If you’re wondering where to go in the UK between Christmas and New Year, or planning to take a pre-Christmas break, this article is for you! We’ve picked out some of the most popular destinations for UK Twixmas breaks in 2023, followed by where to try in the run up to the festive period.
Perhaps you’re a keen explorer looking for a new adventure, or maybe you’re more of a shop-till-you-drop type, eager to pick up some post-Christmas bargains? Whatever your reason for researching the best Twixmas breaks, you’re sure to find some places to pique your interest below. From frosty cottages inspired by the festive film The Holiday to woodland hideaways and countryside retreats, you'll find your perfect Twixmas base in our collection.
But first, let’s have a quick Q&A about this curious time known as Twixmas…
Twixmas Q&A
To answer this question, we must first ask ‘What is the meaning of Twixmas?’ This mash-up of words describes the funny little period between Christmas and New Year, usually a time for relaxation and consuming leftovers from Christmas Day. It can feel a bit flat after the excitement of Christmas, so it’s a lovely time to get away for a few days or plan a holiday to straddle New Year.
Throughout history, Twixmas has often been used for further celebrating with loved ones. Traditions very much depend on different families, but your Twixmas may involve winter walks, board games, reading books and visiting friends. For children, it’s a time to play with the bounty of toys they’ve received from Father Christmas! Why not make a Twixmas break one of your new Twixmas traditions?
Cottages for Twixmas
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Where to go in the UK between Christmas and New Year
New Forest – best for Twixmas woodland strolls
If you’re looking for a hit of fresh air after the festivities, and nothing less than a stroll in the woods will suffice, you can’t beat a Twixmas break in the New Forest. Feel the leaves crackling beneath your feet, witness the mist swirling amongst the ancient trees, and counter some of that over-indulgence with some good, old-fashioned exercise. It’s the ultimate destination if you’re looking for Christmas breaks with dogs.
Nature enthusiasts can be assured of a good show. Take your binoculars; on the heathland, you’re likely to spot merlins, peregrine falcons and even owls. The New Forest is also great for Twixmas breaks for families. Take to two wheels to wind your way along the network of waymarked trails in the forest, and enjoy days out to New Forest attractions including Beaulieu, the New Forest Heritage Centre and New Forest Wildlife Park.
Forest adventures can be combined with city sightseeing when you book Twixmas breaks in Bournemouth. You might even be able to squeeze in a quick browse of the sales between pounding the trails!
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Cotswolds – best for Twixmas spa breaks
Twixmas breaks in the Cotswolds are a pure delight! Nowhere else in the country conjures up such a cosy feeling as the warm stone cottages of the pretty Cotswolds villages. Hidden amongst said villages are some of the most wonderful spas where you can recharge your batteries after socialising your heart out over Christmas.
Top choices for a relaxing experience are Elan Spa at the Greenway Hotel, Cheltenham; Meadow Spa at Thyme, Southrop; and Thermae Bath Spa, Bath. This is just the tip of the iceberg though, when it comes to luxury Twixmas breaks in the UK – there are spas aplenty in the Cotswolds, it’s just a case of finding the one to suit you.
Perfect for a couples’ break, the Cotswolds also promises lovely winter walks, cosy pubs on every Cotswold-stone corner, and welcoming villages to wander around, hand in hand. If a Twixmas break in the Cotswolds doesn’t send you home loved up, rejuvenated and ready to take on the new year, nothing will!
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Peak District – best for Twixmas sightseeing
While all the family are home together, a Twixmas family break is a great way to fit in one last holiday before the year is out. When it comes to Twixmas breaks with entertainment on tap, the Peak District is a top pick. Awash with fantastic attractions which are open between Christmas and New Year, you won’t be short of memorable days out to add to your holiday itinerary.
