Just because summer is almost over doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the great outdoors, and explore new and exciting places.
In fact, winters in the UK offer the perfect opportunity to enjoy lots of magical sights and sounds. Whether you love nothing more than enjoying festive fun or there’s something about the frost-laden meadows and snowy landscapes that prompt you to get your walking shoes on, winter in the UK is far from dull.
If you’re looking for places to visit in the UK during the winter months, you’ve certainly landed in the right place. Discover our top hand-picked spots and enjoy the best winter holiday experience.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh in winter is truly magical. With iconic Christmas markets, festive fayres, cobbled streets, and world-famous landmarks, Edinburgh really does provide the perfect backdrop for any winter break.
Home to fascinating history and architecture, Edinburgh is a great place to immerse yourself in Scotland’s rich historic past at any time of year.
Kirkstone Pass, Lake District
The Lake District attracts visitors from far and wide, all year round. Known for its vast and open landscapes, fantastic walks, cosy pubs and truly breathtaking scenery, the Lake District really does have it all.
If you’re considering visiting the area, you should make sure that you visit the area’s highest road, Kirkstone Pass. Here you will be able to enjoy stunning views before stopping by at The Kirkstone Pass Inn (the third-highest pub in England), where you can enjoy a warming lunch in cosy surroundings.
Cotswolds
The Cotswolds are incredibly beautiful all year round, but especially during the winter months when the tiny ancient towns and meadows of the Malvern Hills are covered in snow.
Picture perfect in every way, the Cotswolds offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy scenic walks and explore charming villages. You can even book a husky ride with Arctic Quest, which specialises in offering sleddog adventures. The perfect winter activity!
High Weald, Kent
If walking and soaking up fantastic scenery is your kind of winter break, High Weald in Kent should be on your to-visit list.
During the winter, there are plenty of beautiful walks to enjoy, including Cobham Woods. Kent is also home to lots of picturesque towns as well as cosy pubs that provide the perfect spot to refuel and warm up during a busy day.
Cley Marshes, Norfolk
During the winter months, thousands of pink-footed geese migrate to the UK, swapping their breeding grounds in Greenland and Iceland for the iconic mudflats and salt marshes of Norfolk. This is a sight that you certainly won’t want to miss! The majority of these birds arrive by November, making the winter months a great time to visit.
This is a must for bird-watching enthusiasts.
Newquay, Cornwall
Although the days are significantly colder, Newquay in the winter is still a great spot to hit the waves and enjoy the famous town’s many attractions.
Winter in Newquay is also much quieter and calmer than the bustling summer months, so you can enjoy the swell, without having to fight the crowds for a wave.
The Lake District, Cumbria
With its vast woodland, exciting walking trails, breathtaking scenery, waterfalls and mountains, the Lake District is the ultimate escape from reality. And, during the winter months, there’s still plenty to see and do, including climbing, activities on the water, walking, bike riding and, of course, refuelling at one of the area’s many cosy pubs.
The Cairngorms, Scottish Highlands
If you love skiing and don’t want to travel far, the Cairngorms in the Scottish Highlands is one of the best options for skiers and snowboarders of all levels in the UK. In fact, the resort is often said to be on par with other world-class skiing resorts.
No winter visit to the Scottish Highlands is complete without catching a glimpse of the famous Cairngorm Reindeer herd that roams the mountains.
York
York is a beautiful city to visit at any time of the year, but it is especially magical during the winter months. With its historic buildings, pretty cobbled streets, cute independent shops and rich heritage, this city really does make you feel all warm inside. Don’t miss the festive Christmas markets!
West Bay, Dorset
The West Bay coastline offers breathtaking scenery all year round, and many of the eateries along this beautiful coastline stay open during the winter months. During the colder season, you’ll also be able to enjoy the many iconic filming locations from the famous TV series ‘Broadchurch’, without having to battle through the crowds.