Any suggestions for short festive breaks with small children?

[Ilovechristmasssssssssssss]

I have two children aged 1 and 4 and I’m looking for some inspiration for Christmas activities and trips that we can do.

We went to centre Parcs last year and really enjoyed this!

Any recommendations for a super Christmassy European city but that’s still suitable for small children? Or any short breaks away in the UK?

Would love to hear some recommendations!

London is very festive over Christmas 🎅🏻

Kielder Winter Wonderland

What part of the UK are you in ?

I don’t mind travelling anywhere in the UK.

As a PP suggested London is very festive.

Check out The Party Kingdom in Latchingdon, Essex.
It's great. Really magical for little ones.

It was recommended to me last year and I will defo go again this year.

X

Nuremberg has a Christmas market especially for children https://www.christkindlesmarkt.de/en/for-children/children-s-christmas-market-kinderweihnacht-1.2373258

The Langham Hotel in London has offered lovely Christmas packages in conjunction with Hamley's in recent years.

https://langhamlondon.christmas/hamleys-partnership/

https://youtube.com/shorts/DNG-dsx24S4?feature=shared

Bourton on the Water has a very lovely Christmas tree actually in the water. The Cotswolds is always good for a short break.

Last time we were there we combined the Cotswolds with also visiting Oxford for the day.

I second this. Took my kids there when they were small and they loved it! We stayed in a lodge and the company left a Santa sack with treats for the kids and put up a Christmas tree for our arrival. Then the winter wonderland experience itself was just lovely too.

What about a European theme park? Eftling or Europa park will be absolutely magical at xmas, with lots for all ages. Or Disney, I am sure will be the same.

Alton towers festive break. We’ve been many times but my dc are too old now :-(

Also coming on to suggest Alton towers Santa sleepover - we’ve been for several years and this is the first year we aren’t going, as my children have outgrown it but it’s like being in a little festive bubble!

We did Legoland at Christmas and Harry Potter studios (though this might be something to save til your kids are older).

I would be hesitant about going to a Christmas market/European trip for that reason. They are often quite busy and not particularly for children. While as an adult browsing market stalls might be interesting, for a young child it's just overwhelming. Even in the UK this applies (we were in Birmingham).

On that note, we quite liked Cadbury world for a trip and at Christmas they do a little show. Could be combined with other attractions in the area like Lego discovery, sealife centre or further out Drayton Manor or West Midlands safari. There is a garden centre around that area that does a light trail which was good (just looked it up - Webbs) else apparently Warwick castle light trail is supposedly good and they do a sleepover event.

Haven do Christmas breaks too (though might not be as fancy as centre parcs!) but we enjoyed that.

We loved Warwick Castle. They have a light trail, Santa, Ice Rink. We stayed nearby in Stratford Upon Avon (premier inn) and that is lovely in itself, I loved Shakespeares birthplace and there’s a Christmas shop too.

Winchester.

Cathedral, Christmas park and visit Paultons park Christmas Santa thing with Peppa Pig world!

Perfect combination do things for the adults and children.

My children are a little older but this year we are staying a night in Richmond and going to the Kew Gardens light trail and then Hampton Court Palace the next day.