The 10 countries on the UK’s travel red-list as of November 30th were all added in the last 5 days, a little unpredictable for my liking. So while catching some winter sun is still possible in many exotic destinations – friends of mine just had a lovely time in Turkey – you might prefer a UK holiday, lessening the risk of quarantine or cancellations that come with travelling abroad.
I’ve rounded up 3 city breaks, 2 walking holidays, and 2 activity holidays us Brits can enjoy without our passports – and my favourite is the last!
One way to escape the cold is to stay indoors. These cities provide just that opportunity: museums, theatres, shopping, restaurants, there’s plenty to do that doesn’t require wrapping up.
Brighton may be a beach town, but don’t let that put you off a winter visit.
Spend your days wandering Brighton Lanes, popping in and out of independent shops selling everything from skateboards to homemade fudge to vintage dresses.
Or stay indoors inside Brighton’s Churchill Square shopping centre, which houses 84 brands including Zara, Apple, Lakeland, Swarovski, Pull & Bear, Urban Outfitters, and a bunch of restaurants.
If shopping isn’t your thing, there’s lots more to do, like:
It’s impossible to fit all this UK holiday has to offer into a single weekend, but I’m sure you’ll have fun trying!
Trains from London only take an hour, and the M/A23 makes driving there simple as can be.
Why is a little town worthy of a weekend visit?
Chester itself is lovely, and steeped in history (you can still walk along its Roman walls), but what sells this trip is the surrounding activities: Chester has one of the best zoos in the world, and the biggest outlet centre in the country, Cheshire Oaks.
Regularly ranking in the top 5 zoos in the world, Chester zoo is so huge it’s a challenge to cover it in a day. If you’re debating a two-day visit, you might want to try their animal experiences: feed the giraffes, penguins, komodo dragons, or red pandas! Visit now to also enjoy their Christmas Market and Winter Lantern events.
And not only is Cheshire Oaks the UK’s biggest outlet centre, but their Winter Village and drive-in cinema are now open, making this an especially fun time of year to visit.
To be fair, this isn’t actually an indoorsy option, but it’ll be so much fun you won’t notice the cold!
Who doesn’t love a weekend away in London? Even if you live nearby, a hotel or self-catering stay in the capital is always a blast, and probably deserves a post of its own.
But isn’t London crazy expensive? It doesn’t have to be.
The many free museums cover history, science, art, and even chocolate! Here is a helpful list of free museums in London.
The most underrated free activity though has to be the Sky Garden at 20 Fenchurch Street in the middle of the city. The Sky Garden isn’t a viewing deck like the Shard (which is expensive and tiny), it’s a bar in the sky. Enjoy a cocktail under the trees, wander the 360 views, or brave the cold on the outdoor balcony!
While you have to book your slot ahead of time, tickets are completely free, and you can stay there as long as you like.
Did you know that 9% of England’s land is covered by national parks? As well as 7% in Scotland, and nearly 20% in Wales! Their dramatic landscapes are the perfect destination for a wintery UK holiday.
There are 15 to choose from, but these two are particularly beautiful. From 5 star hotels on the lakes to affordable cottage holidays and glamping-style holidays lets, all accommodation budgets are catered to. And of course, there are walks galore.
With the most visitors each year by far, the Lake District is the most famous of our national parks and could entertain you for years. And it’s no wonder, as the Lake District is truly optimised for tourism. Villages scattered across the area have everything from lantern-lit waterfront restaurants to boat trips launching from the 16 lakes’ picturesque harbours.
For the walks themselves, holidaymakers have around 300 circular walks to choose from, ranging in length and difficulty. My personal favourite for the waterfall on the way and the snow-capped-mountain-view from the top is Gowbarrow Fell.
A word of caution, if you do visit this winter, please make sure you wrap up properly and don’t take any risks on icy routes, and please choose walks that are suited to your fitness level!
As it doesn’t have ‘lake’ in the name, you can gather they aren’t the main attraction of Brecon Beacons. What it lacks in bodies of water though, it makes up for in countless stunning waterfalls.
Trekking up the hills or through the woods, you’ll stumble upon fairytale-worthy streams and creeks, most of which have a waterfall somewhere upstream. I recommend you make a special effort to visit Four Waterfalls Walk, where you can walk under the waterfall!
You read that right – there’s skiing and snowboarding right here in the UK!
The 5 mountain resorts are all situated in beautiful (obviously – they’re mountainous) regions. So you could hit the slopes every day of your trip, or visit just the once as an add-on to a walking holiday. Find a cottage rental nearby for a UK holiday with a snow-sport twist!
The resorts are all a little far from the cities to make them a viable day trip from a city break, except Lecht resort which is 90-minute drive from Aberdeen, doable if not ideal.
Speaking to one resort over the phone, they said their lifts are opening mid-December, and the best time to visit is late December to late January.
Waterparks, tennis courts, spas, what’s not to love about forest resorts?
The leader of the pack, Center Parcs, has extended their Subtropical Swimming Paradise access to one three-hour session per day of your visit, a marked improvement from this time last year.
The Aqua Sana spas are also open as usual, and can even be booked as a weekend away separate from a Center Parcs trip.
Whether you want a city break to keep you busy and indoors, a walking holiday to embrace winter’s beauty, or an active holiday to get the blood pumping, you’ve got lots of options right on your doorstep. Let me know your thoughts on these UK holiday destinations!
