A Guide to the Best Winter Staycations UK 2023
As the days get shorter and the temperature gets colder, you may be searching for a snug and cosy UK winter staycation somewhere beautiful, no matter the weather and there are so many options in this beautiful nation.
What could be more glorious than being tucked away in a picturesque cottage watching the snowfall or getting in amongst the action for some long scenic winter walks or outdoor activity? Whatever your preference, we’ve taken the hard work out of finding the best winter getaways in the UK!
11 Exciting Winter Staycations in the UK in 2023
There’s plenty that makes the UK a beautiful country – thanks to the woodlands, national parks, and the greenbelt, the UK is a nature-rich place to visit. However, there are cities and towns all over that are chock full of intricate architecture and stunning structures waiting to be discovered on a cheeky weekend trip. So, here are eleven of the UK’s most incredible places for a getaway in winter:
1. The Cotswolds
The Cotswolds are probably what most tourists think the whole UK looks like – rough stone-built houses in a traditional honey shade surrounded by green land, trees and stately homes. It’s the rustic look seen in many historic screen adaptations, but it’s far from the norm across the nation, which makes it one of the best winter staycations in the UK!
These unique structures and their rural charm offer a break from modern life and are stunning year-round. The whole area has been classified as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) protected by Natural England. In spring and summer, you can visit with the crowds for the lambs, daffodils, and stunning sunny views over the rolling hills. But in winter, it’s a whole other world and spending Christmas in the Costwolds is a dream.
The crowds are smaller, so experiencing everything on offer is significantly quicker, and the frosts and snows make everything glisten. So why not visit and go for a long walk in the winter landscapes before warming up at a local pub by the roaring fire with a steaming plate of the local cuisine?
2. Edinburgh
Scotland’s capital is always an excellent city getaway, but it gets a little bit better over winter thanks to the many events and seasonal shows. The most well-known is probably Hogmanay, which makes Edinburgh one of the best winter staycations in the UK and one that you should add to your bucket list!
What is Hogmanay?
Hogmanay is Scotland’s unique New Year Celebration. It takes place across the country, and the Edinburgh event is incredibly well-attended, so brace yourself for crowds! From traditional ceilidh dancing to torch processions, fireworks, and parties, it’s a night to remember.
There’s plenty to see and do outside of New Year, though, and if you’re after fewer crowds, winter is the time to go. Towering over the city is Edinburgh Castle with a rich and lengthy history to explore, there are also loads of local shops and boutiques, The Palace of Holyroodhouse, galleries galore and you can go on a Scotch Whisky tour too.
Read our weekend guide to Edinburgh for help planning your weekend!
3. North Norfolk Coast
You wouldn’t think that a visit to the coast in winter could be a great idea, but the North Norfolk Coast is jam-packed with cute villages, seaside walks and beautiful things to do. It’s also classified as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, so you know it has got to be something special. A great choice for a winter staycation.
For starters, you can go to any of the dedicated Seal beaches from November to February and see some pups being born and venturing into the sea for the first time. Or head to some local heritage sites like the Deep History Coast or the North Norfolk Railway. There are even dedicated Holiday parks where you can stay right in nature and do anything from Star Gaze to walking with the wildlife.
It is more of an outdoorsy holiday, but come rain or shine, and there are loads to explore in this AONB.
4. York
York in North Yorkshire was founded by the ancient Romans and acted as a backdrop to many critical National events throughout history. Nowadays, it’s a vibrant city full of gothic architecture like the gigantic York Minster Cathedral and classic art galleries and museums.
One unique attraction is the Jorvik Viking Centre which delves deep into the historical relationship between the UK and Viking peoples – there are excavations, museums, and plenty to explore. There’s also the Shambles, a cobbled street with loads of little shops that look like they belong in a magical Novel. Add in the many ghost walks and independent shops, and there is something for everyone, no matter the weather.
Also, if you’re looking for free things to do in York, we have you covered with our guide.
5. Isle of Skye
Another Scottish icon is over the sea in Skye. This small island off the west coast is pure Scotland with picturesque landscapes, small villages, plenty of fishing to be done. For those looking to get away from it all and enjoy nature. The Isle of Skye is the perfect choice for a winter staycation in the UK.
Luckily, we have a two-day itinerary and a three-day itinerary to help you discover the best of the island.
You can enjoy the capital of Portree, the magical Fairy Glen, and the incredible and short hike, the Old Man of Storr (perfect for a cold day when you still want to be immersed in nature).
6. Dartmoor, Devon
Dartmoor is one of the UK’s National Parks, and many historical novels have used the iconic moorlands as inspiration. It’s rocky and rugged with endless scenic walks, unique natural formations and many creatures to spot.
