You don’t have to go far to enjoy a fantastic festive Christmas, and in fact there are many places in the UK which will provide you with a wonderful atmosphere, great shopping and unique events. Here are four suggestions for some of the best places to spend a family Christmas in the UK this year.
Edinburgh At Xmas by Light&Dark
1. York
York is a wonderful city to visit any time of the year, but over the festive period the atmosphere is even more incredible. There are lots of Christmas markets from November onwards, Ice Sculptures in The Quarter, York’s Christmas Fayre from December 2nd to 18th, plenty of entertainment, music, festive food and boutique shops, and it all creates a fantastic atmosphere.
One of the highlights has to be the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols in York Minster which will be held at 16.00 on Christmas Eve. Or if you feel like staying up late then Midnight Mass will be held at 23.30.
2. London
There are plenty of things which make London the ideal city to stay in over the festive period, and the excellent shopping is only one of them.
Attending a service at Westminster Cathedral or St Paul’s is sure to be one of the highlights, although you’ll have to be quick to get yourself a seat. You may also want to go on a cruise down the Thames either on Christmas Day itself or during the Christmas week to see some of the capital’s most famous buildings at their best.
Or if you are feeling really brave then why not join in with the annual Serpentine swim on Christmas Day in Hyde Park?
3. Canterbury
In Canterbury over the Christmas period you will find a traditional Christmas market held in Whitefriars Square, right in the centre of the city. Here you will be able to enjoy plenty of festive treats and warm yourself up with German mulled wine (Glühwein).
Many people head to Canterbury at Christmas to attend a service in the magnificent Canterbury Cathedral. This year there are two carol services on the 23rd and 24th, with the first one open to all, and the second one by ticket only, application for which opens on October 17th. You may also want to attend the cathedral on Christmas Day to see the Archbishop preach.
4. Edinburgh
Edinburgh has plenty of things going on at Christmas, and an extended stay here is a great idea. You could head here as early as November 24th for ‘Light Night’ when the official celebrations begin, and the Christmas Markets go on right up until January 4th.
There is an ice rink, plenty of Christmas markets and Santa arrives on December 3rd so you can also pay him a visit. The Norwegian Carol Concert at St Giles’ Cathedral in November is another of the highlights, so spend Christmas in Edinburgh and you may well find yourself hanging around until Hogmanay.
Enjoy Your Christmas in the UK
Wherever you choose to spend Christmas, there are plenty of fantastic places to visit across the UK, and the above suggestions are just a few of the excellent cities where you are sure to enjoy a Christmas to remember. So find the ideal Christmas hotel in your chosen city, and enjoy your Christmas somewhere different this year.
Yes indeed, i agree, York is the best place for Christmas! I used to live there and miss how gorgeous the place is…. as an American it reminded me of a setting from a Charles Dickens novel!