Try out the aristocratic way of life for a day at splendid Chatsworth House, or head underground on a rainy day to discover the delights of Poole’s Cavern. Start your New Year shopping spree early with a visit to Denby Pottery Village or enjoy a wander around the Victorian masterpiece that is Hardwick Hall.
Of course, there are oodles of outdoor adventures to be had, too. There are family-friendly walking routes, easy cycle paths for little legs to tackle on two wheels, and Hathersage's outdoor swimming pool if you fancy an al fresco dip in heated water!
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Lake District – best for Twixmas lakeside dog walks
When you’ve got a pup in your party, the Lake District is an unparalleled choice of destination for a dog-friendly Twixmas break in the UK. With lakeside walks aplenty to choose from, walkies can take you on a different path, morning and evening. What’s more, there are a wealth of dog-friendly days out in the area – why not book a serene boat cruise on Lake Windermere for a postcard-worthy activity to write home about?
Dog-friendly Twixmas breaks in the Lake District are sure to be full of hearty pub lunches (because one festive carvery just isn’t enough), and enough fresh air to carry you through into the new year. If you’re a solo traveller looking for a retreat for you and your pup, a stay in one of our cosy boutique cottages is the perfect option – Twixmas singles breaks don’t come more relaxing than this!
Or maybe you’re on the hunt for family Twixmas breaks for 2023? Pack the new toys, bundle up warm, and head for the hills (ahem, lakes) for a last hurrah before the new year.
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Scotland – best for Twixmas snow seekers
If it takes fluffy white flakes falling from the sky to really make you feel like it’s winter, your best bet is to head northwards and plan a Twixmas break in Scotland. Aviemore’s the destination of choice for a skiing holiday, although you’ll have to have your fingers crossed for snow, as it’ll be the beginning of the season there. Being as it is in the Cairngorms though, there’s nowhere better in the UK to pin your hopes on a white Twixmas.
Needless to say, Scotland has a lot more going for it, besides snow. A romantic break in Edinburgh could be just what you and your partner need after an extended period of time spent Christmassing with the family. Or why not go further and take a road trip around the Highlands? Heavy winter skies, long golden shadows and frost-tipped foliage are worn well by Scotland’s exquisite landscapes.
Twixmas breaks in Scotland will see you thawing out in front of toasty fires after invigorating days exploring the cities or countryside. You might even be lucky enough to witness the northern lights in all their resplendent glory.
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Pre-Christmas getaways
Perhaps fitting in a Twixmas break just isn’t feasible this year. Not to worry, there’s still plenty of time to head off on a holiday before the festivities start. A pre-Christmas break with your partner or family can be just the tonic for all the Yuletide madness, and it couldn’t be a better time to explore the UK.
With everyone busy with their Christmas preparations, you’ll have the UK’s hotspots to yourself. The pristine beaches of Cornwall are deserted, the Lake District’s paths less trodden, and both coast and countryside bathed in the alluring light of a low winter sun. Here are just a few of our favourite places for a pre-Christmas getaway.
Suffolk – best for cosy pub meals
For a holiday with a little bit of coast and a little bit of countryside, head to the ceremonial county of Suffolk. Here, you’ll not only find bracing winter walks with wonderful scenery to boot, but you’ll also find plenty of opportunities to snuggle up in the bar of a cosy pub, fire crackling in the hearth and a generous meal on your plate.
Pull on your walking boots and explore areas such as Dedham Vale, Suffolk Coast and Heath, Brandon Country Park, and The Brecks; or blow the cobwebs away on a deserted beach. It’s the ideal time for a couples’ break, as you’ll have all the good bits to yourself.
In the case of inclement weather, you won’t have to worry, because indoor attractions such as Ickworth House, Kentwell Hall and Framlingham Castle all offer respite from the rain. You’ll find there’s plenty on in the run-up to Christmas too, with Christmas markets dotted around the county.
