Five Favorite Places To Visit In The UK This Christmas

1) York in North Yorkshire, England

York is known for its “magical experience” at Christmas time. The cobbled streets around York Minster sparkle with lights which are complemented by spectacular ice sculptures and enjoyable street entertainment. You can count on hearing carolers singing Christmas melodies, enjoying the scents of the season, like roasted chestnuts and hot chocolate, and of course, meeting with Santa.

As far as activities go, you might want to try out ice skating, watching a pantomime, or even going on a ghost tour. For those looking for a bit more culture, museums and castles are plentiful too.

2) Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland

Edinburgh is full of sites to see at Christmas-time. Among the sparkling fountains, the decked out Edinburgh’s Christmas Tree and the unique, realistic Nativity Scene, you can enjoy a “White Christmas” at the featured Edinburgh Sparkles Snow Globe. Entertainment includes puppet shows, dance production and music broadcasts, in addition to carol concerts.

There are many Christmas shows, church services, guided tours, art and craft fairs, parades, and street entertainment along with a ride on Edinburgh Wheel or ice skating in the “Winter Wonderland”. The town of Edinburgh is also a great place to stay through Hogmanay with New Year’s celebrations like you have never seen before.

3) Shetland Isles off the northeast coast of Scotland

Those who enjoy the outdoors should head towards the Shetland Isles, where you can enjoy a quiet Christmas in scenic, rustic surroundings. Wildlife is plentiful there, especially sea animals, so keep an eye out for otters, seals, and even whales.

The Shetland Isles is a perfect place for walking or cycling and taking in the astounding scenery or fishing, playing golf, diving, or kayaking. For the indoor type, there are tons of events featuring music and culture including historical museums and exhibitions. Around New Years, many people have reported seeing the mysterious Northern Lights from the area.

4) Keswick within the Borough of Allerdale in Cambria, England

Located near the world famous English Lake District, the town of Keswick gives easy access to a land of spectacular mountains and gorgeous lakes. Historically, it offers a couple of real gems; the nearby lake of Derwentwater is where King Arthur is said to have acquired Excalibur, his famous sword, and the Castlerigg Stone Circle has been used for religious purposes for around 3000 years.

Keswick offers more than just a taste of history and country life though, there are the traditional Christmas festivities taking place there too. A visit there offers a chance to sample a real English Christmas, away from the commercialism of the bigger cities.

5) London is the capital of England

London is one of the world’s great capital cities and a breathtaking place to visit over Christmas, with too many events to mention here. The whole city sparkles with lights and this year Regent and Oxford street intend to coordinate their switching on events to celebrate the premier of Disney’s A Christmas Carol.

Throughout the city, there are many Christmas shows including theatre, ballet and pantomimes on top of many Festive Fairs. Trafalgar Square is a great place to hear carolers who sing to raise money for a number of charities. London is the place to be if you are looking for a never ending variety of things to do over the holidays.

Budget Hotel Chains believe that everyone deserves at least one night a year in a great hotel at an even greater price.

YouTube: Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay