Christmas in the UK...

[DM1209]

Evening,

I would like to go away for Christmas with my DC's, 11, 7 and soon to be 6.
After a tumultuous few years we are finally at a point where I can step back and really appreciate how understanding, loving, kind, patient and truly wonderful my DC have been.

They have never once moaned or whined about our change in lifestyle, lack of money (2 income household to 1) or the fact that I have been so busy breaking my back for us as a family, (my profession is in Law, very long hours) I have had next to no time for the fun things.

They have not been on any kind of holiday for 4 years, not even a weekend break away or a theme park - not once have they demanded anything from me.

So you wonderful people, please, please give me your recommendations for where I can take them, in the UK, for a truly magical Christmas.... I'm happy to drive, self cater or be catered for. I don't mind. I just want to take them away.
Thank you.

What part of the uk do you live?

We're quite central, East Midlands. I don't mind travelling with them. In my mind I have (probably overly romanticised!) an idea that a December road trip would be fun.
I want to leave with them after school is finished and just arrive to our magical Christmas destination, settle in and have all their activities planned with scope for spontaneous last minute things too.

I'm asking for a lot aren't I

I love London at Christmas...

Harry potter studio tour and London

Thank you for the recommendations. London is on my list but I wanted a balance of full on Christmas atmosphere with the tranquil calm of just appreciating our surroundings and not having to worry too much about commuting to places from wherever we end up staying, tubes etc. I suppose we could get cabs....

Plus I want to take them away for about 7 nights.

How about Edinburgh it really is very lovely at Christmas. Have a look online at Edinburgh Christmas.com. If you do decide to go then you can book most things online (Santa , panto at Kings Theater, the spegaltent, ice skating) the Christmas market is very nice. The full programme is usually on line by mid September. I have also heard that York is very nice at Christmas.

It's nice you want to take them away but i don't think Christmas id is a good time. A lot of things will be closed, you'll have to plan quite carefully for meals etc. Especially as you'll be in an unfamiliar place.

Why not go away at half term ( Cyprus/Greece/Canaries) and stay home at Christmas?

How about centre PARC's?

Centre Parcs?

What about Harrogate or York? I’ve never been at Christmas but I think both would have that festive feeling and quite a bit going on.

Butlins is supposed to be fun at Christmas time with lots going on. It definitely wouldn’t be calm!

Or perhaps hiring a lodge somewhere like Tattersall Lake so some kids clubs but also more chilled out.

Thank you everyone for all of your replies. It's so good to be able to bounce ideas around.

I hadn't even thought of Edinburgh and the other suggestions are all now on my list, thank you.

I appreciate the poster who has suggested going away at half term. In terms of my work (sadly court dates and judges don't care about Christmas) going away during December is the most feasible right now.

I am also looking at Portugal or somewhere like that for next summer, that will be a separate thread.

Take a look at Bluestone if you have outdoorsy type children. Otherwise, Butlins lays on a lot of entertainment and caters for everyone in your age group.

McDonald hotel in Aviemore have fabulous Santa weekends tho I appreciate it might be a bit far!

These are all fantastic suggestions, thank you.
I flip between something all inclusive or self catering. But I've got a lot of fantastic suggestions here and I hadn't even considered Butlins!

Bluestone is fantastic at Christmas.

A week somewhere in the canary islands would be great at christmas op. Lots of relaxing time, sun, swimming pools, sea and plenty of kids activities for kids of these ages. It's very risky going away to stay in a city at Christmas. As other poster's say some things close down. It can also be too cold to enjoy and dark by 4 O'clock. Also you run the risk of booking then having hazardous road journeys.

If you are set on the uk I would definitely go for somewhere like centre parcs. Totally geared for kids. Great outdoor forest walks ext all wrapped up in winter woollies with on site guides if you want them. Plenty of indoor entertainment and heated pool for when you've had enough of the great but cold outdoors. Comfortable accommodation for cozy winter nights snuggled up with hot chocolate. Even guided night walks if you fancy them. Hmm ...beginning to fancy it myself

Another idea is to get a hotel right at the coast. Still freezing obviously but there is something great about stepping right onto the beach after a hearty breakfast you didn't have to make for a long walk with scenic views and wild waves. Take a hotel with an indoor pool then you can have mornings on the beach maybe stopping for lunch somewhere scenic along the route then afternoons in the pool. At christmas there are usually great activities for kids lined up as well with traditional christmas films and popcorn to round up the evening. Add to this a lovely Christmas day lunch you didn't have to cook with a visit from father christmas any you have a really memorable time. Mind you none of my ideas come cheap ...sorry ...maybe first idea of canary islands with guaranteed sunshine and christmas activities might not only be the most relaxing but end up cheapest

Two places I have heard good things about but not been to myself are Bluestone (self-catering) and Celtic Manor (hotel). Both have a lot of Christmas activities on-site plus lots of places to visit close by.

How about Gleneagles? It’s beautiful and Christmas would be amazing, a proper break for you all.

@shiningstar, thank you. Your ideas are great! So much so that I've found 8 nights in the Canary Islands, Dec 22 to Dec 30 for 3k.... I'm being a chicken though because I've never taken my kids away alone AND I'm thinking what if we get bad weather and stuck at airports or something. It's partly why I thought starting at home was a safer bet

Thank you, I'm off to look at both those locations too.

You could get stuck at airports op but usually flights take off without delays I've found or if delayed while they clear snow on the runway you would have been just as delayed driving. At least once up in the air it's not your responsibility to get you all there. You can have a relaxing glass of wine and chat/watch a movie with the kids. If u r taking 3 kids on your own you will get a bit of chill out time yourself as well. If you go to Tenerife make sure it's the south ...there is a great difference between north and south temperatures on the island and the north would be too cold for fun around pools ext in winter

Edinburgh - Christmas markets, festivals, fairgrounds, light shows, it's awesome.

www.edinburghschristmas.com/#stq=&stp=1

And stick around for Hogmanay too.

www.edinburghshogmanay.com

@DM1209 we have been twice to the Canary islands, one time fuerteventura and once to lanzarote. Its been absolutely amazing.... Completely over the top Christmas festive mood combined with nice weather and lovely food..
Been once with the dds too and they are talking about when we can do it again
..