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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

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Original poster

Where would you go in the UK for a fabulous Christmas experience?

51 replies

Venay · 22/08/2013 22:16

Sorry - I know it is horrible to ask in August! My sister is visiting in December for 3 weeks, and I would like to take her to a traditional British Christmas event. I have tried googling, and it keeps suggesting things like we should visit Santa in Lapland or go to Germany for the Christmas markets, however we have 3 under 5s between us, and I don't think we want to leave the UK.

So, is there anywhere good in the UK that we could visit? My sister is especially interested in history, and would probably enjoy a Stately home - her children won't have seen reindeer or snow or Santa...

Does anyone have any advice?

OP posts:
BeachComeRainOrShine · 22/08/2013 22:20

Longleat? Stately home, animals and special Christmas train.

bendertherobot · 22/08/2013 22:21

Where abouts in the UK? I'm in Kent and can think of a couple of things

Lapland UK and the Christmas Dickens festival in Rochester.

oohdaddypig · 22/08/2013 22:21

Edinburgh has a lovely winter market in December. Check it out online for more info but its a mini Xmas festival with a German market, scottish market and ice rink etc. it's a great city to visit in December time :)

BeachComeRainOrShine · 22/08/2013 22:23

www.longleat.co.uk/christmas

Sirzy · 22/08/2013 22:23

Thomasland Christmas is great for young children at Drayton manor

The Christmas markets in Manchester are good.

Tatton park in Manchester often has traditional Christmas activities

seventhchild · 22/08/2013 22:24

Chtworth has a Christmas market and does the house up amazingly.

seventhchild · 22/08/2013 22:24

Chatsworth

Jenijena · 22/08/2013 22:27

What about a weekend in the longleat area, with a day at longleat, and a day in Bath. I think it has a Christmas festival one weekend in December, you could see the Roman baths, and its a nice place to visit.

Elizadoesdolittle · 22/08/2013 22:34

Echo some of the other suggestions of Bath/Longleat. Bath is a beautiful city (have family there so maybe slightly biased). Just come back from a long weekend there. They have a christmas market in the grounds of the abbey. And longleat is fab.

ENormaSnob · 22/08/2013 22:43

Centreparcs?

Picturesinthefirelight · 22/08/2013 22:44

I've always wanted to go to Thursford but its probably not what you're after.

CruCru · 22/08/2013 22:46

Osborne House (Queen Victorias house in the Isle of Wight) does a Victorian Christmas thing.

AnneUulmelmahay · 22/08/2013 22:48

Hah did anyone else check OP wasn't dear ole DotFox? Chortle.

Another vote for Bath. Take in the markets at twilight and carol service (nice n short) in the cathedral. Lovely

2Old2BeABluePeterPresenter · 22/08/2013 22:50

I'm coming on to say Bath too, sipping hot chocolate and eating cookies from the German food stall on the Christmas market was a favourite thing of mine when I lived there.

whyno · 22/08/2013 22:51

Santa train on the bluebell railway?

startwig1982 · 22/08/2013 22:52

I would also say Bath/Longleat. However, the Bath Christmas market tends to be early December so if you're looking for something closer to christmas you may want to rethink.

Longleat have reindeer and an ice rink and is fantastic as a day out anyway. I think there's also usually an ice rink in Bristol.

Original poster
Venay · 22/08/2013 22:53

Thank you for all the wonderful suggestions. I will follow them all up.

We are in London, but we are prepared to travel.

Last Christmas we tried the Christmas event in park and found it very disappointing.

OP posts:
BrightnessAndWallpaper · 22/08/2013 22:56

Lapland UK was a big hit with my son - a few years ago now but they executed the day with great finesse. Bewelwater in Kent.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 22/08/2013 23:02

Winchester has a fabulous Christmas market and an ice rink in the cathedral close, gets very busy at weekends unless you go early or late. Might not be the best for under 5's though. I've heard that Longleat is brilliant.

getoffthecoffeetable · 22/08/2013 23:04

Chatsworth.
Lincoln Christmas Market.
Worcester Victorian Market

ChippingInHopHopHop · 22/08/2013 23:06

You are in London - you really don't need to go anywhere else :) There's tons to do in London at Christmas that's 'British' & fun and of course - pray for snow :)

TulipsfromAmsterdam · 22/08/2013 23:08

We went on the Polar Express train at Weardale last year and it is running again this year. It also runs from another venue but can't remember where. Based on the film and a truly fantastic experience for children.

littlemissnormal · 22/08/2013 23:10

The ice rink in the centre of Bristol has closed now but they usually put a big one up at The Mall.

Longleat is amazing at Christmas; the Santa train, ice rink and they put fairy tale characters in the house. Last year they were also showing The Snowman on big screens in the central area.

Second the market at Bath too. And the panto at the Theatre Royal was great last year!

MyThumbsHaveGoneWeird · 22/08/2013 23:14

Ice skating at Somerset house is lovely. You need to book quite early. And I heard v good things about the Christmas market on Southbank. Taxi down regent st to see the lights? I always used to find London magical at Christmas when we visited when I was little.

PrunellaDeVille · 22/08/2013 23:22

Bath market goes from 28th Nov to 15th Dec, we have a stall there, maybe see you there. ( there does tend to be a nice atmosphere and there's usually an old fashioned merry go round for kids entertainment)