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Christmas

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Original poster

To go away for Christmas?

52 replies

aredrosegrewup · 21/10/2025 22:50

To cut a long story short. DH and I both have strained relationships with our families and have very recently cut all contact with MIL (for legitimate reasons, won't get into detail). I work Christmas every other year and I am off this year. I have Xmas eve, day and boxing day off.

We've always said we will go away one year and this year seems like a good opportunity (A shit couple of years, including ongoing infertility etc...).

We have 3 dogs so would need to be in the UK. Any ideas of where to go? Will it be depressing? Please make the decision for me! 😂

OP posts:
GwendolineFairfax8 · 22/10/2025 09:39

@aredrosegrewup

The Lakes would be wonderful (come to Cornwall when you have more time!)

I would recommend choosing somewhere with dog friendly pubs as the atmosphere on Christmas Eve/morning is buzzing. Have a decent pub dinner and buy some easy picky foods for Xmas Day to have in your airbnb.

Lots of walks, fresh air, books and many people will be envious of your relaxed, no drama Christmas (even if they don’t want to admit it 😊).

Starlight1984 · 22/10/2025 09:42

Dog Friendly Barn in Cumbria

This is available over Christmas and looks very cute!

DiscoNights · 22/10/2025 09:49

Yes! Do it!

I love the idea of going somewhere beautiful, to the Lake District, Snowdonia, the Yorkshire Dales or Scotland. Take really good books and have long walks with the dogs. I would love to do exactly that. MIL has already invited herself to ours for Christmas so I don’t think I’ll be lucky enough to get away this year.

Original poster
aredrosegrewup · 22/10/2025 10:46

FictionalCharacter · 22/10/2025 09:30

The Lakes are brilliant in winter (as long as you're not too worried about the likely rain). No crowds!
How about the Peak District?

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Yeah, Peak District is a good shout!

OP posts:
Original poster
aredrosegrewup · 22/10/2025 10:46

DiscoNights · 22/10/2025 09:49

Yes! Do it!

I love the idea of going somewhere beautiful, to the Lake District, Snowdonia, the Yorkshire Dales or Scotland. Take really good books and have long walks with the dogs. I would love to do exactly that. MIL has already invited herself to ours for Christmas so I don’t think I’ll be lucky enough to get away this year.

It becomes such a forced affair!

OP posts:
Original poster
aredrosegrewup · 22/10/2025 10:47

Starlight1984 · 22/10/2025 09:42

Dog Friendly Barn in Cumbria

This is available over Christmas and looks very cute!

Thank you for all your efforts! 😁

OP posts:
ranoutofquinoaandprosecco · 22/10/2025 10:49

I was about to say Northumberland! Love it there and a lot of dog friendly accommodation but I’d get looking now.

Original poster
aredrosegrewup · 22/10/2025 10:49

Adooree · 22/10/2025 09:38

As you are in Northumberland , I suggest you head West Cumbria way , you will still have beaches (assume your dogs as used to them ) but also the Western fells / lakes if you want to get them on there .
I suggest the Keswick area ( very dog friendly in regard to eating out , cafes etc )
But you might have to look quickly / struggle to get somewhere to stay .
Before we moved here , we'd book our accommodation in January .

I know, this is the only problem, because I work shifts weve only just been given our off duty. There definitely won't be as much choice.

OP posts:
Daphnedot · 22/10/2025 10:51

Whitby?

Wildgoat · 22/10/2025 10:56

I’d do it only if I booked Xmas dinner in a restaurant, and went out the other two evenings as well. We are away for Xmas this year, long haul. we have been away for Xmas a few times now, and I think they key thing is turn it into a real break, a real holiday, as doing all the buying transporting stuff, cooking in a strange oven, is all a bit of hassle, and home from home, except a strange environment.

so my vote is do it, but do it properly, don’t spend the day sweating over a hot stove, just have minor meals like brekkie and lunch in the house, and go out for all your dinners,

Mikart · 22/10/2025 10:56

Dh and I are going to a cottage on the Welsh coast from 23rd December for 7 days. We know the area well so allowing forward to it.
Dd is up the week before and we will drop gifts for dh's grandchildren off on 22nd.
I never host Xmas and hate other people's so this is a perfect solution

JDM625 · 22/10/2025 10:57

We stayed in an AirBNB near Aviemore one year. Admittedly it was for NYE, not Christmas, but all the decorations were still up. Lots of walks in the snow, red squirrels and fresh air.

Another vote for Norfolk as being very dog friendly

IAmLadyWhistledown · 22/10/2025 10:58

dontcomeatme · 22/10/2025 08:34

I'm in the NE and we only drove 1.5hrs away to a more rural part of Northumberland. We stayed in a huge holiday house with outdoor hot tub and play area, fenced off garden for dogs etc. It was unbelievable. I think it had about 6 bedrooms. I mean it's double the price for this year than it was last year 🤦🏻‍♀️ but it was right on a little river/stream and by 9am Xmas morning we were out for a walk all together, beautiful x

I'll try to find the link and attach it x

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Hope you don’t mind me asking for the link please. I’m hoping to find somewhere for a weekend away in Jan with the family (and dogs) around Northumberland 😄

Thank you x

MrsAvocet · 22/10/2025 10:59

You might struggle to get somewhere for those days unfortunately OP. We're going to the Scottish Highlands for Christmas this year and quite a few of the places we tried to book wouldn't accept bookings for less than 7 nights over Christmas & New Year even though their websites showed availability and said they did short breaks. I was surprised as I thought that Christmas would be one of the most popular times for a few days away, but I can see it from the owners' point of view too. Also lots of places were already booked when I started looking in May. We did find somewhere that looks lovely in the end but it was a lot more difficult than I had anticipated so I would start your hunt immediately.

Benmac · 22/10/2025 11:07

We do this. It is our Xmas present to each other to help offset the costs.
Go to the lake District as there is so much on at Christmas. Eat out every night. Hotel for Xmas lunch. More dogs than humans so you would be welcome. We self cater in a very loose sense. It means long lie in bed, lazy day watching films etc if wanted.

Original poster
aredrosegrewup · 22/10/2025 11:12

Wildgoat · 22/10/2025 10:56

I’d do it only if I booked Xmas dinner in a restaurant, and went out the other two evenings as well. We are away for Xmas this year, long haul. we have been away for Xmas a few times now, and I think they key thing is turn it into a real break, a real holiday, as doing all the buying transporting stuff, cooking in a strange oven, is all a bit of hassle, and home from home, except a strange environment.

so my vote is do it, but do it properly, don’t spend the day sweating over a hot stove, just have minor meals like brekkie and lunch in the house, and go out for all your dinners,

Yeah I can see that side of it. I do enjoy cooking so I wouldn't mind making a small dinner just for us 2 but i would like the atmosphere of a nice busy pub at xmas time. If we didn't have the dogs I would definitely go further afield.

OP posts:
Original poster
aredrosegrewup · 22/10/2025 11:16

Mikart · 22/10/2025 10:56

Dh and I are going to a cottage on the Welsh coast from 23rd December for 7 days. We know the area well so allowing forward to it.
Dd is up the week before and we will drop gifts for dh's grandchildren off on 22nd.
I never host Xmas and hate other people's so this is a perfect solution

That sounds lovely!

OP posts:
Original poster
aredrosegrewup · 22/10/2025 11:17

MrsAvocet · 22/10/2025 10:59

You might struggle to get somewhere for those days unfortunately OP. We're going to the Scottish Highlands for Christmas this year and quite a few of the places we tried to book wouldn't accept bookings for less than 7 nights over Christmas & New Year even though their websites showed availability and said they did short breaks. I was surprised as I thought that Christmas would be one of the most popular times for a few days away, but I can see it from the owners' point of view too. Also lots of places were already booked when I started looking in May. We did find somewhere that looks lovely in the end but it was a lot more difficult than I had anticipated so I would start your hunt immediately.

I know, it's a bit frustrating that we have to wait so long for our shifts.

OP posts:
Original poster
aredrosegrewup · 22/10/2025 11:18

Benmac · 22/10/2025 11:07

We do this. It is our Xmas present to each other to help offset the costs.
Go to the lake District as there is so much on at Christmas. Eat out every night. Hotel for Xmas lunch. More dogs than humans so you would be welcome. We self cater in a very loose sense. It means long lie in bed, lazy day watching films etc if wanted.

Sounds lovely!

OP posts:
YumYa · 22/10/2025 11:26

https://www.burn-hall.co.uk/package/christmas-package-2025

This is a good deal. Near York. We'd do it but I work Christmas Eve and possibly boxing day. Usually Christmas day but have that off this year. Rooms are basic but staff are great. Good food too. We go for the 2 night deals.

https://www.burn-hall.co.uk/package/christmas-package-2025

Augustone · 22/10/2025 11:35

My perfect Christmas would be this! I would aim for Derbyshire around the Derwent Valley- great walks and looks like some places available on AirBnB

onthetrains · 22/10/2025 12:06

Im going to france this year.

JudgeJ · 22/10/2025 12:10

dontcomeatme · 22/10/2025 07:06

We have great relationships with our family but still went away for Xmas last year and it's our favourite Xmas to date! We had our 20month old and I was pregnant. Went with another family with DC and honestly, best time ever. Do it you won't regret it x

The year my mother died, the last of our parents, and our daughters would not be able to get 'home' my late OH and I went away for Christmas, it was fabulous, though ours was a coach trip abroad. Do it!