The family-run Greater Manchester pub with its own Christmas Markets

It's already been three weeks since the Manchester Christmas Markets in the city centre opened up to the public. Spread over nine zones including Piccadilly Gardens, Exchange Street and St Ann’s Square, there's over 200 festive huts selling everything from sizzling Bratwurst to steaming mugs of Gluhwein.

Back for a 26th year, they've become a staple for families across the region in the run up to Christmas, and are regularly voted as some of the best in the UK. Known to attract hundreds of thousands of people, they're one of the many festive events that make Manchester a great place to visit at this time of year - even when the elements might put some off.

That said, for some, they might be a little too busy. Trying to make your way through the crowds on a Saturday afternoon in town can feel like quite the chore and more trouble than it's worth.

READ MORE: The best alternative Christmas markets to visit in Greater Manchester

Fortunately, we're lucky to have a variety of smaller markets and Christmas events taking place across Greater Manchester throughout the festive period, offering an alternative to the main ones.

Whether you fancy browsing stalls in a Victorian swimming pool, toasting marshmallows at a night market, or want to show some support for Black-owned businesses, there’s a great selection of different markets this December. And over in Rochdale, there's a pub that has been making a name for itself with its own festive events.

Over the years The Oxford, a family-run pub at the foot of the Pennines, has become known for putting on its very own Christmas markets. Now in its 11th year, the market is held in the pub’s outdoor covered events space for the first three Sundays in December from 12pm to 6pm.

The pub in Shawclough has been run by the McNeeney family, or 'Team McNeeney' as they're known, for over a decade now. Chef Tom McNeeney heads up the operation alongside his mum Alison, dad Phil and his younger sister Ella.

It was his dad and sister's idea to start the markets as a way to offer people 'something a little different'. To begin with it got off to a rocky start with tents and a bar built by the team blowing away in a storm, but the next year they decided to build their own, sturdier market stalls - and the markets grew from there. In 2022, they also finished building a 120-seat pergola.

Speaking about the markets, Tom McNeeney told the Manchester Evening News: "We’ve always wanted to capture what the markets in the city used to be all about, a real wholesome community feeling that wasn’t too expensive, too full on or too hammered.

"We’re all about providing the same quality of food and drinks outside on the markets as we are famous for inside the pub, it’s incredible to be able to put on such a truly family ran Christmas markets for the last twelve years.

"And it really feels like that; brass bands and mulled wines, plenty of covered places to sit and local, independent stalls make our markets feel really different to some of the bigger ones that have lost a little heart we think.

An opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of busier Christmas Markets, the pub's own take has proved exceptionally popular and provided people with an alternative. Once again, this year, they're pulling out all the stops.

Those paying the markets a visit will be able to grab mulled wines, 'over the top hot chocolates', and a full menu of sweet and savoury market favourites and with all the food and drinks made by the team from the outside kitchen and bar. As Tom says: "It’s the same great food and service we’re known for just with jumpers on."

There’s local, independent businesses with stalls in the covered market area - Rochdale’s only indoor market as it stands - selling everything from baked goods to real ale. Visitors can also enjoy brass bands, live music and tuck into hog roast sandwiches - all without jostling for position as you might have to at a bigger Christmas market.

New for this year, and following some research of other outdoor events, the family are introducing a token system in the form of 'McNeeney Gold'. Having tried it out at their summer cheese & wine festival they've decided to use it for all big events they hold going forward.

As Tom explains: "If you’ve been coming to the markets for years you’ll be familiar with the age old scenes of socks running out of change or Ria racing around looking for the one card machine that we all share so that ends now. We’re going to set up a token shed slap bang in the middle of the markets for you to change your money into tokens to spend on food and drinks while you’re visiting.

"Why? Because you know how busy our little market can get so we’re going to streamline things a little, worked in the summer so here we go.

"The two to one exchange rate makes McNeeney Gold a reliable currency in these troubling times. And the token bank will be open all day so any unused ones at the end of the day can even be bought back. Belting. First there was Disney Dollars, Now this."

And, if you fancy staying a little longer after spending your 'McNeeney Gold', then you can head inside to the pub which feature cosy fireplaces and plenty of charm. Here you can grab a table and tuck into their main menu, which includes their famed cheese and onion pie, roast dinners and a range of 'winter numbers' including fish pie, The Oxford liver and onions and sausage and mash.

The Oxford Christmas Markets in Rochdale take place on Sunday, 1, 8 and 15 of December, from 12-6pm.

The Oxford, 662 Whitworth Road, Rochdale, OL12 OTB