A Christmas market makes its return to the grounds of Canterbury Cathedral for the first time in more than 200 years today.

The festivities within the religious attraction's precincts date back more than six centuries to 1383 following a royal grant by King Richard II.

But a festive market has not been held in the grounds since 1813 when it was shut down following concerns of “indecency and tumultuous conduct”.

Yet the traditional market with German-style wooden huts opens tonight as an extension of the city’s Christmas festivities, which will include a lights switch-on and parade.

Food and drink will be available at the market, which will also offer a vintage carousel ride, live music and Saturday carol services for shoppers.

A spokesman for Canterbury Cathedral said: “After a break of more than 200 years, we’re excited to welcome the historic Christmas market back to the cathedral precincts and to revive this centuries-old tradition for new generations.

“We hope the return of the cathedral Christmas market – an extension to Canterbury’s existing much-loved festive city-centre market – will help make what is already one of the most magical festive shopping experiences in the country [and] a cornerstone of everyone’s annual celebrations.”

The city is extending its Christmas markets to St George’s Street and Whitefriars shopping centre.

Late-night shopping is also on the cards on November 27.

Canterbury’s business improvement district (BID) chief executive, Lisa Carlson, added: “This is a really key time of year for our business community, of which over 68% are independent, so we hope to see lots of people making a beeline for Canterbury over the coming weeks.”

Christmas and Canterbury was shrouded in controversy about 350 years ago when the Puritans banned the feast day in 1647.

The people of the city rebelled resulting in a Christmas Day game of football descending into riots.

Ultimately, the city’s Plum Pudding Riots, as they came to be known, led to a revolt by Royalists across Kent and the second round of the English Civil War.