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Norfolk – best for spotting wildlife
One of the magical things about winter in Norfolk is the amount of wildlife you can spot. With people tucked up inside, spaces which are thronging with crowds in the summer are reclaimed by nature. Waterfowl flock to the coast and marshes, and grey seals give birth to their fluffy white pups.
Make a beeline for Blakeney Point or Horsey Gap where you can get a fantastic view of the seals; boat trips are available from the former, and you’ll get an informative commentary as you watch.
As for days out in Norfolk, you’re spoilt for choice! Explore the Jacobean mansion at Blickling Estate, discover the 17th-century hall and grounds of Felbrigg Hall or browse the galleries at Norwich Castle.
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Kent and Sussex – best for visiting historic houses
Languishing along the South Coast, Kent and Sussex are within easy reach of London if you’re looking to escape the craziness of the capital in silly season (or searching for London Twixmas breaks). Conversely, if home is anywhere else in the UK, the South Coast is a great place to head for London Christmas shopping, yet with plenty of other days out in the vicinity.
The area is awash with historic houses, with National Trust-owned Petworth, Bodiam Castle, Bateman’s, Nymans, Chartwell, Sissinghurst and Knole just some of the splendid examples that open their doors to the public. With Christmas just around the corner, you can be sure of fairy lights and elaborate decorations in abundance.
And when you’re not having a nosy around the former homes of our aristocratic ancestors, you can take in some of the spectacular natural scenery of the South Downs, High Weald Area of Natural Beauty, and the Kent Downs. What’s more, the coast is peppered with diverse towns and villages, including Eastbourne, Hastings, Brighton and Dungeness. Tour the galleries, pick up presents in the independent shops and enjoy a wintery blast on the seafront with a festive portion of fish and chips.
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Dorset – best for exploring the coast
The South West county of Dorset is well known for its Jurassic Coast, a stretch which harbours some of the best examples of fossils and interesting geology in the UK. Fossil hunting adds a little magic to a wintery walk, with the best places for beginners being Charmouth and Lyme Regis. The winter storms batter the coast, releasing previously hidden fossils onto the beaches. Be sure to stay safe, and perhaps book yourself onto a guided fossil walk to increase your chances of getting lucky, and find out more about the fossils you uncover.
Pull on your walking boots for a ramble along the South West Coast Path. The undulating trail takes you past some of Dorset’s most iconic sights, including Corfe Castle, Old Harry Rocks and Durdle Door.
If you’re looking for days out with the family, there’s Monkey World, The Tank Museum, Corfe Castle, Oceanarium, and Weymouth Sea Life Centre to name but a handful of the options.
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Somerset – best for visiting indoor attractions
Maybe you’re looking for a pre-Christmas family getaway with pre-school-aged children, or you could be on the hunt for a couples’ retreat. Whatever the reason for your holiday, Somerset, with its fabulous choice of days out and wonderful natural spaces (including the Mendip Hills, Somerset Levels and Cheddar Gorge) is somewhere with lots of ideas to pack out your itinerary.
To brush up on the history of the county, head first to the Museum of Somerset in Taunton, then continue your tour of the past with visits to the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Museum, Dunster Castle, and the Roman Baths. Petrol heads will love a visit to Haynes Motor Museum, while Wookey Hole Caves and the nearby attractions of Cheddar Gorge offer something a little different.
For some good, old-fashioned fun at the seaside, Minehead and Weston-super-Mare deliver the goods, with oodles of arcades to relieve you of your spare change between blustery walks on the beach.
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Book your pre or post-Christmas break now
Cottages are filling up fast in the run-up to Christmas, so make sure you snap up your favourite and start looking forward to a festive, or not-so-festive, getaway!
The above locations are just a flavour of the places you could visit at this time of year; we have cosy cottages dotted all across the country, suitable for everything from a whopping family gathering to a slow-paced holiday for two.
There are last-minute Twixmas breaks, Twixmas dog-friendly breaks, and luxury pre-Christmas escapes waiting to be picked! Have a browse of our entire collection below.
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