Best Christmas Break Ideas for UK Families
Getting a family break during the festive season is an enjoyable treat in many ways – even if it’s a few days before Christmas to get away to some of the markets, do some big city shopping or spend Christmas in someone elses house with your entire family.
Xmas Shopping Trips
How about a seaside break in North Berwick. In the winter?! Yes – hear me out. 🙂 North Berwick is a beautiful, bougie town by the sea near Edinburgh. the shops are boutique, the bars are fun and safe and the food is always delicious. And what better place to invest your Christmas shopping than in the beautiful city of Edinburgh. Here you will find some of the most amazing Christmas light displays along the historic streets, endless bars and restaurants to indulge in and enough shops in a contained area to do a mammoth shop for all the family. You could split your merriments over several days with different members of the family depending on who likes doing what!
Places to visit
St James Quarter – for Rituals, Harrods Beauty, a giant John Lewis, the Lego store, Hotel Chocolat and many many other great brands for gifting. This is a new, luxury shopping centre all under cover and has one of the best open food stall eateries in Scotland as well as a funky 10-pin bowling arcade and a 3 screen cinema.
George Street – upmarket shopping boutiques – Hobbs, White Company, Space NK and the world famous Dome – where the fabulous grill room has people booking 9 months in advance to get a table some time during the Christmas period. I know – I booked back in March just for a table on 2nd December!
St Andrew’s Square – usually some sort of fun things to do in the square for kids as well as adults
Princes Street Gardens – Along the gardens side, there’s usually a ferris wheel, Christmas market stalls, gluhwein vendors and the usual epic gigantic outdoor Christmas tree that is gifted every year from Norway.
A “Get Away From It All” Christmas Holiday
What could be better, especially if you are cooped up in a flat all year in a big city – to head out to the countryside, buy in a load of food and drink and just spend the time celebrating Christmas Day and Boxing Day chilling and relaxing?
The idea of renting a lovely warm cottage somewhere rural and not having to deal with crowds, annoying flatmates or cramped conditions and having a self catered kitchen with some nice woodland walks, close family and friends as well as lots of space for lounging would be an ideal dream Christmas! This one even has an indoor heated swimming pool but there are plenty more warm cottage holidays to choose from 🙂
Christmas Markets Getaways
If you love to explore the Christmas markets and find handmade hidden gems for those special people in your life then the Christmas markets are the getaway for you! From £89 you can explore them on winter UK coach holidays such as LeisureTime. Did you know about some of these Christmas market towns?
Winchester holds its own with any European destination for those in search of an authentic Christmas experience and is regularly recognised as being in the top 10 in Europe.
Birmingham. The largest authentic German market outside Germany and Austria and the centrepiece of the city’s festive event calendar returns to Birmingham each year in mid November. Explore over 180 stalls selling gifts, jewellery, decorations, handmade toys, delicious German fare and of course the ever popular Glühwein.
Worcester. Celebrating their 30th Anniversary year, the Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre returns to the city centre. Experience a great atmosphere, with mulled wine, hot roasted chestnuts, mince pies, hog roasts and stallholders dressed in Victorian costume all adding to the Christmas spirit. With over 100 stalls, plus Worcester’s excellent shopping, you’re sure to get the Christmas shopping off to a great start.
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