Everyone could use some quality time with loved ones this Christmas, and with dazzling grottos, enchanting lights, and visits from Santa Claus, you can create some special memories with your family. Whether you're discovering a new city, heading to a theme park, or exploring a winter wonderland, here are the best Christmas days out in the UK with CrossCountry.
Christmas at Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace is somehow even more beautiful when covered with a dusting of snow and illuminated with technicoloured festive lights. When the World Heritage Site opens its gates each Christmas, families are greeted by a towering tree adorned with shiny baubles, scores of twinkling fairy lights across the entire grounds, and sky-high glowing fountains making it truly a spectacle worth travelling for.
Among the Christmas activities for families, Christmas at Blenheim Palace offers a fairytale-themed adventure, where little ones can join Cinderella in the State Rooms. While they follow Cinderella’s journey to find Prince Charming, the only job for adults will be to take advantage of the many photo opportunities. There's also an ice-skating rink situated in the Great Court, where visitors can stumble or glide on the ice against the beautiful backdrop of glistening decorations on the historical palace walls. Enjoy all this with a warming hot chocolate or mulled wine to create the perfect family Christmas day out.
Blenheim Palace is located just north of Oxford, making it easy to catch a bus straight there from Oxford station. You can make huge savings on your train journey with a Family & Friends Railcard.
LEGOLAND at Christmas
LEGO and Christmas are the dream combination for many children in the UK, and the LEGOLAND at Christmas event has made their dreams come true. Enjoy a magical day of amazing rides, attractions, and entertainment as soon as you set foot in the park.
With Christmas-themed shows, an elf workshop, and a very special guest who has travelled all the way from the North Pole to meet your little elves, this will be a day they'll never forget. Plus, LEGOLAND goes the extra mile with its giant LEGO Christmas tree, the perfect photo opportunity for a family Christmas card.
LEGOLAND is in Windsor, with its closest train station being Windsor & Eton Central. From there, multiple bus services run between the two locations, helping you reach LEGOLAND in approximately twenty minutes.
If you’re travelling to LEGOLAND by train from Birmingham New Street, you can catch a CrossCountry train to Reading, where you’ll be able to make further connections to Windsor & Eton Central.
Why not make your visit to Windsor a festive weekend break and visit Windsor Castle too? The castle is stunning at Christmas, with fir trees, wreaths, decorations, and twinkling lights covering the ancient walls and stately rooms.
Yorkshire's Winter Wonderland
With an outdoor Christmas ice rink, Santa's grotto, and an après-skate café, visitors can get the full North Pole experience without flying at the multi-award winning Yorkshire's Winter Wonderland. The main event is the Ice Rink, the largest in the whole of the North of England and the perfect place to show off your skating skills around the stunning 30 ft high Christmas tree.
After hitting the ice, the whole family can have hours of fun on the vintage dodgems, riding the spinning Waltzers, and meeting the big man himself in Santa’s Cabin. If you're looking to warm yourself up and watch the skaters, tuck into some delicious food and drink in The Chalet, a cosy alpine-themed café.
Yorkshire's Winter Wonderland is located at York Designer Outlet, meaning you could squeeze in a shopping spree during your Christmas day out. York station is easy to visit with CrossCountry, allowing you to enjoy the popular Christmas market before taking the thirty-minute Park and Ride to the Winter Wonderland.
Christmas at Cadbury World
What better way to mark the festive season than a trip around the home of the UK’s most popular chocolate brand to get your stomach rumbling and taste buds tingling. Christmas at Cadbury World is a choc-filled trip designed for the whole family to enjoy.
Help Santa prepare for his Christmas party in an exciting interactive show, gorge on chocolatey gifts, dance to familiar festive jingles, and wonder at the mind-bogglingly giant chocolate Christmas tree. A trip to Cadbury World helps educate little ones on the journey behind the tasty treats they love, plus the interactive activities bring the child out of grown-ups!
Reaching Cadbury World with CrossCountry is easy, with trains to Birmingham New Street from major UK hubs such as Manchester Piccadilly, Bristol Temple Meads, and Leeds. Take either a bus or taxi to reach the home of chocolate from the station in roughly half an hour, or alternatively travel to Bournville train station with an alternative provider.
Christmas at Paultons Park
Paultons Park hosts one of the best Christmas holiday family activities for young children in the UK, as the popular theme park receives a stunning seasonal transformation. The famous Peppa Pig World embraces the Christmas vibe, with the chance to meet Peppa and George in their winter coats and boots - the perfect opportunity for jumping up and down in muddy puddles!
Santa and his reindeer will also pay a visit to the park, equipped with plenty of festive stories to tell and Christmas cheer to spread. Roam the park to see the luminous lights and sparkling Christmas trees amongst the hair-raising rides. There’s plenty of festive food options including their famous Yorky wrap, and if you’re still looking to get Christmas shopping done then the gift shop is stocked up with magical books, toys, and more.
The closest station to Paultons Park is Southampton Central, so follow CrossCountry’s tips and tricks for travelling by train with kids as you head off for a festive adventure. The park is just a twenty-minute bus or taxi journey from the station, so you’ll be there before you know it. There are plenty of things to do at Paultons Park all year round, so don't miss a summer or spring visit.
If you’re planning a Christmas day out with the family, don’t forget to book Advance rail tickets via our website or the CrossCountry app. Before you travel, make sure to check scheduled train times to find the best journey for you. If you need more information, you can contact us here.
Info
At the time of publishing, all information given is correct. Details of events, businesses, and locations included may be subject to change by third parties. Please make sure to check any details with organisers before you travel.
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