If you’ve ever watched the movie, The Holiday, with Cameron Diaz and Jude Law, you’ve probably dreamed of a cozy Christmas in the Cotswolds. Every time I watch that movie, the scenery transports me into the beautiful snowy English countryside and a cottage with a roaring fire, oodles of character, and, of course, a handsome stranger to sweep me off my feet.
The UK is full of picture-perfect places where you feel as if you’ve walked onto the set of a movie or been catapulted back in time. After all, the UK has a history dating back centuries, and many towns and villages still have original buildings from the 12th century and earlier. And if there’s one thing these places do well, it’s Christmas.
So, if you’re looking to spend a magical Christmas in the UK this year, I’ve pulled together seven of the most beautiful places to visit. And as a born and bred Brit, I’ve visited them all. They’re places where you can walk medieval city walls before warming up with mulled wine in a 500-year-old pub.
7 Places to Visit at Christmas in the UK
Whether you’re after cozy countryside escapes or olde city celebrations, each of these spots offers something unique for a winter getaway you won’t forget.
York, The East Riding of Yorkshire
York at Christmas is like stepping into a Dickens novel, although you could be forgiven for thinking you’d stepped into the pages of Harry Potter. The medieval streets are strung with fairy lights, the smell of roasted chestnuts fills the air, and the magnificent York Minster towers over it all like something out of a fairy tale.
The city comes alive during the festive season with its famous Christmas market. St Nicholas Fair takes over Parliament Street and spreads through the surrounding streets, with wooden chalets selling everything from handcrafted gifts to warming glühwein.
Walk the medieval city walls for spectacular views across the snowy rooftops, or duck into The Shambles, one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval streets. It’s impossibly narrow, with timber-framed buildings that lean so close together you could almost shake hands across the street. At Christmas, it’s pure magic.
For a proper festive experience, book afternoon tea at Bettys Tea Rooms for the traditional Christmas cake and the vintage atmosphere. And if you’re traveling with kids, the National Railway Museum often runs special festive events that bring railway history to life in the most entertaining way. You can even do a Harry Potter themed tour.
Broadway, Cotswolds
If you want that Holiday movie experience I mentioned earlier, Broadway is where you’ll find it. This honey-colored stone village sits at the foot of the Cotswold Hills and looks like it’s been plucked straight from a Christmas card.
The High Street is lined with chestnut trees and independent shops that stay open late on Friday evenings in December for special Christmas shopping nights. The stone cottages dusted with snow, warm light spilling from mullioned windows, are absolutely beautiful.
The surrounding Cotswolds are stunning for winter walks. Broadway Tower sits on the second-highest point in the Cotswolds and offers incredible views across the frosty countryside. On a clear day, you can see 16 counties from the top.
You’ll find excellent restaurants serving seasonal menus, and the local pubs are perfect for settling in by the fire with a glass of wine after a day exploring the area. And you could even visit Cornwell Manor in Chipping Norton, the same place where Graham and Amanda had their romantic lunch date in The Holiday.
Norwich, Norfolk
While most people head to the Cotswolds or the Lake District for Christmas, this medieval city in East Anglia offers something equally special without the crowds.
The city’s Christmas market is one of the best in the UK. It fills Gentleman’s Walk and the surrounding streets with Norwegian-style chalets selling Scandinavian crafts, food, and gifts. The Nordic theme gives it a different feel from other UK markets, and the quality of the stalls is impressive.
Norwich has more medieval churches than any other city in Western Europe, and at Christmas, many host carol concerts and festive services. The cathedral is spectacular, especially when it’s hosting its annual Christmas tree festival with dozens of decorated trees filling the nave.
What I love about Norwich is how walkable it is. You can explore the cobbled streets of Elm Hill, one of the most photographed streets in England, then head to Norwich Castle for views over the city. The castle museum often hosts Christmas activities worth checking out if you’re traveling with family.
The city also has a thriving independent food scene. Stop by The Grosvenor Fish Bar, repeatedly voted one of the best fish and chip shops in the country, or explore the Norwich Lanes for quirky cafes and restaurants serving everything from Turkish mezze to proper Norfolk farm produce.
Bowness on Windermere
The Lake District in winter is a completely different experience from the summer madness. Bowness on Windermere sits right on the shores of England’s largest lake, surrounded by mountains that often get dusted with snow in December.