Dartmoor is a great place to visit if you like photography as there is plenty to take pictures of and expand your talents. Alternatively, you could bring your dog along for the trip and let them explore the new terrain at their leisure as you take a circular walk around the moor.
Winter is an ideal time to visit to avoid crowds, which means that it is one of the best winter staycations in the UK.
7. The Brecon Beacons
For the more adventurous traveller who is never afraid of the cold, the Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales offers an exciting mountainous challenge.
It is a proper outdoors holiday with walking, mountain hikes and stunning views (especially after snow). Just imagine taking a bracing walk through the Beacons to discover new dramatic sites, then sitting down by the fire with a nice warm meal. Remember, the weather changes don’t ruin landscapes or getaways like this. They only give you a different experience.
If you’re feeling like braving the cold for the great outdoors, we have written complete guides to:
8. Belfast
Why not take a jaunt over the Irish Sea to visit our Northern Irish neighbours in Belfast? It may be a small capital city, but there are endless things to do in that you need to add to your Belfast bucket list. From the world’s largest Titanic Visitor Experience and Memorial Garden to Whiskey and Gin tours, cathedrals and more.
It’s perfect for artists as there are numerous public sculptures. It’s also great for fantasy lovers since there’s a dedicated CS Lewis and Narnia event, and you can visit some of the filming locations for Game of Thrones too! An excellent choice for a great winter staycation in the UK.
9. Lincoln
If you’re after a smaller UK winter break with mounds of history, then Lincoln is the place to go.
First up, there is the stunning Lincoln Cathedral, where you can take roof and tower tours. Then, just a few hundred meters away, is Lincoln Castle, where you can explore the whole keep inside the walls, including a view of the entire city from one of the turrets. You can also take a peek at one of the four original copies of the Magna Carta!
The main area is called the cathedral quarter – it does hold a lot of history, and it is the home of one of the largest Christmas markets in Europe. But if you head down the famous Steep Hill (named the fourth steepest street in England by the Ordnance Survey), you’ll find a wealth of independent shops and a thriving high street to check out.
10. Lake District
The third and final National Park on this list is by no means the least – the Lake District is the largest National Park in England with high peaks, deep lakes and acres to explore. One of our favourite walking routes is Helvellyn as we love going across Striding Edge. Although we wouldn’t recommend the edge for a winter walk.
The Lakes are a great place for an outdoors family weekend as there are loads of cycle lanes, walks and more.
- If you visit when it snows, a whole host of winter-themed activities present themselves, such as sledging, skiing and snowmen building. There are also beautiful wintry walks to go on!
- For the cooler evenings, there are cosy local pubs and restaurants to help you warm up.
- As things get a little bit warmer in February, there are a plethora of cabins with hot tubs to rent for a romantic weekend away, stargazing and spending time together. You could even hop on a cruise across the nearby lakes.
- Check out the distillery tours, National Trust sites, and even attractions dedicated to Beatrix Potter for inside adventures.
We love to base ourselves in Ambleside when we visit. So please read our guides to The best things to do in Ambleside and the best walks from Ambleside and the wonderful Ambleside waterfalls.
11. The Scottish Highlands
Winter in the Highlands is one of the most enchanting breaks in the UK. Snow-limited mountains, firmed gulfs, white-dusted timbers, and spangling metropolises all produce a redundant touch of magic.
The Highlands is an attraction for snow lovers. Lochaber has two stylish snowsports resorts in Scotland. First, visit Glencoe Mountain, where you can enjoy exhilarating snowsports in 200 hectares of stirring scenery across 20 runs and eight lifts, perfect for literacy and honing your ski and snowboard shops. It has the longest and steepest runs in Scotland.
There is also the chance to stargaze once the sun goes down. You will be able to see millions of stars, and the Milky way can be seen without a telescope.
You can visit the inconceivable Tomintoul & Glenlivet Cairngorms Dark Sky Park. You might indeed witness the Northern Lights!
Just because the weather is cooler and the nights are longer doesn’t mean you can’t have a stunning UK staycation. There are numerous benefits to a winter break:
- More affordable – winter is typically off-peak season so that prices may be lower.
- More accessible – Most people prefer to holiday in the warmer months, so (excluding events and festivals) most activities will have smaller crowds and shorter waiting times.
- More options – if you’re not confined by wanting to go to the beach to sunbathe, there are so many more options inland and in cities.
Being open to UK winter travel presents you with a wide range of holiday and winter getaway options – from wide-open landscapes to city tours, history and culture, relaxation, and warmth. There is a beautiful winter getaway for everyone.
This was a post was brought to you by Debbie, an experienced writer currently working for Affinity Agency based in the UK. She works with a range of clients such as Kelling Heath and her main goal is to help others learn and develop through her writing.
Photo Credits: averagelives.com and unsplash.com