The greatest places to spend Christmas in the UK? It's the most wonderful time of the year.
There are many places in the UK that come alive at Christmas, regardless of whether you want to stay close to home, fancy a vacation just down the road, or are ready for an adventure across the nation.
Here are our top 6 recommendations for places to spend Christmas in the UK, without further ado. And if you're searching for a cosy place to rest after a day of holiday fun, click the button below to view our Christmas cottages.
Christmas in Edinburgh
Stay in Scotland if you're deciding where to travel for Christmas because Auld Reekie is bustling with holiday festivities from the end of November through December and into January. There is a ton to see and do in Edinburgh during the holidays; each year, carnival rides provide entertainment for family and friends, and several Christmas markets offer the chance to finish your shopping. The pantomimes and plays honouring the happy season fill the theatres, while other events like a Christmas Tree Maze, Ice Skating, and Santa's Grotto make sure the excitement lasts right up until Hogmanay on New Year's Eve.
Christmas in Cardiff
Cardiff is one of the top destinations for Christmas for all-around holiday entertainment, in our opinion. Winter Wonderland, Cardiff's flagship Christmas festival, which runs from the middle of November to the beginning of January, will have fun fairs, ice rinks, and an alpine town. With a Christmas market in the city centre, department stores, and high-street retailers providing everything you need, it's also the ideal place to do all of your shopping. As if that weren't enough, Cardiff Castle also operates a lovely Santa's Grotto next to a fire, and there are always a ton of heartwarming productions playing in the theatres.
Christmas in Hull
If you're looking for a great place to visit with a rich history and plenty of activities for you and your family, look no further. From Stafely Christmas at Burton Agnes Hall to a Magical Santa Experience at Sledmere House, Hull is one of the best places to visit at Christmas, with spiced hot drinks, hot chocolate, and Christmas markets. What else is to love?
Christmas in York
The lovely walled, medieval city where an annual Christmas Festival is hosted is one of the most stunning destinations to travel for a Christmas staycation. Before making your way over to St Sampson's Square and Parliament Street, where the wonderful market stalls of the St Nicholas Fair await you (we're sure you'll agree, it's one of the finest Christmas markets in the UK), the towering Christmas tree in St Helen's Square is a terrific place to start. Additionally, there is a Winter Wonderland with a log cabin Santa, a fun fair, and an outdoor ice rink. York is a great Christmas vacation spot that will really put you in the holiday spirit.
Christmas in Rochester
It makes sense that there would be a sizable event honouring Charles Dickens because Kent has significant ties to the author and because A Christmas Carol is one of the best-known Christmas tales ever. Indeed, Rochester is among the greatest Christmas vacation destinations for a classic celebration. In December, a variety of Victorian delicacies are on display at the Dickensian Christmas Festival, which dates back more than 200 years. Visit the Rochester Castle Christmas Market as well, where visitors may sip mulled wine and snack on roasted chestnuts while looking for gifts.
Christmas in Worcester
Worcester Cathedral is lovely every day of the year, but in December and January, it transforms into the site of a magnificent Christmas Tree Festival that displays dozens of trees that have been specially decorated by various businesses and organisations while also raising money for charitable causes. The city also hosts a beautiful Victorian Fair at the beginning of December, along with a number of concerts, plays, and art exhibitions.
Find out more about our Christmas destinations and how we can help get you there before the fun ends.