The 7 Best Places to Visit for Christmas in the UK

Posted On: December 9, 2022
Posted By: ourlife

Britain is the home of Christmas. From carol singing to red pandas, we have it all here. There’s no better place than the UK to get into the festive spirit, with so many unique Christmas markets and events taking place across the country this December. Here are some of the best places in which you can spend your Christmas vacation.

If you love snow and mistletoe, or just need an excuse to go on a road trip through rural England, these are the perfect places for you to visit for Christmas this year. From fairy-tale castles to woodland retreats, there is something for everyone on our list of The 10 Best Places to Visit for Christmas in the UK.

The Peak District

If you want to go on a walk in the countryside, head over to the Peak District. This nature haven is home to the world’s oldest Christmas Market, which has been taking place in Bakewell since 1604. You can also visit the famous Winnats Pass – home to one of the most beautiful walks in the Peak District.

If you’re travelling with kids, the Derbyshire Diddy Diddy Railway is a miniature steam railway that runs throughout the Christmas period. For those who like to shop, the Peak District is home to the Crookback Mountain Christmas Village, which has hundreds of gifts and toys for all ages. Or, if you’re visiting the Peak District with kids, make sure you visit Santa’s Village at Snowlands – the biggest indoor snow play park in the UK – where you can meet Santa and his elves.

Bath

Christmas in Bath is one of the most magical experiences in the UK. The streets are lined with twinkling lights, there are choirs singing carols, and the River Avon is lit up with hundreds of fairy lights. The best way to take in the sights is by a warm bath onboard the Bath Christmas Boat Ride.

This is the only way to experience the light show and Christmas carols against the backdrop of the beautiful Bath architecture. If you’re travelling with kids, you can visit The Christmas Storyhouse in Bath, which is the only place where you can see all three wise men’s camels and the stable that Mary gave birth in. The Christmas Storyhouse is the only place in the world where children can see all three wise men’s camels and the stable that Mary gave birth in.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the perfect place to go if you love winter sports and snow. The Scottish capital is famous for its annual Edinburgh Snow Festival, which features an ice skating rink, ice slides, snow sculptures, and a Christmas market. The Edinburgh Snow Festival is the perfect excuse to pack your winter woollies and head to the Scottish capital.

You can also visit one of the city’s famous Christmas Crackers, which are a traditional Christmas gift. If you’re visiting Edinburgh with kids, you can take them to see Santa at his Santa Land. Here you can take photos with Santa and visit his Reindeer Barn, which is home to all his reindeer, including Rudolph. And if you want to get into the festive spirit, you can head to Princes Street Gardens and join in with the Scottish SPCA’s Carol Concert for Crackers.

Newcastle Upon Tyne

Newcastle Upon Tyne is the place to go if you love a good Christmas market. The city’s Christmas Market is the largest in the UK, with over 200 stalls selling gifts, food, and drink. Kids can visit Santa’s Grotto and there are also lots of events taking place, including a Christmas fair, live music, and a fire show. Alternatively, you can visit the Royal Botanical Gardens, which has a beautifully lighted walk and a festive cocktail offering. If you’re travelling with kids, you can take them to see the Christmas Story at the Theatre Royal, or you can visit the Great North Museum’s Christmas Cracker, which has events and activities for all ages.

Birmingham

If you love a bargain, then Birmingham is the place to visit for Christmas. They have this amazing market called Birmingham Rag Market, which is located in the middle of the Bullring. You can also visit the Birmingham Christmas Market, which is located next to the Council House.

Kids can visit the Birmingham Children’s Christmas Cracker, the biggest free kids’ Christmas event in the UK. If you’re travelling with kids, you can take them to see Santa’s Christmas journey on his Express Train to the Magic Kingdom, which is the only way to see Santa in his grotto. Alternatively, you can visit the Snow Festival in Birmingham Botanical Gardens, which features an ice maze, ice slides, and a Snow Village.

Liverpool

Liverpool is the place to go if you want to celebrate New Year’s Eve and Christmas in one trip. With its famous New Year’s Eve fireworks, you can ring in the New Year in style in the Merseyside. If you’re visiting Liverpool with kids, you can take them to visit Santa’s Little Shop at Liverpool ONE.

You can also visit the Magical Christmas Tree Trail, where you can discover the magic of Christmas through decorations and sculptures that have been made by local artists. If you’re travelling with kids, you can visit The Magical Magical House, the Magical Magical House, Liverpool’s Magical Christmas Advent Calendar, which features 24 magical rooms, or the Magical Magical Christmas Fair.

Yorkshire: York and Harrogate

Yorkshire is the perfect place to go to get into the Christmas spirit. There are loads of festive events taking place across the region, including the York Early Music Christmas Festival, Harrogate Christmas Cracker, the Yorkshire Christmas Bug Fair, and the York Christmas Markets. You can also visit the famous Buttertubs, which is the smallest mountain in Great Britain. If you’re travelling with kids, you can take them to see Santa at the Rotunda or take a festive walk through the Magical Christmas Tree Trail. Alternatively, you can visit the Nativities in York, which is a life-size nativity that has been on display in York since 1979 and has over 2,000 figures.

Conclusion

Christmas is a great time of year to travel and visit the best places in the UK. There are lots of festive events, activities, and markets taking place that are perfect for a family vacation. From walking in the mountains to shopping in the city, there is something for everyone on our list of The 10 Best Places to Visit for Christmas in the UK. Visit these places this season and enjoy the festive spirit that comes with it. Now all that’s left to decide is which place to visit and when. Whether you prefer to visit in winter or in summer, there’s a Christmas destination to suit every time of year. Get booking and enjoy the festive season like never before. END /END>

More From Trip Hunter Notes & Christmas Carols

We all know the words to some Christmas carols, but did you know the inspiration behind many of them? For example, The First Noel is a poem about Jesus’ birth and was written by an 11-year-old girl! And the lyrics to O Come, O Come, Emmanuel were taken from an ancient hymn.

The Story Behind The Christmas Tree

If you’re travelling with kids and want a fun fact to tell them, you can tell them that the Christmas tree tradition was invented in Germany, where people used real trees as decorations and are still used today. In the UK, however, the Christmas tree tradition was introduced by Prince Albert and the story goes that he fell in love with a tree the first time he saw one.

The Origin Of Santa

If you’re travelling to the North and want to know where Santa comes from, the answer is the Arctic Circle. The jolly, red-clad Santa we all know and love comes from a real person called St. Nicholas, who was a bishop and lived in Turkey.

Differences Between Christmas In UK And US

If you’re travelling to the UK during Christmas and have some time to spare, you might be wondering what are the differences between Christmas in the UK and Christmas in the US. Here are a few things to note when visiting the UK during Christmas.