Top 10 Places to Visit in the UK in Winter
We’re blessed with a great choice of UK winter holiday destinations, spread across the breadth of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. In this guide, we’ll look at the best places to visit in the UK in winter.
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North Cornwall (England)
You might be surprised to see this popular summer holiday destination on our list, but stick with us.
A wintertime walk from Polzeath to Rock is perfect for blowing out the cobwebs on a fresh January morning, and you’ll also enjoy a quieter atmosphere on your winter coastline stroll.
If you’re feeling really brave, you might also want to try winter surfing at Polzeath beach – the waves are perfect at this time of year if you can handle the cold.
North Cornwall offers some brilliant festive fairs if you’re visiting at Christmas, but Wadebridge, Polzeath and Port Isaac are all great for shopping all year round.
The Lake District (Cumbria, England)
Featuring some of the finest countryside views the UK has to offer, this national park owes its name to the sixteen stunning lakes nestled in between its mountainous landscape.
At 10.5 miles long, Lake Windermere is the largest natural lake in England, and probably the most popular, but it’s also worth trying some of the quieter parts such as Ullswater and Coniston Water.
For those feeling particularly adventurous, a winter skills course on Helvellyn or Scafell Pike, the area’s largest mountains, will teach you the necessary skills for safe mountain travel in the winter.
For a more relaxed break, the cobbled streets of Bowness are lined with shops where you can sample local spirits and delicacies.
Edinburgh (Scotland)
We had to include at least one Christmas market, and this is arguably one of the finest the UK has to offer.
Although it's a wonderful city all year round, Edinburgh at Christmas really does have something for everyone, from local handmade produce to ice skating, a big wheel, and plenty of bars and other stalls to explore. Lasting around six weeks, it’s a must-visit for those looking for some festive cheer.
If you’re looking for a moment away from the hustle and bustle, the National Gallery café offers a great vista of the Christmas market from the top of The Mound – an artificial slope which connects the new and old town.
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Bath (Somerset, England)
Another brilliant city break from our top ten places to visit in the UK in winter, Bath is a historic centre of relaxation and popular tourist destination.
Situated in Somerset, in the Southwest of England, it takes its name from its Roman Baths which our ancestors once used to socialise, relax, and get clean.
Although visitors are no longer welcome to bathe in the well-preserved public baths, visitors can now escape the winter blues by taking a dip in the natural hot springs at the Thermae Bath Spa.
Bath is also home to a great selection of indoor museums and galleries celebrating the Georgian and Victorian eras.
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York (North Yorkshire, England)
At around 2.5 hours away from London on the train, York can be an ideal weekend escape, with plenty to offer the whole family.
Considered one of the world’s most haunted cities, the streets of York are steeped in history – whether you’re walking the city walls or experiencing the thrilling 2000-year-old dungeons.
York Minister looks particularly beautiful in the Winter months, as one of the largest cathedrals in Europe.
Winter tourists can also escape the cold inside the Jorvik Viking Centre and National Railway Museum and learn more about the historic county town of Yorkshire.
Like Edinburgh, York also offers a fantastic Christmas market, featuring an ice rink and Yuletide village.
Isle of Skye (Inner Hebrides, Scotland)
Scotland’s Isle of Skye is one of the most spectacular tourist destinations in the UK, but its especially worth visiting in winter. Not only will the island be quieter at this time of year, with much less visitors, but you’ll also find it far easier to catch the sunrise – which arrives at around 9am in the winter months.
The second largest of Scotland’s islands, the Isle of Skye has a population of just 10,000, many of which still speak Gaelic, the founding language of Scotland.
It remains so popular with tourists because of the incredible scenery it has to offer. Skye’s mythical mountains, dramatic waterfalls and breath-taking landscape also mean it’s a popular movie location – King Arthur, Prometheus and Macbeth were all filmed here…
Giant’s Causeway (Northern Ireland)
You’ll need to wrap up warm for this one, but trust us, it’s worth it… An official UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Giant’s Causeway was created over 60 million years ago by a volcanic eruption.
Like Scotland’s Isle of Skye, this astounding natural spectacle is much less busy in the Winter months, and arguably even more beautiful.
You’ll also find miles of magnificent surrounding coastline to explore, including Portrush, Portstewart, and the medieval ruins of Dunluce Castle – as seen on TV’s Game of Thrones.
Feeling particularly brave? Around 15 minutes’ drive away, you’ll find the Carrick-a-Rede Bridge, a hair-raising rope bridge historically used by salmon fisherman – cross it if you dare…
The Peak District (England)
Spanning a vast 555 square miles, the Peak District was the UK’s very first National Park and has a huge amount to offer tourists in Winter.
Popular places to visit include the stunning stately home Chatsworth House, the pretty market town of Bakewell (birthplace of the Bakewell tart), and Ladybower Reservoir, which was used for practice by the RAF during the Second World War, as seen on ‘The Dam Busters’.
Because the Peak District is so vast, it’s possible to combine your trip with a visit to a nearby city, such as Liverpool, Manchester, or Sheffield.
Brighton (East Sussex, England)
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A jewel in England’s south coast, and under an hour’s train journey from its capital city, Brighton has been a popular seaside resort for generations.
Although fish and chips on the beach can be a little bracing in winter, there’s a lot to explore outside the summer season.
Home to the UK’s newest national park, the South Downs, a popular walking route from the Devil’s Dyke to Ditchling Beacon offers some beautiful scenery.
Brighton is also home to Britain’s only Grade 1 listed pier, and the second oldest aquarium in the world, containing over 5,000 species of wildlife and an amazing artificial coral reef.
Another reason to visit Brighton is its legendary nightlife, with a brilliant selection of bars and clubs to keep you entertained after dark.
Brecon Beacons (Wales)
Another incredible National Park on our list, the Brecon Beacons has a huge amount to offer throughout the Winter season.
For a weekend break away from busy towns and cities, this mountain range is hard to beat – the three-hour trail around the Sgwd yr Eira waterfall is a must for all keen ramblers, and offers a different experience at this time of year… The waterfall may even be frozen, depending on when you visit.
It’s worth calling in for a taste of the fantastic local whisky at the nearby distillery, and you’ll also be spoilt for choice by the food options at the cosy local pubs.
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