Betwixtmas in UK

[monkeyboy2013]

Hi! Hoping you could suggest holiday destination in England, Scotland or Wales for time between Christmas and New year. Not London as we live there. Kid is 12 years old. We need a mix of scenic walks, mooching around a town, castles, markets and stuff to do if weather is really bad because we're wimps. I'm not keen on standing on a freezing beach for more than 20 minutes. If we had a hot tub, I could be persuaded. Thoughts? Thanks!!

Not long back from the Highlands after seeing this company recommended on here. Escape Cottages Scotland.

How about Canterbury? A short trip from London lots of visitor attractions in Canterbury and Dover Castle, Leeds Castle, Folkestone Harbour Arm all within a short drive.

I was going to say York too. Historic stuff, good museums, lots of cobbled streets of sweet shops. Panto at the Theatre Royal. We visited relatives near York one year and it was snowing. We stayed in a chalet with a hot tub in the garden and took the kids sledging around Fountain's Abbey. It was fantastic.

Thanks! Some great ideas there and hadn't thought about that area.

Loved York but we went there last year for a break combined with Northumberland, which was lovely. Beautiful part of England.

Good shout. Do you think there's enough to do for 6 days? I'm sure there is...need to research the area more. Appreciate your help!!

Dunster.
Although normal weekly markets might not be running until new year, and check the opening times for any tourist attractions you fancy.

Thanks. That's really helpful perspective. Never been to centre parcs because it is super pricey in school holidays. I'll have a look!

Loads to do in Edinburgh you'd never be bored. We live in Newcastle and visit at least once a year. The market is still going in early Jan so will still feel Christmassy, you're close to the coast and you could visit Glasgow easily too - the Kelvingrove is my favourite museum. We enjoyed the Edinburgh Dungeon, honestly way better than I expected. There's also Camera Obscura, the zoo and them loads of free museums. I think we've done all of them now multiple times!
I like the sound of Bath though I might look at that myself

Another vote for Cardiff...
Close to the Valleys, lots of history
Newish Zip Wires - Hirwaun
Brecon Beacons
Castles (Castell Coch & Caerphilly)
Beaches - Barry Island
Shopping
Ghost Walks
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You could try Skegness The Royal hotel is sound and there are walks, a town centre close by and Butlins if you want to go for the day.

Skegness is dead in winter.

Always find something to do, the theatre, Butlins, walks, the seal sanctuary.

Plenty to do in Kent with NT and EH membership as well as the places previously mentioned you’ve got Scotney castle , Bodiam castle , Batemans . You could even do a day trip to France for shopping .

Edinburgh. Love it. Weather not for the faint hearted at that time of year though.

Hotels who over Twixtmas breaks would be worth looking at. We've been to some in Devon when children were a bit younger.

We love Kent, Morelli's in Broadstairs is worth a visit ,selling the best ice-creams ever. There are all the coast towns to visit so there will be plenty to do each day.

Suffolk around lavenham area, it's so pretty and very festive

Bath is a good shout, and you could probably do a day pass at Longleat from there?

Bristol - lots of museums etc, you could Airbnb there, and do day trips to wales, Bath, Somerset etc from there.

Cheltenham and surrounding Cotswold area. Theatre, parks, historic houses, shopping, lovely walks & cosy pubs.

Thanks so much everyone for these great suggestions!!

Edinburgh is a great shout, we’ve done it a few times between Xmas and New year. It doesn’t tend to get overly busy until the 30th and 31st when the city is gearing up for Hogmanay but if you plan carefully you can avoid the actual city on those days. Both Stirling and Linlithgow are great places to stay and have direct train links into Edinburgh Waverley.

Oooh. I really liked Stirling. Been years since I've been back. Thanks!!

We went to Stratford upon Avon a few years ago at that time. We had really amazing spring like weather and it was great. But even without that it would be fab.

we stayed in a really nice country house hotel with a pool, had a great family room that was like a suite with two sofa beds. Had a roaring fire in the lobby bar area and we played board games etc in the evening. It had lovely walks in the grounds.

We did the Shakespeare house tour, there was a lovely place we went for lunch twice (Boston tea party I think), had great meals. It’s not far from Warwick castle if you have more time to play with. We all really enjoyed it.

If you leave by New Year's Eve Edinburgh will be fine. A castle in the city centre, plenty of museums and attractions, a beach down the road if the weather is ok, walk up Arthur's Seat and along the water of leith, christmas market will still be on although it's as tacky as hell, theatres if you fancy a panto or show.....