Seaside or town?? Can't decide!

[Mumofone1xx]

Hello all! So im looking at booking a uk trip for time time between christmas and new years for a few nights. Im a single mum to a nearly 8 year old and looking for an adventure to break up the christmas holidays and something exciting to look forward to!

We live in Yorkshire, and was thinking the east coast, maybe Scarborough or Whitby would be fun, but then thought it might just be cold and miserable weather that time of year by the beach (but not sure). So then was thinking maybe York for the christmasy lights? I dont know York too well though so not sure! Also to say would be good to find somewhere OK for vegan options at restaurants, would hopefully do air bnb kind of thing to cook too!

We love swimming, museums, parks and adventures. We will bring board games and christmas pressies too!

Any ideas 😊😊😊

Seaside! Just for the smell of sea air x

Seaside towns can be bleak at winter , although going for coastal walks can be bracing.

Liverpool was my first thought. Lots of things there to interest a young lad.

Edinburgh?

Towns. Seaside is great unless it’s raining all the time which is eminently possible at that time of year. But town with the option of outdoor niceness if it’s good weather - maybe a place with xmas lights garden you can book to see?

The Christmas markets in York get absolutely rammed to the point it’s hard to see what’s for sale. We made the mistake once of going there on a Saturday, never again, if we go this year, we’ll go midweek but other than that, York is one of my favourite cities.

Liverpool is a great city as well, lots to do.

The Christmas market in York finishes before Christmas, so won't be an issue. I'd stay in York (better for eating out and more things to do if the weather's bad). But if you get a lovely cold, sunny day, get the train to Scarborough, or the bus to Whitby, for the day. The coast is amazing when it's like that!

Depends on the seaside town I think. Dd and I went to Aberystwyth for New Year a couple of years ago and had a great time! The amusement arcade on the pier was still open, all the restaurants were still open etc. but it's a university town so it doesn't close down our of season......

I would imagine Whitby would still be nice out of season, and pretty dramatic/spectacular views! But I don't know that for sure.

We went to Whitby for a few nights between Christmas and New Year a few years back, and it was lovely - the chilly weather actually just made it feel atmospheric rather than grim. It was reasonably quiet, still a fair few people around and shops/cafes open etc.

York is equally lovely, and I've been for weekends there in the past in the lead up to Christmas too. Imagine it'll be much busier there.

I'm vegan myself and there's plenty of nice places to eat in both, York might just tip the scales on that front as there's a lovely fully vegan Chinese restaurant. In all honesty, I don't think you can go wrong with either.

Thank you so much for all the lovely comments so far! It would be after christmas so not needing markets but some cosy festive lights would be lovely and just a change of pace! We do love the seaside, just wasnt sure if we could enjoy it in the winter, great to hear it can be lovely in winter too! York I think would be lovely too! Ive never been to Liverpool or Edinburgh and have always wanted to visit those too!

Another vote for Edinburgh! It ticks both your boxes and the Christmas market is usually on until New Year.

Whitby as its a great place even if you don't go to the Beach.
Liverpool has a few good beaches too, loads to see and do for all budgets, as its a compact city centre its easily walkable.
My top tip.
The Water sports centre do a tour of the Docks in a small Rigid Inflatable boat, its nice to do and very informative and at the end if you are up for it they take you to part of the dock with no speed limits and run the boat flat out, its fantastic.
https://liverpoolwatersports.org.uk

You can get the Bus / Train to the beaches, New Brighton, Formby, Southport
New Brighton won't offer much out of season but it does have a traditional Sea view cafe serving traditional food, Egg and chips etc its great on a cold wet day
Southport has the best top offer out of season as it's a victorian seaside town with a long main street of shops cafes etc.

Now Liverpool thing's for an 8 year old?
Williamson tunnels
Liverpool has several museums most are free
Western approaches ( Underground WW2 control room)
The Duck Now called Splash tours, basically a vehicle that takes you round the city then just drives in to the water at the dock and becomes a boat
Bold street has food places for all tastes, as does Lark Lane just a short ride out of the city.