The town hosts the Windermere Christmas Celebration each year, a proper community event with local produce stalls, live entertainment, and that warm Northern hospitality that makes you feel instantly welcome.
What makes Bowness special is the setting. You can take a winter cruise on Lake Windermere and see the fells rising dramatically from the water, or walk along the shoreline as mist rolls across the lake. The scenery is breathtaking, even when the weather turns properly miserable.
The town itself has plenty to keep you occupied when you’re not out walking. The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction is charming for families, and there are enough cozy pubs and cafes to make warming up between activities a pleasure rather than a necessity.
If you’re up for a proper winter walk, Orrest Head is just a short climb from the town center and rewards you with panoramic views across Windermere and the surrounding fells. On a clear winter’s day, it’s absolutely stunning.
Ludlow, Shropshire
I used to vacation in Shropshire as a kid, and we often visited Ludlow. It’s a food lover’s dream at any time of year, but at Christmas, this medieval market town really shows off. The town has a reputation for exceptional food and drink, with more Michelin-starred restaurants per capita than anywhere else in the UK outside London.
The town is full of gorgeous independent shops and boutiques, including one of those old-fashioned sweet shops where they still weigh the sweets from those big jars on the shelves. You won’t find the same chains you see everywhere else. Instead, you get butchers selling local game, delis packed with artisan cheeses, and shops selling handmade crafts.
Ludlow Castle dominates the skyline, and while it’s a ruin, it’s an impressive one. This was where Prince Arthur lived with Catherine of Aragon. At Christmas, the setting makes it even more atmospheric. The castle sits on a cliff above the River Teme, and the views from the top are worth the climb.
For food, head to the Ludlow Local Produce Market at Castle Square. It runs regularly and showcases the best of Shropshire’s producers. If you like cheese, Shropshire Blue is one of the best blue cheeses I’ve ever had, even though I live in France now, the land of cheese. You’ll find everything from charcuterie to homemade preserves, fresh bread to locally brewed ales.
The town is also perfectly positioned for exploring the Shropshire Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that’s stunning in winter. The rolling hills and quiet villages nearby offer peaceful walks without the crowds you’d find in more famous national parks.
Buxton Peak District
Buxton sits right in the heart of the Peak District. Victorian and Georgian architecture looks particularly beautiful when the streets are lit, and the ornamental gardens are covered in frost or snow.
The town’s Christmas market is smaller than some, but that’s part of its appeal. You get independent stalls selling arts, crafts, and local food without all the crowds and tourists.
Buxton has always been a spa town, and that heritage is reflected in its architecture. The Pavilion Gardens are beautiful year-round, but there’s something special about wandering through them on a crisp winter morning with a coffee in hand.
For something different, book a candlelit tour of Haddon Hall, a medieval manor house just outside town. These special Christmas tours bring the history to life in a way that daytime visits simply can’t match. The Great Hall looks spectacular by candlelight.
The Peak District surrounds Buxton with walks for every ability level. Even in winter, the trails around the town offer stunning views without requiring serious hiking gear. And when you’re done, the town has plenty of traditional pubs where you can warm up with a proper roast dinner.
Skipton, North Yorkshire
Skipton is the Gateway to the Dales, and has a proper working market four days a week. The Christmas market is award-winning and draws visitors from across the North. Dozens of stalls fill the cobbled streets selling seasonal food, handmade gifts, and crafts. Set against the backdrop of Skipton Castle.
The castle itself is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in England and makes for a fascinating visit. It’s been standing for over 900 years, and exploring the rooms and climbing the towers gives you a real sense of what life was like centuries ago.
The High Street has independent shops alongside the usual chains, with plenty of cafes and pubs. The Leeds and Liverpool Canal runs through the town, and a winter walk along the towpath is lovely. You’re right in the town center, but it feels miles away from everything. After your walk, warm up in one of the many pubs serving hearty Yorkshire food and local ales.
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Kylie Lang is a nationally syndicated travel journalist with bylines on the Associated Press Wire & more, a lifestyle writer, and the founder and editor of Your Lifestyle Library (yourlifestylelibrary.com). She holds a BA (Honours) in History from the University of Kent and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers.