Our favourite way to celebrate the new year is to go exploring. There are so many places to discover on the CrossCountry network; you can find us at the very tip of Cornwall, and all the way up in northeast Scotland. Join us as we travel to some of the best places to visit in the New Year to clear the cobwebs and start January off right.
Bristol
Bristol’s colourful houses are a gesture towards the city’s abounding creativity. It’s a place you can go to feel energised and inspired, especially at the turn of the year. If you’re celebrating the New Year here, check out some of the fantastic pubs and bars that will welcome you with open arms.
Then, as January settles in, take time to appreciate the art in everything. A walk across the Clifton Suspension Bridge offers views fit for a painting, or a trail around the city will reward you with hundreds of examples of street art, including plenty of lauded Banksy pieces. In Bristol, you can find the most beautiful art in the most unexpected places.
To start your new year trip to Bristol by train, you’ll need to travel to Bristol Temple Meads. With CrossCountry, you can get from key locations across the UK, including Birmingham New Street and Sheffield.
Glasgow
The people of Glasgow are known for their friendliness. In fact, in Condé Nast's 2025 survey, they were voted the friendliest city in the UK! Around New Year, the atmosphere is lively, with plenty of venues seeing in Hogmanay with a bang. Then, over the next days of January, you can explore Glasgow’s hidden gems. Stroll through green spaces, catch an exhibition at one of the city's many art galleries, or learn a new skill, like pottery or cookery.
Glasgow is also a great place to celebrate Burns’ Night on the 25th January. People all over Scotland will celebrate the poet Robert Burns’ achievements at a traditional Burns Supper. It’s an unmissable occasion, not least for the piping of the haggis. This is a special ceremony where the chef presents a haggis on a silver salver to a symphony of bagpipes. Robert Burns’s poem Address to a Haggis is then recited.
You can make your New Year's trip to Glasgow happen by catching a train with CrossCountry. Just head to Glasgow Central from Edinburgh Waverley.
Oxford
Oxford is a wonderful place to visit in January in the UK. There’s a quiet, pensive atmosphere after the excitement of Christmas and New Year. This time of year naturally comes with fewer tourists, making the popular sites more inviting. Many of the university colleges are open to visitors throughout January, when you can linger longer, contemplating the architectural beauty and learning about the city’s long history.
Harcourt Arboretum is an inviting candidate for a winter walk, especially if it snows. Many of the tenacious plants you’ll see here in January are truly beautiful, like witch hazel, mistletoe, and holly. Feel the satisfying crunch of snow beneath your boots and take in the frozen loveliness around you.
It’s all easily accessible by train with CrossCountry. Travel to Oxford station from as close as Banbury or as far as Manchester Piccadilly.
Cheltenham
Cheltenham is the home of Cheltenham Racecourse, where they’re hitting the ground running with their New Year's Day Racing. Promising to blow away the cobwebs, this jam-packed day will feature live music, family-friendly activities, and plenty of racing action.
It’s not all non-stop thrills, though. Cheltenham is an elegant town, perfect for enjoying the quiet months of winter. The streets hark back to the Regency era, whisking you away to a time of decadent balls and romantic art and poetry. Pittville Park is especially lovely for a relaxing and recharging walk; it’s overlooked by the grand Pittville Pump Room, which is perfect for photos.
You can head to Cheltenham Spa by train with CrossCountry. Just hop aboard from a range of convenient locations, including Birmingham New Street and Cardiff Central.
Stonehaven
What better place to start the year than by the sea? Stonehaven on the northeast coast of Scotland has all the salty air you need to rejuvenate you for the year ahead. Winter here is crisp and invigorating, so wrap up warm and head out for a coastal jaunt along Stonehaven Beach on New Year's Day after enjoying the famous fireball festival the night before.
One unmissable activity in Stonehaven is Dunnottar Castle. This medieval fortress holds hundreds of years of history and is splendid against the backdrop of the North Sea. We recommend checking the website before you visit, however, as the castle can be closed at short notice during bad weather.
If you’re planning a New Year's trip, 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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