people, many of whom come from all over the country.

But this is not just a cynical attempt to part people from their money -- there is a true atmosphere of festive anticipation and enjoyment among the crowds who leisurely meander up and down the stalls. People stop here to browse at candle-powered steamboats and Indonesian animal lanterns, or to marvel at the porcelain dolls and the many handmade arts and crafts on sale.

Images of Scrooge fill your head, magical sounds and tempting smells float through the air. Stallholders are encouraged to dress up in costume and a proper Victorian Father Christmas can be found which all adds to the genuine atmosphere of days gone by.

Denise Purser, who runs Yellow House Trading with partner Annette Kelly, sells fair trade gifts and products. She won runner-up for the best stall last year and said: "All the stallholders really enter into the spirit of the occasion and it is an amazing spectacle to see so many different stalls crammed into the historic streets of Worcester.

"The atmosphere is wonderful and really gets people in the mood for Christmas.

"It is also a great place to find unique and individual gifts for Christmas without having to walk for miles."

Amanda Millichip, assistant tourism and marketing manager agrees. She says: "The Victorian Fayre is now in its thirteenth year and has become a real date in many people's diaries. Coachloads of visitors arrive and this year will see the whole city getting involved with a number of musical events taking place at Worcester Cathedral, music on Pump and Broad street, clog dancing outside the Guildhall and entertainment in the Cathedral Plaza shopping centre."

I have to admit that I adore the Fayre. There is something wonderful about spending time outside in the dark and wintry night, wrapped up against the elements sipping a warm drink and enjoying the colours and vibrancy of all the stalls.

My family and I always take a ride on the merry-go-round and I like to think that my children will have really fond memories of this special event. Worcester is the perfect backdrop for a Fayre of this kind; indeed I'm sure the city itself enjoys its yearly trip down Memory Lane.