Where shall we go between Christmas and NY?

[Ellemeg82]

This year myself, DH and DS6 would like to go away for a few days inbetween Xmas and New Year. Somewhere in the UK.
We live in Kent and happy to travel maybe 3-4 hours.
Where could we go?
Thinking of around 27th-30th Dec.

We like exploring, visiting theme parks (but they all look closed that week!), shopping, seeing shows, museums, parks.

I'm stumped and need inspiration.

We live in Kent and we went to Bath once at that time of year. The Roman baths were open, we went to Cheddar Gorge and stayed in a cottage outside of the City. I always like to go away then as I really dislike being at home at Twixmas. This year we're doing a Forest holiday at the Forest of Dean.

Based on your interests, I'd say London would be ideal, but probably a bit close if you're in Kent.

Oxford ? You could visit the colleges, river, parks etc. its all walkable and there’s a theatre . Harry Potter world is about an hour away , or maybe Gaydon or even Silverstone for cars .

We went to the Isle of Wight a few years - got lucky with the weather but was lovely !

Brighton and surrounding areas?

Legoland? That's open between christmas and new year

Cotswolds. Daylesford Farm... it's like The White Company on steroids. Burford Garden Centre.... it's like no garden centre you've EVER been to. Blenheim Palace, Oxford day out, all the pretty villages. Rent a cottage with a fire.

That sounds heaven. Dh unfortunately hates the cotswolds though.

We stayed in Rye/Camber sands a couple of years ago. It's close to Brighton/Hastings/Eastbourne.

DH and I often go away for Twixtmas.
Second votes for Bath (Roman baths!) and for Brighton - people there were really in a party mood; lots of families.
Oxford could be fun but Cambridge is better, I find, for the 'college' feel.
Maybe Winchester? Marwell Zoo is nearby.
Canterbury and Chichester didn't quite have enough to do so your DS would probably be bored.