Looking for something to do this winter? These are the best things to do and spots to visit in the UK
Christmas may be done and dusted for another year, but winter is just getting started. Luckily, there are still plenty of exciting things to across the UK. Planning for a last-minute winter staycation or hunting for the most beautiful places to visit in your local area? You’ve come to the right place. To keep the short days and frosty starts jolly, in this travel guide we’ve rounded up the best winter UK trips from every corner of the country…
Read the C&TH Responsible Tourism Guide
The Best Places To Visit In Winter In The UK
Frosty Starts In Cornwall
Fancy a magical, snowy coastal scene? Head to Cornwall, where you can hole up in Hawksfield on the Atlantic Highway between Padstow and Wadebridge when the weather gets too frosty. Here you’ll find vintage film posters at Goose Shed, proper coffee at Strong Adolfos, and local produce at The Arc Food Store.
HOW? Discover more at hawksfieldcornwall.com
See A Festive Royal Display
Until 26 February 2023
The official residences of His Majesty The King will be bedecked with festive decorations right through to the New Year this winter.
Head to Windsor Castle to see the 20-foot-high Nordmann Fir tree in St George’s Hall, dressed in sparkly, iridescent ornaments, as well as festive foliage, wreaths and table displays across the property. The Castle’s Undercroft Café will offer a special festive menu throughout December, family arts and crafts workshops will be taking place on the first three weekends in December, and visitors on the 8, 9 and 12 December will be treated to delightful Christmas carols.
Those closer to Edinburgh should visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse for similarly resplendent festive decorations. Families visiting on 17, 22 and 23 December can also enjoy festive arts and crafts activities, including designing your own greeting cards and Christmas crackers.
HOW? Discover more and book your visit at rct.uk
Image: St George’s Hall, Windsor Castle in 2021 (c) Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2022.
Experience Warming Whisky
All whisky lovers know that Scotland is the place to be. Now, Johnnie Walker is helping whisky lovers to learn more about the spirit, whether you’re an occasional drinker or an experienced collector. The new Johnnie Walker Princes Street experience, across eight floors, showcases casks, tastings and everything there is to know about whisky, concluding with a trip to the 1820 Bar for a cocktail or the Bothy Bar for a dram.
HOW? Whisky Makers’ Cellar experience from £95 per person. johnniewalkerprincesstreet.com
Image: The Bothy Bar
Head To A Thermal Spa in Bath
The Roman Baths in Bath are the remains of one of the greatest religious spas of the ancient world and well worth a visit. The baths still flow with natural hot water in winter, from the thermal springs that lie beneath the city.
HOW? Read our guide to the best day spas in Bath
Image: Thermae Bath Spa
Visit A Cosy Pub In Devon
Found yourself in Devon this winter? Grab a pint at The Cridford Inn. The longhouse dates back to 825AD, making it one of the UK’s oldest pubs.
HOW? Book ahead at thecridfordinn.co.uk
Visit Longleat Safari Park’s Festival Of Light
Longleat Safari Park’s annual Festival of Light never disappoints at this time of year, so be sure to book ahead. This year, it is Roald Dahl themed, so book an all-day ticket to ensure there’s time to meet all of the little ones’ favourite characters.
HOW? From 5 November 2022–8 January 2023. Tickets from £22.45. Book ahead at longleat.co.uk
Go For Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason is an art form. While its scones are a huge draw, here it’s all about the tea. With over 300-years’ experience, their on-hand ‘tearistas’ will help you find the perfect blend.
HOW? Book ahead at fortnumandmason.com
Celebrate Burns Night
Head to the capital city for Burns Night on 25 January, one of Scotlands most cherished celebrations. Robert Burns is a famous scots poet, where silly speeches, haggis, whisky tasting is usually on the menu.
HOW? Find a full guide to events across Scotland at visitscotland.com
Hunker Down In The Surrey Countryside At Beaverbrook
For quintessentially British countryside festivities, book Beaverbrook’s delightful Stay, Dine & Skate Package, which includes dining at The Garden House restaurant, an overnight stay, and idyllic ice skating on The Lawn, overlooking the picturesque Surrey Hills.
HOW? Available from 1 December 2022–31 January 2023. The Stay, Dine & Skate package starts from £710 per night including overnight accommodation for two, breakfast, unlimited ice-skating, and a onetime beverage and sweet treat per person by the ice-rink. Book at beaverbrook.co.uk
Try An Art Class
Retreat to the warmth of the artist’s studio this winter. If you’re nearby, try West Dean College and let the surrounding landscape inspire you on one of the college’s weekend creative courses.
HOW? Book ahead at westdean.org.uk
Photo by Diana Akhmedova via Pexels.
Go On A Gin Tour & Tasting
Gin bunnies and design aficionados, take note. What could be more warming than a tour and tasting around the Thomas Heatherwick-designed Bombay Sapphire Distillery at Laverstoke Mill (near Whitchurch in Hampshire), which produces around 25 million litres of gin a year. Bottoms up!
HOW? Book ahead at bombaysapphire.com
Visit Henry VIII’s Favourite Ship
You don’t need a sunny day to go back in time to 1545. In fact, a stormy, wintry day is much the best setting for a visit to the Mary Rose in Hampshire‘s Portsmouth, which sank that fateful year after 34 years’ service. This magnificent museum will take you to a Tudor treasure trove and teach you a history lesson so much more exciting than one in the classroom.
HOW? Tickets from £24 per child. Book ahead at maryrose.org
Image: Geni via Wikimedia Commons.
Go On An Invigorating Walk
What’s a British winter without wrapping up in every layer you can get your mitts on and venturing out into the cold when there’s even the slightest glimpse of sunshine? Blow away the holiday cobwebs with an invigorating walk – perhaps around Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest in Kent.
HOW? Plan your trip and find walking trails at forestryengland.uk
Image: Bedgebury Forest.
Further north, walk the shores of Rutland Water to Normanton Church, which was saved from certain destruction by the community in 1970 when plans to flood the area were set into motion. Thankfully, the structure still stands, appearing to float on the water from a distance – it’s the stuff of fairytales in the winter.
HOW? Plan your trip and find printable maps at anglianwaterparks.co.uk
Image: Normanton Church.
Or walk to the summit of Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh for spectacular views of the city and snow-capped mountains in the distance. Then head to the Sheep Heid Inn for a warming hot chocolate and a game of skittles.
And, if you’re spending a while in Edinburgh, take an hour train to the medieval seaside town of St Andrews. Famously where St Andrews University students dwell, you won’t be short of things to do: blustery beach walks on West Sands and Castle Sands, plenty of indie cosy coffee shops, with smart hotels and restaurants.
HOW? Discover more at visitscotland.com
Visit Yorkshire
Walk through the Yorkshire Dales to the ruins of Fountains Abbey, the largest monastic ruins in the country.
Or Castle Howard, recognisable from Brideshead Revisited, is spectacular both inside and out. At Christmas time the house is decorated with thousands of decorations and hosts a fantastic Christmas market.
HOW? Find opening times and ticket prices at castlehoward.co.uk. Pre-booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.
Head To A Wildlife Reserve
Witness a wildlife show like no other at Donna Nook nature reserve, Lincolnshire. Each year between November and December, a colony of grey Atlantic seals deliver their pups in the dunes.
HOW? Discover more at lincstrust.org.uk
Ski On Home Soil
Scotland has a ski season, too, don’t you know. From 17 December, go for a ski at Glenshee where there are 22 lifts and 36 runs to take advantage of, with something to suit all abilities.
HOW? Plan your trip at ski-glenshee.co.uk
Wander Through A Chocolate Box Village
Just as your typical Cotswolds villages are divine in summer, they’re just as compelling in winter even if you just stay in the car. Our favourites are Chipping Campden, a former wool trading centre, Bourton-on-the-Water, known for its model village and railway, and Bibury, said to be the most beautiful village in England by William Morris.
Hunker down in one of the area’s loveliest pubs. To order a pint next to Kate Moss, head to the Swan at Southrop; for Prue Leith’s favourite foodie pub, head to The Fox Inn at Lower Oddington and for Laurie Lee’s old haunt, choose The Woolpack in Slad.
If you enjoy walking, don’t miss Miserden‘s new interactive nature trail, with information points and QR codes to inform families all about the surrounding wildlife.
HOW? Check out our ultimate guide to the Cotswolds, its lovely pubs and its cosy hotels for all of our favourite spots.
Head To The Norfolk Broads
The Norfolk Broads are busy throughout the summer but the world and his wife are missing a trick, this spot is undoubtedly at its most dramatic in winter, when only a handful of brave souls wind between the frost-covered banks. Keep your eyes peeled for the otters.
HOW? Discover more at norfolkbroads.com
Take A Trip To Derbyshire
The county calls for a whole week’s stay as there’s so much to see. You’ll want to spend a day or two traversing the Peak District National Park.
Reserve a day to explore Chatsworth House too. The estate that’s known as Mr Darcy’s abode in the Kiera Knightley adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, doesn’t disappoint. Meander around the gardens, marvel at the architecture and design, before settling into their fabulously grand afternoon tea.
HOW? Plan your trip and book ahead at chatsworth.org
Image: Chatsworth House.
Explore The Welsh Foodie Scene
Cardiff is at the vanguard of a new Welsh foodie scene. Check out gems like 100 percent vegan Anna Loka, or the splendid Chapel 1877, where you might dine on roast rump of welsh lamb with parmentier potatoes.
HOW? Book ahead at anna-loka.com and chapel1877.com
Featured Image: Land’s End, Cornwall.
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