December is a very special time to visit Britain, as there are many exciting Christmas events and activities taking place. Here is just a small selection of the fabulous seasonal experiences that you or your clients could enjoy on one of our tailor-made winter tours.

London’s Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

Winter may not seem like the most obvious time for a vacation in the UK or Ireland, but in the run up to Christmas there is so much to see and do. Every town and city, not to mention many pretty villages, boast twinkling Christmas light displays each evening, and many have an impressively decorated Christmas tree in the main square.

Christmas markets are ever more popular, providing visitors with the perfect opportunity to purchase last minute gifts and treats in a sparkling seasonal setting. The pubs and bars are warm and welcoming, many with roaring log fires – perfect for cosying up to with an Irish whiskey or some mulled wine! While the weather can sometimes be wet and windy, you’re just as likely to enjoy clear blue skies or mild, grey days – perfect for a bracing walk by the sea or a gentle country ramble.

Churches echo to the sound of carols; theatres fill with excited children as families flock to see one of many classic pantomimes – a British institution not to be missed by the young at heart – and revellers gather to enjoy festive celebrations. 

Edinburgh’s Christmas

There is so much to see and enjoy on a vacation in Britain in the run up to Christmas. Here is a just a selection of the most wonderful Christmas experiences that take place each December.

A winter wonderland in London’s Hyde Park

For six weeks each year, London’s Hyde Park is transformed into one of the world’s top Christmas attractions. Stretching back over 15 years, Hyde Park Winter Wonderland has long been spreading the Christmas spirit for Londoners and visitors alike.

Hyde Park Winter Wonderland

With humble beginnings as an open-air Christmas market, Winter Wonderland has since grown into an extravaganza with ice skating, shows, roller coaster rides, street food stalls, festive bars and live music.

An unmissable experience at Blenheim Palace

Christmas at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire is not to be missed and each year over a million lights, lasers and seasonal sounds fill the palace’s picture-perfect gardens. Visitors are dazzled by glittering tunnels of light, dancing lakeside reflections and trees drenched in jewel-like colour, and they can catch a glimpse of Father Christmas along the way.

Blenheim Palace at Christmas © Blenheim Palace 2021

Blenheim Palace is one of England’s finest stately homes and the birthplace of Winston Churchill. Christmas at Blenheim was recently voted the UK’s top Christmas experience and whether you are visiting the palace or the gardens, the adventure begins each year at the fabulous Christmas Market in the palace’s Great Court.

A Royal Christmas at Windsor Castle

If you’re looking to enjoy a winter vacation in England, then why not set out to discover the Great West Way, a delightful touring route between London and Bristol? A festive trip along the Great West Way will no doubt feature many seasonal highlights, but few more rewarding than a visit to majestic Windsor Castle, the home of King Charles III.

Windsor Castle at Christmas (Royal Collection Trust / © His Majesty King Charles III 2022)

Each December, the State Apartments at Windsor Castle are transformed with twinkling lights, garlands and shimmering Christmas trees to celebrate the festive season. A highlight of the beautiful decorations is a 20ft high Christmas tree, sourced from Windsor Great Park and displayed in St George’s Hall, the largest room in the castle, which is dressed with thousands of lights and hundreds of iridescent ornaments. Additionally, throughout December, exclusive evening tours offer a behind-the-ropes experience of the State Apartments.

A wintery world at Castle Howard in Yorkshire

Every year, Castle Howard in North Yorkshire is transformed when the house and gardens are decorated for the festive season. In 2021, for example, the three hundred year old stately home – one of Britain’s finest – was transformed into the mystical land of Narnia. Inspired by the classic C S Lewis books, the Narnia Chronicles, visitors to Castle Howard entered a world of perpetual winter ruled over by the White Witch. A fantastic soundscape accompanied the trip around the house, adding an extra dimension to the visit.

A wintry world at Castle Howard © Charlotte Graham

Castle Howard is famous for its Christmas tree, which stands in the Great Hall each Christmas and at 28ft is one of the largest in the UK, and this year has been covered with snow and thousands of glittering icicles. Stepping outside at twilight, the avenue of illuminated trees running the length of the drive looks picture perfect and the lights and candles in the house shine that little bit brighter.

Wales’s biggest festive light trail

Cardiff, the capital of Wales, is well-known for its festive attractions and annual Christmas market, and in 2021, for the first time, the city’s 130 acre Bute Park was taken over by dazzling light displays, laser shows and interactive festive displays. The festive light trail is over half mile long and boasts more than a million lights, flickering fire gardens and avenues of illuminated trees.

Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland © Hawlfraint y Goron / © Crown copyright (2021) Cymru Wales

Cardiff’s annual Winter Wonderland fills two locations in the city – Cardiff Castle and City Hall Lawn – and offers visitors a seasonal selection of activities including an ice rink, a fabulous ice walk with the castle’s 12th century Norman keep as a back drop, and a festive family fairground.

An illuminated landscape at Kew Gardens

Christmas at Kew is a much-loved highlight of London’s festive calendar. A magnificent light trail illuminates Kew Gardens’ UNESCO World Heritage landscape with vibrant bursts of colour and over a million twinkling lights. 

Christmas at Kew © Richard Haughton

Visitors can keep warm with seasonal street food, mulled wine and hot chocolate, or a traditional Christmas dinner. A celebration of nature by night, and the wonder of biodiversity, this is an enchanting seasonal experience like no other, for visitors of all ages to enjoy.

Edinburgh’s Christmas

While Scotland is of course best known for its Hogmanay and New Year celebrations, there is also a host of Christmas events and activities taking place across the country, most notably in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh’s Christmas

Edinburgh's Christmas is a spectacular, six-week season of festive entertainment in the heart of the city. Highlights include a magnificent alpine ice rink with ‘skate up’ festive food and drink, a fabulous Christmas Market on famous Princes Street and Santa Land featuring family friendly attractions. A Christmas tree maze, a contemporary light installation, fairground rides and a traditional outdoor nativity scene add to the seasonal flavour.

Edinburgh Castle at Christmas © Greg Macvean

A magical yuletide at Hampton Court Palace

Hampton Court Palace in south west London always offers visitors a magical yuletide experience and this year is no exception. In addition to the popular Festive Fayre in the palace courtyards, which offers visitors the chance to pick up some memorable gifts, tuck into delicious warming food and soak up the lively atmosphere, there’s the famous ice rink, spectacularly located in front of Henry VIII’s historic home, and this year sees the return of Palace of Light, a fabulous after-hours light trail.

Christmas at Hampton Court Palace

While this is just a snapshot of some of the many wonderful Christmas experiences that take place each year across Britain, we hope it will whet your appetite for a visit next winter, or in years to come. To find out more about our tailor-made Christmas and winter tours, please do contact our friendly team today.