The winter transforms the UK, enhancing its beauty and making the activities, attractions, food, and tea even more appealing. Travelling throughout the UK in the winter also comes with another benefit: many of these destinations are in their tourist off-season during the winter, giving you opportunities to save while having an enjoyable getaway. This means that you don’t have to rely on special deals that casinos offer in the hopes of winning big to fund your travels.
If you’re planning a winter holiday, be it one filled with countryside charm, bustling cities, or outdoor adventures, these seven places deliver some of the most beautiful winter sights and enchantments. You’ll feel as if you’ve found a magical winter escape.
1. Cotswolds, England
The Cotswolds are a region of England filled with gently rolling hills. Scattered throughout them, you’ll find castles, churches, small villages, and cottages. It is the romanticised English countryside many dream of escaping to, and the snow and cold weather only make it more inviting. Visiting close to the winter holiday season, you can see Christmas fairs and festivals, drink in all the colourful lights, attend workshops, and even meet Father Christmas.
The roads, old stone buildings, and rolling fields make for stunning sights to take in, whether you drive or walk through the countryside. Be sure to visit sites like Berkeley Castle and its gardens, wander through the Westinbort Arboretum, and stop to take plenty of photos before you duck back inside your warm and cosy accommodations for hot cocoa (or perhaps something a little stronger).
2. London, England
The bustling city of London is full of winter holiday magic and entertainment that will deliver an incredible time. It’s a beautiful place to walk through in the snow, with many parks that turn into wonderlands. You can also go skating or tobogganing with the stunning city as your backdrop. If you’re there over the winter holidays, you can wander the Christmas markets or watch the New Year’s fireworks.
You’ll also be able to participate in many of London’s year-round attractions, like indulging in fine dining, basking in the numerous museums and galleries, shopping at endless stores and boutiques, catching a show at one of the theatres, or visiting Buckingham Palace.
3. Edinburgh, Scotland
Filled with historic buildings, cobblestone streets, and the warm amenities and activities of a city, Edinburgh allows you to enjoy the beauty of the cold and snow while you tuck away somewhere warm, like the Whiski Bar and Restaurant. Throughout the winter, you’ll also find artist open houses, craft markets, and various festivals that brighten the dark days. If you’re there close to Christmas and have littles in tow, you can hop onto The Polar Express, a theatrical train ride that brings the children’s story to life.
4. Bath, England
If you’re looking for rest and relaxation alongside winter magic, Bath delivers just what you need. It’s home to the Roman Baths, a historic site with pre-Roman and Roman Britain artefacts. The site served as a spiritual space where people would come to worship Sulis Minerva and bathe in the thermal springs. The same thermal springs that provided water to the ancient site provide water to the modern and ancient style of Thermae Bath Spa, including its rooftop pool where you can enjoy the winter views in the comfortably warm water. Between the culture, history, and spa, you’ll find yourself with an enjoyable, slow-paced getaway that perfectly suits the quiet of winter.
5. Cambridge, England
Cambridge is filled with stunning architecture and history that make this an appealing destination for many. It’s primarily known for its university, the University of Cambridge, which proudly boasts of its famous alumni, including Isaac Newton and Stephen Hawking. But it offers so much more than just that, and in the winter it comes to life with Christmas festivities, including a Christmas Countdown, ballets, and decorations.
Cambridge is also home to many galleries and museums which welcome you into their warm embrace in the winter and hold your attention with their fascinating exhibits. A few you won’t want to miss include the Museum of Zoology, the Fitzwilliam Museum, and the Museum of Cambridge.
6. Derry, Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, you’ll find the walled city of Derry, also known as Londonderry. The city invites you to get outside and walk through some of its major attractions, including the Peace Bridge, Brook Park, and its centuries-old walls, even amid winter weather. You can always stop at a local pub or bakery to treat yourself to something warm and comforting on a cold day. Just beyond Derry is a stunning coastline drive that will surround you in winter scenery while you stay sheltered from the elements, making this a fantastic way to enjoy Northern Ireland in winter.
7. Eryri National Park (Snowdonia), Wales
Eryri National Park, also known as Snowdonia National Park, is the largest national park in Wales, steeped in Welsh beauty, culture, and history. It’s beautiful at all times of the year, but there’s something even more awe-inspiring about the park in the winter. The park is filled with many stunning vistas and accessible hiking trails, making it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. There’s no need to fret if you have reservations about the cold for overnight stays. The park has many hotels and warm accommodations nearby, providing somewhere warm and cosy to unwind and rest after walking through the mountainous region.
Conclusion
With cobblestone streets, historic villages, and stunning countryside, a winter holiday in the UK is nothing short of magical, and these seven places reveal just that. Whichever of these destinations you decide to visit, you’ll find yourself surrounded by the magic of winter and everything that makes the season merry and bright.
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